Amid escalating customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance, Walt Disney World has been quietly lowering admission and hotel prices over recent months.
In May, Disney started offering discounted three-day ticket packages priced at $89 per day, granting access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately.
These price reductions, which will remain in effect until September 24, represent a significant decrease from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to make trips to the Florida resort more affordable by slashing rates on its budget hotel options. Stays at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100 a night, depending on the booking date, equating to savings of up to 27% compared to standard prices, based on a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks also introduced new dining packages that cut the costs of meals by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, which are valid for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Furthermore, Disney World is reportedly offering more quick-service meal options, affordable children’s food, and increased flexibility in dining reservations.
Industry experts attribute rising food costs in the parks as a key reason for declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted a significant drop in satisfaction ratings, plummeting from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s efforts to reduce costs, he warned that these actions may not genuinely indicate a commitment to affordability or enhancing guest experiences. He stated, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”