Walt Disney World has been reducing admission and hotel costs in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and decreasing park attendance over recent months.
In May, the company introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although tickets for Magic Kingdom still need to be purchased separately. This price reduction is significant, as it drops from a peak of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney aims to make trips to the resort more affordable by lowering rates for its budget accommodations. Stays at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100 per night, depending on booking times. These price reductions can reach up to 27% off standard rates.
This summer, the parks have also launched new dining packages, which cut meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, applicable for various meals and snacks in the parks. Disney has also expanded quick meal options, offered cheaper children’s meals, and implemented more flexible dining policies.
Industry experts attribute the decline in customer satisfaction to rising dining costs within the parks. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants. While he commended Disney’s efforts to reduce prices, he warned that this trend might not indicate a genuine commitment to affordability or guest satisfaction, stating that the company has historically been willing to sacrifice some positive feedback for revenue.