Finding deals at Disney

Prices are up at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, but there are ways around that. Plus, what's up with the opening date at Six Flags' new theme park?

Disney raised prices at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts last week, though the increases were not nearly as high as we have seen from Disney in the past. Some daily ticket and annual pass prices remained the same, and Disney has announced local resident ticket deals on both coasts.

Parking price increases as well as higher Lightning Lane and food prices will claw back some of those discounts, however. We have the news here, along with reader reactions: Disney raises ticket, annual pass prices

For a limited time, the reseller loophole remains open to get multi-day Disneyland tickets at the old prices. If you are from out of the area and thinking about a trip, now is the time to buy: How to buy Disneyland tickets at the old prices (And a small cut of your purchase goes to support Theme Park Insider.)

In other news from Disney this week:

New animatronics coming to Walt Disney World: Clawhauser is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, along with updated characters at EPCOT’s Frozen ride. (No more projected faces!)

Disney picks Hong Kong leader for corporate role: Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro announced that Hong Kong Disneyland President Michael Moriarty will become the next Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Disney’s theme park segment.

Gordon Ramsay to partner Earl of Sandwich at Disneyland: The Disneyland Resort has a new partner for the upcoming Earl of Sandwich table-service restaurant in Downtown Disney. And it’s none other than British food icon Gordon Ramsay.

Meanwhile, at Six Flags

Six Flags Chairman Selim Bassoul last week announced that he will follow CEO Richard Zimmerman in leaving his role at the end of the year. The initial press release announcing Bassoul’s departure also announced that Six Flags’ new park in Saudi Arabia would open next year. Six Flags immediately walked back that part of the press release, committing to a 2025 opening for Six Flags Qiddiya. But the time is running out to make that deadline: What’s up with Six Flags’ Qiddiya City opening date flub?

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While we are on the topic of new theme parks with uncertain opening dates, Mattel Adventure Park is back in the news. This time, its second announced park - in suburban Kansas City - has a new timeline as city officials approve their development deal: Mattel theme park in Kansas facing 2031 deadline to open

Planning a trip?

If you are thinking about a theme park visit, Universal has announced its holiday celebration plans for Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood. You can read about it at those links.

To help support Theme Park Insider while saving money on your theme park travel plans, please shop our international and U.S. attraction ticket partners. Or contact our travel agent for a free, no-obligation vacation quote to Disney and Universal destinations.

Best wishes for the week ahead,

Robert Niles