Walt Disney World is responding to increasing customer dissatisfaction and declining attendance by implementing discounts on admission and hotel stays over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages for guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom at a rate of $89 per day. However, tickets to Magic Kingdom remain sold separately.
These reduced ticket prices, available until September 24, represent a significant drop from the previous peak of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to lower ticket prices, Disney is working to lessen the total expense of visiting the Florida resort by cutting rates on its most affordable hotel options. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort may be available for as low as $100, depending on booking times, with discounts reaching up to 27% off conventional rates, as analyzed by Bloomberg.
This summer, Disney parks introduced new dining packages that decrease meal costs by 20% to 30%. The all-day meal passes are priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, applicable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Furthermore, Disney is reportedly enhancing quick meal options, offering cheaper food for children, and adopting more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts point to rising food costs within the parks as one of the reasons for the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, mentioned that satisfaction ratings fell from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at numerous popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged Disney’s efforts to reduce costs, he cautioned that these measures might not indicate a genuine commitment to affordability or improving guest satisfaction. He remarked that Disney has historically been willing to trade off positive ratings for increased revenue.