Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel costs in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and declining attendance at its parks.
Beginning in May, the company introduced discounted three-day ticket packages allowing visitors to enjoy Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, while tickets to Magic Kingdom must be purchased separately. This price cut is a significant reduction from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass. These lower ticket prices are available through September 24.
Additionally, Disney is aiming to lower overall travel costs to its Florida resort by offering discounts on its most affordable hotel options. Guests can book a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort for as low as $100, reflecting discounts of up to 27% from regular rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks have rolled out new dining packages that can reduce meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, usable at select restaurants and snack locations throughout the parks. To enhance value, Disney World is also providing more quick meal options, affordable children’s meals, and more flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute the drop in customer satisfaction partly to rising food prices within the parks. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from an à la carte dining model to fixed-price meals at many popular eateries.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-cutting moves, he cautioned that these measures might not indicate a genuine dedication to improving affordability or guest satisfaction, stating that the company has historically been willing to trade off positive ratings for revenue.