Walt Disney World has been quietly implementing discounts on admission and hotel stays in response to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages that allow customers to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, while tickets to Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately. This reduction comes as a significant drop from the previous record price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass, and these lower ticket prices will be available until September 24.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall cost for guests by offering discounts on its budget hotel options. Rates at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100 per night, depending on the booking dates, representing up to a 27% discount from the usual rates.
Furthermore, this summer the parks have launched new dining packages that offer 20% to 30% off meal costs. The all-day meal packages are priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, applicable to various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney has also introduced more quick meal options, more affordable kids’ meals, and flexible restaurant policies.
Industry experts point to the rising cost of dining within the parks as a key factor contributing to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings have dropped from 90% to 60% at the same time Disney shifted from individual meal pricing to fixed price options in many of their popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the value of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he expressed concern that these changes may not signify a genuine commitment to affordability or guest satisfaction. He remarked, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”