Amid growing customer dissatisfaction and decreasing attendance, Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel prices over recent months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, granting access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day. However, Magic Kingdom tickets remain available for separate purchase.
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 lower overall trip expenditures by reducing rates at its budget hotel options. A stay at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could start at just $100, depending on booking dates. This represents discounts of up to 27% off standard rates, as highlighted by a Bloomberg analysis.
The parks have also rolled out new dining packages this summer, offering a 20% to 30% reduction in meal costs. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be used for various meals and snacks across the parks. Reports indicate that Disney World has expanded quick meal options, introduced more affordable food for children, and implemented more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts attribute rising dining costs within the parks to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that satisfaction ratings dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many top restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s initiatives to cut costs, he expressed concern that these measures might not genuinely indicate a commitment to enhancing affordability or improving guest satisfaction.
“Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue,” he remarked.