Walt Disney World has been quietly implementing discounts on admission and hotel stays in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance over the last several months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages priced at $89 per day, which allow entry to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately. These new prices represent a significant reduction from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass. The discounted ticket prices will be available through September 24.
In addition to lower ticket costs, Disney is also reducing the price of its budget hotel accommodations. Depending on booking dates, a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, marking discounts of up to 27% compared to standard rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks have rolled out new dining packages that decrease the cost of meals by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes at $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable for select meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney is also providing more quick meal options, affordable children’s meals, and more flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute the increased dining costs inside the parks as a key factor contributing to declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings have fallen from 90% to 60% since Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledges the effectiveness of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he expressed concern that these changes may not signify a genuine commitment to enhancing affordability or customer satisfaction. He explained that Disney has historically been willing to trade off certain customer ratings for increased revenue.