I'm going to Disneyland with my kids for the first time. I'm terrified.

"My wife and I are about to take our two kids to Disneyland ... and I'm absolutely terrified. Not because I don't want to go. My nearly 3-year-old carries his Mickey Mouse stuffie everywhere. He sleeps with it. Eats with it. When he sees Mickey in real life, he'll lose it. I can't wait for that. Here's the problem: I'm really worried about how much it's going to cost."

"When Disneyland opened in 1955, admission was basically pocket change. Back then, it cost 50 cents for a child and $1 an adult, to get in, or $6 and $12, respectively, in today's dollars adjusted for inflation. Going on the rides cost more. Today, admission plus rides can run close to $200 a day, although the lower tiers are cheaper. Then there's the food. The merchandise. Not to mention the enormous crowds and the endless lines if you don't pay for a line-jumping pass. The happiest place on Earth? My wallet might disagree."

"Disney parks have been a bright spot for the company post-COVID under the stewardship of parks czar Josh D'Amaro. He is set to succeed Bob Iger as CEO. The question now is whether Disney diehards start to change course. One hardcore Disney fan who still visits multiple times a year told us she's cut back on extras and avoids premium shortcuts or add-ons. Another family dropped nearly $10,000 on Disney World and came home with a list of what they'd cut next time. There are Disney-specific budgeting stories, too, showing how families save on tickets, food, and hotels."

A family prepares for a Disneyland trip while grappling with rising costs and concern about affordability. Historical pricing shows 1955 admission at 50 cents for children and $1 for adults (about $6 and $12 today), while modern tickets and rides can approach $200 per day. Additional spending on food, merchandise, hotels, and line-skipping passes can push totals into the thousands. Parks have performed well post-COVID under parks czar Josh D'Amaro, who will succeed Bob Iger. Some visitors cut extras to save; other families report nearly $10,000 trips and still seek ways to reduce costs. A parent fears repeat visits could create ongoing financial strain.

Read at Business Insider