Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel prices in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and decreasing park attendance. Since May, Disney has introduced discounted three-day ticket packages offering access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom at $89 per day, although tickets for Magic Kingdom remain separate.
These reduced ticket prices, available until September 24, represent a significant drop from the previous all-time high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is making efforts to lower overall trip costs by reducing rates for its budget hotels. Guests can stay at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort for as low as $100 per night, depending on booking dates, reflecting discounts of up to 27% according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks also launched new dining packages that decrease meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, usable for meals and snacks within the parks. Also, Disney World is introducing more quick meal options, affordable kids’ meals, and flexible restaurant policies.
Experts attribute the rising costs of dining inside the parks as a key factor contributing to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, revealed that consumer satisfaction ratings dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged Disney’s cost-reduction initiatives, he warned that these changes may not genuinely indicate a commitment to affordability or enhancing guest experiences. He pointed out that Disney has historically been willing to trade off positive customer feedback for increased revenue.