In response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance, Walt Disney World has been lowering the prices of admission and hotel accommodations 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 at a rate of $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom are sold separately. These reduced prices, available until September 24, mark a significant decline from the previous peak of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is addressing overall trip costs by slashing the prices of its budget hotel options. Stays at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100 per night, depending on booking dates. These discounts can reach up to 27% off regular rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, Disney parks have also rolled out new dining packages that offer meal savings of 20% to 30%. Families can buy all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which are valid for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Moreover, Disney World is providing more quick meal options, affordable food for children, and flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute the decline in customer satisfaction partly to rising food prices within the parks. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted a significant drop in satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from à la carte dining to fixed-price meals at popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-reduction measures, he warned that these actions may not genuinely indicate a shift toward prioritizing affordability or customer satisfaction.
“Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue,” he remarked.