Walt Disney World has responded to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance by quietly implementing discounts on admission and hotel stays over the past few months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, with separate tickets required for Magic Kingdom. These lower ticket prices, available until September 24, significantly decrease from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to lower the overall cost of trips to the Florida resort by offering discounts on its most affordable hotel options. Rates for accommodations at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can drop as low as $100 per night, depending on the booking period, representing discounts of up to 27% compared to standard rates.
This summer, the parks have also launched new dining packages, offering discounts of 20% to 30% on dining costs. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney World is reportedly expanding quick meal options, providing cheaper food for children, and easing restaurant policies as part of these changes.
Experts highlight the rising expenses of dining within the parks as a key factor behind the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals in many popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that this approach may not indicate a genuine commitment to making the experience more affordable or enhancing guest satisfaction. He remarked that Disney has historically been willing to trade off a number of positive ratings for additional revenue.