Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel prices in response to rising customer dissatisfaction and lower park attendance over recent months.
Since May, the resort has introduced discounted three-day ticket packages allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, while tickets for Magic Kingdom remain sold separately. This represents a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall cost of staying at its Florida resort by offering discounted rates on its budget hotel accommodations. Rates at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can begin as low as $100 per night, contingent on the booking dates. This reduction amounts to a potential savings of up to 27% from standard rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
The parks have also rolled out new dining packages this summer, decreasing meal costs by 20% to 30%. These packages allow families to purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable at various dining locations in the parks. Furthermore, Disney World is reportedly increasing quick meal options, offering more affordable children’s meals, and implementing more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts suggest the rising costs of dining within the parks have contributed to ongoing customer dissatisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings have plummeted from 90% to 60% since Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the positive aspects of Disney’s cost-cutting initiatives, he warned that this trend may not genuinely indicate a commitment to affordability or enhancing guest satisfaction. He commented that Disney has historically been willing to forego customer ratings in pursuit of revenue.