Walt Disney World has been quietly implementing discounts on admission and hotel stays in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance over recent months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages that allow visitors to access Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately.
These new prices, effective until September 24, mark a significant reduction from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Alongside the ticket discounts, Disney is also cutting prices on its budget hotel options. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on the booking date. These discounts can reach up to 27% below normal rates, according to analysis by Bloomberg.
Additionally, the parks have rolled out new dining packages this summer, which offer meal cost reductions between 20% to 30%. Families can buy all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, valid for select meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney is also expanding quick meal options, offering more affordable food choices for children, and enhancing flexibility in restaurant policies.
Increased dining costs within the parks have been cited as a key factor in declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many of its popular dining venues.
While Testa acknowledged the merits of Disney’s cost-cutting efforts, he expressed concern that these measures may not indicate a genuine commitment to improving affordability or guest satisfaction. He mentioned that Disney often chooses to prioritize revenue over maintaining high customer satisfaction ratings.