Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel prices in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and decreasing park attendance over recent months.
In May, the company introduced discounted three-day ticket packages allowing visitors to enjoy Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although tickets to Magic Kingdom are still sold separately. These lower prices, valid until September 24, represent a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower overall vacation costs by providing discounts on its most economical hotel options. A stay at the Disney All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on the booking period. This reflects savings of up to 27% from standard rates, based on a Bloomberg analysis.
Furthermore, new dining packages introduced this summer aim to decrease food costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, usable for various meals and snacks across the parks. The resort is also adding more quick meal options, offering affordable food for children, and introducing flexible dining policies.
Experts point to rising food prices within the parks as a key factor behind declining customer satisfaction ratings. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that satisfaction rates plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the efficacy of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that this might not signify a genuine commitment to improving affordability or guest satisfaction, suggesting that the company has often balanced positive customer feedback with revenue generation.