Walt Disney World is responding to a rise in customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance by implementing discounts on admissions and hotel stays over recent months.
In May, the company introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for just $89 per day. However, tickets for the Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately.
This reduction in ticket prices, available until September 24, marks a significant drop from the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall expense of a visit to its Florida resort by reducing the prices of its budget hotel accommodations. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on the booking dates, with discounts reaching up to 27% off regular rates.
This summer, Disney parks also introduced new dining packages that lower meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Furthermore, Disney is reportedly offering more quick-service meal options, kid-friendly cheaper food choices, and flexible dining policies.
Experts suggest that rising dining costs inside the parks have contributed to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that overall customer satisfaction ratings dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-reduction measures, he cautioned that these strategies may not genuinely reflect a commitment to enhancing affordability or customer satisfaction. He remarked that Disney has historically been willing to sacrifice guest satisfaction for revenue.