Walt Disney World has been facing significant customer dissatisfaction and declining attendance at its parks, prompting the company to introduce various discounts on admission and accommodations in recent months.
Starting in May, Disney began offering three-day ticket packages for $89 per day. These packages allow access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom, though tickets to Magic Kingdom are still sold separately. This discounted rate is significantly lower than the previous peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass, and the reduced pricing will be available until September 24.
Additionally, Disney aims to lower overall trip expenses by cutting prices on its budget hotel options. Rates at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can fall to as low as $100 per night, depending on booking dates. These discounts represent up to a 27% reduction from standard rates.
This summer, the parks have also launched new dining packages that offer discounts of 20% to 30% on meal costs. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 for children and $95 for adults, which can be used for meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney World is reportedly increasing quick service meal options, offering cheaper food for children, and implementing more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts attribute the drop in customer satisfaction in part to the rising costs of dining within the parks. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings have fallen from 90% to 60% since Disney shifted from a la carte dining options to fixed price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the benefits of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these efforts might not indicate a genuine commitment to affordability or customer satisfaction. He pointed out that Disney has historically been willing to trade off some customer satisfaction for revenue gains.