Another day, another pricey paywall hits a Disney park.
Though Disney ticket prices keep climbing, guests seem to be getting less bang for their buck. Since COVID-19, perks that were once free—like the Magical Express at Walt Disney World Resort and the FastPass—have disappeared, swapped out for new paid options (like Lightning Lanes) that reshape the park experience.
Most recently, new additions such as the Fantasy Springs Passport (which saw Tokyo Disney Resort guests shell out hundreds to ensure access to Tokyo DisneySea’s newest land) and the Lightning Lane Premier Pass (which also charges hundreds of dollars for the privilege of waiting in a lengthy Lightning Lane queue whenever you want) have sparked widespread outrage in the Disney community.
One of the most enduring upcharges is for prime viewing areas for popular shows and parades. While guests can still watch for free, these paid spots often make first-time or occasional visitors feel like paying extra is essential to fully enjoy their Disney day.
Disneyland Paris has just introduced yet another of these charges. Ahead of the return of its festive parade – Mickey’s Dazzling Christmas Parade – on Saturday (November 9), it’s revealed that guests can pay €21 ($22.68 USD) to secure the best view.
Bookable via the Disneyland Paris app, this area is located at Central Plaza in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, weather permitting. Guests are recommended to arrive 30 minutes before the indicated start time, with access closing 10 minutes before.
In March, the French resort introduced a similar system to secure preferred viewing spots for its regular parade and fireworks, Disney Illuminations. These were initially charged at €19 ($20.56 USD) per person as a flat rate with no discounts available to Disneyland Paris Passholders. Prior to the switch from Annual Pass to Disneyland Pass, premium viewing spots were included as a perk for Annual Passholders.
The resort also has a paid upgrade for “guaranteed access” to its popular stage shows, including TOGETHER: A Pixar Musical Adventure and Mickey and the Magician at Walt Disney Studios Park (soon to become Walt Disney Studios Park), and The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Land at Disneyland Park.
Other Disney resorts currently offer similar systems. At Tokyo Disney Resort, guests can purchase Disney Premier Access to ensure spots for the nighttime parade, Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights, and the daytime parade, Disney Harmony in Colour.
However, these kinds of system haven’t exactly proven popular with guests. The general consensus is that this is just a way for Disney to maximize profit while adding another exclusive paywall to an already expensive experience.
What do you think about Disney adding more upcharges to its theme parks?
The post More Upcharges: Disney Adds New $22 Paywall for Parade appeared first on Inside the Magic.
