Walt Disney World has been offering significant discounts on admission and hotel rates in response to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a decline in park attendance over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney began promoting discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to enjoy Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for an average of $89 per day, though Magic Kingdom tickets remain sold separately. This current pricing is a notable drop from the peak $254 daily fee for a Park Hopper pass. The reduced ticket prices will be available until September 24.
In addition to lower ticket prices, Disney is working to make trips to the Florida resort more affordable by cutting the costs of its budget hotel accommodations. Guests can book a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort for as low as $100, depending on the timing of their bookings. These reductions can entail discounts of up to 27% off standard rates.
The parks have also introduced new dining packages this summer, which aim to lessen food expenses by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, applicable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Furthermore, Disney World is providing more quick-service meal options and more affordable children’s food, along with flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute the heightened food prices inside the parks as a key factor in declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that satisfaction ratings have plummeted from 90% to 60% following Disney’s shift from a la carte dining to fixed price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the positive impact of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he expressed concern that this might not indicate a genuine dedication to enhancing affordability or guest experiences. He remarked that Disney has historically balanced customer ratings with revenue generation.