Walt Disney World has been implementing significant discounts on admission and hotel stays in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a decrease in park attendance.
Since May, Disney has begun offering discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to explore Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although tickets to Magic Kingdom must still be bought separately. These reduced prices, effective until September 24, mark a considerable reduction from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to make trips to the Florida resort more budget-friendly by lowering rates for its most economical hotel options. Depending on booking dates, a stay at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can start as low as $100, representing discounts of up to 27% compared to regular prices, according to Bloomberg’s analysis.
The parks have also rolled out new dining packages this summer, which offer a 20% to 30% reduction in meal expenses. Families can purchase all-day meal passes, priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, allowing them to redeem these for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Furthermore, Disney World is providing more quick meal options, introducing cheaper food for kids, and offering more flexible dining policies.
Experts note that the rising costs of dining within the parks have contributed to a dip in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, stated that customer satisfaction ratings have plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledges Disney’s efforts to cut costs, he expressed concern that these measures may not indicate a genuine commitment to enhancing affordability or guest satisfaction. He pointed out that Disney has historically prioritized revenue over maintaining positive guest ratings.