Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel rates in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and decreasing park attendance over recent months.
In May, Disney rolled out discounted three-day ticket packages that allow guests to access Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, though attendees still need to purchase separate tickets for Magic Kingdom. These price reductions, valid until September 24, represent a notable drop from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to cut travel costs for visitors by slashing prices on its most affordable hotel rooms. Nightly rates at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can drop to as low as $100, depending on booking dates. According to a Bloomberg analysis, these reductions can amount to as much as a 27% discount from standard rates.
The parks have also introduced new dining packages that lower food expenses by 20% to 30%. Families can buy all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be used for various meals and snacks in the parks. There are also more quick service meal options and less expensive food choices for kids, along with more flexible dining policies.
Experts say the rising costs of dining within the parks have contributed to falling customer satisfaction levels. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that satisfaction ratings have dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular venues.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these changes might not necessarily indicate a real commitment to improving affordability or guest satisfaction. He remarked that Disney has historically been willing to trade off positive ratings for enhanced revenue.