Walt Disney World has been implementing discounts on admission and hotel stays in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and decreasing park attendance over recent months.
In May, the company began offering reduced prices on three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to explore Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately.
These discounted ticket prices, which are available until September 24, mark a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to lowering ticket prices, Disney is also working to decrease the overall cost of visiting its Florida resort by offering discounts on its least expensive hotel accommodations. Guests can find prices as low as $100 per night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort, depending on the booking date. These discounts can reach up to 27% compared to regular rates, according to analysis by Bloomberg.
This summer, the parks have also introduced new dining packages that cut food expenses by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, usable for various meals and snacks within the parks. Disney World is reportedly adding more quick meal options, affordable food for children, and flexible dining policies.
Experts note that rising food costs inside the parks contribute to a decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, which conducts annual surveys of Disney visitors, observed a drop in customer satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% as the company shifted from a la carte dining to fixed price meals at popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledges the positive aspects of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warns that these changes may not indicate a genuine dedication to affordability or enhancing guest satisfaction. He noted that Disney has historically been willing to trade off positive ratings for increased revenue.