ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The Walt Disney Company began Sunday charging more for tickets to its Disney World and Disneyland parks during peak periods, such as holidays and some weekends, than during slower periods.
Disney began its tiered-pricing system which divides the calendar into value, regular and peak periods, the Orlando Sentinel reported. The cost for a single-day ticket could be up to $124.
The peak period includes spring break, summer months and late December. Tickets for the Magic Kingdom park in Florida will cost $10 more than the company's three other area parks - Animal Kingdom, Disney Hollywood Studios and Epcot.
The new tiered pricing is Disney's way of trying to spread out demand, the New York Times reported.
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At Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., single-day ticket prices dropped to $95 from $99 for most Monday through Thursday periods when schools are in session. In the summer and on most weekends, daily tickets will cost $105. That cost goes up to $119 during Christmas holidays, spring breaks and July weekends.
For visitors to Disney World in Orlando, Fla., the price changes are more complex because they vary between its four parks. Single-day tickets for the Magic Kingdom, which handles almost 20 million visitors a year compared to Disneyland's 17 million, will remain $105 during value periods. That price increases to $110 for regular periods and to $124 for peak periods.
"The demand for our theme parks continues to grow, particularly during peak periods," Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Wahler said in a statement. "In addition to expanding our parks, we are adopting seasonal pricing on our one-day ticket to help better spread visitation throughout the year. Multi-day tickets, annual passes and visiting during non-peak periods also provide our guests with options and savings."
Multi-day passes, which many families purchase, are not affected by the tier system but prices increased for those as well. Four-day tickets increased from $305 to $325 and 10-day passes increased from $365 to $400.
The Walt Disney Company blog cites expansion on both coasts, which includes a new "Frozen"-themed attraction at EPCOT and an "Avatar"-themed exhibit at Animal Kingdom. Disney is also working on "Star Wars"-themed attractions.
