Walt Disney World has been reducing admission and hotel prices in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and declining attendance at its parks. In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, while tickets for Magic Kingdom remain separate.
These lower prices, effective until September 24, represent a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass. Alongside ticket discounts, Disney has also lowered the rates for its budget hotel accommodations. Stays at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100 per night, reflecting discounts of up to 27% according to Bloomberg.
This summer, new dining packages have been introduced to help reduce dining costs, offering meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult that can be used for various meals and snacks in the parks. Additionally, Disney World is expanding quick meal options, providing cheaper kid-friendly food, and implementing more flexible restaurant policies to enhance guest experience.
Experts link the rise in food costs inside the parks to the drop in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted a significant decline in satisfaction ratings, which fell from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at popular restaurants. While Testa commends Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warns that these changes may not reflect a genuine dedication to affordability or customer satisfaction, suggesting that Disney has prioritized revenue over positive guest experiences.