Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel prices in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and decreasing park attendance over the past few months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages that allow customers to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although tickets for Magic Kingdom must be purchased separately. This discount applies until September 24 and marks a significant drop from the previous peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is lowering the cost of its budget hotel accommodations, with prices at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music and Sports Resort starting as low as $100 per night, depending on booking dates. These reductions can reach up to 27% off the usual rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
The parks have also launched new dining packages this summer, cutting meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable for certain meals and snacks within the parks. Furthermore, Disney is offering more quick meal options, affordable kid’s food, and more flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute rising meal prices as one factor contributing to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings have dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed pricing at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the positive aspects of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he expressed concern that these efforts may not indicate a genuine commitment to affordability or improving guest satisfaction. He remarked that Disney has historically been willing to compromise on customer ratings for increased revenue.