Walt Disney World has been quietly implementing discounts on admission prices and hotel accommodations due to rising customer dissatisfaction and decreasing attendance at its parks.
Since May, Disney has offered discounted three-day ticket packages for visits to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, with Magic Kingdom tickets still sold separately. This price reduction marks a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass and will remain available until September 24.
In conjunction with the ticket price cuts, Disney is also reducing the rates for its budget hotel options. Stays at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can start at $100 per night, representing up to a 27% discount on typical prices, according to Bloomberg.
Additionally, new dining packages introduced this summer aim to make dining within the parks more affordable, offering savings of 20% to 30%. Families can now purchase all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, redeemable at various restaurants and snack spots throughout the parks. Disney has also added more quick meal alternatives and lower-priced kids’ meals, along with more flexible dining policies.
Experts highlight the rising costs of dining in the parks as a key issue affecting guest satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings have plummeted from 90% to 60%, coinciding with Disney’s shift from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at popular restaurants. While Testa applauded Disney’s efforts to reduce costs, he expressed concern that these actions might not signify a genuine commitment to affordability or guest satisfaction, suggesting that Disney has historically prioritized revenue over maintaining positive customer experiences.