Walt Disney World has been quietly offering discounts on admission prices and hotel stays in response to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a decline in park attendance.
Starting 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 the Magic Kingdom are sold separately. These lowered ticket prices will be available through September 24, showcasing a significant reduction from the previous peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is working to lower overall trip costs by reducing rates for its budget hotel options. Guests can book a night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort for as low as $100, depending on the booking date. These reductions can be as high as 27% off regular prices, as analyzed by Bloomberg.
To further entice visitors, the parks have launched new dining packages this summer, which lower meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, valid for various meals and snacks in the parks. Disney World is also expanding quick meal options, providing more affordable meals for children, and implementing more flexible restaurant policies.
Experts attribute the rise in costs for dining inside the parks as a significant contributor to decreased customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, which conducts annual surveys of Disney patrons, noted that satisfaction ratings fell from 90% to 60% as the parks transitioned from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledges the positive nature of Disney’s cost-reduction strategies, he warns that these moves may not signify a genuine commitment to affordability or enhancing guest experiences. According to him, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”