Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel prices in response to rising customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance.
In May, the resort introduced discounted three-day ticket packages that allow visitors to access Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although tickets for Magic Kingdom are sold separately. These new ticket prices are significantly lower than the previous peak cost of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass. The reduced ticket prices will be available until September 24.
Additionally, Disney is making efforts to lower the overall expense of trips to the resort by offering discounts on its most affordable hotel options. For instance, a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can start as low as $100, depending on booking dates, representing potential savings of up to 27% off typical rates.
The parks are also rolling out new dining packages this summer, which aim to cut dining costs by 20% to 30%. The dining plan allows families to purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, applicable to various meals and snacks across the parks. Disney World is reportedly increasing quick meal options, offering cheaper kids’ food, and adopting more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts attribute the heightened dining costs inside the parks as one reason for the decrease in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, mentioned that customer satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed pricing at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these changes might not genuinely reflect a commitment to affordability or improving guest experiences. He noted that Disney has historically been willing to trade positive ratings for revenue.