Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing ticket and hotel prices in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a decline in park attendance. As part of this initiative, Disney began offering discounted three-day ticket packages in May that grant access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for just $89 per day, though tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately.
These lower ticket prices, valid until September 24, mark a significant decrease from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass. Additionally, Disney is working to make trips to the Florida resort more affordable by cutting prices on its most economical hotel options. Guests can find rooms at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort for as low as $100 per night, reflecting discounts of up to 27% based on a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, new dining packages have also been introduced to reduce food costs by 20% to 30%. Families can now buy all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, usable at select locations throughout the parks. Moreover, Disney World is increasing the availability of quick meal options, offering cheaper children’s food, and implementing more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts attribute rising food prices in the parks to the dip in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, reported a drop in satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many of its popular restaurants. Although Testa acknowledged Disney’s recent cost-cutting measures, he warned that this trend might not signify a true commitment to affordability or guest experience. He noted, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”