Walt Disney World is responding to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance by implementing discounts on admission and hotel stays in recent months.
Starting in May, Disney began offering discounted three-day ticket packages that allow visitors to experience Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, while Magic Kingdom tickets must be purchased separately. This price comes in stark contrast to the past peak pricing of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass. These lower prices will be available through September 24.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is also lowering the cost of its budget hotel options. For instance, a night at the All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on booking dates, which represents discounts of up to 27%, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks have introduced new dining packages that reduce meal costs by 20% to 30%. With this plan, families can secure all-day meal passes at rates of $30 for children and $95 for adults, applicable for select meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney World is also offering more quick meal options, cheaper food for children, and flexible dining policies to enhance guest experience.
Industry experts have pointed to rising food costs within the parks as a crucial factor affecting customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many sought-after restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these changes might not indicate a genuine commitment to improving affordability or guest satisfaction, suggesting that the company has historically prioritized revenue over positive ratings.