Walt Disney World has been gradually reducing admission and hotel rates amid growing guest dissatisfaction and a decline in park attendance over recent months.
In May, Disney launched discounted three-day ticket packages allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, though tickets for Magic Kingdom must be purchased separately. This pricing, which is available until September 24, marks a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney has been working to lower the overall expenses for a trip by cutting prices for its budget hotel accommodations. Prices for a night’s stay at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort may start at $100, based on booking dates. This reduction can represent a discount of up to 27% compared to regular rates, as analyzed by Bloomberg.
The parks also introduced new dining options this summer, reducing meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can opt for all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, which can be used for various meals and snacks in the parks. There are also more quick meal selections, kid-friendly food options, and flexible dining policies being offered.
Experts attribute rising dining costs within the parks to declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that guest satisfaction ratings have dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from à la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many favored restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged Disney’s efforts to reduce costs, he cautioned that this shift may not genuinely reflect a commitment to affordability or guest satisfaction, as Disney has historically been willing to trade positive ratings for revenue.