Walt Disney World is responding to rising customer dissatisfaction and decreasing park attendance by offering discounts on admission and hotel stays over recent months.
In May, the resort launched discounted three-day ticket packages allowing visitors to explore Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although admission to Magic Kingdom must still be bought separately. This price change represents a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Moreover, Disney is working to lower overall trip costs by offering reduced rates for its budget accommodations. A stay at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could go for as little as $100 per night, depending on booking dates, reflecting discounts up to 27% compared to regular prices, as analyzed by Bloomberg.
Additionally, new dining packages have been introduced this summer, aiming to lower meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can buy 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 also started to provide more quick meal options, more affordable food for kids, and greater flexibility in restaurant policies.
Experts attribute the rising cost of dining within the parks as a key factor contributing to diminished customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted a significant drop in customer satisfaction ratings, from 90% to 60%, which coincided with the shift from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many favored restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-reduction measures, he expressed concern that these initiatives may not genuinely signal a commitment to affordability or guest satisfaction, suggesting that Disney has traditionally been willing to trade off positive ratings for increased revenue.