Walt Disney World is responding to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance by offering significant discounts on admission and hotel rates. Over the past few months, the resort has quietly implemented these price reductions.
As of May, Disney initiated discounted three-day ticket packages allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, while tickets to Magic Kingdom remain sold separately. This price is a marked decrease from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass, and the discounted rates will be available until September 24.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney has lowered the prices for its most affordable hotel accommodations. Guests can book a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, or Sports Resort for as low as $100, representing up to a 27% discount, according to Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, Disney has also rolled out new dining packages that offer 20% to 30% savings on meal costs. Families can buy all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, valid for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Additionally, Disney is introducing more quick-service dining options, affordable meals for children, and more flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute the decline in customer satisfaction, which fell from 90% to 60%, to rising food costs within the parks. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, indicated that the shift from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals in popular restaurants has contributed to this dissatisfaction. While Testa appreciates Disney’s efforts to cut costs, he warns that these measures may not genuinely reflect a commitment to enhancing affordability or guest experience. He noted that Disney has historically prioritized revenue over maintaining high satisfaction ratings.