Walt Disney World has been implementing discounts on admission and hotel accommodations as a response to growing customer dissatisfaction and decreasing park attendance. Over the past few months, the theme park has introduced lower-priced ticket packages, such as a three-day pass priced at $89 per day for visits to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom, with Magic Kingdom tickets sold separately.
These discounted ticket prices, available until September 24, represent a significant reduction from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass. In addition, Disney is lowering the cost of budget hotel stays, with rates at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort dipping as low as $100, depending on booking dates, indicating discounts of up to 27% compared to regular rates.
This summer, Disney has also rolled out new dining packages that offer families reduced meal costs of 20% to 30%. The meal plan allows for all-day passes at $30 for children and $95 for adults, which can be used for various meals and snacks in the parks. Furthermore, Disney is introducing more quick meal options and affordable kids’ food, along with more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts attribute the decline in customer satisfaction partly to rising food prices within the parks. According to Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, customer satisfaction ratings have plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining options to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants. While Testa recognizes the potential benefits of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warns that these adjustments may not necessarily signal a genuine commitment to improving affordability or guest satisfaction.