Walt Disney World has been making adjustments to its pricing structure amid growing customer dissatisfaction and falling attendance at its theme parks. In recent months, the resort has introduced various discounts for both admission tickets and hotel stays.
In May, Disney commenced offering discounted three-day ticket packages priced at $89 per day, allowing guests to explore Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom, while tickets for Magic Kingdom must be purchased separately. These prices are significantly lower than the previous peak of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is also reducing the cost of its most budget-friendly hotel options. For instance, a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could be as low as $100, depending on the booking time. These reductions can represent up to a 27% cut from typical rates, based on a Bloomberg analysis.
Moreover, the parks have rolled out new dining packages this summer, which offer meal cost reductions between 20% to 30%. Families can buy all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney World has also expanded quick meal options and implemented lower prices for children’s food, alongside more flexible dining policies.
Experts point to the rising costs of dining within the parks as a contributing factor to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted a significant drop in customer satisfaction ratings, from 90% to 60%, coinciding with Disney’s shift from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the positive impact of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he cautioned that this trend may not genuinely reflect a commitment to providing affordable experiences or enhancing guest satisfaction. He commented that Disney has historically balanced customer ratings with revenue goals.