In response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a decrease in park attendance, Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel rates over the past few months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to experience Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, with tickets for Magic Kingdom sold separately. This price is significantly lower than the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass. The lower rates will remain in effect until September 24.
Additionally, Disney has been working to make trips to the resort more affordable by lowering prices on its budget hotel accommodations. Guests can book a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, or Sports Resort for as little as $100, representing discounts of up to 27% off standard prices, as noted by Bloomberg.
This summer, the parks have also rolled out new dining packages, which offer savings of 20% to 30% on food costs. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 for children and $95 for adults, redeemable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney is reportedly improving quick meal options and lowering food prices for kids to encourage dining.
Experts point to rising food costs within the parks as a key reason for the drop in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, indicated that satisfaction ratings fell from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from an a la carte dining approach to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the merits of Disney’s cost-reduction measures, he warned that these actions may not truly indicate a commitment to affordability or enhancing guest satisfaction. He remarked that Disney has historically prioritized revenue over maintaining high customer ratings.