Walt Disney World has been reducing admission and hotel prices amid growing customer discontent and falling park attendance. Since May, Disney has introduced three-day ticket packages allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although visits to Magic Kingdom still require separate ticket purchases. This price reduction, available until September 24, is a significant drop from the peak $254 daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is lowering the costs of its budget hotels. Rooms at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can start at $100, representing a potential 27% discount from typical rates, as noted in a Bloomberg analysis.
Furthermore, new dining packages have been launched, offering meals at 20% to 30% off regular prices. Families can opt for all-day meal passes costing $30 for children and $95 for adults, which can be used for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney is also rolling out more quick meal options, affordable children’s food, and flexible dining policies to enhance guest experiences.
Experts attribute the decline in customer satisfaction partly to rising in-park dining costs. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, stated that satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at popular restaurants. While he commended Disney’s cost-saving measures, he warned that they may not signify a genuine focus on guest affordability or satisfaction, suggesting that the company has historically balanced customer ratings with revenue targets.