Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel prices in response to rising customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance over the past few months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, while tickets for Magic Kingdom must be purchased separately. This represents a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall cost of visits to the Florida resort by offering discounts on its budget hotel options. Rates at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could start at $100 per night, depending on booking times. These discounts can be as much as 27% off normal rates, according to an analysis by Bloomberg.
The parks have also rolled out new dining packages this summer, aimed at making food inside the parks more affordable. These packages reportedly reduce meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, valid for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. There are also more quick meal options, cheaper dishes for kids, and flexible restaurant policies.
Experts indicate that the rising costs of dining within the parks are among several reasons for declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, reported that customer satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-saving initiatives, he warned that these changes might not genuinely reflect a commitment to affordable pricing or enhancing guest satisfaction, noting that Disney has previously prioritized revenue over positive customer feedback.