Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel prices in response to increased customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney launched discounted three-day ticket packages that allow visitors to enjoy Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, while tickets for Magic Kingdom remain available separately. These lower prices will remain in effect until September 24 and represent a significant reduction from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is also aiming to lower overall trip costs by slashing prices on its budget hotel options. A stay at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could be as low as $100 per night depending on the booking date, showcasing discounts of up to 27% compared to regular rates, as reported by Bloomberg.
This summer, Disney has also introduced new dining packages that decrease meal costs by 20% to 30%. The dining plan allows families to purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, applicable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. More efficient quick meal options, lower-priced children’s meals, and flexible restaurant policies are also part of the new offerings.
Experts indicate that the rising cost of dining within the parks has contributed to declining customer satisfaction ratings. Len Testa, the president of TouringPlans.com, noted that satisfaction ratings dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed price meals at popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the benefits of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he expressed concern that these changes may not demonstrate a genuine commitment to affordability or overall guest satisfaction, highlighting that Disney has historically balanced customer ratings with revenue generation.