Walt Disney World has been implementing significant discounts on admission and hotel accommodations in response to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance over recent months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages for access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom at a rate of $89 per day, although visits to Magic Kingdom require separate ticket purchases. This price reduction, which is effective until September 24, marks a substantial decrease from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is also lowering the price of its most affordable hotel options. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can start as low as $100, dependent on the booking date, offering discounts of up to 27% compared to regular rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
Furthermore, the parks have rolled out new dining packages this summer, allowing families to save between 20% to 30% on meals. These all-day meal passes cost $30 per child and $95 per adult and can be used for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney World is also expanding its selection of quick-service meal options, providing more affordable food for children and implementing flexible dining policies.
Industry experts attribute the decline in customer satisfaction to rising food prices within the parks. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, highlighted that customer satisfaction ratings have plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from à la carte dining to fixed-price meals in many popular restaurants.
While Testa endorsed Disney’s recent cost-saving measures, he cautioned that these actions may not indicate a genuine commitment to enhancing affordability or guest satisfaction. He noted that Disney has historically been willing to trade off positive customer feedback in favor of revenue generation.