Facing increasing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance, Walt Disney World has quietly begun to lower admission and hotel prices over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to experience Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be bought separately. These reduced ticket prices, valid until September 24, represent a significant decrease from the previous peak of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower overall trip costs by offering discounts on its most affordable hotel options. For instance, a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on booking dates. According to Bloomberg analysis, these reductions can lead to discounts of up to 27% off standard prices.
This summer also saw the introduction of new dining packages, which reportedly cut meal expenses by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, allowing for a variety of meals and snacks within the parks. Disney World is expanding quick service meal options, providing more affordable food choices for children, and enhancing restaurant flexibility.
Experts note that the high cost of dining within the parks has contributed significantly to decreasing customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, highlighted a drop in customer satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% after Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price menus in many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledges the benefits of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warns that these changes might not indicate a genuine commitment to affordability or improving guest experiences. He stated that Disney has historically been willing to trade off positive customer ratings for increased revenue.