Walt Disney World is responding to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance by quietly reducing the prices for admission and hotel stays. Starting in May, Disney initiated a promotion offering discounted three-day ticket packages that allow access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for just $89 per day, while tickets for Magic Kingdom remain available for separate purchase.
These new ticket prices mark a significant decrease from the previous record high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass, with the current discounts available until September 24.
In addition to lowering ticket prices, Disney is working to make trips to its Florida resort more affordable by cutting rates for its budget hotel options. Nightly rates at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can dip to as low as $100, depending on the booking time, reflecting discounts of up to 27% compared to standard rates, according to Bloomberg.
This summer, Disney also added new dining packages, which lower food costs by 20% to 30%. The all-day meal plans are priced at $30 for children and $95 for adults, and can be used for meals and snacks throughout the parks. The introduction of more quick-service meal options and lower prices for children’s food has been implemented, along with more flexible policies at restaurants.
Industry experts point to the rising costs of dining within the parks as a key factor in the decrease of customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, reported a drop in customer satisfaction ratings from 90% to 60% as Disney transitioned from a la carte dining options to fixed-price meals in many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the effectiveness of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that this strategy might not necessarily indicate a genuine commitment to enhancing affordability or guest satisfaction, noting that the company has historically been willing to compromise positive ratings for increased revenue.