Walt Disney World has been implementing price reductions for admission and hotel stays in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a decrease in park attendance. Over the past several months, Disney has introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to experience Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for as low as $89 per day. However, tickets for the Magic Kingdom are still sold separately.
These new ticket prices, available until September 24, mark a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass. In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is working to ease the overall cost of visiting the Florida resort by lowering prices for its budget hotel accommodations. Guests can now find rooms at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort starting at around $100 a night, reflecting discounts of up to 27% compared to standard rates.
Furthermore, the parks have rolled out new dining packages this summer, resulting in meal costs being reduced by 20% to 30%. The dining plan offers all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be used for various meals and snacks across the parks. Disney World is also increasing the availability of quick meal options, offering more affordable food for children and adopting more flexible dining policies.
Experts note that the rising costs of dining within the parks have contributed to a decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, shared that the satisfaction ratings have plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed price menus at several popular restaurants. While Testa acknowledges Disney’s efforts to cut costs, he warns that these measures might not genuinely reflect a commitment to enhancing affordability or guest happiness, pointing out that Disney has historically prioritized revenue over customer ratings.