Walt Disney World has been implementing discounted admission and hotel rates in response to rising customer dissatisfaction and dwindling park attendance in recent months.
This May, Disney rolled out an offer for three-day ticket packages, allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for just $89 per day. However, entry to Magic Kingdom still requires separate ticket purchases. These reduced prices, available until September 24, mark a significant drop from the previous peak of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to ticket savings, Disney is keen to lower overall vacation costs by slashing prices on its most affordable hotel options. Guests at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort may find rates as low as $100 per night based on their booking dates, representing discounts of up to 27% from regular prices as reported by Bloomberg.
The parks have also introduced new dining packages this summer, offering savings of 20% to 30% on dining costs. These packages enable families to 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 increasing access to quick meal options, introducing more affordable kid-friendly food, and adopting flexible restaurant policies.
Experts in the Disney realm attribute the rise in food costs within the parks as a contributing factor to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, the president of TouringPlans.com, noted that satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney switched from a la carte dining to fixed price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s efforts to cut costs, he cautioned that these measures might not genuinely reflect a commitment to improving affordability or guest experiences. He pointed out, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”