In response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance, Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing the cost of admission and hotel stays over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, enabling visitors to explore Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom still need to be purchased separately.
These reduced ticket prices, available until September 24, mark a significant decrease from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to alleviate overall trip expenses to the Florida resort by slashing the rates for its most affordable hotel options. Rates for a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on booking dates, representing potential savings of up to 27% off regular rates, as analyzed by Bloomberg.
Moreover, the parks have rolled out new dining packages this summer, which provide discounts of 20% to 30% on food prices, according to the same Bloomberg report. Families can opt for all-day meal passes costing $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable for various meals and snacks across the parks. Disney World is also offering more quick meal options, affordable food for children, and greater flexibility in restaurant policies.
Disney experts have pointed to the rising costs of dining within the parks as a key factor contributing to declining customer satisfaction.
Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, which surveys thousands of Disney visitors each year, noted a drop in customer satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% during Disney’s shift from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many beloved restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-reduction strategies, he warned that these changes may not genuinely reflect a commitment to affordability or improved guest satisfaction.
“Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue,” he stated.