Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel prices over recent months in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and declining attendance at its parks.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages allowing visitors to access Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for just $89 per day, although tickets to Magic Kingdom remain sold separately. These lower prices are available until September 24 and represent a significant reduction from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is lowering the cost of its budget-friendly hotel options, with rates at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort starting as low as $100 a night, depending on booking dates. According to a Bloomberg analysis, these price cuts can represent discounts of up to 27% from standard rates.
This summer, the parks have also introduced new dining packages that help reduce food costs by 20% to 30%. Families can buy all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, redeemable for meals and snacks throughout the parks. There are more quick-service meal options, cheaper food for kids, and more flexible dining policies being offered.
Experts attribute the increasing food prices inside the parks to a notable drop in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, which surveys thousands of Disney customers annually, noted a decline in satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining options to fixed-price meals at popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the positive impact of Disney’s cost-cutting strategies, he warned that these measures might not indicate a genuine commitment to affordability or guest satisfaction, stating, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”