Price Increase on Snacks & Drinks at Disney World
Walt Disney World has once again raised food prices across the hotels and parks, with some significant increases at outdoor vending carts and on counter service menus for beverages and popular snacks. In this post, we’ll share the new prices, and add our commentary as to whether we view these price trends as sustainable in the long term.
Here’s a partial rundown of the price increases:
- Regular soda: $3.99 – up from $3.29
- Large soda: $4.49 – up from $3.49
- Coffee: $3.29 – up from $2.79
- Orange Juice: $4.99 – up from $4.29
- Bottled soda: $4.50 – up from $4
- Bottled water: $3.50 – up from $3
- Powerade: $4.50 – up from $3.50
- Mickey Pretzel: $7 – up from $6
- Mickey Ice Cream: $5.75 – up from $5
Some people are bound to defend these price hikes with retorts like, “if $1 more for a pretzel is make or break, you shouldn’t be vacationing at Walt Disney World in the first place.” To be sure, it’s highly unlikely that any of these price increases will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back in terms of vacation affordability. Presumably, Walt Disney World is counting on that.
Where these price increases, and the barrage of across the board hikes, do the most damage is in terms of perception. No one is going to cancel their vacation upon reading this news, and it’s certainly not going to make headlines on the nightly news or in the mainstream media (as has been the case with ticket pricing and parking charges).
For regular guests, this news is just the latest in a long line of stories about Walt Disney World nickel and diming guests. It’s unlikely to be what turns them off of a WDW vacation, but the cumulative impact of this type of news could do exactly that.
Even among first-timers and infrequent guests, this image seems more pronounced. There’s always been the running joke that every ride exits through the gift shop, but lately there’s been an odd proliferation of guests wearing homemade (or Etsy-made) shirts emblazoned with phrases like “Disney ATM,” “Most Expensive Day EVER!” and lines about working to support Disney addictions.
The notion that there’s no such thing as bad publicity doesn’t apply here, but Disney has no one else to blame for the burgeoning market for this apparel. (Now the question is whether Disney will make its own shirts like these–does profitability or dignity will win out?)
This is all fun and games now. While we’re not huge fans of shirts like that, we realize they are worn in jest. However, the underlying sentiment rings true, and that is something the general public will remember in earnest once the economy goes south.
When you couple the acute awareness of Walt Disney World’s priciness with regulars who are growing increasingly frustrated with the blatant cash grabs, there’s the potential for real issues. We sound like a broken record harping on the impact of consumer confidence on travel and tourism, but it is a big deal.
People are willing to laugh off the expensive nature of a Walt Disney World vacation right now as they are confident about their economic prospects, but what happens when confidence in the economy is not so high? The U.S. economy has been growing for a while now, and it’s hard to imagine that we aren’t at or near the late cycle phase. That doesn’t necessarily mean another recession is right around the corner, but a slowdown likely is.
When that inevitably occurs, some people will have second thoughts about booking a Walt Disney World vacation. Not everyone, but it doesn’t take everyone for there to be a big impact on hotel occupancy and attendance. Even 10-15% of people hesitating due to perceptions of pricing is a huge deal.
Of course, Walt Disney World benefits in the short term from people who purchase snacks on impulse and those who need their Coca-Cola fix. In the immediate future, it seems unlikely that the loss of sales from people balking at the increased prices outweighs the added revenue from the price differential.
There’s also the added byproduct of the value perception of the Disney Dining Plan improving. This could lead to more purchases of the Dining Plan from people who do the math, or simply peruse online menus and are taken aback by high out of pocket snack and drink costs.
As for us, none of this will affect us in the least. The last time I purchased a large soda at Walt Disney World, it was $3.29 (so, two years ago). I remember that because I flinched at that price, and realized it was an unnecessary expense. Even before then, we had mostly switched to using these Mount Hagen Organic Instant Regular Coffee sticks. The last time I purchased large sodas with regularity, it was the good ole days (~4 years ago, I believe) when they cost $2.79.
We sometimes get odd looks as we mix up our own coffee, but as caffeine addicts, we “need” our fix. (It’s not even close to the weirdest thing we do in the name of blogging.) There’s no way we’re spending ~$60 on a week’s worth of caffeine at Walt Disney World. In that sense, Disney has saved us money, because if prices were still in the realm of reasonable, we wouldn’t be doing this. (On a related note: we highly recommend grocery delivery–read our tips for having groceries delivered to your Walt Disney World resort at a reasonable cost.)
To be sure, this price increase, as with all past price increases, is a calculated decision with clear advantages for Walt Disney World. However, those advantages lie entirely in the short term. As with a lot of moves Disney has made in the last couple of years, there are also potential negative repercussions in the long-term. We’ve been sounding this same alarm bell for over two years now, so at this point you might be inclined to disregard our commentary, but it will happen at some point. It may not happen in the near-term with Walt Disney World’s golden goose set to debut in a little over a year, but we maintain that this is not a viable long-term strategy for a vacation destination that still largely caters to the middle class.
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!
We are DVC members and love going to WDW but I have been saying this for years (and get punched in the arm by my better half every time I do):
“Mickey Mouse is a capitalistic rat”
Its because of the new contract where Cast was given a raise to $15 dollars an hour plus a $1000 dollar bonus plus a years back pay for the raise which was retroactive to last year when the contract had expired. So there is a lot to pay for now for Disney to fund this.
disney has disregarded the moderate income family altogether, high income families are the draw. turning moderate hotels into high priced hotels is the norm,so this is the future of disney like it or not. world wide draw is the new way, not surprised that disney is turning it’s back on the american middle class that made disney what it is today!fred
I’m so sad to say that my upcoming trip will probably be my last. Not only has it become unaffordable but I’m left with a really bad taste in my mouth. I feel as though my devotion to WDW has been throroughly taken advantage of.
I suppose I’ll continue with DLP until that goes he same way.
Our next trip is likely our last too, to WDW anyhow. Will continue to go to DL. We are from Western Canada so the cost to get to WDW is huge. Because of that, we stay for a long time. It’s become unaffordable for us to spend 2 weeks in WDW. Cheaper to fly to Disneyland and don’t need as many days to enjoy everything so all the small increases don’t hurt as much. Overall though I am tired of the feeling that you have to be rich for a WDW vacation.
Well written. It becomes annoying when people say “hur hur hur, if you can’t afford fifty cents extra for a soda, DON’T GO TO DISNEY”, which is absolutely not the point. You are spot on about perception- when they start laying off cast members, and then all you hear for a week is “price increase on ears”, “price increase on soda”, “budget cut on X”, “price increase on Y”, it makes you start questioning why you are paying more for less.
As a Canadian I’m looking at paying $10 for a pretzel when converting to our currency. I have a trip booked for March but can’t see taking my family again afterward. So many other things we could do for less.
So with the higher prices on snacks (particularly churros and Mickey ice creams) will they now be dropped (due to price) from being used as snack credits?
Or will the dining plans raise in price accordingly…?
I think you are on to something Tom with your view that at some point, folks will consider other vacation options that offer more bang for the buck. We just got back from a week trip to DW (last trip was 18 years ago). Disney has always been relatively expensive, but one felt they provided good value as an overall experience. Not so much now (what do you get extra now that you’re paying $20 for parking at a resort hotel?). Is parking now covered? Are the Cokes larger? Does the Mickey ice cream now come with sprinkles? No. You are just paying more for the same thing.
My two cents is that Disney has overestimated the enthusiasm for all things Star Wars, and that once the blush is off that rose, people will think twice about making Disney an annual trek.
Finally, my lingering impression from my week at DW was that never have so many paid so much to wait so long in so much heat and humidity.
Personally I am a huge WDW fan but I have absolutely no interest in Star Wars. I’ve only ever seen the original 3 movies and really only liked the first one. Not that interested in Avatar either. So what does that leave people like me with all the new sci-fi stuff going in?
“It’s unlikely to be what turns them off of a WDW vacation, but the cumulative impact of this type of news could do exactly that.” Exactly Tom! Snack prices don’t bother me – I have them delivered; I rarely bring a car, so paying for resort parking does not bother me…. but where does it stop!?! But BillFromPA – do tell how you smuggled in Pinot Grigio – love it!
I honestly think Disney is making a big mistake with these price increases. As a yearly visitor I have noticed more and more huge coolers being wheeled into the parks. I understand the reasoning but having to wait longer in security lines do coolers can be checked out as well as the sheer nuisance of them being dragged around into stores that are already overcrowded to begin with drives me crazy! People also “camp” out in the busiest of spaces to have their lunch. Again inconvenient for the rest of us. As I said I totally understand why families need to do this with the prices being charged but I fear it’s going to get out of control and eventually no food or drinks will be allowed in. Seriously if McDonalds can charge a dollar for a large beverage so can Disney in my opinion.
I honestly think Disney is making a big mistake with these price increases. As a yearly visitor I have noticed more and more huge coolers being wheeled into the parks. I understand the reasoning but having to wait longer in security lines do coolers can be checked out as well as the sheer nuisance of them being dragged around into stores that are already overcrowded to begin with drives me crazy! People also “camp” out in the busiest of spaces to have their lunch. Again inconvenient for the rest of us. As I said I totally understand why families need to do this with the prices being charged but I fear it’s going to get out of control and eventually no food or drinks will be allowed in. Seriously if McDonslds can charge a dollar for a large beverage so can Disney in my opinion.
I loved going to Disney but with all the cost increases ( the parking pushed me over) I now want to go to other vacation spots where I enjoy myself and not have to spend so much. My husband and I have been on four other vacations this year and still have not spent what we would on one trip to Disney .Disney it been very nice but I went to see the rest of the world. Thank you but your in my past .
Although I am never happy with price increases, I don’t see how it has affected WDW, this past year we have been unable to get reservations for our favorite time of the year which is a “down” time as they are booked, then we reserved another time, January and were only able to get 7 or the 10 days we usually request. So either I am just having terrible luck or people will go and either not get snacks, do it anyway or purchase the dining plan (we do as we like having it pre-paid before we get there). I love WDW and will never stop going there! I will always find a way! It truly is my home away from home!
Food & Wine beer prices went up too…halfway through the Festival. Hey, it helps me cross some things off of my list.
@L
Seriously, F&W prices went up? I am leaving in 2 weeks and the primary reason we’re going in October was to try out F&W.
According to my speadsheets, yeah, a few things went up. Like I said, mostly beer and beer flights. The poutine in Canada went up which seems to be the only F&W specific foot item to increase.
Wow! Steep price increases indeed. I am sick and tired of all the increases (onsite parking at the resorts I still think is the worst) has made us turn a corner in future vacation plans, one I never thought was possible; chances are we are probably done with Disney World. It is our favourite place to visit, and we spend lots of money there, but asking for more each and every time we go has driven us away. We are from Canada so we also have the exchange rate against us. We just got back after a 10 day trip at POP Century and the crowds were insane in mid-August. We did not feel the Disney magic on this trip as much as we have in the past. Disney World is not worth it anymore.
If Disney feels the need to raise prices, I’d personally prefer these listed snacks take a hit if it’s offsetting resort or tickets price hikes in any way (I try to make myself feel better by telling myself this) because I can nearly completely avoid the snacks listed. It would be easier to pick these up in the parks as needed, but getting amazon prime grocery delivery isn’t too difficult. I guess my point is, at least this is some what avoidable, for my anyway.
We agree with that, although these price increases and ticket price increases aren’t mutually exclusive. Still, your sentiment rings true.
I think no one is talking about a major reason for these price hikes to occur. The cast members wanted $15 and hour, and got it. That money had to come from somewhere! think of all the cast members that work there. I’m not bemoning the cast members by any means, we all want to make more money but I knew price increases were coming as a result of the raises! People forget Disney is a business and they can’t just eat all those raises.
Actually they could eat all those raises. With a 25 BILLION dollar profit for the fiscal year ending Sep 2017, it would not have hurt them.
How much does pop cost Disney ? Pennies compared to what they charge the many people that come there each day.I love Disney but some day I won’t be able to afford to go how sad that day will be. If Walt could see what you are doing.
Did the cast members get their pay raise?
I hope they did and thats where some of the increases are coming from
Yes they did and the union voted to approve the new contract:
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-bz-disney-union-election-results-20180904-story.html
Minimum wage goes from $10 now, to $15 per hour in 2021.
Is this a reason for the price increases? I think at least in part. See my other comments on this post.
I doubt some sudden price increase will drive us from WDW but if 2 brews in the Rose&Crown break the $20 mark that will get my attention. As it is we spend 9 to 10 days at Food&Wine and my wife and I have been smuggling in our Pinot Grigio for the last 3 or 4 years. Used to be you’d get a tasting for $2.75 – $3.25 or so, now a double shot of vino costs a third to a half of what a bottle of decent domestic wine costs. We’re there more for the exotic food and we’ll drop the better part of a grand in 2 weeks but I know that wine prices haven’t risen that much in the last 6 to 8 years so we’ll be toting our insulated bottles in.
Whenever there is a price increase at the Disney parks, I always wonder what was Walt Disney’s vision in this regard? Make it so expensive that most families cannot afford it?
It boggles my mind. Yes, I have been very “fortunate” to go to Walt Disney World multiple times as a young person, and even have a trip booked next year for my son’s first visit. Honestly, I was one of those people that thought I would take my future children even more times than I went but… No, no I won’t. Yes, it’s magical! Yes, it’s SO fun! But having to save $4,000 (on the low end) for a family of three because you KNOW once you get there, you are going to pay high prices for EVERYTHING, including food and beverage. No thank you. It’s becoming a “go once in your life” kind of place, unfortunately. I guess you don’t understand until you become the one paying for it. Ha ha 🙂