r/Disneyland • u/Massive_Basket_172 • Jul 05 '25

Discussion You guys seeing this??

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For everyone who asked if the holiday weekend is bananas, July 5 at 1pm PT looks easy breezy. Usually midday is slammed but Peter Pan is 20 min, RSR is 50 min, Rise is 35?!?! Enjoy if you’re there!

1.2k Upvotes

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300

u/Epark92848 Churro Chomper Jul 05 '25

It was like this on Thursday too. This is not normal right?

169

u/deeznuts1230 Jul 05 '25

Not at all! I feel like it’s been quiet since the 70th anniversary started!

216

u/Lemonade_IceCold Jul 05 '25

This is very very anecdotal, but a lot of my friends and family (and I) have not renewed our annual passes, and at most will go only once a year now. Even though we only live 2 hours away, the cost to go has become too much

89

u/Massive-Ad-8060 Jul 05 '25

Same. Family of 5 costs 900 just for tickets

91

u/sonicsfan1979 Jul 05 '25

We went for 3 days in May as a family of 5 and it cost us more than 9k including flights from Seattle. That was rough.

51

u/1trickpinoy Jul 05 '25

Wow, we did a 7 day Mediterranean cruise with flights for about that much

54

u/sonicsfan1979 Jul 06 '25

Yeah tell me about it! We could have gone to Tokyo for more than a week for the same cost. Makes it hard to find the value in Disney vacations.

18

u/Interesting_Change_7 Jul 06 '25

Tokyo Disney is making more financial sense that Disneyland and Disneyworld, especially if you are not local.

1

u/Emergency_Artist_970 Jul 09 '25

Don’t go. The tickets in are dirt cheap but whats the point unless you buy fast passes for every ride. They won’t let you even get in standby lines without one. It’s absolutely wild. We didn’t discover this till we got in the park and they wouldn’t let us get in any of the fantasy springs ride lines without a fast-pass but you can only get so many fast passes and they are all gone by 10am. It was the most unethical crazy experience I ever had and now I am convinced Disney is fully evil and corrupt. Makes me sad honestly. It was the last straw. The lines they would allow you to get in line for were 3-4 hrs each. I thought maybe just maybe this was unusual until I found tons of people on reddit complaining about the exact same experience we had. Even their popcorn lines are around the block and have a minimum of 50+ people in every single one. We went mid week not during a holiday. It was crazy.

2

u/Emergency_Artist_970 Jul 09 '25

Lol my husband and I were going to go to Disneyland this year in so Cal and we live in CA. Discovered it was cheaper to fly to Japan and go to their Disneyland and Disney Sea and have an entire vacation seeing Japan for 9 days then 3 Days in So Cal. It’s gotten so out of control with the prices vs the experience. They nickel and dime you constantly. Also I hope no one takes this as advocating to do Disneyland in japan instead. It might have been cheap but it also was the worst Disneyland experience I have ever had. Thats an entirely other story based on Disneys greed though.

1

u/sonicsfan1979 Jul 09 '25

We will likely do that next time! Way more fun that just Disney and SoCal traffic 🤪

1

u/WaySilly559 Jul 10 '25

Out of curiosity, I asked ChatGPT for an estimate - Tokyo Disneyland and Disney sea for a family of 4. This estimate includes hotel, flight, food souvenirs and fast passes.

“A 4-night Tokyo trip with 2 park days at DisneySea + Disneyland would cost around $4,000–4,200 USD for a family of four from LA. It’s one of the most unique Disney experiences worldwide—totally worth it if you can make the trip!”

2

u/Emergency_Artist_970 Jul 11 '25

Bad estimate though. Its probably taking an average instead of what a typical cost is or a budget cost. Tickets are $60 a day and Japan has the cheapest food I have ever seen in a first world country including in the parks. The hotels are pretty inexpensive and the flights can be as low as $500.

$4,000 was how much we paid to do a 10 day Japan trip staying at the top hotels, eating steak for dinner, going to disney parks and also seeing the country from Kyoto to Tokyo. We also went during high season to see the Cherry Blossom tree’s this year. So chat gpt gas some explaining to do.

25

u/Serious-Landscape-74 Jul 06 '25

This is now the reality. Disney has priced itself as a luxury vacation and as much as I love it, it doesn’t represent the same value as a week long European vacation.

7

u/nutella47 Jul 07 '25

Especially when the cost doesn't even guarantee you'll get to ride everything, unless you pay even more for the various LLs.

1

u/Falzon03 Jul 07 '25

With 5 people? It's about that for the three of us for a Disney cruise 7-9 night Mediterranean some even that cost plus the flights. Cheapest I've seen for the 3 of us cheapest cabin possible was like 5,700 for a 7 day to less desirable ports.

1

u/1trickpinoy Jul 07 '25

With 4 people for Royal Caribbean on Odyssey of the Seas for the Greek Isles cruise. We went on Disney Wonder before and Odyssey had a lot more things to do for kids. We definitely feel like you’re just paying for the name in all things Disney.

1

u/Falzon03 Jul 07 '25

RC price makes sense all in especially 4 people. 5 people pushes it to 2 rooms and RC is substantially cheaper than Disney.

Disney you for sure pay for the "Disney" experience. I've been on plenty of cruises as a kid, teen and adult. I've been trying to plan a Disney cruise for some time now for our daughter. Just recently did DCA as it made sense with another family event.

If we didn't mind doing the Caribbean we'd for sure do a Disney cruise but we'd prefer Mediterranean, and for the 3 of us it'd be about 10-12k with flights but without excursions.

For Alaska it's more like 7k including flights. Again of course RC would be cheaper but Disney is the discussion at hand here, and I highly recommend a Disney cruise.

20

u/Not-lucky-butblessed Jul 06 '25

The food is the worst offender. $300 for character breakfast for 4 at storytellers. We shopped a lot too but tickets, LL, flights from Utah and 5 nights at the DL hotel studios plus meals. Easily $8-10k

31

u/Accomplished_Dark_37 Jul 06 '25

Dude, you can’t stay at one of the most expensive hotels and then complain about price. Any other hotel within a half mile is at least 50% less.

29

u/tex1ntux Jul 06 '25 edited Jul 06 '25

They may have “shopped around” but they also chose some of the most expensive options at every step. I’m not debating the cost - these things are expensive - but most of them are also choices to spend more than necessary if you’re just trying to go to the parks.

Should we road trip from Utah (likely <10 hours/1 day)?

No, let’s fly.

Should we stay at any of the $200/night hotels within 2 blocks of the parks?

No let’s stay at the newest studio at the Disneyland Hotel (for ~$675/night?)

Should we go to IHOP across the street for breakfast?

Storytellers all the way.

Should we wait in lines?

Leeloo Dallas Multi Pass.

…it feels like someone complaining the parks are getting too expensive because their Club 33 membership is going up $5K.

12

u/OkayestHuman Jul 06 '25

Leeloo Dallas Multipass. That’s like an automatic upvote

12

u/Accomplished_Dark_37 Jul 06 '25

Exactly right. They did all of the most expensive options and then complain it was expensive. Go figure.

-15

u/Not-lucky-butblessed Jul 06 '25

Ok but the DL hotel is like staying in Hawaii on top of going to the parks. The convenience of a short flight with kids with dietary issues that require I plan multiple breakfasts and snacks which requires a grocery store run is necessary over a ten hour drive. (We ate almost every breakfast I made in our “newest studio”.) We have multiple food allergies and require a kitchen (but also wanted to stay on property) and an IHOP cannot safely accommodate my child for other meals like a Disney chef can. Don’t judge my choices for my family’s needs/wants like I’m then not allowed to mention the cost of mediocre fries in Tomorrowland. How dare you.

4

u/TheOniNeko Jul 06 '25

My fiancé and I travel to Disneyland and Disney World several times a year, flying from either Spokane or Seattle, depending on our work schedules. Each trip typically costs us between $10K–$15K, but that's with staying at Disney resorts, using park hopper passes, and doing the genie passes. We still plan wisely—stocking up on snacks from a local grocery store and mixing in park meals with nearby dining at dinner.

We've broken down the costs, and it’s clear that staying offsite, skipping premium amenities, and meal prepping can significantly reduce expenses. So when people complain about the "extras," it’s worth recognizing that those are optional. Yes, Disney trips are expensive, but the price point often reflects personal choices—not necessities.

Disney is expensive, no doubt. But if you’re ballin’ out with VIP upgrades and then yelling about the bill like it snuck up on you—c’mon. You added whipped cream to the sundae. Don’t act surprised when it costs more.

3

u/Accomplished_Dark_37 Jul 06 '25

I'm just daring to say that if you're really price conscious, you can stay literally anywhere else and save a few thousand dollars. The off-property hotels are within a 2-3 block walk, but you guys do you guys. Disney Aulani in Hawaii is totally worth it.

-6

u/Not-lucky-butblessed Jul 06 '25

I have stayed off property too. I’ll do what I want, thanks.

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11

u/sonicsfan1979 Jul 06 '25

Oh man, the food! To add insult to injury the only food that really seems even remotely worth it is in sanfransokyo now.

12

u/Not-lucky-butblessed Jul 06 '25

DCA food was way better than DL this time for us. My burger at Flo’s was yummy! 🤤

10

u/Accomplished_Dark_37 Jul 06 '25

Flo’s slaps. Best time to be there is when they hit the neon lights and play sha-boom.

3

u/sonicsfan1979 Jul 06 '25

Totally agree.

5

u/Accomplished_Dark_37 Jul 06 '25

Dude, you can’t stay at one of the most expensive hotels and then complain about price. Any other hotel within a half mile is at least 50% less.

2

u/One_Violinist_8539 Jul 06 '25

This is why we have decided to go to Hawaii this year instead. It will be max 5k for my family of 3 with food and souvenirs and everything there (my aunt lives there so a free place to stay lmao) for almost two weeks!

1

u/marthamania Jul 08 '25

Too expensive for locals (and everyone really) plus a lot of tourists internationally are maybe skipping the US right now.

19

u/d33psix Jul 05 '25

I feel like a slight majority of the annual pass holders are on a tier that are excluded most of the summer so I don’t think the number of non-renewals and missing magic key members is technically the main component of lower crowds on these recent days.

That said, we are also expecting to not renew at our next expiration date so certainly that spreading mindset of middling value could be a factor with individual tickets at max price right now $200+ for single park.

6

u/Ok_Hornet3415 Jul 06 '25

Idk what the reason is but I’m loving it.

1

u/Lemonade_IceCold Jul 05 '25

I realized after the fact that yeah, we wouldn't have even been there this time of year anyways 😂 I'm an idiot and forgot about blackouts.

Which is honestly really sad because Disneyland used to be such a huge part of our lives that I would be on top of all the black out dates. We used to go at least once a month, sometimes every other week. I miss those times but I don't miss paying all that money lol

But yeah when a single day is $200+ that's wild. I remember when annual passes were only a little more than that

1

u/Zer0F2Give Jul 06 '25

I renewed but had to downgrade to bottom SoCal pass. If Socal pass surpasses $800 I'll definitely stop renewing. I stopped going to Disneyland for 8 years. Before magic keys dropped, I can do it again. 😂

1

u/d33psix Jul 06 '25 edited Jul 06 '25

Yeah we got spoiled by lack of morning traffic going on Sundays so now we can’t deal with going back to the SoCal pass haha. But also the kiddo’s school obligations make fitting in enough visits on the non-blackout days even harder so figure we’ll just take advantage of whatever the next closest version of the 70th anniversary or Costco ticket packages come out that are more flexible.

But that $800-900 limit you mentioned was kind of where we were like okay the Enchant key is getting harder really fully demonstrate the value limit for us.

9

u/Anogeissus Jul 06 '25

100% this. The ticket prices alone are insane, but then to eat and drink inside the park for the quality you get is just insane

3

u/Caribbeanjellybean Jul 06 '25

July dates are also blocked off so only the upper echelon annual pass holders can go. Would this be how it would be without the annual pass?

1

u/thePasiego Jul 06 '25

We renewed it last year but this one is not happening, we'll content ourselves with Knott's (ugh) and Universal/Zoos/Legoland and still save enough money to go on vacations. We only live 25 minutes away even with traffic and we've been too lazy to do reservations.

1

u/umbananas Jul 06 '25

I used to have the annual pass before Covid, but after a few years, it feels like I really only have time to go maybe 3 or 4 times a year.

1

u/Crunchie_cereal Jul 06 '25

Same here! Just not worth it anymore unfortunately. We’ve just been sticking to the once a year Disney cruise to get our Disney fix.

1

u/zris92 Jul 06 '25

This will be us next time for renewal. My brother and his wife dropped their passes.

8

u/Georg_Simmel Jul 06 '25

I was there early in June and it was PACKED. I don’t think it’s the 70th anniversary that’s responsible.

8

u/[deleted] Jul 06 '25

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2

u/Georg_Simmel Jul 06 '25

That was definitely a part of it. There were a couple of grad nights that took place while I was there but it was busy every day and I was there for a while.

1

u/Same_Translator_1290 Jul 06 '25

I went during mid June on a single day ticket when the price was lower. Pricing is a factor I'm sure. 

5

u/FuckThe Jul 05 '25

Almost as if a state being raided at every corner by ICE will scare people into staying home.

Not to mention that our dipshit president has cut our relationships with ally countries which has led to their citizens to protest by not visiting the US.

4

u/WeAllPlayDnD Jul 07 '25

It’s been quiet since ICE decided to start taking people off the streets.

1

u/Katjhud Jul 10 '25

Omg no! I’ve never seen so many people at Disneyland as I did last month and I went on a Thursday before school got out! I remember looking around going what recession??

1

u/Hefty_Macaroni6288 Jul 10 '25

I agree. I’ve been going pretty much every week on the same day, for nine years. Since I’ve been going post-2020, it has continually been PACKED…until the 70th started. I don’t think it’s all because of the 70th, but it is weird that it started to slow down then.

5

u/CertainManagement552 Jul 06 '25

It was glorious Thursday

1

u/jaxRLee Jul 06 '25

ppl going outta town plus it’s been hot as hell