Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel prices amid growing customer dissatisfaction and declining park attendance.
Since May, Disney has offered discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although Magic Kingdom tickets must be purchased separately. These reduced ticket prices will be available until September 24 and represent a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is working to lower overall trip costs by offering reduced rates for its budget hotel options. Guests can find rates as low as $100 per night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort, which may represent discounts of up to 27% compared to usual prices, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, new dining packages have also been introduced to decrease food costs at the parks by 20% to 30%. Families can now purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be used for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Additionally, Disney is said to be providing more quick dining options, cheaper children’s meals, and more relaxed restaurant policies.
Experts point to rising food costs in the parks as a contributing factor to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings have dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many of its popular restaurants.
While Testa appreciates Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warns that these efforts may not indicate a genuine commitment to affordability or customer satisfaction. He stated that Disney has historically prioritized revenue over customer ratings.