Walt Disney World has been implementing admission and hotel stay discounts as a response to increasing customer dissatisfaction and falling attendance at its parks.
Beginning in May, Disney offered discounted three-day ticket packages priced at $89 per day, allowing access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom. However, separate purchases are required for entry to the Magic Kingdom. These ticket prices, valid until September 24, represent a significant decrease from the previous high of $254 for a Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is aiming to make trips to its Florida resorts more affordable by slashing rates on its budget hotel options. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can go as low as $100 based on booking dates, reflecting discounts of up to 27%, as noted in a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks have also rolled out new dining packages that cut meal costs by 20% to 30%. The dining plan offers families all-day meal passes at $30 per child and $95 per adult, which are usable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney is reportedly enhancing its meal options by introducing quicker meal choices, cheaper food items for children, and more adaptable dining policies.
Experts attribute the increasing costs of dining within the parks as a key factor in the falling customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, shared that satisfaction ratings dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed prices at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged Disney’s recent cost-reduction measures, he warned that they may not signify a genuine dedication to reducing costs or improving guest satisfaction. He pointed out that Disney has historically been willing to trade customer satisfaction for revenue.