In response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance, Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing the prices of admission and hotel stays over the past few months.
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. Magic Kingdom tickets, however, still need to be purchased separately.
These reduced ticket prices, available until September 24, represent a significant decrease from the record high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall cost of a visit to the Florida resort by offering discounts on its most affordable hotel accommodations. A stay at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on the booking period. These reductions can amount to a 27% discount off regular rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
The parks have also rolled out new dining packages this summer, cutting meal costs by 20% to 30%. The dining plan allows families to buy all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, usable for various meals and snacks within the parks. Disney World is reportedly offering more quick meal options, more affordable food for kids, and greater flexibility in restaurant policies.
Experts suggest that the rising cost of dining in the parks has contributed to declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, indicated that customer satisfaction ratings dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining options to fixed-price meals at many popular dining venues.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that this trend might not genuinely indicate a commitment to affordability or guest satisfaction. He noted that “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”