Walt Disney World has been quietly reducing admission prices and hotel rates in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance over recent months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages that allow visitors to explore Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although tickets for Magic Kingdom are sold separately. This pricing marks a significant reduction from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass. These lower ticket prices will remain in effect until September 24.
Additionally, Disney is working to lessen the overall cost of a trip to its Florida resort by slashing rates for its least expensive hotels. For instance, a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can be as low as $100, depending on reservation timing, reflecting discounts of up to 27% compared to standard prices, as per a Bloomberg analysis.
The parks have also rolled out new dining packages this summer, decreasing meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can now purchase all-day meal passes at $30 for children and $95 for adults, which can be used for various meals and snacks within the parks. Additionally, Disney World is offering more quick-service meal options, budget-friendly children’s food, and increased flexibility in dining policies.
Experts attribute the rising costs of meals inside the parks as one of the reasons behind the drop in customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s recent cost-cutting measures, he warned that these actions may not genuinely reflect a dedication to affordability or enhancing guest satisfaction. He indicated that Disney has historically been willing to sacrifice positive ratings for increased revenue.