Walt Disney World has recently begun offering discounts on admission and hotel stays in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a decrease in park attendance.
Beginning in May, Disney launched discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to experience Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although tickets for Magic Kingdom are still sold separately. These reduced ticket prices, available until September 24, mark a significant drop from the previous peak of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition, Disney is lowering the overall cost of vacations at the Florida resort by offering discounted rates on its budget hotel options. Depending on booking dates, a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, representing discounts of up to 27% compared to usual rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks have also introduced new dining packages reducing meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be used for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney has reportedly increased quick meal options, lowered food prices for children, and offered more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts in the Disney industry attribute rising food costs inside the parks as one of the reasons behind the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings have dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from à la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these actions might not genuinely demonstrate a commitment to affordability or guest satisfaction. He remarked that Disney has historically been willing to sacrifice positive customer ratings for the sake of revenue.