Ticket Price Inflation

According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics’ Consumer Price Index of November 2021, prices surged 6.8% this year – the fastest rate of inflation since 1982. 

For some items, vouchers and online coupon codes can help to make sure you get the best deal when shopping online. However, when visiting top attractions in the United States it can be difficult to avoid paying a high fee for entry.

Admissions prices for some museums and amusement parks in the US have risen more than others over the past four years. DealA wanted to discover which attractions have had the highest ticket price inflation since 2017, and which have maintained the same price.

The Museums with the Highest Ticket Price Increase over the Last Four Years

The Museums with the Highest Ticket Price Increase over the Last Four Years

1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

∞% ticket price increase since 2017

The Met Museum is one of the most recognizable tourist attractions in New York City, and since 1970 the museum used to operate a ‘pay-as-you-feel’ admissions policy.

Although a $25 donation was recommended, no charge was imposed in an effort to make the Met’s cultural and artistic resources accessible to all.

However, in 2018 the Met’s admission policy changed, and a $25 charge now applies for a single-day admission ticket for adults from out of New York state. The ‘pay-as-you-feel’ policy still applies to students from the tri-state area, and adults residing within New York.

2. Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

60% ticket price increase since 2017

The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth houses over 3,000 modern artworks from great 20th Century colorists. Current and upcoming exhibitions include pieces by Milton Avery, Jill Magid, and Jamal Cyrus.

In 2017, a ticket to the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth cost $10, whereas today the same ticket is priced at $16.

3. Crocker Art Museum

50% ticket price increase since 2017

California’s Crocker Art Museum is home to one of the largest international ceramics collections in the US and presents the world’s foremost display of California art.

In 2017, an adult admission ticket to the museum cost $10, while today the price of admission is $15.

The Amusement Parks with the Highest Ticket Price Increase Over the Last Four Years

The Amusement Parks with the Highest Ticket Price Increase Over the Last Four Years

1. Funland

100% ticket price increase since 2017

Funland was established in 1962, as a small theme park located in Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. Over the years, more attractions have been built at the amusement park and Funland now has 17 rides, an arcade, and plenty of games for the whole family/

Entry to Funland in 2017 cost $15, however, today the same ticket costs $30.

2. Santa’s Village

50% ticket price increase since 2017

New Hampshire’s Christmas-themed amusement park is home to children’s rides, a water park, and heaps of attractions for the whole family to enjoy during the holiday season.

In 2017 an all-day admission ticket to Santa’s Village cost $32 while today, a weekend ticket is priced at $48.

3. Fun Spot America

34.19% ticket price increase since 2017

Fun Spot America is a group of theme parks in the US, based in Orlando, Kissimmee, and Fayetteville. The amusement park located in Orlando, Florida has seen one of the biggest percentage increases in ticket prices over the past four years.

In 2017, an adult’s general admission ticket cost $40.95 while today the same ticket costs $54.95.

The Museums Where Ticket Prices Have Dropped or Stayed the Same

The Museums Where Ticket Prices Have Dropped or Stayed the Same

1. Albright–Knox Art Gallery

-100% ticket price increase since 2017

In the heart of Buffalo, New York, the Albright-Knox gallery exhibits work from great impressionists like Vincent Van Gough. While currently closed for construction, the museum is expected to open again in 2022 and operates a pay as you feel policy.

In 2017 the admission cost for adults was $12, making the Albright-Knox gallery the only attraction on our list with a decrease in ticket price over the last four years.

Other Museums:

  • Detroit Institute of Arts
  • Museum of Fine Arts
  • Museum of Modern Art
  • Musical Instrument Museum
  • The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
  • New York Transit Museum
  • The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
  • The Legion of Honor
  • de Young Museum
  • USS Cod
  • Driehaus Museum
  • Andy Warhol Museum – 0% ticket price increase since 2017

These museums across the US have maintained the same price for an adult’s general admission ticket over the last four years.

The Amusement Parks with the Lowest Ticket Price Increase Over the Last Four Years

The Amusement Parks with the Lowest Ticket Price Increase Over the Last Four Years

1. Cedar Point

0% ticket price increase since 2017

Ohio’s Cedar Point amusement park is one of the most visited theme parks in the United States, with famous roller coasters including Millennium Force and the Top Thrill Dragster.

A ticket to Cedar Point cost $45 in 2017, and today you can purchase an any-day ticket for the same price.

2. Kings Island

0.02% ticket price increase since 2017

Kings Island in Ohio is known for featuring in episodes of The Brady Bunch and The Partridge Family and for the world-famous roller coaster The Racer, which has an 82.17ft drop.

In 2017, a ticket to Kings Island theme park cost $44.99, and the price has stayed consistent over the last four years with entry now priced at $45.

3. SeaWorld San Diego

1.05% ticket price increase since 2017

Animal theme park and oceanarium SeaWorld San Diego is one of the three SeaWorld parks in the US and is home to a variety of aquatic animals including orcas and sea lions.

The price of admission to SeaWorld San Diego has only risen $1 in the last four years, costing $94.99 in 2017 and $95.99 today.

Methodology

DealA wanted to discover which top US attractions have had the highest increase in ticket price since 2017. Using lists from Big Roads and Joy of Museums, we compiled a list of 40 museums and 20 amusement parks across the US.

With the Wayback Machine, the web page from 2017 for each attraction was accessed, and the admission price at the time for a single adult general admission ticket was sourced. This was compared to the price for a single adult general admission ticket as of 12/23/2021.

Where the price of a ticket differed for online sales and in-person purchases, the online price was used. In cases where an automatically applied promotion affected ticket prices, the value of a full-priced ticket was used. Where the price of a ticket differed by day, the starting price of a general admission ticket was used.