Walt Disney World has been implementing admission and hotel discounts in response to rising customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance. Over the past few months, the resort has gradually reduced prices for guests.
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, although Magic Kingdom tickets must still be purchased separately. These lower prices, effective until September 24, represent a significant drop from the previous peak of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, the company is working to decrease the overall cost of vacations at the Florida resort by lowering rates for its less expensive hotel options. For instance, a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can now start at just $100, translating to discounts as high as 27% from standard prices.
This summer, Disney has also rolled out new dining packages, offering savings of 20% to 30% on meals within the parks. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be used for various meals and snacks throughout their visit. The company is also providing more quick-service meal options and more economical children’s food selections, alongside flexible dining policies.
Experts in the Disney realm point to rising dining costs within the parks as a key factor affecting customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, indicated that customer satisfaction ratings have fallen from 90% to 60%, particularly as the resort transitioned from an a la carte dining model to fixed-price meals at many of its most frequented restaurants.
While Testa applauds Disney’s cost-reduction approaches, he cautions that these measures may not genuinely indicate a commitment to affordability or enhancing guest experiences. He noted that Disney has previously prioritized revenue over maintaining high customer satisfaction ratings.