Walt Disney World has been quietly addressing increasing customer dissatisfaction and declining park attendance by discounting admission and hotel prices in recent months.
In May, Disney launched discounted three-day ticket packages allowing visitors to experience Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for only $89 per day, although Magic Kingdom tickets still need to be purchased separately. This price reduction comes in stark contrast to the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall cost of visits by offering substantial discounts on its cheapest hotel options. Stays at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be priced as low as $100 a night based on booking times, reflecting discounts of up to 27% off regular rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks also introduced new dining packages that cut the cost of meals by 20% to 30%. The meal plan allows families to buy all-day passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be utilized for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Furthermore, Disney is reportedly offering more quick meal options, affordable food for children, and flexible restaurant policies.
Experts attribute the rising costs of in-park dining among several reasons for dwindling customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted a significant drop in customer satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa applauded Disney’s cost-reduction initiatives, he warned that these measures might not genuinely reflect a commitment to affordability or improved guest satisfaction. He remarked that Disney has historically been willing to sacrifice some positive ratings in exchange for increased revenue.