Walt Disney World has been responding to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance by quietly implementing discounts on admission and hotel accommodations over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages allowing visitors to experience Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for just $89 per day, with Magic Kingdom tickets sold separately. These lower ticket prices will be available until September 24 and mark a significant reduction from the peak daily price of $254 for a Park Hopper pass.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is working to make trips to the Florida resort more affordable by slashing prices on its budget hotel options. Nights at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on the booking dates, which represents discounts of up to 27% compared to standard rates.
This summer, the parks have also rolled out new dining packages that could cut food costs by 20% to 30%. Families can buy all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, applicable for various meals and snacks within the parks. Furthermore, Disney is reportedly adding more quick meal choices, introducing cheaper options for kids, and enhancing restaurant flexibility.
Experts believe that rising food prices inside the parks have contributed to diminished customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% around the time Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at several popular dining venues.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these actions may not signify a genuine commitment to enhancing affordability or guest satisfaction. He pointed out, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”