Walt Disney World has been implementing a series of discounts on admission and hotel costs in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance over recent months.
The company started offering reduced three-day ticket packages in May, allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for as low as $89 per day, although separate tickets are still required for Magic Kingdom. This pricing marks a significant reduction from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass and will remain in effect until September 24.
In addition to the lower ticket prices, Disney is working to make trips to its Florida resort more affordable by slashing rates for its budget hotels. For instance, a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be booked for as low as $100, which reflects discounts of up to 27% based on a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks also rolled out new dining packages that lower meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can opt for all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, redeemable for select meals and snacks within the parks. Furthermore, Disney is enhancing the availability of quick meal options, lowering food prices for kids, and adopting more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts indicate that rising food costs within the parks have contributed to a decrease in overall customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted a decline in satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining options to fixed-price meal offerings at popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the merit of Disney’s cost-cutting initiatives, he expressed concerns that these moves may not genuinely reflect a commitment to affordability or improving guest experiences. He remarked that Disney has historically been willing to sacrifice some positive ratings for increased revenue.