In response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance, Walt Disney World has recently started reducing admission and hotel prices.
Beginning in May, Disney offered discounted three-day ticket packages, enabling visitors to enjoy Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, with separate tickets required for Magic Kingdom. These reduced prices, valid until September 24, mark a significant reduction from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall cost for guests visiting the Florida resort by cutting prices on their most affordable hotel options. Stays at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could start at $100 a night, depending on when guests book, reflecting discounts of up to 27% off regular rates according to Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks introduced new dining packages that offer meal options at 20% to 30% less than before. Families can buy all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be used for specific meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney World is also reportedly expanding quick meal options, introducing cheaper food for kids, and offering more flexible dining policies.
Experts in the Disney community attribute the rise in costs for dining in the parks as one of several factors contributing to decreased customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted a drop in customer satisfaction ratings 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 recent pricing strategies, he expressed concern that these moves might not indicate a genuine dedication to affordability or guest satisfaction, stating, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”