Florida Theme Parks Break $50 Ceiling

Here’s a milestone that beleaguered family budgets could do without: Admission to the major Florida theme parks has passed the $50 mark.

As of last week, Disney World, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida, SeaWorld Adventure Park and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay had raised their one-day adult admission by about $2 to either $47.95 or $48, plus tax. That’s $50.83 to $51.18, with tax added (depending on the locality). Children 9 and younger break the $40 barrier when tax is added. The one-day tab for a family of four, with tax: more than $180. Most of the parks last raised rates a year ago.

California theme parks remain cheaper than their Florida counterparts. A Disneyland spokeswoman said last week that entrance fees to the Anaheim park, last raised in November, remain at $43 plus tax for adults and $33 plus tax for children. SeaWorld San Diego still costs $41.95 for adults and $31.95 for children, including tax, said spokesman Bob Tucker. This month, he added, SeaWorld began offering a free “Fun Card” with each adult admission through March 31 that allows unlimited repeat visits any time in the year until Dec. 23, except the Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Labor Day.