3 Reasons Disney World Has Become Unaffordable for the Middle Class

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Being able to take your family to Disney World is a dream that many people hope to turn into a reality at some point. The Magic Kingdom offers rides, shows and an experience like no other. Sadly, that dream may be slipping away from many middle-class families, as the cost to visit Mickey Mouse and his friends is becoming too high for many budgets.

As Fortune reported, the Disney World resort is currently charging up to $194 for admission for one person and one day (not including tax). Rewind nearly 50 years, and a family of four could gain admission to the park for the equivalent of $262 in 2025.

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When did it become so expensive to visit the most magical place on earth? Here are three reasons Disney World has become unaffordable for the middle class.

Also see how much it cost to go to Disney World the year you were born.

It is no surprise that a big culprit in stealing the fun of Disney World away from the middle class is inflation. Everything from groceries to gas is getting more expensive, including vacations that involve amusement parks. According to the U.S. Travel Association, the travel price index has increased faster than overall prices for four months straight.

Kristy Kim, the CEO and founder of TomoCredit, estimated that a trip for a family of four to go to Disney World would range from $6,511 to $10,000, especially if upgrades, travel and accommodations were added.

When looking at the average cost of living essentials, including housing, childcare and healthcare, going up in price, families are being faced with difficult decisions of what to cut out — perhaps a luxury vacation to Disney World.

Suppose a family is able to drive to Florida in one car, stay with family members for free near the park, pack their own lunch and snacks, and pay for only the basic entry tickets. That still is going to be expensive because ticket prices to Disney World have consistently gone up over the last decade.

Fortune highlighted that while inflation might be high, ticket prices to Disney World have increased at nearly nine times the rate of inflation since 2015. Top that off with the fact a few perks that were free upon entry now have additional fees. That means families pay more for admission but end up getting less than they would have 10 years ago.

The Lightning Lane Multi Pass costs up to $40 per day, per Fortune. It took the place of the FastPass, which was free. Plus, if you just want a single Lightning Lane, you can expect to pay up to $15 per ride for the biggest attractions within Disney World.