Walt Disney World has recently implemented discounts on admission and hotel accommodations in response to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a decline in park attendance.
In May, the company introduced reduced pricing for three-day ticket packages allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although separate purchases are still required for access to Magic Kingdom. These lowered ticket prices, valid until September 24, mark a significant drop from the previous peak of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lessen the overall expense of traveling to the Florida resort by offering discounts on its basic hotel options. For instance, a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on the booking period, reflecting savings of up to 27% compared to typical rates.
This summer, the parks have also launched new dining packages that can lower meal costs by 20% to 30%. These plans allow families to buy all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, redeemable at various dining locations throughout the parks. Furthermore, Disney World is reportedly enhancing its quick meal choices, introducing more affordable kid’s meals, and adopting more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts point to rising food prices within the parks as a contributing factor to declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer approval ratings have dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed-price options in many popular eateries.
While Testa praised Disney’s recent cost-cutting measures, he expressed concern that such adjustments may not genuinely signify a commitment to affordability or improving guest experiences. He remarked that Disney has historically been willing to compromise on positive guest feedback in favor of revenue.