Walt Disney World is responding to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance by quietly reducing admission and hotel prices over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney began offering discounted three-day ticket packages for visits to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom at $89 per day, although separate purchases are still required for the Magic Kingdom. This reduction comes as a significant decrease from the previous record high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass, with these lowered ticket prices in effect until September 24.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is also working to lower the overall cost of visits to the Florida resort by slashing prices on its budget hotel options. Prices for a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can drop to as low as $100, depending on booking times, representing up to a 27% reduction according to Bloomberg analysis.
The parks have rolled out new dining packages this summer, which aim to cut meal costs by 20% to 30%. The dining plan offers all-day meal passes priced at $30 per child and $95 per adult, usable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. The resort is also introducing more quick meal options and flexible dining policies, alongside cheaper food for kids.
Experts attribute the rise in meal prices as one of the drivers behind the decline in visitor satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings have plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining options to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While praising Disney’s cost-cutting initiatives, Testa warned that such measures may not genuinely reflect a dedication to affordability or guest satisfaction, highlighting that Disney has historically balanced positive guest ratings with revenue goals.