Walt Disney World is responding to a rise in customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance by quietly implementing discounts on admission and hotel stays over recent months.
In May, Disney introduced reduced three-day ticket packages that allow visitors to explore Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for just $89 per day, while separate tickets are still required for Magic Kingdom.
These price cuts, valid until September 24, mark a significant reduction from the previous peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to lower ticket prices, Disney is also easing the overall costs associated with visiting its Florida resort. Rates for its budget hotel options, such as Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort, have been slashed to as low as $100 a night, depending on booking periods. These reductions can represent discounts of up to 27% compared to typical rates, according to an analysis by Bloomberg.
This summer, the parks have rolled out new dining packages that further lower food expenses by 20% to 30%, allowing families to buy all-day meal passes at $30 for children and $95 for adults, redeemable for various meals and snacks in the parks. Disney World is also increasing quick meal options and offering more affordable food choices for children, alongside flexible restaurant policies.
Experts specializing in Disney experiences cite rising food costs within the parks as a key factor contributing to the decline in customer satisfaction.
Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, which conducts annual surveys of thousands of Disney guests, noted that satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% coinciding with Disney’s shift from a la carte dining to fixed-price meal offerings at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the merit of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he cautioned that these actions might not indicate a genuine commitment to making experiences more affordable or improving guest satisfaction.
“Disney has long been willing to compromise on a number of positive ratings in exchange for revenue,” he stated.