Walt Disney World is responding to increasing customer dissatisfaction and decreasing park attendance by quietly offering 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. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom still need to be purchased separately. These discounted ticket prices will be available until September 24 and represent a significant drop from the previous peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Alongside ticket discounts, Disney is also working to lower the overall cost of trips to the Florida resort by reducing prices for its budget hotel accommodations. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort may cost as little as $100, depending on booking dates. These reductions could reach up to 27% off regular rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
This summer, the parks have rolled out new dining packages that cut eating expenses by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be used for select meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney World is reportedly also introducing more quick meal options, affordable food choices for kids, and more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts attribute rising food costs inside the parks as a key factor contributing to decreasing customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings fell from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged Disney’s cost-cutting efforts, he warned that this trend may not indicate a genuine commitment to lowering prices or ensuring guest satisfaction. He remarked that Disney has historically been willing to compromise customer ratings for increased revenue.