Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing the cost of admission and hotel stays in response to increasing customer dissatisfaction and declining park attendance over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney began offering discounted three-day ticket packages priced at $89 per day, allowing access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom still need to be purchased separately.
These lower ticket prices, available until September 24, represent a significant reduction from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to the ticket discounts, Disney is also working to lower the overall cost of visiting the Florida resort by reducing rates for its cheapest hotel accommodations. Guests may find rooms at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music and Sports Resort for as low as $100 per night, depending on their booking date. According to a Bloomberg analysis, these discounts can reach up to 27% off regular rates.
This summer, the parks have introduced new dining packages that reduce eating costs by 20% to 30%. Families can buy all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be used for select meals and snacks throughout the parks. Additionally, Disney is reportedly offering more quick meal options, cheaper food for kids, and more flexible dining policies.
Experts believe that the rising costs of food within the parks have contributed to a decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that satisfaction ratings have dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals in many of its popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these efforts may not indicate a genuine commitment to guest satisfaction or affordability. “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue,” he remarked.