Walt Disney World is implementing various discounts on admission and hotel rates in response to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a decline in park attendance.
In May, the resort began offering discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to experience Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although access to Magic Kingdom still requires a separate ticket purchase. This price represents a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Disney is also looking to make trips to the Florida resort more affordable by lowering the rates of its budget hotel accommodations. Guests can book a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort for as low as $100, which reflects discounts of up to 27% compared to standard rates.
Additionally, new dining packages added over the summer have reduced food costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, usable for a variety of meals and snacks throughout the parks. The introduction of more quick meal options and kid-friendly cheaper food also aims to attract visitors back.
Experts highlight the rising costs of dining within the parks as a key factor in diminishing customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that satisfaction ratings among Disney guests plummeted from 90% to 60% as the company shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the benefits of Disney’s cost-cutting efforts, he advised caution, suggesting that these measures may not necessarily signal a genuine commitment to affordability or improving guest experience. He remarked that Disney has often prioritized revenue over customer ratings.