In response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance, Walt Disney World has been subtly reducing admission and hotel rates over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages that allow visitors to enjoy Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, though separate tickets are still required for Magic Kingdom.
These reduced ticket prices, available until September 24, show a significant decrease from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney aims to lower the overall cost of visiting its Florida resort by slashing prices on its budget hotel options. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on booking dates, marking up to a 27% discount from regular rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
The parks are also rolling out new dining packages this summer, cutting meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable for various meals and snacks within the parks. Furthermore, Disney World is reportedly providing more quick dining options, affordable children’s meals, and flexible restaurant policies.
Industry experts highlight rising dining costs inside the parks as a significant factor contributing to the decline in customer satisfaction.
Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the positive impact of Disney’s new cost-saving measures, he warned that these changes may not indicate a genuine commitment to affordability or enhancing guest satisfaction.
“Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue,” he stated.