Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel prices in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance over the past few months.
In May, the resort started offering discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for as low as $89 per day, while tickets to Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately.
These reduced ticket prices, available until September 24, stand in stark contrast to the previous peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall cost of visiting the Florida resort by offering better rates on its budget hotel options. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be booked for as little as $100, depending on the timing of the reservation, representing discounts of up to 27% off regular prices, according to an analysis by Bloomberg.
The parks have also rolled out new dining packages this summer that lower meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be used for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. In addition, Disney World is reportedly enhancing quick meal options, providing more affordable food for children, and adopting more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts cite rising food prices within the parks as a significant contributor to decreased customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, stated that customer satisfaction ratings dropped from 90% to 60% as the company shifted from à la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the merits of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he expressed concern that these changes may not signal a genuine commitment to affordability or customer satisfaction. He noted that Disney has historically been willing to sacrifice some positive ratings for increased revenue.