Disneyland’s bigger crowds and higher ticket prices boost company profits

Increases in Disneyland’s attendance and ticket prices during the summer helped improve Disney’s bottom line as the Anaheim theme park remained a bright spot for the company while Disney World continued to recover from a 50th anniversary celebration hangover.

Disney Parks & Experiences operating income increased more than 30% during the company’s fourth quarter compared to the prior year, according to a financial report released by Disney on Wednesday, Nov. 8.

Disney’s fourth quarter covered most of the summer from the beginning of July through the end of September.

The Disneyland resort saw strong year-over-year growth in both revenue and operating income.

Disney’s operating income increased in the fourth quarter due to higher attendance, higher average ticket prices and increased guest spending at the Disneyland resort. Sales of the new Disney Vacation Club Villas at the Disneyland Hotel also helped boost income.

“Disneyland continues to look exceptionally strong,” Interim Disney CFO Kevin Lansberry said on a call with investment analysts. “We’re not really seeing anything in terms of an economic hangover.”

The Walt Disney World resort continues to experience a “lapping effect” with lower numbers following the conclusion of the 50th anniversary celebration that brought big crowds to the Florida theme parks.

Disney announced plans in September to double down on its investments in Disneyland, Disney California Adventure and other theme parks around the world to the tune of $60 billion over the next decade.