Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel prices in response to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance over the last few months.
In May, the company introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, priced at $89 per day, which allow access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom, although separate tickets for Magic Kingdom are still required. These lower rates are significantly reduced from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, to make trips to the Florida resort more affordable, Disney has cut prices on its budget hotel accommodations, with rooms at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort starting at around $100, depending on booking dates. These reductions can amount to as much as 27% off regular rates, based on a Bloomberg analysis.
The parks have also launched new dining packages this summer, which are reported to lower meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can buy all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, applicable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Furthermore, Disney World has added more quick service meal options and cheaper food choices for kids, along with more flexible dining policies.
Disney experts point to increased food prices in parks as one of the key factors contributing to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings fell from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from à la carte dining to fixed-price meals in many of its popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the benefits of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that this might not signal a genuine commitment to affordability or improving guest satisfaction. He remarked that Disney has historically been willing to trade off positive ratings for increased revenue.