Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing the prices for admission and hotel accommodations amid growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance over the last few months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages for guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for just $89 per day, although tickets for Magic Kingdom still require a separate purchase. This price cut represents a significant decrease from the previous record high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass, and these lower ticket prices will remain effective until September 24.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall cost of vacations at its Florida resort by offering discounts on its lowest-priced hotel options. Rates at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music and Sports Resort may start as low as $100 per night, depending on booking dates. These decreases could amount to as much as a 27% reduction from typical rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
The parks have also rolled out new dining packages this summer, slashing dining costs by 20% to 30%. These meal plans allow families to obtain all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, usable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Furthermore, Disney reportedly is expanding options for quick meals, providing more affordable food for kids, and enhancing restaurant flexibility.
Experts on Disney note that the increasing dining costs inside the parks are among factors contributing to declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, stated that satisfaction ratings fell from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining options to fixed-price meal offerings at many popular venues.
While Testa acknowledged the potential benefits of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these actions may not accurately represent a genuine commitment to affordability or improving guest satisfaction. He remarked, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”