Bob Iger faces shareholder questions on Disney World crowds, ticket prices, Figment and more

Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger got a chance to respond directly to criticism surrounding Disney World fans’ biggest complaints: expensive and crowded theme parks.

Iger answered shareholders for about 10 minutes during Thursday’s annual shareholders meeting. At the meeting, Disney shareholders also rejected two politically loaded shareholder proposals asking the company to withdraw from an LGBT rights organization’s corporate ratings and to study how Disney investments contribute to climate change.

During the Q&A, one shareholder said Disney hasn’t kept up with attendance demands and asked if Disney is also worried that high prices might keep guests from booking a return trip.

Iger acknowledged that the parks are packed.

“In fact, I was just at Walt Disney World on actually a weekday in March, and the place was really busy — really across the whole property,” Iger said.

However, he argued the parks are expanding their capacity. Disney is building a Villains Land at the Magic Kingdom, a Cars attraction that’s controversial with Disney fans, and more in Orlando.

“We have more being designed, developed and built today than at any other point in the 70 years since we’ve been in the theme park business,” Iger said. “We also appreciate that our parks create lifelong memories for families. So with that in mind, we’re constantly considering and developing and implementing new ways to make the experiences that we offer both more enjoyable, but of equal importance, more accessible.”

A one-day ticket at the Magic Kingdom ranges between $149-$169 in March and April, although the company offers discounted multiday tickets at a lower rate for Florida residents.

To keep the parks more accessible, Iger said Disney tripled the number of days that lower priced tickets were available when he returned as CEO two years ago

Could Disney build more international theme parks?

Don’t hold your breath.

“We’re mostly focused on expanding in places that we currently operate,” Iger said when asked about it.

He quickly pivoted to the cruise business for Disney lovers around the world.

“We’ve plenty of opportunities to expand where we currently operate in our cruise ship business.”

Iger was also asked about Figment, the purple dragon appearing on Epcot’s Journey into Imagination ride. Hardcore fans once infamously waited up to seven hours to get a Figment popcorn bucket. That’s how popular the character is.

Can Figment get his own Disney movie?

“This is my 24th shareholder call, my 18th as CEO. And I think the question about Figment has been asked about 15 times. I call him good old Figment,” Iger said.

“I’ll tell you what. I’ve been asked this so many times that I am going to ask our creative teams to consider making some form of series or short-form videos of Figment. Obviously he’s more popular than just a walk-around character in our parks and resorts.”