ORLANDO - Walt Disney World is raising the price of a one-day, one-park ticket to $67, the company announced Friday. Disney doesn't release attendance figures and declined to comment on why they raised ticket prices for the second time this year. The price increase follows closely the announcements that Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando have instituted formal policies promising full refunds to tourists whose vacations are disrupted by tropical storms. Disney's $4 increase, which includes entrance to all four theme parks, will go into effect Sunday. The new price also will affect the company's "Magic Your Way" flexible ticket plans, which allows guests to purchase cheaper packages if they stay longer or visit multiple parks. "The timing of the change falls in line with the needs of the travel trade industry so they can use it to get the most current information for their travel guides," Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Polak said. When Disney raised its price from $59.75 to $63 plus tax in January, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando also raised prices. Price wars have become an annual rite between the three major theme parks. In January, Universal raised its admission price to $63 and SeaWorld raised its price to $61.95. A spokeswoman for SeaWorld said they had no plans to raise prices in response to Disney's announcement. "Our pricing strategies are developed as part of our overall business plan and not as a response to our competitors," SeaWorld Orlando spokeswoman Becca Bides said. Telephone messages left at Universal were not returned Friday. Universal's no-questions-asked storm refund policy applies to rooms booked at the company's three area hotels, nearby resorts with which the park partners and packages booked through Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations. The policy, posted on the company's Web site this week, enables refunds for vacations booked during any active, named storm. "It's something we've been doing informally for a long time, but we thought it was important to state the policy so that guests know we're going to do the right thing," Universal spokesman Tom Schroder said. "If you're in Chicago and there's a named storm in the Caribbean, and you're nervous about traveling here, we don't want you to be nervous. Call us, we'll take care of you." Disney allows vacationers to cancel or reschedule if the National Weather Service posts a hurricane warning for Orlando, or for their hometowns, within seven days of their planned arrivals, said Disney spokesman Rick Sylvain. The policy covers people who booked their vacations through Disney, and includes most Disney World resort hotels. "This is really about our guests being able to make reservations without reservation," Sylvain said.
