Walt Disney World has been implementing discounts on admission and hotel stays in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and falling park attendance over recent months.
In May, the resort launched discounted three-day ticket packages that allow visitors to access Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, with tickets to Magic Kingdom available separately. This pricing marks a significant decrease from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney has been working to lessen the overall cost of staying at the Florida resort by offering lower rates on its most affordable hotel accommodations. For instance, a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on the booking date, representing a discount of up to 27% compared to regular rates.
This summer, the parks also introduced new dining packages that can cut food expenses by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. To enhance convenience, Disney World is reportedly providing more quick-service meal options, more affordable food for children, and more flexible dining policies.
Experts in the Disney community attribute the increase in dining costs as a contributing factor to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, stated that satisfaction ratings dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the value of Disney’s cost-cutting initiatives, he warned that these measures may not indicate a genuine commitment to affordability or improved guest satisfaction. He noted that Disney has historically been willing to sacrifice some customer ratings in favor of revenue.