Walt Disney World has been quietly implementing discounts on admission and hotel rates over recent months in response to increasing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance.
Beginning in May, Disney began offering discounted three-day ticket packages, allowing visitors to explore Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for as low as $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom remain sold separately. This pricing represents a significant reduction from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass. The discounted ticket prices are set to remain in effect until September 24.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is working to lower the overall cost of visiting the Florida resort by reducing prices on some of its budget hotel accommodations. Stays at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can now go as low as $100 per night, offering discounts of up to 27% compared to standard rates, according to a Bloomberg analysis.
The parks have also introduced new dining packages this summer, which can cut dining costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable at various dining locations throughout the parks. Furthermore, Disney is providing more quick meal options, kid-friendly inexpensive food, and flexible restaurant policies.
Experts attribute the rise in complaints partly to the increasing expenses associated with dining in the parks. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings plummeted from 90% to 60% during Disney’s transition from a la carte dining to fixed price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the effectiveness of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that they may not indicate a genuine commitment to enhancing affordability or customer satisfaction, stating that Disney has historically been willing to trade off positive ratings for revenue.