Walt Disney World has recently been implementing ticket and hotel discounts in response to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages priced at $89 per day, which provide access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom, with tickets to Magic Kingdom sold separately. This pricing marks a significant reduction from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass. These discounts are set to remain available until September 24.
In addition to lowering ticket prices, Disney is also reducing the cost of its most affordable hotel options. Rates for a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can start as low as $100, depending on booking dates, reflecting savings of up to 27% off standard prices.
This summer, Disney parks have also rolled out new dining packages that offer discounts of 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes at $30 for children and $95 for adults, which can be used for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney is reportedly expanding its quick meal options, offering more affordable food for children, and implementing more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts in the Disney community point to the rising costs of food within the parks as a factor contributing to lower customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals in many popular restaurants. While Testa appreciates Disney’s efforts to cut costs, he warns that this strategy may not genuinely indicate a commitment to affordability or improving guest satisfaction, suggesting that Disney has historically been willing to trade positive customer feedback for revenue.