Walt Disney World has been quietly implementing discounts on admission prices and hotel stays in response to rising customer dissatisfaction and a dip in park attendance over recent months.
In May, the company began offering three-day ticket packages allowing access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately. This promotion, which will be available until September 24, significantly lowers the previous high price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Alongside ticket discounts, Disney is also working to reduce overall trip costs by lowering prices for its budget accommodations. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can start as low as $100, depending on booking dates, marking a reduction of up to 27% compared to regular rates, according to Bloomberg’s analysis.
This summer, the parks have rolled out new dining packages, offering meal plans that cut dining costs by 20% to 30%. Families can opt for all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, redeemable for select meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney World is also adding more quick meal options, lower-priced food for kids, and more flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute the rising food costs inside the parks as a key factor contributing to customer dissatisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings have plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining options to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-reduction efforts, he expressed concern that these moves might not genuinely reflect a commitment to making the parks more affordable or improving guest satisfaction. He remarked, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”