Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel prices in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and decreasing park attendance. Starting in May, the company introduced discounted three-day ticket packages for visitors at $89 per day, allowing access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom, while tickets for Magic Kingdom remain separate.
These new ticket prices, valid until September 24, represent a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass. In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is also lowering prices for its budget accommodations. A stay at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could now start as low as $100, depending on booking dates, marking a discount of up to 27% compared to regular rates, according to Bloomberg analysis.
Moreover, the parks have rolled out new dining packages this summer, reducing meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, redeemable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. The company is also offering more quick meal options, less expensive food for children, and more flexible dining policies.
Disney experts indicate that rising food costs in the parks have contributed to falling satisfaction levels among guests. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, revealed that customer satisfaction ratings dwindled from 90% to 60% as the company shifted from a la carte dining to fixed price meals at popular restaurants. While Testa appreciates Disney’s cost-saving measures, he emphasized that these changes might not demonstrate a genuine commitment to affordability or enhancing guest experiences. “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue,” he said.