Walt Disney World is responding to growing customer dissatisfaction and a dip in park attendance by offering discounts on admission and hotel stays over recent months.
Starting in May, the theme park introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to experience Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately. This initiative comes as a significant reduction from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is lowering the cost of its budget hotel accommodations. For example, a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on the booking period, reflecting discounts of up to 27% off standard rates.
This summer, the parks have also rolled out new dining packages that decrease meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can now purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which are valid for various meals and snacks within the parks. Moreover, Disney is reportedly offering more affordable quick meal options, cheaper children’s food, and enhanced flexibility in restaurant policies.
Analysts indicate that rising costs associated with in-park dining have contributed to a decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, revealed that satisfaction ratings fell from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from à la carte dining to fixed-price meals in many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledges the positive impact of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warns that these changes may not genuinely reflect a commitment to affordability or guest satisfaction. He noted that Disney has historically balanced positive guest ratings against revenue goals.