In response to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance, Walt Disney World has been implementing discounts on admission and hotel stays over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately. These lower ticket prices are available until September 24 and represent a significant reduction from the previous peak of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall cost of visiting the Florida resort by offering discounts on its most affordable hotel options. Stays at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could be priced as low as $100 per night, depending on booking dates, which reflects up to a 27% reduction from standard rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks also rolled out new dining packages that offer a 20% to 30% discount on dining expenses. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 for children and $95 for adults, redeemable for various meals and snacks within the parks. Disney World is reportedly providing more quick meal options, lower-priced food for children, and flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute rising food costs in the parks as a factor in declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from à la carte dining to fixed-price meals in many popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he expressed concerns that these strategies might not indicate a genuine commitment to enhancing affordability or improving guest satisfaction. He remarked that Disney has historically prioritized revenue over maintaining high customer satisfaction ratings.