Walt Disney World has been reducing the prices of admission and hotel stays in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a decline in park attendance over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to experience Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for around $89 per day. However, Magic Kingdom tickets must be purchased separately.
These lowered ticket prices, valid until September 24, mark a significant reduction from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to the ticket discounts, Disney is also working to lower the overall cost of a stay at its Florida resort by offering discounts on its budget hotel options. Prices for a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resorts could drop to as low as $100, contingent on booking dates. These reductions represent savings of up to 27% on standard rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
Furthermore, the parks have rolled out new dining packages this summer that cut food costs by 20% to 30%. This plan permits families to buy all-day meal passes priced at $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be used for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Reports indicate that Disney World is also providing more quick meal choices, affordable children’s food, and flexible dining policies.
Experts within the Disney community attribute the rise in food prices within the parks as a contributing factor to declining guest contentment.
Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, which surveys thousands of Disney visitors each year, noted that customer satisfaction ratings dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining options to fixed-price meals at several popular venues.
While Testa commended Disney’s efforts to cut costs, he warned that these measures may not genuinely reflect a dedication to affordability or improving guest satisfaction.
“Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue,” he stated.