In response to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a decline in park attendance, Walt Disney World has been quietly lowering admission and hotel prices over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages priced at $89 per day, allowing access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom, although tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately. These reduced ticket prices are valid until September 24 and offer a significant drop from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to make trips to the Florida resort more affordable by slashing prices on its cheapest hotel options. Stays at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can start as low as $100, reflecting discounts of up to 27% according to Bloomberg’s analysis.
This summer, the parks have also launched new dining packages that cut the cost of meals by 20% to 30%. Families can buy all-day meal passes for $30 for children and $95 for adults, which can be used for various meals and snacks in the parks. Moreover, Disney World is reportedly adding more quick meal choices, offering affordable food for kids, and implementing more flexible dining policies.
Industry experts attribute the decline in customer satisfaction, which fell from 90% to 60%, to the rising costs of dining within the parks, particularly following Disney’s shift from a la carte dining to fixed price meals at many popular restaurants.
Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that while he appreciates Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these changes may not signify a genuine commitment to affordability or customer satisfaction. He stated that Disney has historically prioritized revenue over guest ratings.