Walt Disney World has recently implemented significant discounts on admission and hotel rates to address rising customer dissatisfaction and decreased park attendance.
Starting in May, the resort began offering discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to experience Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for as low as $89 per day. However, purchasing tickets for Magic Kingdom still requires a separate transaction. These lower ticket prices, valid until September 24, represent a stark reduction from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is also looking to lower overall trip costs by reducing prices for its budget hotel options. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can now be as low as $100, depending on booking dates. Some analyses suggest that these price cuts can reach up to 27% off standard rates.
This summer, Disney has also launched new dining packages aimed at making meals more affordable within the parks. According to reports, the packages can reduce dining costs by 20% to 30%, offering all-day meal passes at $30 for children and $95 for adults, usable at various locations in the parks. The company is reportedly enhancing meal options, including quicker service meals, cheaper kids’ meals, and more adaptable dining policies.
Industry experts attribute the decline in customer satisfaction, rated at 60% down from 90%, partly to the increased cost of dining inside the parks, especially as Disney has transitioned from a la carte to fixed-price meals in many popular restaurants.
Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, acknowledges the effectiveness of Disney’s cost-cutting measures but warns that these actions may not reflect a genuine commitment to affordability or improved guest satisfaction. He noted that Disney has historically been willing to trade off positive customer feedback for higher revenue.