Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing the prices of admission and hotel stays in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a decline in park attendance.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for just $89 per day, while tickets for the Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately. These reduced ticket prices are in effect until September 24 and significantly lower than the previous peak of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is cutting costs for trips to the Florida resort by lowering prices on its most affordable hotel accommodations. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be booked for as little as $100, offering discounts of up to 27% according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks have also launched new dining packages that cut meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable at various dining locations throughout the parks. Disney is reportedly providing more quick meal options, lower-priced food for children, and enhanced flexibility in restaurant policies.
Experts suggest that the rise in food prices inside the parks has contributed to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, which surveys thousands of Disney customers annually, noted that satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from à la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa has commended Disney for its cost-cutting measures, he remains cautious about whether these actions genuinely indicate a commitment to guest affordability or satisfaction. He pointed out that Disney has historically been willing to trade off positive customer ratings for increased revenue.