In response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance, Walt Disney World has been quietly lowering admission and hotel prices in recent months.
Starting in May, Disney initiated discounted three-day ticket packages, enabling visitors to access Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although tickets to Magic Kingdom must be purchased separately.
These reduced ticket prices will be available until September 24 and mark a significant decrease from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to decrease the overall cost of a trip to its Florida resort by lowering rates at its budget hotel accommodations. Guests can find nights at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort for as low as $100, depending on the booking date. This price reduction can reach up to 27% off the regular rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks have also launched new dining packages that cut food costs by 20% to 30%. The all-day meal passes are priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, redeemable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Furthermore, Disney World is providing more quick meal options, less expensive food for children, and more flexible dining policies.
Industry experts point to the rising costs of dining in the parks as a factor contributing to a decline in visitor satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, which conducts annual surveys of thousands of Disney customers, noted a drop in satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% coinciding with Disney’s shift from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular eateries.
While Testa acknowledged the potential benefits of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that this trend may not signify a genuine commitment to improving affordability or guest satisfaction. He stated, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”