In response to growing customer dissatisfaction and falling attendance, Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel costs over recent months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, enabling guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day. However, tickets to Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately.
These lower ticket prices, valid until September 24, represent a significant drop from the previous peak of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to make trips to its Florida resort more affordable by slashing prices on its budget hotel options. Rates at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can fall to as low as $100, depending on booking dates, reflecting discounts of up to 27% from regular rates, as noted by a Bloomberg analysis.
The parks have also rolled out new dining packages this summer, which lower meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can buy all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, redeemable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Moreover, Disney World is offering more quick meal options and cheaper food for kids, alongside more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts believe rising meal prices in the parks have contributed to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, shared with Bloomberg that customer satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from à la carte dining to fixed price menus at many popular restaurants.
While Testa applauded Disney’s cost-reduction efforts, he warned that this trend may not indicate a genuine commitment to affordability or customer satisfaction. He pointed out that Disney has historically balanced positive customer ratings against revenue goals.