### Disney Raises Ticket Prices for California Theme Parks

The Walt Disney Company has announced a price increase for tickets to its Southern California theme parks. Effective immediately, admission prices on high-traffic days at Disneyland and California Adventure will rise by approximately 6%, with weekend and holiday tickets increasing from $194 to $206 per day.

For those seeking the flexibility to move between both parks, the park-hopper option will remain an additional $65. Disney’s "Imagine" Magic Key pass, offering annual access on select days, will now cost $599, up from $499. Other Magic Key passes, granting discounts on selected food, merchandise, and Lightning Lane Multi Passes, have also seen price adjustments. Specifically, the "Inspire" pass, which allows entry most days of the year, now costs $1,749, a 6.1% increase. The "Believe" pass has gone up by 10% to $1,374, while the "Enchant" key has risen 14.7% to $974.

Meanwhile, the cheapest single-day tickets for low-demand days remain at $104. The price for the Lightning Lane Multi Pass, enabling guests to skip lines for certain attractions, has increased from $30 to $32 when bought in advance, aligning it with the same-day purchase price.

In a bid to attract families with young children, Disneyland will introduce a special ticket priced at $50 for youngsters visiting between January 7 and March 20. These discounted tickets will be available for purchase starting October 22.

Regarding the changes, Josh D'Amaro, head of Disney Experiences, mentioned the variety of pricing options depending on factors like the season and visitor preferences. Jessica Good, a spokesperson for Disneyland Resort, emphasized their commitment to offering diverse ticket, dining, and hotel options, alongside promotional offers throughout the year, to make the parks accessible to as many families as possible.

While the price hikes impact Disneyland and California Adventure, there are no new price adjustments for Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Disney had previously announced increases for tickets to Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot in February.

The price adjustments come against a backdrop of declining operating profits in Disney's theme parks and anticipated reduced demand in upcoming quarters, despite the success of the animated film "Inside Out 2" and the company's streaming services.