Walt Disney World is responding to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance by discreetly lowering admission and hotel prices over recent months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages allowing visitors to access Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although Magic Kingdom tickets are still sold separately. This promotion, running until September 24, showcases a significant reduction from the previous record high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is working to lessen the overall cost of trips to its Florida resort by reducing rates for its most economical hotel accommodations. For example, a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could be as low as $100, depending on the booking date. Some discounts could reach as high as 27%, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks have also rolled out new dining packages that decrease meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can now purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be redeemed for meals and snacks throughout the parks. Furthermore, Disney World is reportedly introducing more quick meal options, cheaper children’s meals, and flexible dining policies.
Experts indicate that rising food prices within the parks have contributed to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, remarked that customer satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many favored restaurants.
While Testa commends Disney’s recent cost-cutting measures, he warns that these changes may not necessarily signal a genuine dedication to enhancing affordability or customer satisfaction. He noted that Disney has historically been willing to trade off a portion of positive customer feedback for increased revenue.