In response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a decline in park attendance, Walt Disney World has started to offer discounts on admission and hotel stays in recent months.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages that allow guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for just $89 per day. However, tickets for the Magic Kingdom still need to be purchased separately. These lower prices are available until September 24 and represent a significant drop from the previous peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In an effort to make the overall trip to the Florida resort more affordable, Disney is also reducing rates for its budget hotel options. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could start at $100, based on the timing of the booking. These price reductions can be up to 27% off the regular rates, according to Bloomberg analysis.
Additionally, new dining packages introduced this summer aim to lower dining costs within the parks by 20% to 30%. Families can buy all-day meal passes for $30 for children and $95 for adults, which are redeemable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney World is also reportedly offering more quick meal options, affordable children’s food, and flexible restaurant policies.
Experts attribute the rise in food costs within the parks as a contributing factor to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, explained that customer satisfaction ratings dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from à la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many of its popular restaurants.
While Testa sees merit in Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warns that these actions may not genuinely reflect a dedication to affordability or improving guest satisfaction. He noted that “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”