Walt Disney World has been quietly implementing discounts on admission and hotel stays in response to rising customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance over recent months.
Starting in May, the company began offering discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to experience Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately.
These reduced ticket prices, available until September 24, signify a significant drop from the former peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition, Disney is working to lower the overall cost of a trip to its Florida resort by slashing prices on its budget hotel options. A stay at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can now start at $100, depending on the booking dates, reflecting discounts of up to 27% off regular rates, according to Bloomberg analysis.
The parks have also rolled out new dining packages this summer, making meals more affordable by offering discounts of 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be used for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Furthermore, Disney World is reportedly expanding quick meal options, offering more economical kid-friendly food, and adjusting restaurant policies to be more accommodating.
Experts identify the high cost of dining within the parks as a key factor contributing to the decline in customer satisfaction.
Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, which surveys thousands of Disney customers each year, reported a drop in satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% as the company shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these initiatives might not represent a genuine commitment to affordability or guest satisfaction.
“Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue,” he said.