Walt Disney World is responding to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance by quietly reducing ticket and hotel prices over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages allowing visitors to access Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for as low as $89 per day, while separate tickets for Magic Kingdom are still required. These lower prices, available until September 24, mark a significant reduction from the previous peak of $254 for a Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is lowering costs for its budget hotel accommodations. A night at the All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, based on the booking timing. These price decreases can reach up to 27% off standard rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks have also rolled out new dining packages that cut meal costs by 20% to 30%. The dining plan offers all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, redeemable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Furthermore, Disney World is reportedly providing more quick meal options, lower-priced food for children, and increased flexibility regarding restaurant policies.
Experts attribute the rising costs of food within the parks as a contributing factor to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings have plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining options to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa applauded Disney’s efforts to cut costs, he cautioned that these measures may not genuinely reflect a dedication to affordability or improving guest satisfaction. “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue,” he stated.