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Once accessible to families of all income levels, Disney parks have become increasingly exclusive. The company now emphasizes luxury experiences—fine dining at Michelin-starred restaurants costing over $1,200 for two, premium accommodations at resorts like the King Kamehameha Suite for $3,000 a night, and exclusive packages that include VIP tours and priority ride reservations—services that only wealthier visitors can afford.
This shift is partly driven by the broader collapse of the middle class, which has seen its purchasing power diminish while the wealthiest have seen their fortunes grow exponentially. As a result, Disney has pivoted from being a place for the masses to a playground for the wealthy, catering to a niche of "DINKs" (Dual Income No Kids) and high spenders.