Walt Disney World has been quietly rolling out discounts on admission and hotel rates in response to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance over recent months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages allowing visitors to enjoy Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for just $89 per day, though tickets to Magic Kingdom are sold separately. This new pricing marks a significant reduction from the previous peak of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is cutting costs for stays at its budget hotels. For example, a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, based on booking times, translating to discounts of up to 27% off standard rates, as reported by a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks have also launched new dining packages that offer meals at 20% to 30% less than usual prices. Families now have the option to purchase all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, valid for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney has reportedly increased quick meal options and introduced cheaper food alternatives for children, alongside more flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute the rising food prices within the parks as a significant contributor to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that satisfaction ratings fell from 90% to 60% coinciding with Disney’s shift from a la carte to fixed-price meals at many popular dining establishments.
While Testa commended Disney’s recent cost-reduction initiatives, he warned that they may not indicate a genuine commitment to affordability or improving guest satisfaction. He mentioned that Disney has historically prioritized revenue over maintaining high customer ratings.