Amid increasing customer dissatisfaction and a decrease in park attendance, Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing the price of admission and hotel stays over recent months.
In May, Disney rolled out discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for as low as $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom still need to be purchased separately.
These reduced ticket prices, valid until September 24, mark a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass. Simultaneously, Disney is also lowering the cost of its most affordable hotel options. Guests can book a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort for as little as $100, depending on availability. These reductions can represent discounts of up to 27% compared to regular rates.
Additionally, the parks have introduced new dining packages this summer that decrease meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can buy all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, which can be used for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Disney is reportedly also offering more quick meal options, lower-priced children’s food, and more flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute the rising food costs within the parks to a decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings have dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many of its popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledges the benefits of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warns that this approach may not indicate a genuine commitment to affordability or guest satisfaction. He remarked that Disney has traditionally been willing to sacrifice some positive ratings for revenue generation.