Why Disneyland tickets could get even more expensive

Tickets to Disneyland are about to get more expensive if Anaheim city lawmakers have their way.

Anaheim City Council members want to impose a 2% “entrance tax” on tickets to major sites and theme parks, which would affect visitors to Disneyland and California Adventures, which is also operated by Walt Disney Co.

The tax would also apply to ducats for local concerts and sporting events, including home games involving the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks and Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Angels, according to Spectrum News 1.

Before the pandemic, a ticket to Disneyland, which drew more than 18.6 million visitors a year, started at $104. A theme park ticket will now cost a visitor at least $164.

Anaheim has never imposed a head tax despite having hosted theme parks and professional sports teams for decades.

Proponents of the tax hope to raise an additional $82 million a year to fund construction of a public swimming pool, restore library services for seven days, build a senior center and hire more police and firefighters.

The six-member city council must approve the proposal by supermajority – or five of the six members. This would trigger a referendum in November in which voters would be asked if they wanted the measure passed. If a majority of 50% plus a yes vote, the measure passes.

“We have an obligation to consider options to promote our financial health and provide essential services to our residents,” said Jose Moreno, a Democratic city council member.

« Given the tremendous needs for services in our city, I simply ask fellow councilors to allow the people of Anaheim to vote on a measure that can provide critical funding to our neighborhoods. »

Moreno said the city is struggling financially, especially after the coronavirus pandemic.

« That revenue could go to much-needed services in Anaheim and back to Anaheim residents, » Moreno said.

“My request to council colleagues is to recognize our fiscal needs, the social impacts of 25 million visitors to our city, and support allowing people to review, discuss and vote on the measure – Let Anaheimians decide. »

In 2015, Disneyland successfully lobbied against an expiring entertainment tax. The city council agreed to extend Disneyland’s exemption in exchange for the theme park agreeing to invest more than $1 billion in the resort.

Three years later, Disney asked the city to terminate the agreement after the city council passed a measure requiring companies with tax incentives to pay their employees above minimum wage.

The Post sought comment from Disney, the Ducks and the Angels.