Amid increased customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance, Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing the prices for admission and hotel stays over recent months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages that allow guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom at a rate of $89 per day. However, separate tickets are still required for Magic Kingdom. These lowered prices, which will be available until September 24, represent a significant drop from the previous peak price 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 budget hotel options. For instance, rates at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100 per night, depending on booking dates. This reduction can amount to a discount of up to 27% off standard rates, according to an analysis by Bloomberg.
The parks have also rolled out new dining packages this summer, which offer discounts of 20% to 30% on meal prices. Under this plan, families can purchase all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, usable for selected meals and snacks throughout the parks. Furthermore, Disney World is reportedly introducing more quick meal options, affordable food for children, and more adaptable restaurant policies.
Experts in the Disney community point to the rising costs of dining in the parks as a reason behind declining customer satisfaction ratings. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, shared that satisfaction scores dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from individual dining options to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the positive aspects of Disney’s recent price cuts, he warned that they may not signal a genuine commitment to enhancing affordability or improving guest experiences. “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue,” he noted.