Walt Disney World has been quietly implementing discounts on admission fees and hotel rooms amidst growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance over recent months.
In May, Disney launched reduced ticket packages allowing visitors to explore Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for as low as $89 per day, although entry to Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately. The new ticket prices, available until September 24, significantly lower the previous record-high cost of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is aiming to lower the overall expense of visits to the Florida resort by offering discounts on its budget hotel options. Rates for a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can start at $100, depending on booking timing, representing a reduction of up to 27% off standard rates, according to analysis from Bloomberg.
This summer has also seen the introduction of new dining packages that decrease meal costs at Disney by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, usable at various dining locations in the parks. Furthermore, Disney World is providing more quick meal alternatives, cheaper children’s food, and flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute the rising costs of in-park dining to a drop in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, revealed to Bloomberg that satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining options to fixed-price meals at many popular venues.
Testa commended Disney’s cost-cutting initiatives but warned that these changes do not necessarily indicate a genuine commitment to affordability or enhanced guest satisfaction. He noted that Disney has historically been willing to trade off positive customer feedback for increased revenue.