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. Over the past few months, the resort has implemented changes to attract more visitors.
Starting in May, Disney introduced three-day ticket packages allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for as low as $89 per day. However, access to the Magic Kingdom still requires a separate ticket purchase. This promotion, which will run until September 24, marks a significant drop from the previous $254 price for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is working to lower the overall expense of a trip to its Florida resort by reducing rates for its budget hotels. Guests can reserve a room at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort for as little as $100 per night, representing discounts of up to 27% from typical prices, as noted in a Bloomberg analysis.
Furthermore, the parks are offering new dining packages this summer that decrease meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes at $30 for children and $95 for adults, which can be used for various meals and snacks throughout the park. Disney World is also providing more quick dining options, affordable meals for children, and more flexible dining policies.
The escalation in food prices within the parks has been identified as a significant contributor to declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, reported that customer satisfaction ratings dropped from 90% to 60% following Disney’s shift from a la carte dining to fixed price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the positive aspects of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these strategies may not necessarily reflect a genuine commitment to affordability or enhancing guest experiences. He noted that Disney has historically balanced positive customer feedback with revenue considerations.