In response to rising customer dissatisfaction and a decrease in park attendance, Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel prices over recent months.
Beginning in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be bought separately. This reduction brings ticket prices significantly down from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall cost of visiting the Florida resort by trimming prices on its budget hotel accommodations. For instance, a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can start as low as $100, depending on when guests make their reservations. These price cuts represent discounts of up to 27% on regular rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks also rolled out new dining packages that lower food costs by 20% to 30%. Families can now opt for all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, valid for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Additionally, Disney is providing more quick meal options, more affordable children’s food, and greater flexibility in restaurant policies.
Experts attribute the higher costs associated with dining within the parks as a significant factor contributing to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, highlighted a drop in satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% after Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many favored restaurants.
While Testa lauded Disney’s recent cost-reduction measures, he cautioned that these changes might not signal a genuine commitment to affordability or customer contentment. He noted that Disney has historically been willing to trade off some positive feedback for increased revenue.