Walt Disney World has been responding to increasing customer dissatisfaction and declining attendance by implementing discounts on admission prices and hotel stays in recent months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages priced at $89 per day, allowing visitors to access Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom must be purchased separately. This discount marks a significant reduction from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is aiming to lower the overall cost of vacations to the Florida resort by reducing prices for its lowest-tier hotel accommodations. Stays at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100 per night, contingent on booking dates, which equates to up to a 27% discount compared to regular rates.
Furthermore, this summer, Disney has launched new dining packages, cutting meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can now purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, valid for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. The resort is also offering more quick meal options, affordable children’s food, and more flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute the rising costs of dining within the parks as a contributing factor to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, revealed that customer satisfaction ratings have dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining options to fixed-price meals at popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s pricing strategies, he warned that these moves may not genuinely indicate a commitment to affordability or guest satisfaction, noting that the company has historically balanced positive ratings with revenue goals.