Amid rising customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance, Walt Disney World has been discreetly reducing admission and hotel prices over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although tickets for Magic Kingdom must be purchased separately. These ticket price reductions, valid until September 24, mark a significant decrease from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall cost of visits to its Florida resort by offering discounts on its most affordable hotel options. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on the timing of the reservation. These discounts can reach up to 27% off regular rates, according to an analysis by Bloomberg.
This summer, the parks have also rolled out new dining packages that lower dining costs by 20% to 30%. The meal plan permits families to purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable for various meals and snacks within the parks. Reports suggest that Disney World is also expanding quick meal options, providing more affordable food choices for children, and implementing flexible restaurant policies.
Experts attribute the surge in dining costs within the parks as a key reason behind the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, revealed that customer satisfaction ratings have dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many favored restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-cutting initiatives, he warned that these measures might not genuinely indicate a dedication to affordability or improving guest satisfaction. He noted, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”