Walt Disney World has been implementing admission and hotel discounts in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and falling park attendance.
Beginning in May, the resort began offering discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to experience Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for just $89 per day, while tickets for Magic Kingdom must be bought separately. This price represents a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Alongside ticket discounts, Disney is also lowering the cost of its budget hotel options. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can start at $100, depending on booking dates. These reductions can reach up to 27% below standard rates, according to Bloomberg.
Additionally, new dining packages introduced this summer are expected to lower food costs at Disney by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes at rates of $30 for children and $95 for adults, redeemable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. The resort is also providing more quick-service meal options and has adjusted restaurant policies to promote affordability.
Experts have pointed to rising dining costs as a major contributor to decreasing customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer approval ratings dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-saving measures, he warned that these actions may not signify a genuine dedication to guest satisfaction or affordability. He stated, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”