Walt Disney World has been experiencing a rise in customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance, prompting the company to offer discounts on admission and hotel stays in recent months.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages that provide access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day. However, tickets to Magic Kingdom remain separate purchases.
These discounted prices are significant, especially compared to the peak rate of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass. The current lower rates will be available until September 24.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is working to make trips to the Florida resort more affordable by reducing the prices of its budget hotel options. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could cost as low as $100, depending on the booking dates. These reductions can represent as much as a 27% decrease from standard rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, Disney parks have also rolled out new dining packages that offer discounts on food prices by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be redeemed for select meals and snacks throughout the parks. Additionally, Disney World is providing more quick meal options and cheaper food for kids, along with more flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute the heightened food prices inside the parks as a factor contributing to diminishing customer satisfaction. Len Testa, the president of TouringPlans.com, mentioned that customer satisfaction ratings dropped from 90% to 60% as the company transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many favored restaurants.
Although Testa commended Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these changes might not signify a genuine dedication to affordability or enhanced guest experiences. He noted that Disney has historically been willing to forgo positive ratings in exchange for increased revenue.