In response to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance, Walt Disney World has been steadily reducing the prices of admission and hotel stays over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney rolled out discounted three-day ticket packages that allow access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, while tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately.
The reduced ticket prices, which remain available until September 24, mark a significant drop from the peak $254 cost for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to lowering ticket prices, Disney is also working to make trips to its Florida resort more affordable by reducing rates for its most economical hotel options. Guests can book a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort for as little as $100, depending on their booking date. These price decreases represent discounts of up to 27% compared to regular rates, as per Bloomberg’s analysis.
Furthermore, the parks have introduced new dining packages this summer, lowering meal costs by 20% to 30%. This plan allows families to purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be used for various meals and snacks within the parks. Disney World is also reportedly offering more quick meal choices, affordable food options for children, and more flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute the high dining costs within the parks as a key factor contributing to the decline in customer satisfaction.
Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, a site that annually surveys thousands of Disney visitors, revealed to Bloomberg that customer satisfaction ratings have plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining options to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged Disney’s efforts to cut costs, he warned that these measures might not indicate a genuine commitment to affordability or enhancing guest satisfaction.
“Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue,” he stated.