5 Insights Into Disney and Universal's Modern Theme Park Strategies

We looked at theme parks for a recent episode of the Skift Podcast, in which we explored how today’s parks have little in common with the previous generation. Leadership is raising prices, using technology, and diversifying products in new ways.

Our guests were Farmingdale State College professor Martin Lewiston, who studies the theme park industry, and Robert Niles, founder and editor of the website Theme Park Insider. They joined host Hannah Sampson and Skift reporter Dan Peltier.

Here are five takeaways from the conversation:

The price of tickets has gone up dramatically over the years, and now, many families can’t afford to visit on a regular basis, if at all. Some parks are honing in on the luxury market as well.

“There's a Four Seasons at Walt Disney World now. That pretty much tells you what you need to know,” said Niles.

Theme parks may even lean toward airline- or hotel-style pricing, i.e. dynamic pricing,