Walt Disney World has taken steps to address rising customer dissatisfaction and a decline in park attendance by implementing a series of admission and hotel rate discounts over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney introduced reduced three-day ticket packages allowing visitors to experience Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately.
These lower prices, which are available until September 24, represent a significant drop from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is also aiming to make trips to its Florida resort more affordable by reducing the cost of its most budget-friendly hotel options. For instance, a stay at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort might cost as little as $100 per night, depending on the booking timing, marking price reductions of up to 27% compared to regular rates.
This summer, the parks have also introduced new dining packages that offer discounts of 20% to 30% on meal costs. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Additionally, Disney World is reportedly expanding its quick meal options, offering lower-priced food for children, and enhancing restaurant flexibility.
Experts attribute the rising food costs within the parks as a contributing factor to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that satisfaction ratings fell from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledges the effectiveness of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warns that they may not indicate an authentic commitment to guest satisfaction or affordability. He observed that Disney has previously prioritized revenue over positive customer feedback.