Walt Disney World has been quietly implementing discounts on admission and hotel stays in response to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a decline in park attendance.
Beginning in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages allowing access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day; however, tickets to Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately. These lower prices, effective through September 24, represent a significant drop from the previous daily Park Hopper pass peak price of $254.
In tandem with these ticket discounts, Disney aims to make trips to the Florida resort more affordable by lowering prices on its budget hotel options. For example, nights at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can start as low as $100, marking reductions of up to 27% compared to typical rates, according to Bloomberg.
Additionally, the parks have launched new dining packages this summer, offering meals at a 20% to 30% discount. Families can avail all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, redeemable for select meals and snacks within the parks. Disney World is also focusing on providing more quick meal alternatives, child-friendly menu items, and flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute a rise in dining costs within the parks as a key contributor to the dip in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted a significant decline in satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% correlating with Disney’s shift from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the potential benefits of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he urged caution, suggesting that these strategies might not fully represent a genuine commitment to enhancing affordability or guest satisfaction. He remarked that Disney has historically been willing to compromise positive ratings for increased revenue.