Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel rates amid growing customer dissatisfaction and declining park attendance. In May, the theme park began offering discounted three-day ticket packages for $89 per day, allowing entry to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom, while separate tickets for Magic Kingdom are still required.
These lower ticket prices, valid until September 24, mark a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass. Alongside this, Disney is also cutting the costs of its budget hotel stays, with rates at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music and Sports Resort dropping to as low as $100 per night, reflecting discounts of up to 27% based on normal pricing, as reported by Bloomberg.
Additionally, the parks have introduced new dining packages this summer that offer meals at 20% to 30% off the regular prices. Families can 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. There are also increased quick meal options and more affordable children’s food available, along with relaxed restaurant policies.
Disney experts point to rising food costs within the parks as a significant factor contributing to declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, shared that satisfaction ratings dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular dining spots. While he commended Disney’s recent cost-cutting measures, he warned that this trend may not indicate a genuine effort to enhance affordability or guest experiences. Testa noted, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”