Facing increasing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance, Walt Disney World has been quietly implementing discounts on admission and hotel stays in recent 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 remain separate. These lower prices, available until September 24, mark a significant reduction from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is reducing the cost of its most affordable hotel options. Stays at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resorts could start as low as $100, depending on the booking date, reflecting discounts of up to 27% from typical rates.
This summer, the parks have also rolled out new dining packages offering meal deals that reduce food costs by 20% to 30%. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, usable at select dining locations throughout the parks. The resort is also providing more quick meal options, affordable children’s meals, and flexible dining policies in response to diners’ concerns.
Experts point to rising food prices in the parks as a key factor contributing to declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa of TouringPlans.com noted a decrease in customer satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the merits of Disney’s recent cost-cutting initiatives, he warned that these actions may not genuinely reflect a commitment to enhancing affordability or guest experiences. “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue,” he stated.