Walt Disney World is responding to growing customer dissatisfaction and decreasing park attendance by quietly implementing discounts on admission and hotel rates over recent months.
In May, the company introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for just $89 per day. However, tickets to the Magic Kingdom are still sold separately. This reduction, lasting through September 24, marks a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
To further enhance the affordability of trips to its Florida resort, Disney has also decreased prices for its budget hotel options. Stays at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can start as low as $100 per night, depending on the timing of the booking. This represents discounts of up to 27% from regular rates.
Additionally, the parks have unveiled new dining packages this summer, cutting meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable at various locations in the parks. Improvements include more quick meal options, cheaper meals for children, and more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts attribute the drop in customer satisfaction, which fell from 90% to 60%, to the increased dining costs within the parks. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that the shift from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at popular restaurants has contributed to this decline.
While Testa acknowledges the positive impact of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warns that it may not indicate a genuine commitment to affordability or enhancing guest satisfaction. He remarked that Disney has historically been willing to trade off positive customer ratings for increased revenue.