Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel rates in response to rising customer dissatisfaction and falling park attendance over recent months.
Beginning in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages that enable visitors to enjoy Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom at a reduced rate of $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom still require a separate purchase.
These new prices, effective until September 24, mark a significant drop from the previous peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
To further attract visitors, Disney is also lowering the costs associated with lodging, with rates at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort starting as low as $100 per night, depending on the booking dates. These reductions can amount to as much as a 27% discount off regular prices, as per a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, Disney parks have launched new dining packages that cut food costs by 20% to 30%. Families can now opt for all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, which are redeemable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Additionally, Disney is providing more quick meal options, child-friendly meals at lower costs, and more flexible dining policies.
Experts have indicated that the rising expenses associated with dining in the parks have contributed to decreased customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, which conducts annual surveys of Disney attendees, noted that customer satisfaction dropped from 90% to 60% following Disney’s shift from a la carte dining choice to fixed-price meals in many popular restaurants.
While Testa commends Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warns that these actions may not genuinely indicate a commitment to affordability or enhanced guest experience. He stated, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”