Walt Disney World is responding to growing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance by quietly introducing discounts on admission and hotel stays over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney began offering discounted three-day ticket packages allowing guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day, although entry to Magic Kingdom still requires a separate ticket purchase. These reduced ticket prices, valid until September 24, mark a significant reduction from the previous high of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
In addition to ticket discounts, Disney is also reducing costs for its lower-priced hotel accommodations. A night at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort could be as low as $100, depending on the booking date, representing discounts of up to 27% based on a Bloomberg analysis.
The parks also rolled out new dining packages this summer that provide a 20% to 30% discount on meal costs. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, which can be used for meals and snacks in the parks. Disney World is reportedly offering more quick meal options, kid-friendly food at lower prices, and more flexible dining policies.
Experts suggest that rising food prices in the parks have contributed to declining customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that satisfaction ratings dropped from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from a la carte dining to fixed price meals at popular restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-reducing efforts, he expressed concern that this approach might not signify a genuine commitment to affordability or enhancing guest satisfaction. He stated, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”