Amid rising customer dissatisfaction and falling attendance, Walt Disney World has been gradually reducing admission and hotel prices over the past few months.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to experience Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, while tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately.
These lowered prices will remain available until September 24 and mark a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is also working to lower overall trip costs by slashing prices for its budget hotel options. Stays at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could start at as low as $100 per night, depending on the booking dates. These reductions could represent discounts of up to 27% compared to standard rates, according to Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks have also rolled out new dining packages that offer meal cost reductions of 20% to 30%. These plans allow families to purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be used for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Additionally, Disney World is reportedly providing more quick meal options, lower-priced food for children, and increased flexibility in its restaurant policies.
Experts attribute rising food costs within the parks as a contributing factor to declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney switched from à la carte dining options to fixed-price meals at many of its sought-after restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s efforts to cut costs, he warned that this trend might not signify a real commitment to enhancing affordability or improving guest experiences. He remarked, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”