Walt Disney World has recently implemented discounts on admission and hotel stays in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and decreased park attendance.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages that allow guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for just $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately. These lowered ticket prices will be available until September 24, significantly down from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is also working to lower the overall cost of a visit to the Florida resort by reducing the price of its budget accommodations. Stays at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be booked for as low as $100 a night, reflecting discounts of up to 27% off regular rates, as per a Bloomberg analysis.
Moreover, new dining packages introduced this summer aim to reduce food costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable at various locations throughout the parks. The updated dining offerings also provide quicker meal options and more affordable kids’ food, alongside increased flexibility in restaurant policies.
Experts have linked rising dining costs within the parks to diminishing customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that satisfaction ratings have plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from à la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular locations.
While Testa acknowledges Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warns that these efforts may not necessarily signal a genuine commitment to providing affordable experiences or improving guest satisfaction. He remarked that Disney has historically been willing to trade off positive feedback for increased revenue.