Amid growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in attendance, Walt Disney World has been discreetly lowering admission and hotel prices over recent months.
In May, the company began offering discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to enjoy Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although tickets to Magic Kingdom must be purchased separately.
These reduced ticket prices, effective until September 24, represent a significant decrease from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney aims to make trips to its Florida resort more affordable by lowering rates for its cheapest hotel options. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could begin at $100, depending on booking times. According to Bloomberg, these price reductions can reach up to 27% off regular rates.
This summer, Disney has also rolled out new dining packages, offering discounts of 20% to 30% on food costs. Families can purchase all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, redeemable for select meals and snacks within the parks. The resort is introducing more quick meal options and cheaper food for kids, as well as more flexible dining policies.
Experts believe that the high costs of dining within the parks are contributing to the decline in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings plunged from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed pricing at many popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-cutting strategies, he cautioned that these moves may not genuinely indicate a commitment to affordability or guest satisfaction. He remarked that Disney has often been willing to trade off positive ratings for greater revenue.