Disney raises price of Florida thrills

By Barbara Liston

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug 5 (Reuters) - Walt Disney World in Orlando hiked ticket prices on Sunday and raised the cost of a one-day, one-park admission to $71 plus tax, a 6 percent increase, according to the company's Web site.

The change came almost a year to the day after the last price increase at the Walt Disney Co.'s (DIS.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) Florida parks in August 2006, when the basic admission ticket sold for $67 plus tax.

The price increase varied for customized ticket packages purchased under Disney's "Magic Your Way" program.

Disney World spokesmen did not return calls for comment during the weekend. Traditionally, price hikes at Disney are followed quickly by increases at nearby SeaWorld, which is owned by Anheuser-Busch (BUD.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), and Universal Orlando, which is part of the NBC Universal company controlled by General Electric (GE.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).