Walt Disney World is responding to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance by quietly lowering admission and hotel costs over recent months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, though tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately. These reduced prices, which are available until September 24, mark a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is also aiming to lower the overall expense of a trip to the Florida resort by reducing rates for its most affordable hotel accommodations. Stays at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could be as low as $100, depending on booking dates. This represents a discount of up to 27% off standard rates.
The parks have also implemented new dining packages this summer, offering a 20% to 30% reduction in meal costs. Under this plan, families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, valid for certain meals and snacks across the parks. Furthermore, Disney World is reportedly providing more quick meal options, affordable food for children, and more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts have noted that the increased costs associated with dining at the parks have contributed to a decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, stated that customer satisfaction ratings have dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many of its popular restaurants. While Testa commended Disney’s recent cost reduction efforts, he warned that this may not necessarily indicate a genuine commitment to affordability or guest satisfaction. He pointed out that Disney has previously prioritized revenue over maintaining high customer ratings.