The happiest place on earth is pushing its worth. While kids view Disneyland as a flawless paradise that produces nothing but positive feelings, their parents see something different. Everywhere they look, everything they smell, and anything they do is covered with invisible green dollar signs. A single bottle of Coca-Cola is twice the price of one sold at a local supermarket and it does not stop there. The amount of money one must spend to even enter Disneyland, let alone park in the parking lot, is a jaw-dropper. Behind its deceiving mask of happiness and fun, Disney’s tremendous prices may be driven by extreme greed. The prices for entry tickets and everything generally associated with Disney rise each year. However, children still have an untamable obsession with the possibly corrupt company.

It was announced on Feb. 2017 that the single-day ticket prices of the Disneyland in Anaheim, California would rise from the original prices of $95, $105, or $119, to the higher prices of $97, $110, or $124. Although it does not seem like much of a difference, compare these prices to the original cost of $25 during the 1990s, and a never ending and gradual trend can be observed in the span of only 20 years. Additionally, the annual pass has also made a huge jump of $20 higher than its former cost. Stepping out of California, Walt Disney World in Florida has heightened its fees as well. For instance, its parking has gone from $35 to $40. These constant raises seem little, but are huge in the long run.

It is possible to say that Disney raises its prices in order to accommodate the massive number of people that visit its parks each day. In order to filter out the vast groups of people, pricier tickets may be necessary.

“I think [raising ticket prices] is good for Disneyland because it is getting more crowded. They can also expand with that money and make it a bigger place for everybody to enjoy,” Freshman and Disney annual pass holder Elisa Salas said.

On the other hand, some may conclude that Disneyland is indeed falling into a deep, dark pit of greed. Raising ticket prices may not have even been necessary because no matter how extended Disney parks become or how many more rides are created, an abundance of families and people will still continue come.

“[Raising ticket prices] is unfair because there are families who want to treat their kids to a vacation or just a nice day off school and now they can’t afford it,” Sophomore and Disney annual pass holder Carly McKay said.

All in all, Disney’s prices have gone up and when looking at them in comparison with their previous costs, both positive and negative conclusions can be made. The true question is whether or not these prices are worth the happiness and joy Disney claims to bestow. Whether the reason behind Disney’s pricings is avarice or not, the endless stream of willing consumers will not stop anytime in the near future.