Walt Disney World has recently been implementing price cuts on admission tickets and hotel stays in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance. Over the past few months, the resort has introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing guests to access Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for as low as $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately. These lower ticket prices are available until September 24 and represent a significant reduction from the previous peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is also slashing prices on its most affordable hotel accommodations. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could be available for around $100, depending on the booking date, representing discounts of up to 27% from standard rates.
This summer, the parks have introduced new dining packages aimed at reducing meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be used for select meals and snacks in the parks. Disney World is also enhancing quick meal options, offering more budget-friendly food for children, and implementing more flexible restaurant policies.
Industry experts attribute the decline in customer satisfaction partly to the rising costs of dining within the parks. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, reported that customer satisfaction ratings fell from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants. While he acknowledges that Disney’s cost-cutting measures are a positive step, he warns that they may not signal a genuine commitment to affordability or enhancing customer satisfaction. Testa highlighted that Disney has historically been willing to compromise on positive ratings for increased revenue.