Walt Disney World has been quietly offering discounts on admission and hotel stays in response to rising customer dissatisfaction and decreasing park attendance.
Since May, the resort began promoting discounted three-day ticket packages that grant access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for an average of $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately. The temporary price reduction, effective until September 24, brings ticket prices down significantly from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition, Disney is lowering the cost of its budget hotel options, with rates at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort potentially dropping to as low as $100 per night, based on booking dates. This reduction can mean savings of up to 27% off regular prices, according to analysis from Bloomberg.
New dining packages implemented this summer are another strategy to lower expenses for visitors, offering reductions of 20% to 30% on dining costs. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, allowing them to enjoy various meals and snacks around the parks. Disney is also enhancing quick meal options and introducing cheaper kid-friendly food, alongside more flexible dining policies.
Industry experts highlight rising food costs within the parks as a major factor contributing to declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, reported a drop in customer contentment from 90% to 60% during the shift from a la carte dining options to fixed meal prices at popular restaurants.
While Testa appreciates Disney’s price-cutting measures, he warns that these actions may not signify a genuine effort toward affordability and guest satisfaction. He noted that Disney has previously been willing to trade positive customer feedback for increased revenue.