Disney Cruise Line has discreetly enacted a significant price increase for onboard Wi-Fi services, catching many guests off guard. This move adds another layer of expense to what is already a costly family holiday, with packages now priced higher than those offered by competing cruise lines.
Stealthy Surge in Internet Costs
According to a recent report from Cruise Hive, Disney upped its Wi-Fi package prices earlier this month without any formal announcement or warning. The standard internet package, which does not support video streaming, has risen from $26 per day to $30 per day. Meanwhile, the premium internet plus streaming package increased from $42 to $49 per day. These hikes represent a 15 percent and 17 percent rise, respectively.
When sailing in international waters, phone service is often limited, and carriers can impose hefty roaming fees. As an alternative, Disney provides paid internet access for activities such as social media use, staying connected with loved ones back home, or checking emails. However, the packages only function for one device at a time, and Disney Cruise Line does not offer discounts for multiple devices within the same guest or travelling party.
Impact on Family Budgets
For families, this price increase can easily add hundreds of dollars to their overall travel expenses, especially if multiple members require internet access during the voyage. The lack of a multi-device discount means that each person needing connectivity must purchase a separate package, further inflating costs.
Cruise Hive highlighted that Disney's new pricing makes its Wi-Fi service more expensive than that of other major cruise lines. For instance, Carnival Cruise Line charges $23.80 per person per day for its basic Wi-Fi package and $25.50 per person per day for its premium offering, underscoring Disney's premium positioning in the market.
Broader Context of Disney Price Rises
This Wi-Fi price hike occurs against a backdrop of ongoing cost increases and perk reductions across Disney's operations, particularly in its theme parks. Over the years, Disney has steadily raised ticket prices while cutting back on benefits for visitors.
In 1955, when Disneyland in Anaheim, California, first opened, an adult ticket cost just $1, equivalent to about $12.09 today after adjusting for inflation. Children's tickets were a mere 50 cents. Rides required additional fees, but these were modest, with kids paying 10 cents and adults 23 cents per ride, roughly $1.21 and $2.78 in current terms.
Today, a single-day ticket to Disneyland ranges from $104 to $224, with Park Hopper options adding $70 to $90. Similarly, at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, one-day adult tickets have surged from $79 to $82 in 2010 to as much as $189 for Magic Kingdom currently, with further increases announced for 2026. Disney has effectively doubled the cost of its one-day tickets over the past decade.
Changes to Cruise and Park Ticket Bundling
Earlier this year, Disney made a notable change affecting guests who combine a Disney Cruise with a visit to its theme parks. Previously, travellers could add theme park tickets to their cruise reservations, consolidating bookings and locking in prices at the time of purchase. However, as of January 2, 2026, for all future Disney Cruise reservations, this perk has been eliminated.
Now, guests must book their park tickets separately from their cruise, potentially leading to a more cumbersome planning process. Disney stated that this adjustment "will help ensure best packages and pricing," according to WDW News Today.
Future Dynamic Pricing Concerns
Adding to the uncertainty, Disney's Senior Executive Vice President and CFO, Hugh Johnston, revealed in November that the company is exploring dynamic ticket pricing for its domestic parks, similar to a system already trialled at Disneyland Paris. This approach would see ticket prices fluctuate based on demand levels.
Johnston indicated that while dynamic pricing might not be implemented this year, it could be introduced in subsequent years. This means that guests who book cruises well in advance but delay purchasing park tickets could face significantly higher costs if demand surges closer to their travel dates.
In summary, Disney Cruise Line's quiet Wi-Fi price increase is part of a wider trend of rising expenses and reduced perks, impacting family budgets and travel planning. As Disney continues to adjust its pricing strategies, guests may need to budget more carefully for their magical getaways.
