Walt Disney World has been implementing discounts on admission and hotel stays in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a decline in park attendance over recent months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages priced at $89 per day, allowing access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom, although Magic Kingdom tickets must still be purchased separately. These reduced prices, valid through September 24, represent a significant drop from the previous peak of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is lowering the cost of its budget hotel options. For example, a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on the timing of the booking. These discounts can reach up to 27% off regular rates, as noted in a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, new dining packages have also been introduced, offering a 20% to 30% reduction in meal costs. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Furthermore, Disney World is providing more quick meal options, less expensive children’s food, and more adaptable restaurant policies.
Experts attribute the rising costs of dining within the parks as a contributing factor to declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, mentioned that satisfaction ratings have dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals in many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledges the positive impact of Disney’s cost-cutting strategies, he warns that these changes may not genuinely reflect a commitment to affordability or customer satisfaction. He indicated that Disney has historically been willing to trade off guest ratings for revenue.