Amid growing customer dissatisfaction and a decline in theme park attendance, Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing the prices of admission and accommodations in recent months.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day; however, tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be bought separately. This represents a significant drop from the previous peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to lowering ticket prices, Disney is also trying to make trips to its Florida resort more affordable by offering discounts on its budget hotel options. Rates at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100 a night, contingent on booking dates, delivering discounts of up to 27% off standard rates.
Moreover, the parks have rolled out new dining packages this summer, which offer discounts of 20% to 30% on food expenses. Families can now purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable for various meals and snacks within the parks. Disney World is also providing more quick meal choices, kid-friendly food at lower prices, and increased flexibility regarding restaurant policies.
Experts suggest that rising dining costs within the parks are among several factors contributing to reduced customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings have plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meal options at many favored restaurants.
While Testa commends Disney’s efforts to reduce costs, he warns that these moves may not genuinely reflect a dedication to affordability or improved guest satisfaction. He stated, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”