Walt Disney World is responding to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance by implementing discounts on admission and hotel stays. Over the past few months, the resort has quietly lowered prices, starting with discounted three-day ticket packages launched in May, which allow access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, while tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately.
These ticket discounts, available until September 24, mark a significant reduction from the previous peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass. Additionally, Disney is working to make trips to Florida more affordable by offering discounts on its budget hotel options. For instance, a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could be as low as $100, representing up to a 27% discount compared to typical rates.
This summer, the parks have also rolled out new dining packages that decrease meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can opt for all-day meal passes at $30 for children and $95 for adults, redeemable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney is reportedly introducing more quick meal choices, lower-priced kids’ meals, and greater flexibility in restaurant policies.
Experts suggest that rising food prices in the parks have contributed to dwindling customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from à la carte dining options to fixed-price meals at many popular venues.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-saving measures, he warned that this trend may not indicate a genuine commitment to affordability or improved guest experiences. He stated, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”