Facing increasing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance, Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel prices in recent months.
In May, Disney launched discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visits to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day. However, tickets for the Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately.
These lowered ticket prices, valid until September 24, mark a significant decrease from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall cost of a trip to its Florida resort by offering discounts on its most affordable hotel options. Rates at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can dip as low as $100 per night, depending on the booking date. These reductions can amount to a 27% discount compared to standard rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, Disney parks also introduced new dining packages that cut meal costs by 20% to 30%. The dining plan provides all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, usable for various meals and snacks within the parks. The company is reportedly adding more quick meal options, less expensive food for kids, and more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts attribute the rising cost of in-park dining as a factor contributing to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, which surveys thousands of Disney customers each year, stated that satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-reduction efforts, he warned that these strategies might not genuinely indicate a commitment to affordability or enhancing guest satisfaction. He noted, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”