Walt Disney World has been implementing discounts on admission and hotel stays to address growing customer dissatisfaction and a decline in park attendance.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages for visits to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom at a rate of $89 per day, while tickets to the Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately. This reduction is significant compared to the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is also lowering the costs for its budget hotel options. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be booked for as little as $100, depending on the timing of the reservation. These adjustments reflect as much as a 27% discount compared to standard rates, as per a Bloomberg analysis.
The parks are also rolling out new dining packages this summer, offering meal discounts between 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes priced at $30 per child and $95 per adult, valid for various meals and snacks available throughout the parks. Reports indicate that Disney World is enhancing quick meal choices, offering more affordable kid’s food options, and implementing more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts point to the rising costs of dining within the parks as a significant factor contributing to decreased customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings have dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed price meals at popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the benefits of Disney’s cost-reduction measures, he warned that these efforts may not genuinely reflect a commitment to affordability or enhancing guest satisfaction. He commented that Disney has historically been willing to prioritize revenue over maintaining positive ratings.