Walt Disney World has been quietly lowering the prices of admission and hotel stays in response to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a decline in park attendance.
Starting in May, Disney offered discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom still need to be bought separately. These reduced ticket prices, available until September 24, are a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to make trips to its Florida resort more affordable by cutting prices on its cheaper hotel accommodations. Rates for a stay at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could start as low as $100, depending on booking dates, reflecting discounts of up to 27% compared to regular rates.
This summer, the parks also introduced new dining packages, reducing the cost of dining by 20% to 30%. Families can now buy all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be used for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. There are also more quick meal options and lower-priced food for children, along with more flexible dining policies.
Experts point to rising costs for meals within the parks as a key reason for declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted a drop in guest satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% coinciding with Disney’s shift from a la carte dining to fixed price meals at many popular restaurants. While he appreciates Disney’s efforts to cut costs, he warns that these moves may not necessarily demonstrate a genuine commitment to affordability or customer satisfaction.