Walt Disney World has been implementing discounts on admission and hotel rates in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a decline in park attendance. Beginning in May, the company started offering three-day ticket packages that allow access to 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, mark a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass. Additionally, Disney is working to make trips to its Florida resort more affordable by cutting rates at its budget hotels, such as Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort, where overnight stays can start as low as $100 depending on booking dates. These reductions represent discounts of up to 27% compared to regular rates.
This summer, new dining packages have been introduced that lower the cost of dining in the parks by 20% to 30%. The meal plan allows families to purchase all-day meal passes for $30 for children and $95 for adults, usable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney World has also added more quick-service meal options, lower-priced food for kids, and more flexible dining policies.
Industry experts attribute the decline in customer satisfaction to increased food prices within the parks. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that satisfaction ratings dropped from 90% to 60% around the time Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants. While Testa applauded Disney’s efforts to cut costs, he warned that this may not necessarily indicate a genuine commitment to improving affordability or customer satisfaction.