News Disney hikes the price of Mickey Bars and Dole Whip along with hundreds of other food and beverage items at Walt Disney World

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Its astounding how some people defend the company over and over on EVERY SINGLE thing Disney does.

That’s why I shoot flak at all the “free market” defenses…

the customers defending the business due to “emotions” negates the entire free market principle. The customers serve a function in the price dynamics. It’s not “optional”.

See I think that's not an accurate evaluation. Most people (especially according to this board) DON'T eat all three meals in the park and if you have a car you're more likely to go offsite. I don't think most folks eat three meals a day, every day for 7-10 days

I think real life is some where in the middle. People who go to sporting events do go out to eat after and people who go to sporting events generally go to more than 1. No its not back to back to back but let's say over the course of 6 months?

The sports false equivalency again? Want to get Broadway out of the way today too?

here’s the accurate comparison list:

1. Upscale cruises
2. Short term European vacations
3. Top notch ski resorts/weeks
4. Island trips.


now rack em up and see the cost comparisons.

It’s expensive…let’s just not go to day one in the class on this?

 

[Cesar R M]

Those are gross compared with the ones in the parks (and on the cruise ships).

Dunno about you. Last october we caved in.. and they tasted exactly like the MAGNUM vanilla icecream ones and a local branded icecream sammich.
My sister was all "all the hype and 5+ USD for this?" (locally they cost 1.5 USD for much larger)

 

[networkpro]

??? Where? I'm heading to Iceland next month and I assure you the flight alone for 3 people is more than Disney.

Anybody ever been, this is my first time?

Its a fun place to visit for a short time. Why a short time ? While you get a great opportunity to get out and walk around in nature, that's literally most of what's available to do... Glaciers, hot springs and volcanos. It's also the place where global chains rapidly go out of business. Everything is local and expensive. I'd recommend trying some of the hverabrauð (its a rich rye bread that's traditionally cooked in volcanic heat (sand or springs) that's IMHO delicious). Just like WDW, watch out for the wildlife as it will eat you. Polar bears are abundant in the north in the Svalbarðshreppur province. Most hikers are well armed with rifles.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Just not understanding the pain in people's wallets here. Food prices are increasing all over, not just in theme parks but in grocery stores.
Most of these increases are on junk food items that should never be classified as food.

I know your comment was somewhat in jest, but it was noted that prices at restaurants were increased as well. Wait... that could also be included in "things that should never be classified as food", depending on the location (and how bad the decrease in food quality has become lately, I've heard Disney switched food vendors recently and quality may have dropped even further...).

 

[LittleBuford]

That is why it is a critique on the company, not her.

I don’t see how Disney is to blame either for an employee’s not constantly standing to attention. As long as a CM is friendly, helpful, and attentive, I couldn’t care less if they adopt a relaxed posture now and again.

 

[Jrb1979]

Just not understanding the pain in people's wallets here. Food prices are increasing all over, not just in theme parks but in grocery stores.
Most of these increases are on junk food items that should never be classified as food.

It's not just cause of the increase of food prices. It's just another thing added to all the nickel and dining going on.

 

[Dan Deesnee]

Prices have gone up everywhere for groceries. These increases should shock not one single person.

 

[Jrb1979]

Prices have gone up everywhere for groceries. These increases should shock not one single person.

If it was just price increases on food there wouldn't be as much complaining. It's just another thing to add to all the nickel and dining that's been going on.

 

[eliza61nyc]

My younger son and a bunch of his friends flew to Iceland (pre covid) and they rented campers and travelled all around. Pictures were amazing he said it could be sunny and warm and then cold and snowing within hours. You should have a great time with the current wave of covid is the trip still a go?

Just had a meeting yesterday, so far so good. Hoping the omicron wave is over by next month. We're hoping to view the Aurora Boralis. Iceland currently requires a negative test within 72 hours. Luckily for me JFK has rapid testing at the airport ( for a hefty fee)

 

[Disstevefan1]

Prices have gone up everywhere for groceries. These increases should shock not one single person.

Inflation, no inflation, pandemic, no pandemic, supplyline issues or not, it does not matter, price increases at WDW have never, and will never shock me. Its fully expected.

Disney never needed a reason to raise prices have always did annual price increases (sometimes multiple times within a year).

This is just the Disney way. There is no reason to try to rationalize why.....

 

[HauntedPirate]

I don’t think Disney will ever lose us entirely, we enjoy the parks too much, but DL is dangerously close to losing us as key holders, we probably spend $15,000 a year at DL alone so if we change our monthly trips to one trip a year that’s a big chunk of change.

We’ll probably take more frequent trips to WDW, Aulani, DL Paris, DCL, etc so it’ll offset the losses a bit but a lot of our former Disney money will inevitably go to other destinations also.

A few thousand dollars lost here, a few thousand dollars lost there and Disney may realize they’re killing the golden goose.

Now this is a totally sensible response to what the Bob's (and Josh) are doing with the parks and prices overall - Vote with your wallet and spend that money elsewhere. If more people did exactly this, it would get their attention.

Personally, I'd rather do DLP again, DCL (for now, until the price hikes there become too much, plus the ludicrous kids club restrictions are gone), and TDR/SDL/HKDL. The key would be saving for those trips and, more importantly, getting my wife to agree. She'd have no problem with a cruise, but the rest will take some serious convincing.

If we do plan another trip, sounds like our usual itinerary of renting a car, grocery shopping, and eating a majority of our meals in-room will be in use once again. When you can get a 6-pack of 16.9oz Coke products for less than a 20oz bottle in the park, that's a no-brainer. A case of water bottles to bring with is cheaper than 2 bottles of Dapuki... sorry, Dasani. Sure, you can bring in your own bottle, but it's easier to fill it with cold water at parks not named "Magic Kingdom" due to there being many more self-service fountain locations in those other parks. A tub of Blue Bell costs a bit more than a Mickey bar but everyone can have their fill of ice cream from it. There's little in-park dining that appeals to us anymore, which is really sad and a far cry from what was available 10 years ago. The removal of the parmesan mashed potatoes at Chef Mickey's was a big blow for us at that restaurant, not to mention the meat offerings went way downhill. And really, quality and offerings at many restaurants have just declined to the point where we just stopped going because what they offer isn't worth the money they want to charge. There are still things we'll do, like Whispering Canyon Cafe, Garden Grill, and maybe Crystal Palace if the menu continues to improve. And Regal Eagle, but I'm the only one in my family who seems to enjoy their BBQ. But for the most part we are no longer buying what Disney is selling as far as restaurant meals go. It's either become too expensive or too foodie-focused for our liking.

 

[celluloid]

I don’t see how Disney is to blame either for an employee’s not constantly standing to attention.

You can't see how that is typically seen as not desirable in hospitality and this incase for the most famous hospitality standard based company and how they would not be responsible for training their employees or giving them proper accommodation including breaks and comfort so they can stand at attention? You said yourself it is a thankless job. A mainly thankless job(s) are the result of the company they work for, not solely guests. If you don't see how that would be on the Disney company, read some history I guess then.

 

[TalkingHead]

The $7 pineapple soft serve is hilarious. Surely tastes better than the identical item that sells for $3 at Twistee Treat.

 

[networkpro]

Yes that is why I did not say he said it---just it has been associated with him ----not guilty Ha Ha

Grab your pig's feet, bread, and gin, there's plenty in the kitchen. I wonder what the poor people are eating tonight? - Fats Waller

 

[lightningtap347]

That's why I generally just read these type of threads, lol I live in NYC and Philly. I've been paying 4 bucks for a coke since Jesus was a boy.
We have a 6c an ounce sugar tax on beverages, so a 20 ounce bottle of soda has 1.20 extra cost on it. A bottle of coke can be anywhere from 3-5 bucks depending on where you buy it.
Went to cheesecake factory a few weeks ago and we spent about 80 bucks per person, no dessert and no booze.
I never did the mickey bar thing after the first trip so can't comment on the quality

In general I've always assume tourist spot prices are ridiculously jacked up.

the one upside in living in a HCOL area.

Anyhoo" I just shelled out 9.75 for a pound of bacon so my perspective is skewed

We're heading to Iceland next month, never been before but I heard that it's crazy expensive there and I do know the plane tickets were a heck of a lot more than it cost me to get to Disney

This is insane. I live in NYC too and spend $1 on soda at McDicks.

Funnily enough I also went to the Cheesecake factory two days ago and spent $40 TOTAL for two people with drinks. It was the Sunday brunch though. I have no idea how you are getting to these outrageous prices.

 

[James Alucobond]

Inflation, no inflation, pandemic, no pandemic, supplyline issues or not, it does not matter, price increases at WDW have never, and will never shock me. Its fully expected.

Disney never needed a reason to raise prices have always did annual price increases (sometimes multiple times within a year).

This is just the Disney way. There is no reason to try to rationalize why.....

I think this increase is, well, doubly unshocking. Yes, everything at the parks is overpriced, and the prices gradually creep up all the time regardless of inflation. But I’ve also noticed that literally every meal I eat everywhere in the past year or so is at least $1-3 more expensive, so it’s even less surprising than usual that they’d increase prices to maintain profit margins.

 

[Dave Z]

Prices have gone up everywhere for groceries. These increases should shock not one single person.

Agreed

 

[matt9112]

Prices have gone up everywhere for groceries. These increases should shock not one single person.

So how do you explain everything else? Ps they do this price increase rollout every single year...you know l those years inflation is of a more nominal level....

So its ok this year because bizzzness ??

You guys are high as heck on paint thinner defending how out of touch and dysfunctional this company is operating at this time.

 

[celluloid]

This is insane. I live in NYC too and spend $1 on soda at McDicks.

Funnily enough I also went to the Cheesecake factory two days ago and spent $40 TOTAL for two people with drinks. It was the Sunday brunch though. I have no idea how you are getting to these outrageous prices.

Yeah, that entire post you reference was hyperbole or just really off. That expensive soda would be from some convenience store bottle price. Which is not a NYC thing but a convenience thing.

 

[LittleBuford]

You can't see how that is typically seen as not desirable in hospitality and this incase for the most famous hospitality standard based company and how they would not be responsible for training their employees or giving them proper accommodation including breaks and comfort so they can stand at attention? You said yourself it is a thankless job. A mainly thankless job(s) are the result of the company they work for, not solely guests. If you don't see how that would be on the Disney company, read some history I guess then.

You and others are making quite a few assumptions based on a single blurry snapshot. The photo tells us nothing except that, at that particular moment, an older CM happened to be slouching while using a company device. I for one am not going to criticise her for something so utterly inconsequential.