Walt Disney World has been silently lowering admission prices and hotel rates in response to growing customer dissatisfaction and a decrease in park attendance 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, although tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately.
These new ticket prices, valid through September 24, significantly reduce the previously high cost of a daily Park Hopper pass, which peaked at $254.
Additionally, Disney is striving to make trips to its Florida resort more affordable by slashing rates for its budget hotel options. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can start at as low as $100, depending on booking dates. These reductions can reflect discounts of up to 27% from standard rates, as analyzed by Bloomberg.
The parks have also launched new dining packages this summer, offering 20% to 30% off dining costs. This plan allows families to purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable at select eateries and snack locations within the parks. Reports indicate that Disney World is also introducing more quick-service meal options, lowering food prices for children, and enhancing dining flexibility.
Experts in the Disney community point to rising food costs within the parks as a significant factor contributing to customer dissatisfaction.
Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that satisfaction ratings dropped from 90% to 60% during Disney’s transition from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular establishments.
While Testa commended Disney’s recent cost-cutting measures, he warned that these changes may not genuinely indicate a commitment to enhancing affordability or guest satisfaction. He remarked that Disney has historically balanced some negative guest feedback with revenue objectives.