Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel prices amid growing customer dissatisfaction and declining park attendance.
Beginning in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages for visits to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom at a rate of $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be acquired separately. These reduced ticket prices, available until September 24, mark a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition, Disney is cutting costs for hotel stays with discounted rates at its budget resorts. Nights at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on the booking date, amounting to discounts of up to 27% compared to typical rates.
The parks have also launched new dining packages this summer, offering discounts of 20% to 30% on meal costs. Families can opt for all-day meal passes priced at $30 per child and $95 per adult, usable for various meals and snacks within the parks. Reports indicate that Walt Disney World is adding more quick meal options, affordable children’s food, and flexible dining policies.
Experts believe the rising costs of dining within the parks have contributed to the decrease in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, stated that customer satisfaction fell from 90% to 60% at the same time Disney transitioned from a la carte dining options to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-saving measures, he warned that these changes may not indicate a genuine effort for affordability or improved guest satisfaction. He noted that Disney has historically been willing to trade some positive customer ratings for increased revenue.