Walt Disney World is responding to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance by reducing admission and hotel prices.
Since May, Disney has introduced discounted three-day ticket packages priced at $89 per day for visits to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom must be purchased separately. This price reduction comes after an all-time high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to lowering ticket prices, Disney is making efforts to reduce overall trip costs by offering discounts on its most affordable hotel options. For instance, a stay at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could start at just $100, with discounts reaching up to 27% off standard rates.
This summer, the parks have also rolled out new dining packages, which offer a 20% to 30% reduction on meal costs. Families can buy all-day meal passes at $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be used for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Furthermore, Disney is providing more quick meal options, lower-priced children’s food, and more adaptable restaurant policies.
Experts point to the rising costs of dining inside the parks as a significant factor in the decline of customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, indicated that satisfaction ratings have dropped from 90% to 60% as the company transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledges the benefits of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he also warns that this trend may not significantly reflect a genuine commitment to affordability or improving guest experiences. He remarked that Disney has historically been willing to compromise on customer ratings for increased revenue.