Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel rates in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and decreasing park attendance over the past few months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, while separate tickets are still needed for the Magic Kingdom. These lower ticket prices, effective until September 24, mark a significant drop from the previous peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall cost for visitors by discounting its most affordable hotel options. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can start as low as $100, depending on the booking date. This represents discounts of up to 27% off regular rates.
New dining packages introduced this summer also aim to make meals more affordable inside the parks, offering reductions of 20% to 30%. The package allows families to buy all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, which can be redeemed at various dining locations throughout the parks. Disney World is also adding more quick-service meal options, affordable children’s food, and flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute rising food costs as a significant factor in decreased customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted a drop in customer satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed price meal options at many popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s efforts to cut costs, he expressed concerns that these changes might not genuinely indicate a commitment to guest satisfaction or affordability. He pointed out that Disney has historically been willing to trade off positive ratings for increased revenue.