Walt Disney World has been responding to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance by implementing discounts on admission and hotel stays over the past few months.
In May, Disney rolled out discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing guests to experience Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom must be purchased separately. These reduced ticket prices, valid until September 24, mark a significant decline from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall cost of a vacation at the Florida resort by cutting prices on its budget hotel options. A stay at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can go for as low as $100 per night, depending on booking dates. These decreases can be as much as 27% off regular rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
Furthermore, the parks have introduced new dining packages this summer that can lower dining expenses by 20% to 30%. The plan enables families to buy all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, allowing them to redeem meals and snacks throughout the parks. Reports indicate that Disney World is also offering more quick meal choices, more affordable food for children, and increased flexibility in restaurant policies.
Industry experts attribute rising food costs inside the parks as one of several reasons contributing to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, which collects annual surveys from Disney customers, noted a decrease in satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% as the company shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular venues.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-saving measures, he warned that these actions may not accurately signal a genuine commitment to affordability or improving guest satisfaction. He remarked that Disney has often prioritized revenue over maintaining high customer approval ratings.