Walt Disney World is experiencing increased customer dissatisfaction and a decline in park attendance, prompting the resort to implement significant discounts on admissions and hotel stays over recent months.
Beginning in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom remain available for separate purchase.
These reduced ticket prices, available until September 24, represent a considerable drop from the previous peak of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In an effort to make trips to the Florida resort more affordable, Disney is also lowering the rates for its most economical hotel options. Stays at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can start as low as $100 per night, depending on booking dates, reflecting discounts of up to 27% off standard rates, according to analysis by Bloomberg.
Additionally, the parks have rolled out new dining packages this summer, offering meal costs reduced by 20% to 30%. Families can now purchase all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, which can be used for various meals and snacks across the parks. Disney is also enhancing the availability of quick meal options, introducing cheaper food for kids, and adopting more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts suggest that rising food prices within the parks have contributed to declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, which surveys numerous Disney patrons each year, noted a significant drop in customer satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% concurrent with Disney’s move from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular dining locations.
While Testa acknowledges Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warns that these actions may not indicate a genuine commitment to enhancing affordability or guest satisfaction.
“Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue,” he remarked.