Walt Disney World is responding to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance by quietly implementing discounts on admission prices and hotel stays over the past few months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately. These lower ticket prices will be available until September 24, marking a significant reduction from the previous peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall cost of trips to the Florida resort 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. According to Bloomberg, these price reductions can reach up to 27% off normal rates.
This summer, Disney parks also introduced new dining packages designed to cut meal costs by 20% to 30%. The all-day meal pass is priced at $30 per child and $95 per adult and can be used for a variety of meals and snacks throughout the parks. Furthermore, Disney is reportedly offering more quick meal options, affordable children’s food, and flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute the rising food costs in the parks as a factor contributing to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted a drop in customer satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these actions might not signify a genuine commitment to affordability or guest satisfaction. He remarked, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”