Walt Disney World is facing increasing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance, prompting the company to quietly implement discounts on admission and hotel rates in recent months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to experience Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom remain a separate purchase. These reduced ticket prices are valid until September 24 and mark a significant decline from the previous peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is working to lower the overall expenses for guests visiting the Florida resort. The company is now offering budget-friendly hotel stays, with nights at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort potentially starting at $100, depending on the booking time. According to a Bloomberg analysis, these reductions could represent discounts of up to 27% off regular rates.
The parks have also rolled out new dining packages this summer that provide a 20% to 30% discount on meal costs, allowing families to purchase all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults. These passes can be used for various meals and snacks within the parks. Additionally, Disney World is enhancing its food offerings with more quick-service options, more affordable meals for kids, and flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute the rising dissatisfaction to increased food costs within the parks. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings declined from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining options to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa praised Disney’s recent cost-cutting initiatives, he warned that these measures may not indicate a genuine commitment to making the experience more affordable or improving guest satisfaction. He pointed out that Disney has historically been willing to accept reduced ratings in exchange for increased revenue.