Walt Disney World has recently implemented discounts on admission and hotel stays due to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a decline in park attendance.
In May, the company began offering discounted three-day ticket packages, costing $89 per day for visits to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom, although tickets for the Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately. These lower ticket prices, available until September 24, are a significant decrease from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Disney is also working to lower overall trip costs to the Florida resort by cutting rates for its most affordable hotel accommodations. For instance, a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, with discounts reaching up to 27% off normal rates, according to Bloomberg.
Additionally, new dining packages introduced this summer aim to reduce meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can buy all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, usable at various locations throughout the parks. The company is also expanding quick meal options, offering cheaper food for kids, and instituting more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts point to rising food costs within the parks as a contributing factor to customer dissatisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, reported a significant drop in customer satisfaction ratings 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 cost-cutting measures, he expressed concerns that these strategies may not indicate a genuine commitment to improving affordability or guest satisfaction, suggesting that Disney has historically prioritized revenue over maintaining positive guest feedback.