Disney is tweaking some pricing and parking policies at its theme parks, after former CEO Bob Chapek pushed to boost profits.
At Disneyland in California, the company will now increase the number of days it offers the lowest-priced one-day park pass ($104) and will allow for more flexible movement between the parks. At Walt Disney World in Florida, annual pass holders will now be able to visit the parks after 2 p.m. without a reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at the Magic Kingdom, and will Free parking is available while staying at resort Disney World.
Both parks will offer free digital downloads of photos to select guests, with Disneyland offering free downloadable ride photos to all ticketed guests, and Disney World offer them to guests who purchase Genie+, the $15 purchase app that gives guests the ability to skip the queue.
“As we move into this bright future, it’s important that we continually evolve to help deliver the best possible customer experience. Many of you know that I go to the park quite often… and I listen to you and our guests about what’s working… and what might need to change,” Josh D. ‘ Amaro, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, wrote in a memo to employees.
These changes come after Chapek, who previously led the company’s theme parks, raised prices during his tenure and introduced a reservation system. Chapek is facing the closure of theme parks caused by the pandemic, which is hurting the company’s bottom line. The strength of Disney’s parks business helped the company recover and offset its streaming spending. However, these changes have angered many Disney fans.
Since Bob Iger returned to lead the company in November, he has scrapped elements of the Chapek era, including reorganizing Disney’s Entertainment & Media Distribution division and parting ways with the head. Karen Daniel. This week he also announced a policy requiring employees to return to the office four days a week.
