Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel prices in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance over recent months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to explore Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for as low as $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom remain a separate expense. This pricing strategy represents a significant reduction from the peak daily rate of $254 for a Park Hopper pass, and these lower rates will be available until September 24.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is also seeking to lower overall trip costs by offering cheaper hotel rates. For instance, a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can start at around $100, depending on booking dates. These reductions can amount to discounts of up to 27% on regular prices, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks have introduced new dining packages that offer savings of 20% to 30% on meal costs. Families can opt for all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, which are redeemable for specific meals and snacks within the parks. Disney World is also reportedly expanding quick meal options, providing lower-priced food for kids, and implementing more flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute the decline in customer satisfaction partly to the rising costs of dining within the parks. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings have plummeted from 90% to 60%, coinciding with Disney’s shift from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants. While Testa acknowledges the potential benefits of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warns that these actions may not genuinely reflect a commitment to affordability or guest satisfaction. He stated that Disney has historically been willing to trade off positive customer ratings for increased revenue.