Fall 2019 Food Price Increases at Disney World
As of the start of Walt Disney World’s fiscal year, a number of snack prices increased. These include refillable mugs, pretzels, popcorn, churros, alcoholic beverages, and other items that are ubiquitous at generic snack kiosks and some counter service restaurants through the parks and resorts.
The majority of snacks haven’t increased in price at all. Most of those that did went up by around 25 cents, including beer. A small handful of alcoholic beverages went up by as much as $1, but there are incredibly limited numbers of these–at least, that we can verify (it’s entirely possible that more pricing changes are yet to be rolled out). The $1 increase on refillable mugs is probably the most noteworthy, and bumps those up for $20 per stay.
Perhaps we’ve just become numb to Walt Disney World price increases, but this one barely even registers for us. Part of the reason might be that it, literally, hardly registers. Outside of alcohol, it appears that only about a dozen unique items are impacted…
The bigger reason it barely registers is not because it’s relatively minor. Twenty-five cents isn’t much in isolation, but that amount every year on small-dollar snack items is a fairly big bump percentage-wise, and certainly adds up over time. Rather, the reason it’s not all that notable is because it’s totally avoidable.
Almost all of the items that have increased in price are sold at snack kiosks, and are generic items or pre-packaged foods. They’re the kind of impulse buys that guests are making out of convenience, or those on the Disney Dining Plan are using snack credits to grab (and the latter group is unaffected by this price increase).
Anyone reading Walt Disney World planning resources is likely aware of having groceries delivered to Walt Disney World resorts at a reasonable cost and can easily avoid this price increase by bringing their own snacks to the parks. Why not just do that? The items impacted are nothing special–no different than things you could buy at the grocery store or the Costco food court.
Nothing about Walt Disney World is “essential” or a “necessity,” but even on the spectrum of things that are significant or important to a WDW vacation, all of these items are all on the super low end. These aren’t iconic meals, snacks, desserts, or specialty beverages that only Disney does.
Part of the reason our response here is on the flippant side is because we view this as something that’s ultimately self-defeating for Disney. Sure, they’ll reap some short term revenue gains by charging a quarter more for ice cream or pretzels. However, these decisions also have long term ramifications that can far outweigh the immediate gain of that quarter.
The biggest consequence of this and every recent price hike will eventually be in terms of perception. We’ve mentioned this before in the past, but there’s a cumulative impact of these increases. Even if this is not borne out right away, they do take a toll on guests and change how people view Walt Disney World’s value proposition.
No one is going to cancel their vacation upon reading this news–or most stories about pricing, even ones that are more likely to have a bigger and more immediate impact. It’s more of a gradual annoyance about Walt Disney World nickel and diming guests that eventually changes behavior.
Right now, visitors wear “Most Expensive Day Ever” (among countless other designs) Etsy shirts half in jest, while still visiting Walt Disney World. They’re willing to laugh off the expensive nature of a Walt Disney World vacation right now as they are comfortable with their personal economic circumstances and the overall cost of the trip, even if grumbling about it.
However, there are two possible tipping points–one in terms of Disney’s pricing going too far, and the other with consumer confidence/sentiment declining. When either of those tipping points inevitably occurs, many people will have second thoughts about booking a Walt Disney World vacation.
I feel like a broken record about this, and our commentary in all of these price increases posts contains more or less the same economic analysis/predictions, so I’ll spare you all that…
On a relatively novel note, with this increase there’s the added wrinkle of the value proposition of the Disney Dining Plan improving. This has actually been the case for the last 3 years, as menu price increases have dramatically outpaced Disney Dining Plan price increases, which seems to have more or less reached its maximum per day “sticker shock” pricing.
Raising the prices on certain snacks improves the perception of the Disney Dining Plan, which could be what this is all about, rather than more direct revenue on individual items. (Whether it’s $19 or $20, how many people are actually paying out of pocket for a refillable mug?) This in turn could steer people towards the Disney Dining Plan, and lead to more purchases of that by people who do the math, or simply peruse online menus and are taken aback by high out of pocket snack and drink costs. From Disney’s perspective, this would be a win; locking guests into the Disney Dining Plan offers a variety of upsides. It’ll be interesting to see how guests react to this latest round of increases, and how, if at all, behavior is impacted.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
What do you think of these and other recent price increases at Walt Disney World? No big deal for you, or a reason for concern as you plan where to take future vacations? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Think there will be long-term consequences for Disney resulting from its pricing trends the last few years? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
What the heck is up with the increase in pizza price to $30? They added a couple of crummy breadsticks and a barely green small salad to call it a ‘family meal’ so that they can almost double the price! Forget that! We’ll do more off property eating if we even go at all as the resort prices have also increased way too much! We used to go for a couple weeks every year (sometimes more), but all these price changes on top of the current FP system that is horrible has prompted us to barely go at all.
Looks to me that the price increases as a percentage of the original price are pretty insignificant.
I think most of us are more interested in park admission ticket increases. Hasn’t there typically been ticket price increases in October in the past? Not this year, or, probably forthcoming in the coming days, or, not many websites are tracking WDW price increases because of the variable pricing there’s no longer a BIG announcement and they just inch of the variable pricing quietly?
Just returned from 9 days in Disney World and I have some similar concerns, stayed at Polynesian, Club Level for 4 days and Pop Century for the other 5. Long story… But Club Level at Poly is great – the cast members are wonderful and view of fireworks at MK is amazing. But, the food hardly changed daily and was meager from my experiences at other Club Level resorts. I casually mentioned to a cast member that there was no pen and paper in my room (my favorite free souvenir) and was told they did away with that amenity three weeks ago. Mentioned this to a cast member at MK as we were having a great chat about the park and he said it’s just a sign of the times, mentioned that they quit doing Mickey butter because it was cheaper to just do pats of butter. and other examples. I’ll deal with rising prices IF you don’t change what make WDW the magical place it is with all those “little things”. I bought the mug, a server in another resort gave me a pen, and throughout the parks i felt the cast members were as good or better than ever caring for their guests, but not so sure the higher ups aren’t so busy penny pinching, raising prices and NOT thinking about the guests. Oh, and a little known fact, you can get $10 a day in a digital reward card for not having your room cleaned, towels changed, etc. They will give you clean towels and additional coffee if you call housekeeping, they will even take your trash at that time, but alas, still no pen 🙂
Just ordered Beignets at French Quarter and besides the new location at the Scats Club they also increased the price for 6 Beignets to $8.49 from $6.99 just the other day.
Turning blue from waiting on 2020 Free Dining Promotions!! Any clues?
How about a DDP plan for passholders, similar to what Six Flags offers their passholders?
YES !!!! And while we’re at it, how about offering a refillable mug to use IN THE PARKS WHEN YOU’RE WALKING FOR 12 HOURS IN THE DEADLY FLORIDA HEAT??!! Six Flags offers the refillable mug and it’s fantastic !!!! C’mon Disney !!
Some sort of dining plan should be made available to annual pass holders, similar to what Six Flags offers to their pass holders.
There is a dining plan for passholders. I book ticketless packages (these can only be done by calling Disney directly) all of the time. You obviously don’t have to purchase tickets, you add dining and you can even receive discounts on rooms (one night minimum stay requirement unlike the other packages that require two nights). If you mean you’d like a dining plan without having to book a room, I doubt Disney would ever do that.
Walt Disney is rolling over in his grave watching the “bean counters” squeeze every extra bit of revenue out each stay at Disney World. It’s a far cry from the atmosphere when we first bought our DVC membership. “Welcome home”, that will be $20, thank you, have a magical day. LOL
These food/drink price increases have a little to no impact on us. I haven’t bought a resort mug in ages and I only purchase snacks or beers occasionally at the parks. I love the grocery delivery services which provides with my breakfast and lunch meals, snacks, beer, water, and other drinks.
I believe there was a recent post that delivery services have been given the ax.
I just caught a different post that said this is not the case, that grocery delivery service has not been given the axe. Hopefully, that is correct.
I don’t think it’ that the delivery services got the ax but that (I am going on nothing but a faint memory of reading something, somewhere) resorts were now going to charge per item delivered to your room from Bell Services. I think it might exclude Grocery gateway? This new charge came out eight months ago or something so I might have some of the details wrong….
Groceries: if you are there (hotel front) to get them when they arrive there is no change, if they go to bell services there is a $6 per bag fee now.
I enjoyed this post and the resulting discussion. You’ve raised questions that I’ve been asking myself since our first trip to Disney December 2019. Backstory: After years of resisting my partner’s pleas to take our daughter to Disney (I was just not interested), he offered to pay for the whole thing out of his own pocket. He went big – we stayed at Wilderness lodge in a one-bedroom condo and spend six days at Disney (though we only had a few meals at restaurants because my sole contribution was groceries and wine). I believe the trip cost him $10,000 (Canadian).
Well, I.LOVED.EVERY.MINUTE. of our Disney trip. When we got back, he immediately booked us another trip for this December. We are staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge in a one bedroom, spending seven days in the park, and have actually purchased two Disney After Dark packages, and we are going to Oga’s Cantina to experience that (so 100 bucks on two drinks – my treat). Once more, I will purchase the food and booze for our room and I’ll chip in for the Memory Maker. Still, I expect the trip to cost him (and his retirement fund) another $10,000.00.
I think about all the things I’ve read about how much Disney has changed for the worse in the nickel and dime-ing arena – The shorter hours and hopped up evening events with separate tickets (which we are taking advantage of). Twice a year price increases, squeezing out affordable scooter rental companies, charging for parking at resorts when they didn’t used to, the exorbitant resort prices, ticket prices, replacing the photographers with automatic photo booths. I wonder what the tipping point will be? Will there be one?The Disney Corporation just seems so……MEGA.
I’m sure this is becoming more un-affordable for the average family by the day. And it just puts a sour taste in people’s mouths. I get that the development and maintenance of the parks must be beyond anyone’s imagination but…..there must be a better way? How much do all the executives make? I think I’d feel less uneasy if some of the increases in fees and prices were making it into the pockets of the Cast Members. Many if not most Cast Member’s live below the poverty line.
And as long as people keep booking and going, Disney has no reason to stop. I mean, we are a perfect example of that. But as others have mentioned, there are other places in the world for amazing experiences at a fraction of the cost. One week at Disney cost much more that 3 weeks in Vietnam and Cambodia this past summer (including flights).
But darn it. It sure is fun.
Those shirts are annoying, no matter what they say on them. No one cares if you are on a family vacation, what your name is, or if it’s your 1st visit.
I completely disagree. I like seeing those shirts. I care in that I think they are cute and they make me smile. Why be so salty at something that makes others happy?
I agree with you Heather. I just returned from our latest Disney trip, first time we’ve done shirts (the men complained) but we were celebrating my 70th birthday and my nephew’s 5th (same day). and it seemed like a fun way for all 22 of us to find each other in a crowd – bright yellow with our favorite character’s name on the back and simple ears with a 2019 on the front. And it worked and made for fun family photos in our happy place.
Lol talk about a waste of energy–why on earth be even mildly aggravated at something that is so easily ignored, AND doesn’t affect you in the slightest. You need a shirt that says “grumpiest place on Earth” I think.
This is petty, but I hate those “most expensive day ever” shirts and think they’re dumb. Yeah, dude, we know. Everyone in the park has paid roughly the same price as you to be there. Disney is supposed to be a magical place and the cynical shirts detract from that, and aren’t funny. Same with the drinking themed “funny” shirts I see in Epcot.
Yes, Disney is expensive and getting more expensive every year but my family plans and budgets accordingly. I feel like we are not missing anything at all by skipping table service, sharing meals, staying in moderates, and not doing expensive add ons like character dining and hard ticket events. I think Disney has very successfully marketed their add ons and mark ups as “must do” items when they’re just …. not. To us, it it’s about being somewhere special and doing something the entire family can enjoy, not about the “upgrades” or FOMO if we don’t dine with princesses every time.
Well put. I think you can have a wonderful experience without all the extras – even spending a day experiencing the free/included offerings at your resort hotel can be an “add on” if it’s not something you do on a regular basis. My husband and I do occasionally take part in the “extra add-on experiences” or special ticketed events as Disney calls them – usually budgeting in 1 per trip – and save elsewhere by spending part or all of our trip at a value resort instead of a moderate or deluxe hotel. Our last visit was just a few nights so we “splurged” on a moderate hotel and it was a rare treat for us. We hardly ever do character dining, but often enjoy a couple 1-2 table service meals on a disney trip (though, not always). We have also had many times when we’ve had a cooler or fridge in our hotel for sandwiches and snacks on a budget. It’s all about deciding what’s important to your family experience and budgeting for it. Half of the experience for us is resort time, enjoying the change of weather, and people watching.
Well said Marnie. I hate those stupid shirts also. I also agree I dont feel like Im missing anything by skipping table service dinners or hard ticket events (with exception of Halloween or Christmas Party).
i agree. disney is expensive, but can be budgeted accordingly. we try for the free dining plan whenever possible (argue what you want about the ddp being a value or not, when it’s free, it allows us to eat at places we definitely would not eat at paying out of pocket). if we go without a dining plan, we get snack items for breakfast in the room/on the go, and budget accordingly for park meals (sharing is a great option, as portions are huge). i wish they offered a snack-only dining plan, that alone would be enough food. as for the extra ticket events, i wish people saw how disney is getting two days of admission out of you for one day. that’s what kills me, is that these early morning events require you to have park admission. the holiday parties and after hours do not, so if you plan right, you could use those for park admission by themselves (here’s hoping that does not change in the future). when my kids get older, if they still have after hours i might seriously consider that in place of a day of admission if it worked out, but not in addition to.
While I agree with most of your sentiment, I find the shirts amusing (I’ve never been the type to let other people’s cynicism affect me, though)–and a tad ironic, when you think that they paid extra to have shirts custom made to complain about the expense of…well, you see where I’m going with this.
But yes–Disney has been out-pacing inflation for years, and we’ve planned accordingly by not going as often as we used to. Somehow with it all being so much more expensive than just a few years ago it’s also gotten more crowded. I actually hope Tom is onto something and that the economy takes a hit so Disney has to come a bit closer to Earth. Who knows–maybe the smaller crowds that have been so heavily reported lately are the start of something?
Tom — great article and I commend you on tapping into the psychology of these types of increases. Certainly I love Disney–my family of 4 and I have had wonderful times and have many amazing memories. However, we have been 3 times in the last 7 years, and I do admit on our most recent visit in July 2019, although it was technically flawless in terms of Fastpasses, weather, ADRs, doing what we wanted to do, etc., I couldn’t help feeling a bit chapped at elevated costs since our previous visit for resort parking, “extra” experiences (e.g. fireworks desserts), customer service shortfalls, tickets, and the like. Certainly a first-world problem, but the feeling of being gouged does creep in and although living in the moment is grand, it diminishes the overall experience. The issue, as you mentioned, is not likely to have a major impact on attendance, but for some, the cumulative effect may cause folks to not jump so eagerly at the next chance to go.
Where can I get some of those shirts?
This doesn’t even mention the recent price hikes made *again* in Star Wars GE. $15-18 for 1 cocktail! $13+ – $15 for 1 beer! We almost cancelled our Oga’s reservation for that alone. For those ok with $9 beers, imagine a day when they reach $13 park wide. Too bad the dining plan won’t soften that hit. We are going on a bounceback made from last year (thanks to your blog), but we looked at next year’s prices last night and I think we are finally unable to justify it (and we are just 2).
Yes most die hard and AP people are feeling the same I have not renewed our AP for next year and thus will be our last trip coming up later this month for awhile .Disney has out priced us
I just skip booze in the parks and don’t worry about it. It doesn’t add to the experience for me so it’s not a good value. If it does, then go crazy with expensive drinks. We all pick & choose what we want to spend money on at the parks. I’d rather have 2-3 snacks than a single drink, but that’s just me. I imagine if people stop paying for them they’ll stop charging that, but for now they can.
I see your point, but also giving up one, two, or four crazy expensive drinks isnt going to make anyone’s vacation affordable. I’m not paying a small fortune to enter the park and boycott certain foods or drinks on principle. It’s more a tipping point, when is it all too much? The point is like Tom says, it’s just the cumulative erasure of customer good will.
it was so nice to have the option on the dining plan though for beer/wine/smoothies, that was a great add. but for specialty drinks? no way. not for those prices. and they missed big time not opening Oga’s as a full service restaurant with the cantina as an add-on bar. at least more people would be able to go inside.
Well Tom, you really stirred up the proverbial hornets nest here .. as far as price increases are concerned, and to use an over used phrase; it is what it is.
We’ve always known that WDW is expensive and it will always be; however everything is relative. The parks most definitely costs a ton of money to constantly improve, and operate on a daily basis. I still believe their service is second to none, and counter to a few other comments, we love the food there! If I have to pay $9.00 for a beer at Epcot, I guess I do. I still drink it with a smile on my face, because I get to relax in Japan, or Germany while drinking it. It’s part of the cost of being there and enjoying the parks. And yes .. beyond the ticket price. My family and I have come to accept that reality and enjoy ourselves despite high prices, perceived or otherwise. Cheers
Call me daft but I am an AP holder and frequently go to Epcot to enjoy a pint of Boddingtons in the Rose and Crown. But as a Brit having lived here for 30+ years that is cheaper than buying a flight back to a real UK Pub! – yes I know there are many other alternatives but I love the rest of the park(s) too