Walt Disney World is charging up to $194 for admission—per person, per day, pre tax—propelling a once-attainable family vacation into the realm of a luxury experience that many Americans can no longer afford.
Behold the Magic Kingdom's evolution from mass entertainment into a playground for the aspirationally wealthy. Fifty years ago, a family of four could visit for $262 in today's dollars. Even as the park expanded throughout the decades, ticket prices remained relatively modest. In 1998, when Animal Kingdom roared to life, a family of four could still enjoy a peak-season day at the parks for less than $300 in today's currency.
