TOURISM

Disneyland Hike: After a year without an admission increase, Disneyland is getting more expensive.

The park has raised prices by $1 to $31 for adults and $25 for children. The local discount program that has shielded Southland residents from higher prices--they pay a flat $22--ends June 30.

The hike can be interpreted as good news for the local economy because it shows that Disney has confidence that tourists will pay more to enter the Magic Kingdom. It comes, too, when Disneyland has no major new rides for summer. Its prime new attraction will be a parade down Main Street promoting the animated movie “The Lion King” due for release next month.

Disneyland also keeps searching for other ways to make money. The latest twist is a chance to watch the Fantasmic water show from the balcony of an apartment that Walt Disney had built for himself in New Orleans Square.

The prime viewing comes with coffee and dessert at a cost of $25.

In another cost-saving move, Disneyland will not open as early this summer. For the first time, the park will open daily at 9 a.m., instead of 8 a.m., to reduce payroll. As usual, it will close at midnight.

“They are always trying things out to see how they can best use their manpower,” Disneyland spokesman John McClintock said.