Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel prices in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and declining attendance at its parks. Over the past several months, the resort has introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, offering access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for as little as $89 per day, while tickets to Magic Kingdom must be purchased separately. This price represents a significant drop from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to lower ticket prices, Disney is trying to make trips more affordable by offering discounts on its budget hotel options. Stays at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could cost as low as $100 per night, depending on the booking time, reflecting discounts of up to 27% based on a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks also rolled out new dining packages that cut meal costs by 20% to 30%. The plan allows families to purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be used for various meals and snacks within the parks. Furthermore, Disney World is increasing quick meal options, introducing cheaper child food items, and implementing more flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute the decline in customer satisfaction partly to the rising cost of dining within the parks. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that satisfaction ratings among visitors dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining options to fixed-price meals at several popular restaurants. While Testa commended Disney’s efforts to cut costs, he warned that these changes might not signify a genuine commitment to affordability or customer satisfaction, suggesting the company has historically balanced positive ratings against revenue goals.