Walt Disney World has been quietly lowering admission and hotel rates in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and decreasing park attendance over recent months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although Magic Kingdom tickets must still be purchased separately. These ticket prices, which are valid until September 24, mark a significant reduction from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Simultaneously, Disney is striving to cut the overall expenditure for visitors by reducing rates for its budget hotels. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort may be as low as $100, depending on booking dates. According to a Bloomberg analysis, these reductions can amount to discounts of up to 27% compared to usual rates.
The parks have also rolled out new dining packages this summer that lower meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can now purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, usable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Additionally, Disney is focusing on providing more quick meal options, affordable kid’s food, and flexible restaurant policies.
Experts attribute the rising costs of food within the parks as a key reason behind declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular venues.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-cutting efforts, he expressed concerns that this trend may not genuinely signal a commitment to affordability or guest satisfaction, suggesting that Disney has historically traded off positive feedback for increased revenue.