Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission and hotel prices in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance.
Since May, the company has introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to experience Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although Magic Kingdom tickets must be purchased separately. These reduced prices, valid until September 24, significantly lower the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition, Disney is aiming to lower the overall cost of a trip to the resort by cutting prices for its most affordable hotel options. For instance, a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could start at $100, depending on the booking date, reflecting discounts of up to 27% based on Bloomberg’s analysis.
The parks have also introduced new dining packages this summer, which decrease meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can buy all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, usable for meals and snacks in the parks. Furthermore, Disney World is expanding quick meal options, introducing more affordable child meals, and adopting more flexible dining policies.
Experts highlight the increasing costs of dining within the parks as a key factor contributing to lower customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that satisfaction ratings have plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-reducing initiatives, he warned that these moves may not indicate a genuine commitment to affordability or improved guest satisfaction, mentioning that the company has historically traded off positive feedback for revenue.