Facing growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in attendance, Walt Disney World has been discreetly lowering the prices of admission and hotel stays in recent months.
Since May, Disney has introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to explore Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, while tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately. These reduced prices, available until September 24, mark a significant decrease from the previous record high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to cut costs for visitors by offering discounts on its most affordable hotel accommodations. Stays at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can now start as low as $100, depending on booking dates, which represents discounts of up to 27% compared to standard rates, as indicated by a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks have also rolled out new dining packages that reduce meal expenses by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, applicable for certain meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney World is reportedly expanding quick meal options, providing more affordable food for children, and enhancing flexibility in restaurant policies.
Experts attribute the rising food costs within the parks as a contributing factor to declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that satisfaction ratings fell from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed price meals at many popular eateries.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these adjustments might not truly reflect a commitment to affordability or customer satisfaction. He stated, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”