Walt Disney World has been quietly discounting admission and hotel prices in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance over the past few months.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages for visitors to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom, priced at $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom must be purchased separately. These lower prices, valid until September 24, are a significant reduction from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is making efforts to lower the overall expense of visiting the Florida resort by offering discounts on its most affordable hotel accommodations. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, or Sports Resort could cost as little as $100, depending on the booking date. This represents a discount of up to 27% compared to standard rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
The parks have also introduced new dining packages this summer, which cut meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be used for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney World is reportedly expanding quick meal options, introducing cheaper food for kids, and offering more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts indicate that the rising cost of dining within the parks has contributed to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, which surveys thousands of Disney patrons annually, noted that satisfaction ratings have dropped from 90% to 60%, coinciding with the shift from à la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these actions may not signal a genuine dedication to affordability or enhancing guest satisfaction. He stated, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”