Walt Disney World is responding to growing customer dissatisfaction and a decline in park attendance by implementing discounts on admission and hotel stays over recent months.
Starting in May, the company introduced discounted three-day ticket packages that enable visitors to experience Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although tickets for Magic Kingdom are still sold separately. These reduced ticket prices, available until September 24, represent a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to lowering ticket prices, Disney is also reducing the cost of its most affordable hotel options. Guests can find nightly rates at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort as low as $100, depending on booking dates, which could mean discounts of up to 27% off typical rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
Furthermore, the parks have rolled out new dining packages this summer that offer customers discounts of 20% to 30% on meals within the parks. Families can purchase all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, redeemable at select restaurants and snack spots throughout the parks. Additionally, Disney World is enhancing its offerings with quicker meal options, more budget-friendly children’s food, and updated restaurant policies.
Experts in the Disney sector have identified escalating food prices in the parks as a contributor to decreased customer satisfaction levels. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings have dropped from 90% to 60% following Disney’s shift from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular dining establishments.
While Testa appreciates Disney’s efforts to cut costs, he expresses caution, suggesting that these moves may not indicate a genuine commitment to making experiences more affordable or enhancing guest satisfaction. He remarked that Disney has historically been willing to trade off positive ratings for increased revenue.