In response to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance, Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel prices over the last few months.
Disney has been promoting discounted three-day ticket packages since May, allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day. However, entry to Magic Kingdom requires a separate ticket purchase. This reduced pricing, which will be available until September 24, represents a significant drop from the previous peak of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall cost of vacations at its Florida resort by offering discounts on its most affordable hotel options. A stay at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music and Sports Resort may cost as low as $100 per night, depending on booking times. These decreases can reach up to 27% off regular rates, as per Bloomberg’s analysis.
To further entice visitors, the parks introduced new dining packages this summer, offering discounts of 20% to 30% on meals within the parks. Families can purchase all-day meal passes at prices of $30 for children and $95 for adults, which can be used for various meals and snacks during their visit. Disney World is also introducing more quick-service meal choices, cheaper options for children, and greater flexibility with dining reservations.
Experts attribute the rising costs of dining in the parks as one of the reasons for the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, which conducts annual surveys of thousands of Disney visitors, noted a drop in satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% coinciding with Disney’s shift from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these changes may not signify a genuine commitment to affordability or improved guest experiences. He pointed out that Disney has historically been willing to exchange positive customer feedback for increased revenue.