Walt Disney World has recently implemented a series of discounts on park admission and hotel stays amid growing customer dissatisfaction and declining attendance.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages allowing visitors to access Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for as low as $89 per day. However, entry to Magic Kingdom requires a separate ticket purchase. This promotion, running through September 24, marks a significant drop from the previous peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney aims to make trips to the Florida resort more affordable by lowering rates for its budget hotel options. Guests can secure a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort for as little as $100, depending on the booking period. These rates can represent discounts of up to 27% compared to standard pricing, according to an analysis by Bloomberg.
The parks are also rolling out new dining packages this summer designed to decrease meal expenses for visitors. These packages offer all-day meal passes at $30 for children and $95 for adults, providing flexibility for meals and snacks within the parks. Reports indicate that Disney World is enhancing quick meal selections, offering lower-priced food for children, and adopting more accommodating restaurant policies.
Experts attribute rising dining costs within the parks as a major factor behind diminishing customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, revealed that satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at its most frequented restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s efforts to cut costs, he cautioned that these changes may not signify a genuine dedication to affordability or guest experience. He remarked, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”