Walt Disney World has been quietly implementing price reductions on admission and hotel stays in response to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance over the past few months.
In May, Disney started offering discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately. These new ticket prices, valid until September 24, mark a significant decrease from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall cost of visiting the Florida resort by reducing prices for its most affordable hotel options. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could be as low as $100, depending on booking dates. This represents a discount of up to 27% compared to regular rates, according to Bloomberg’s analysis.
This summer, the parks have also introduced new dining packages that cut meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Furthermore, Disney World is reportedly providing more quick meal options, cheaper food for kids, and flexible restaurant policies.
Experts in the Disney industry attribute the poor customer experience partly to the rising costs of dining within the parks. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, shared that customer satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many beloved restaurants.
Although Testa endorsed Disney’s cost-cutting initiatives, he cautioned that these changes might not genuinely indicate a commitment to affordability or enhancing guest satisfaction. He mentioned that Disney has historically been willing to trade positive ratings for increased revenue.