Walt Disney World has been quietly slashing admission and hotel prices in response to rising customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney introduced reduced three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to explore Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately. This latest pricing reflects a significant drop from the peak daily price of $254 for a Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, the company is working to lower the overall expenses associated with a stay at the Florida destination by offering discounts on its budget hotel options. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on the booking time, translating to discounts of up to 27% off regular rates, as reported by Bloomberg.
This summer, the parks have also rolled out new dining packages that cut meal costs by 20% to 30%. For a flat fee, families can purchase all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, redeemable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney World is reported to be enhancing its quick meal options, offering more affordable kids’ food, and adjusting restaurant policies for more flexibility.
Experts indicate that rising food prices in the parks have contributed significantly to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from an a la carte dining model to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the effectiveness of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these changes may not genuinely reflect a commitment to enhancing affordability or improving guest satisfaction. He stated, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”