Disney CEO Bob Iger Addresses Disney Parks Crowding and Pricing Concerns

Mar 20, 2025 in "The Walt Disney Company"

Posted: Thursday March 20, 2025 2:00pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

During The Walt Disney Company Annual Meeting of Shareholders 2025, CEO Bob Iger addressed questions about rising attendance at Disney’s domestic theme parks and the impact of recent price increases on guest affordability.


Responding to concerns that Disney’s parks have struggled to keep pace with growing attendance, Iger acknowledged that demand remains strong. “In fact, I was just at Walt Disney World on a weekday in March, and the place was really busy — really across the whole property,” Iger said. He described high guest volumes at popular areas such as Pandora – The World of Avatar, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, TRON Lightcycle / Run, Toy Story Land, and Disney Springs.

Iger highlighted that demand for Disney’s parks and resorts remains strong despite rising prices. “Consumer demand for our parks and resorts product is extremely high,” he said. He added that Disney’s theme parks continue to offer strong value when compared to other entertainment options. “The value, in fact, is tremendous, particularly when you compare it with other forms of entertainment, like sporting events and concerts.”

To address capacity concerns, Iger pointed to recent expansions that have increased park capacity while adding new experiences. “The additions and expansions that we’ve made to our parks worldwide, like those that I just referenced, actually not only provide more capacity but they provide more value to our guests,” he said. Iger stressed that Disney’s expansion efforts are ongoing, adding, “We have more being designed, developed, and built today than at any other point in the 70 years since we’ve been in the theme park business.”

Iger also acknowledged concerns about rising prices and the affordability of Disney park visits. He said Disney continues to explore ways to improve accessibility for budget-conscious guests. “We provide several options for families looking to spend less, including our lowest price ticket to Disneyland, which we’ve kept at the same level since before the COVID pandemic,” Iger said. He also noted that since his return as CEO two years ago, Disney tripled the number of days that this lower-priced ticket is available.

Iger closed the question by saying that Disney parks continue to receive strong guest satisfaction ratings and positive intent-to-visit scores. “Our parks remain the most popular offering in the industry and a solid growth business for the company, as we continue to introduce new experiences,” he said.

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    "El Gran Magnifico"Mar 28, 2025

    Don’t know about any of the other APs. But when I get close enough to the gate, I secure my Jersey Mike’s sub and small cooler with soda….hit a full sprint…and yell: “Leeroy Jenkins!” I find it rather soothing.

    "El Gran Magnifico"Mar 27, 2025

    Funny how Fun Spot doesn't have these types of problems

    John park hopperMar 26, 2025

    You are comparing apples and oranges--- Disney offers incredible value that's a very subjective term. Concert non stop entertainment __Disney wait an hour(no entertainment) for a 3 minute ride

    LSLSMar 26, 2025

    Which would increase attendance and decrease wait times for rides. Almost like, locals aren't the issue.

    LilofanMar 26, 2025

    Locals have it good. To live and enjoy options in the vacation capital of the world! ( Decisions decisions ie - anyone feel like having dinner at Mexico then watching the fireworks ? )

    marni1971Mar 26, 2025

    We do. Lack of capacity and paid fastpass.

    RainemanMar 25, 2025

    The main concern with value from most people can't be looked at in a vacuum, though. The issue is, over time, the basic cost of a WDW visit-park admissions, resort room rates, food prices- has increased significantly, while what is included in those basic costs has decreased significantly or has been made an extra-cost item. The value per dollar spent is constantly decreasing. The same issue exists with other forms of paid entertainment-the price of concert tickets and tickets to sporting events continues to grow, with the quality of entertainment offered usually staying the same or declining.

    erasure fan1Mar 25, 2025

    Yes a monsters show is a positive. If it happens. There's not been a lot of substantial info as to what it will be. Will it be muppets in scope or Jack Sparrow or even happen? We'll see. What's gone is gone, you have to count it when talking capacity. So things like backlot tour have to considered as well. Also, if history tells us anything, what they tell us we will be getting is almost never what we get. And Galaxy edge is a great example of that.

    LilofanMar 25, 2025

    Probably heard it from the WDW bus driver.

    Centauri Space StationMar 25, 2025

    A monster show is replacing the muppets, the door coaster is a new build not replacing anything but back stage area. Star wars replaced a mostly empty row of facades, stunt show and kids playground, for multiple dining and shops, 2 rides, various live performances and characters.

    peter11435Mar 25, 2025

    i figured you posted without actually knowing what you were talking about. Thanks for confirming that. Unless plans change the theater is staying. I’m not sure what you’re referring to regarding a new theater near tower. There are no plans for that. You’re probably closer to Osceola than I am.

    SirwalterraleighMar 25, 2025

    Problems with ingles today, senior? But I’ll concede that I didn’t look at the complete concept BS prior to posting that…so I’ll amend to “possibly demolishing” the theater…and possibly adding a show…somewhere. Does that work for you? How are things in Osceola this evening?

    SirwalterraleighMar 25, 2025

    Well it depends on if they want to go outside of the park footprint as is…but coasters take up a lot of space…even short ones like this will undoubtedly be… They also are doing some placating with these replacements…knowing they are starting to get some larger blogger pushback on them. So keep the theater is the “concept”…which will resemble nothing in the end. It happens when you “cleverly” try to pull that trick where you dump old ride space to add “new” ride space. That gag only works for so many decades before even Americans catch on 😎

    NaplesgolferMar 25, 2025

    Nov 24th concept art , has the theater intact with a new show. Shown on WDW magic. Now what they actually build who knows.

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