Walt Disney World is responding to increasing customer dissatisfaction and falling attendance by introducing discounts on admission prices and hotel stays.
Since May, Disney has been offering discounted three-day ticket packages for $89 per day, allowing access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom, while Magic Kingdom tickets must be purchased separately. These reduced ticket prices will be available until September 24, marking a significant decline from the previous high of $254 for a Park Hopper pass.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is also incentivizing visits by lowering the prices of its budget hotel accommodations. Rates at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can drop to as low as $100 a night, which represents potential savings of up to 27% based on a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, Disney has introduced new dining packages designed to ease costs for visitors, offering all-day meal passes at $30 for children and $95 for adults. These passes can be used for various meals and snacks within the parks and are part of efforts to provide quicker meal options, more affordable children’s food, and greater flexibility in dining.
Experts note that rising food prices in the parks have contributed to customer dissatisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, observed a drop in satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meal options in popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledges the potential benefits of these cost-reducing strategies, he cautions that they may not indicate a genuine commitment to enhancing guest satisfaction or affordability. He mentioned that Disney often balances positive guest ratings against revenue goals.