walt disney world

Disney World visitors have been left stunned after discovering prices at the holiday resort. While parents raised concern, some children were said to be “in tears”

Disney World may be a magical place, but it seems the prices are enough to break the spell, and recent reports have also suggested the theme park has been quiet lately. One man, known as i_dad_so_hard on TikTok, recently took a trip to the Florida theme park and was gobsmacked by the cost of basic items.

In a video shared on the social media platform, he documented his journey around the theme park, highlighting the “ridiculous” prices he encountered. His trip wasn’t exactly a bargain, as he revealed just how pricey some things were. As he strolled around Disney World, he pointed out that a blueberry vodka lemonade was going for $15.50 (£12.00), while a Canadian apple slushy was a steep $16.50 (£12.50). Although he conceded the prices “could be worse”, he declared he’d “never” fork out for them.

Elsewhere in the park, a pair of Crocs were priced at a hefty $64.99 (£48.00), and a jumper was over $80.00. He also showcased a phone case with a price tag of $39.00 (£29.00), and it’s not the first time someone has alerted people to the cost at a Disney resort.

As he continued his tour, he came across a Minnie Mouse handbag. Over the video, he wrote: “A meltdown was had over this backpack.”

After showing the bag to the camera, he disclosed it was a whopping $100.00 (£75.00), adding: “Not my child, but a child went full send tantrum.”

As he strolled about, he remarked: “Whatever price you think it’s going to be inflated to, and then add 50% to that. Are we thinking on the candle? $35.00 (£26.00).

“Yeah, you just want to get some Disney ears for your kids. $35.00 there. It’s $100.00 in Disney ears for three kids. So, the next time you see someone with a Disney hat on, it’s basically like Gucci.”

Since the clip was posted, it’s racked up more than 20,000 views, with viewers flocking to share their reactions.

One viewer commented: “We took our son to Disney. After much crying (two days), we had to buy the bubble wand. I felt ashamed for buying it.”

Another chimed in with: “Everything is ridiculously high. I paid $60.00 for two three-piece chicken dinners.” A third also responded: “This is why Disney will never see me.”

Others think punters are happy to fork out the hefty prices though, with a fourth writing: “If one pays it, it’s their problem. I’ve never been there and don’t have any plans to.”

Someone else also weighed in with: “Idiots keep paying it, so why not?” One more penned: “As long as people pay it, they will ask it.”

Typically, products at Disney World, including food, merchandise and keepsakes fluctuate dramatically in cost; nevertheless, guests can anticipate fast-food meals beginning at approximately $15.00 (£11.00) for adults, whilst sit-down dining starts from roughly $22.00 (£16.37). Merchandise is reported to range from between $25.00 (£18.60) to $100.00 (£74.39) for shirts and hoodies, with other items like ears costing around $25.00. However, these prices can fluctuate.

Recently, it’s been suggested that Disney World has been attempting to make holidays more affordable for visitors. The attraction has offered discount promotions for resort guests in some cases, while also maintaining premium-priced experiences and large-scale investments in new attractions.

The company asserts it offers various price points to try and accommodate different budgets. There are also a wide range of ticket and hotel options for visitors to choose from. Disney World has been contacted for further information.

Disney World, in Florida, is reported to be “dead”, as rides are quiet and there are few queues. Americans have expressed worry about the state of tourism in the US

There’s been plenty of upheaval at Disney World lately, with a beloved attraction shutting its doors for good after 54 years. However, holidaymakers are now spotting another major shift at the popular destination, as the resort has apparently become “dead.”

Claims are emerging that the famous theme park has grown remarkably quiet this summer, with visitors sharing different theories about what might be behind it. The issue was recently highlighted by a man called thenobleways on TikTok, who filmed his latest trip to Disney World to share his thoughts on what was happening in Florida.

During his weekend visit, he insisted Disney World was “empty.” This comes months after several rides at the theme park shut down permanently.

He said: “I’m at Magic Kingdom right now, and this place is a tomb. There is literally nobody here. There is no wait time for anything.

“Space Mountain – walk on. Haunted Mansion – walk on. Pirates of the Caribbean – walk on. The longest I have even seen a wait time for Seven Dwarfs today [is] 30 minutes.

“Peter Pan’s Flight – up to 30 minutes, but everything is walk on all day long. I don’t know what’s going on. It’s Labor Day weekend – should be crowded, should be packed normally – this place is empty.

“I am absolutely loving it, but what do you think? What’s going on? Why is there nobody here? I have never seen it like this.

“It’s been years since I’ve seen it this empty, especially on a holiday weekend. I don’t know, I’m going to enjoy it while I can.”

The clip has racked up more than 7,000 views since being posted, with viewers rushing to share their theories about the quiet scenes.

One person commented: “People don’t want to go to Florida.” Another chimed in with: “Too expensive, politics, Trump.”

A third weighed in: “Florida is imploding financially and nobody wants to go there. Miami and the other beaches are struggling as well.”

Meanwhile, a fourth also remarked: “Nobody can afford Disney anymore. Think [it’s] the tariffs.”

Someone else also pitched in with: “That’s because it’s Florida. Disney in California is packed. Let’s face it, Florida is in major decline.”

Last month, CBS reported that tourism is actually on the rise in Florida, despite a drop in Canadian visitors. Visit Florida previously estimated 34.435 million people travelled to Florida from April 1 to June 30, which increased from 34.279 million people during the same period last year.

However, Disney is reported to have experienced a decline in tourism. The drop in travel to Orlando, particularly linked to the Walt Disney World theme parks, is said to partly stem from Disney Experiences’ major renovation projects taking place across the resort.

There could be a multitude of reasons for the dwindling crowds in Orlando, including steep ticket prices that some find hard to justify, a decrease in international visitors, particularly from Canada, stiff competition from Universal’s upcoming Epic Universe park and the ongoing effects of the pandemic.

here are 6 blunders that an expert encourages visitors to avoid when going to Disneyland.

A travel agent who specialises in Disneyland has shared the ultimate no-nos for Brits jetting off to meet Mickey at the happiest place on Earth.

A Disney getaway represents a significant financial commitment, and for many families, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Therefore the important thing to do is pre-prepare so that all of the wonderful opportunities available are not missed.

Hannah Westphal from byHannah Vacations is a travel agent to specialises in Disneyland and Disney World. She says on her website: “The Most Magical Place on Earth will be the most stressful vacation planning you’ve ever done.”

So to that end, here are 6 blunders that the expert encourages visitors to avoid . . .

1. Dressing inappropriately

Hannah warns against impractical clothing choices, stating: “It’s easy to forget, but comfortable shoes are essential for a fantastic Disneyland trip. High heels, flip-flops, and brand-new shoes might not be the best choice after a day of exploring rides and soaking up the magic.”

2. Lingering too long over meals

Additionally, don’t spend ages dining when you could be enjoying attractions. Whilst Disney offers an incredible array of dining options, Hannah advises striking a balance between eating and entertainment

She explained: “If you’re tight for time exploring the parks, a long, leisurely meal might not be the best way to spend your day.

“It’s a shame to see visitors feeling deflated after a lovely meal, only to find they’ve squeezed themselves out of time for their top ride.”

The specialist recommends that guests should either set aside sufficient time for dining or choose swift bite-sized options to maximise their park experience. For those curious about food budgeting, Disneyland has published comprehensive details of all its dining establishments online, including pricing brackets and full menus.

3. Failing to utilise the Disneyland app

To elevate your enchanting adventure, visitors can download the Disneyland app, which the specialist describes as a “fantastic tool” for your trip. Yet countless guests fail to harness its full potential.

“The app provides everything you need to know, from current ride wait times to character meet-and-greets and show schedules,” Hannah explained.

Visitors can also browse their PhotoPass snaps and attraction photos, store their park tickets conveniently on the app, and pre-order meals to avoid lengthy queues.

The specialist recommends downloading the app and establishing your profile well in advance. This approach allows you to familiarise yourself with its capabilities before arrival, preserving valuable park hours for what truly matters – soaking up the enchantment.

4. Standing in line for treats

Few things prove more frustrating than developing an appetite whilst trapped in an endless queue for refreshments at Disneyland (or whilst awaiting an attraction). Thankfully for visitors, there’s a clever strategy to sidestep those interminable waits – pre-ordering your snacks.

Disneyland has come a long way from the days of our childhood, now offering a host of conveniences to its visitors. One such convenience is the ability to pre-order food and drinks via the Disneyland app, allowing guests to bypass queues and spend more time enjoying the attractions.

Hannah explained: “Simply place your order and pay through the app. Once you get a notification that your food’s ready to collect, you can swing by and grab it.”

5. Watching fireworks inside the park

When it comes to the nightly fireworks display, a favourite among park-goers, Hannah cautioned about the typically large crowds that gather to watch.

“While the fireworks are stunning from within the park, you might find yourself feeling a bit overwhelmed by the crowds,” she revealed. “For a more relaxed experience, you might want to consider alternative viewing spots outside the park.

6. Not exploring beyond the rides

Hannah also highlighted that there’s more to Disney parks than just the rides; they’re brimming with amazing performances by talented cast members.

She encourages visitors not to overlook these experiences simply because the thrill rides seem like the main attraction.

Hannah advised: “The way I see it, it wouldn’t be a good idea to miss out on a fantastic show just for the sake of a short ride with a lengthy wait.”.

She recommends guests make the most of the parades, spectacular evening shows, and captivating daily events that only Disney parks can provide.

A former cast member at a Disney theme park has said there’s one thing she wishes guests would stop doing while visiting, and it can ruin someone’s day if you break the unwritten rule

When you go to a Disney theme park like Disney World or Disneyland, there are some golden rules you should follow. For example, most people know that adults are banned from dressing up as Disney characters because they might confuse children into thinking they’re the real cast members, and there’s also a ban on bringing folding chairs and drones into the parks because of the disruption they might cause.

But did you know there are also rules about how to interact with cast members? Many of these are unspoken, but there are some things you should never do when you meet the actors and actresses who are dressed up as your favourite Disney characters.

Kayla Nicole, a former Disney cast member, shared a video on TikTok in which she highlighted the number one thing she wished people would stop doing when they line up to meet Disney princesses.

During her eight years as a cast member, the woman played a number of roles at the park, including Ariel from The Little Mermaid, Merida from Brave, and Cinderella. She said that if you’re ever meeting two characters at once, you should never ignore one in favour of the other.

She explained: “If you’re in a meet-and-greet location like the hall, where you have one princess on this carpet and a different princess on the other carpet, do not skip one to go to the other.

“Operationally, that tiny little area between princesses is getting clogged up. But beyond the operational aspect, there’s a humanity aspect. How would you feel getting consistently skipped over? With side eyes and smirks and backs turned, not even acknowledging you.

“Per our rules, we’re supposed to average around 70 seconds for each interaction to make it fair for every family. So if you’re skipping a princess, you are saving one minute of your time and potentially causing a world of hurt to that performer.”

Kayla said that despite the cast members doing everything in their power to embody the character they’re playing, they are still real people underneath the costume, and they have real feelings. She also said this can be even more difficult for people of colour playing princesses like Tiana from The Princess and the Frog or Elena from Elena of Avalor.

She added: “Imagine you’re a person of colour playing Elena or Tiana, the two characters that meet in the hall. In real life, you feel looked over, given fewer opportunities, etc, and then you come to your job and people are still looking over you.

“We’ve had to stop loading the rooms so many times throughout my Disney career because my Elena was crying at how she was being treated. I promise you, you’re still going to make that Space Mountain fast pass.

“If you’re a guest, just walk up, smile, and say hey. The performer should, in theory, take the reins and guide the entire interaction from there on. Just ‘yes and’ everything they say and it’ll be over before you know it.”

Several commenters on the video shared their own experiences with seeing Disney princesses skipped over, especially when it comes to lesser-known characters.

One person said: “Elena was my daughter’s favourite princess when we went. People kept skipping her over, and she spent extra time with my little, and we never knew of that princess before.”

Another added: “I never watched Elena’s show, but we had such a great interaction when I met her! I’m glad she took the reins because honestly, I was so nervous about what to say to her. Total sweetheart!”