Walt Disney World has been quietly lowering admission and hotel prices in response to rising customer dissatisfaction and decreasing park attendance over the past few months.
In May, the company introduced discounted three-day ticket packages priced at $89 per day, which offer access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom, while tickets for Magic Kingdom are sold separately. These reduced prices will be available until September 24 and mark a significant reduction from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to make trips to its Florida resort more affordable by cutting the prices of its lowest-tier hotel accommodations. For instance, a stay at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort may cost as little as $100, depending on the booking date, representing discounts of up to 27% compared to standard rates.
This summer, the parks have also rolled out new dining packages that lower meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can buy all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, which can be used for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Furthermore, Disney is reportedly providing more quick meal options, cheaper kid-friendly food, and more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts attribute rising food prices within the parks as a significant factor in declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, mentioned that customer satisfaction ratings have dropped from 90% to 60% during the shift from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledges the benefits of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warns that these actions may not genuinely indicate a dedication to affordability or improving guest experiences. He noted that Disney has historically been willing to trade off positive ratings for increased revenue.