Walt Disney World is addressing growing customer dissatisfaction and decreasing attendance by quietly offering discounts on admission and hotel stays over the last few months. In May, Disney launched discounted three-day ticket packages for $89 per day, allowing access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom, while still requiring separate purchases for Magic Kingdom tickets.
These reduced ticket prices, available until September 24, represent a significant drop from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass. Additionally, Disney is lowering the cost of its budget hotel options, with nights at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort starting at around $100, depending on booking dates. These reductions can total as much as 27% off standard rates, as per a Bloomberg analysis.
Furthermore, new dining packages introduced this summer aim to lower food costs by 20% to 30%. These plans allow families to buy all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, usable for certain meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney is also providing more quick meal options, less expensive kids’ meals, and more flexible dining policies.
Experts in the Disney community attribute rising food prices within the parks to declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, reported a decrease in customer satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60%, coinciding with Disney’s shift from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants. While Testa commended Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these efforts may not genuinely indicate an intention to prioritize affordability or guest satisfaction, noting that Disney has historically chosen to trade off positive ratings for increased revenue.