Walt Disney World has been responding to increasing customer dissatisfaction and falling park attendance by quietly implementing discounts on admission and hotel accommodations over the past few months.
Beginning in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to explore Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom remain sold separately. This price reduction is significant, given that daily Park Hopper passes previously reached a record high of $254.
In addition to the lower ticket prices, Disney is looking to make trips to the Florida resort more affordable by reducing rates for its budget-friendly hotels. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can now start as low as $100, depending on the booking dates. These discounts can be up to 27% off regular prices, as reported by Bloomberg.
Furthermore, Disney has launched new dining packages this summer that decrease the cost of meals in the parks by 20% to 30%. The all-day meal passes are available for $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. This year, Disney World is also providing more quick-service meal options, kid-friendly food at lower prices, and updated flexibility in restaurant policies.
Experts in Disney operations point to the rising cost of dining as a key factor affecting customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, which surveys thousands of Disney patrons each year, noted a drop in customer satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% coinciding with Disney’s shift from a la carte dining options to fixed-price meals at many popular eateries.
While Testa acknowledged the positive aspects of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these discounts should not be seen as a genuine commitment to enhancing affordability or guest experience. He emphasized that, historically, Disney has often favored revenue generation over maintaining high customer satisfaction ratings.