Facing increasing customer discontent and decreasing attendance, Walt Disney World has covertly begun offering discounts on admission and hotel rates over recent months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to explore Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately.
These reduced ticket prices, available until September 24, mark a significant drop from the peak daily price of $254 for a Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney aims to lower the overall cost for families visiting the Florida resort by slashing prices for its budget hotel options. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on the booking date. These reductions can reach up to 27% compared to regular rates, based on a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks also rolled out new dining packages, offering a 20% to 30% discount on food expenses within the parks. Families can buy all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be used for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney World is also providing more quick meal options, affordable children’s food, and more adaptable restaurant policies.
Experts in the Disney industry point to the rising cost of dining in the parks as a major contributor to declining customer satisfaction.
Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, which surveys thousands of Disney visitors each year, noted a drop in customer satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% coinciding with Disney’s shift from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
Testa acknowledged the merits of Disney’s cost-cutting measures but warned that these changes may not necessarily indicate a genuine commitment to affordability or guest satisfaction.
“Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue,” he stated.