In response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance, Walt Disney World has discreetly lowered the prices for admission and hotel stays over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney has been providing discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to enjoy Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately.
These reduced ticket prices, valid until September 24, represent a significant decrease from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is aiming to make trips to the Florida resort more affordable by slashing rates on its budget hotel options. Guests can find stays at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort for as low as $100 a night, depending on booking dates. This price reduction offers discounts as high as 27% compared to standard rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks have also introduced new dining packages that cut the cost of meals by 20% to 30%. For $30 per child and $95 per adult, families can purchase all-day meal passes that can be used for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Moreover, Disney reportedly is expanding quick meal options, offering more affordable food for children, and implementing more flexible dining policies.
Experts highlight the increasing food costs in the parks as a key reason behind the drop in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings have plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many of its most popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these reductions might not necessarily indicate a genuine commitment to affordability or guest satisfaction. He pointed out that Disney has historically been willing to compromise on customer ratings in pursuit of higher revenue.