Walt Disney World is responding to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance by implementing discounts on admission and hotel stays over recent months. Starting in May, Disney has offered three-day ticket packages allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for as little as $89 per day, though Magic Kingdom tickets must be purchased separately.
These reduced ticket prices, available until September 24, mark a significant decrease from the previous peak of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is also working to lower the overall expense of staying at the Florida resort by slashing prices on its most affordable hotel options. Certain nights at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort may cost as low as $100, representing potential discounts of up to 27%, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer has also seen the introduction of new dining packages that cut food costs by 20% to 30%. Families can buy all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable for various meals and snacks within the parks. Moreover, Disney is enhancing dining flexibility by offering quicker meal options, less expensive food for children, and more adaptable restaurant policies.
Experts attribute the increase in food prices within the parks as a contributing factor to reduced customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, revealed that customer satisfaction ratings have plummeted from 90% to 60% coinciding with Disney’s shift from a la carte dining to fixed price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s efforts to cut costs, he warned that these measures might not reflect a genuine commitment to affordability or guest satisfaction. He noted that Disney has historically prioritized revenue over maintaining high customer satisfaction ratings.