Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel prices in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance over recent months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, enabling visitors to enjoy Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for just $89 per day, although tickets to Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately.
These discounted ticket prices, which are valid until September 24, represent a significant reduction from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall cost of trips to its Florida resort by cutting prices on its most affordable hotel options. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on booking dates, reflecting discounts of up to 27% according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, Disney parks have also rolled out new dining packages that lower meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can now buy all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be used for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Moreover, Disney World is offering more quick meal selections, less expensive food for kids, and more lenient restaurant policies.
Experts attribute the rising costs of dining within the parks as a key factor in the decline of overall customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, shared that customer satisfaction ratings have plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining options to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the merit of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that such strategies may not indicate a genuine commitment to guest affordability or satisfaction. He noted, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”