Walt Disney World is addressing growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance by implementing a series of discounts on admission and hotel stays in recent months.
In May, Disney launched discounted three-day ticket packages priced at $89 per day, allowing access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom. Notably, tickets for the Magic Kingdom are sold separately. This pricing represents a significant reduction from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall cost of visiting the resort by offering discounts on its budget hotel options. For instance, a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on the booking date. This pricing reflects discounts of up to 27% based on normal rates, as outlined in a Bloomberg analysis.
In an effort to enhance dining affordability, the parks have introduced new meal packages this summer, which offer discounts of 20% to 30% on dining within the parks. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, valid for select meals and snacks throughout the parks. Further, Disney is reportedly expanding quick meal options, offering cheaper food items for kids, and enhancing restaurant flexibility.
Experts indicate that rising food prices within the parks are a critical factor contributing to declining customer satisfaction. According to Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, customer satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from à la carte dining to fixed-price meals at its most favored restaurants.
While Testa acknowledges Disney’s cost-saving measures, he warns that these discounts may not signify a genuine commitment to affordability or improved guest satisfaction. He suggested that Disney has historically prioritized revenue generation over customer ratings.