In response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance, Walt Disney World has been quietly lowering admission and hotel prices over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages that allow visitors to explore Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for only $89 per day, although tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately.
These reduced ticket rates, available until September 24, offer significant savings compared to the peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower overall trip expenses by cutting prices on its most affordable hotel options. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on booking dates. These reductions represent discounts of up to 27% off regular rates, as per Bloomberg’s analysis.
The parks have also rolled out new dining packages this summer, offering price reductions of 20% to 30% on dining costs. Families can purchase all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, usable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney World is reportedly enhancing its quick meal options, providing budget-friendly food for kids, and adopting more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts point to the rising cost of dining within the parks as a significant contributor to declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted a drop in satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% coinciding with Disney’s shift from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the effectiveness of Disney’s cost-reducing measures, he expressed concern that these changes may not genuinely indicate a commitment to affordability or customer satisfaction. He remarked, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”