Walt Disney World is responding to growing customer dissatisfaction and declining attendance by implementing significant discounts on admission and hotel stays over the past few months.
Beginning in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visits to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, while tickets to Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately.
These reduced ticket prices, available until September 24, mark a significant drop from a peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall cost of trips to the Florida resort by offering discounted rates for its budget hotels. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on booking timing, representing discounts of up to 27% off standard prices, according to a Bloomberg report.
This summer, the parks introduced new dining packages that can cut meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can buy all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable for certain meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney is also expanding quick meal options, offering cheaper children’s food, and implementing more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts attribute rising food prices within the parks as a key factor in decreasing customer satisfaction levels. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted a drop in customer satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% as the company transitioned from a la carte dining options to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-reduction measures, he cautioned that these changes may not signify a genuine commitment to affordability or guest satisfaction.
“Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue,” he stated.