Walt Disney World has been implementing discounts on admission and hotel stays in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages for guests, allowing visits to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom at a rate of $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be paid for separately. These lower prices will be available until September 24, significantly down from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is aiming to make trips to the Florida resort more affordable by slashing rates for its budget hotel options. Guests may find nights at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort for as low as $100, depending on the timing of their booking, representing discounts of up to 27% compared to standard rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, new dining packages have also been rolled out, providing discounts of 20% to 30% on food costs. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, usable at various locations throughout the park. Moreover, Disney World is reportedly introducing more quick meal options, affordable children’s food, and flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute the decline in customer satisfaction partly to the rising costs of dining within the parks. Len Testa, the president of TouringPlans.com, stated that customer satisfaction ratings have plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining options to fixed-price meals at several popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the positive impact of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these strategies might not indicate a genuine commitment to making the experience more affordable or enhancing guest satisfaction. He noted that Disney has historically prioritized revenue over certain aspects of customer approval.