Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel prices in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and falling park attendance.
Beginning in May, the company introduced discounted three-day ticket packages for Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom at a rate of $89 per day, with Magic Kingdom tickets sold separately. This pricing marks a significant decrease from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass, and the lower ticket rates will be available until September 24.
Simultaneously, Disney aims to make trips to its Florida resort more affordable by lowering the prices of its budget hotel options. Stays at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can start as low as $100 per night, with discounts of up to 27% on regular rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
Additionally, new dining packages introduced this summer offer reduced costs for meals within the parks, with discounts ranging from 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, valid for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney World is also providing more quick meal choices, budget-friendly options for children, and flexible dining policies.
The rising costs of dining at the parks have been identified as a contributing factor to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted a significant drop in customer satisfaction ratings, falling from 90% to 60%, as the company shifted from à la carte dining to fixed price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the potential benefits of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these changes may not indicate a genuine commitment to improving affordability or guest satisfaction. He remarked that Disney has historically been willing to exchange some positive customer feedback for revenue.