Walt Disney World has been quietly adjusting its pricing strategy in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and diminishing park attendance. The company has introduced discounts on admission tickets and hotel stays over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney began offering three-day ticket packages for $89 per day, allowing visitors to explore Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom still need to be bought separately. These new prices mark a significant reduction from the previous peak of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass, with the discounted rates available until September 24.
Additionally, Disney is lowering the prices of its budget hotel options. Guests can book a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort for as low as $100, depending on the dates of their stay. These discounts can be as much as 27% off regular rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks have also rolled out new dining packages that cut meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can choose all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, applicable at various locations within the parks. Disney is also focusing on offering quicker meal options, more affordable children’s food, and more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts attribute the growing dissatisfaction partly to soaring food prices within the parks. 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 commended Disney’s recent cost-cutting measures, he voiced concerns that these adjustments may not signify a genuine commitment to improving affordability or enhancing guest satisfaction. He remarked that Disney has historically been willing to trade off some guest ratings for increased revenue.