In response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance, Walt Disney World has been quietly lowering admission and hotel prices over recent months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, while tickets for Magic Kingdom remain sold separately. This reduction marks a significant decline from the previously recorded peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is aiming to make trips to the Florida resort more affordable by reducing the cost of its budget hotel options. For instance, a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on booking dates. These price reductions can reach up to 27% off standard rates, according to analysis from Bloomberg.
The parks have also rolled out new dining packages this summer, cutting food costs by 20% to 30%. Families can now buy all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, which can be used for various meals and snacks within the parks. Disney World is reportedly adding more quick-service meal options, lowering children’s menu prices, and implementing more flexible restaurant policies.
Industry experts have pointed to rising dining costs within the parks as a key contributor to declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted a significant drop in customer satisfaction ratings, which fell from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte meals to fixed-price dining at many popular restaurants.
While Testa has commended Disney’s cost-cutting efforts, he cautioned that these measures may not necessarily indicate a genuine commitment to affordability or improved guest experience. He remarked that Disney has historically been willing to sacrifice some positive feedback in exchange for higher revenue.