Walt Disney World has been implementing discounts on admission and hotel stays in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a decrease in park attendance over recent months.
Beginning in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, priced at $89 per day, which allow visitors to explore Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately. These reduced prices will remain available until September 24 and represent a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is also lowering the prices of its budget hotel options. Guests can book a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort for as little as $100, depending on the booking date. This reduction can be up to 27% off regular rates, as analyzed by Bloomberg.
Furthermore, the parks have rolled out new dining packages this summer, offering discounts of 20% to 30% on food costs. Families can acquire all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult for meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney World is also providing more quick dining options, lower-priced meals for children, and increased flexibility in restaurant policies.
Experts in the Disney industry attribute the decreased customer satisfaction partly to rising food prices within the parks. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings have plummeted from 90% to 60% following Disney’s shift from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular eateries.
While Testa acknowledged the effectiveness of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these actions may not genuinely indicate a commitment to affordability or guest satisfaction. He pointed out that Disney has historically been willing to trade off positive customer ratings for increased revenue.