Walt Disney World has been quietly rolling out discounts on admission tickets and hotel stays in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and decreasing park attendance.
In May, Disney introduced a promotional three-day ticket package that grants access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, while Magic Kingdom tickets must be purchased separately. These lower prices will remain available until September 24, marking a significant reduction from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall expense of visiting the Florida resort by offering discounts on its most affordable hotel accommodations. Guests can book a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort for as low as $100, depending on the timing of their reservation. These price reductions can offer discounts of up to 27% compared to regular rates, as reported by Bloomberg.
This summer, the parks have also introduced new dining packages aimed at decreasing food costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, which can be used for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney World has also started providing more quick meal choices, affordable food options for children, and increased flexibility in restaurant policies.
Industry experts point to rising food prices in the parks as a key factor in declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted a drop in customer satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60%, coinciding with Disney’s shift from a la carte dining to fixed price meals at popular restaurants.
Testa acknowledged Disney’s cost-cutting measures but expressed concern that these changes may not truly indicate a genuine commitment to affordability or enhancing guest satisfaction. He mentioned that Disney has historically been willing to trade off positive feedback for increased revenue.