Be Careful Trusting Walt Disney World Menu Prices

We have advised people for years to be careful in trusting the data on the Walt Disney World website about dining prices. Our most recent experiences confirm that people should be careful trusting Walt Disney World menu prices.

We want to stress that the cast members you encounter in the theme parks and across the Walt Disney World Resort do remarkable work making your Disney vacation what it is. However, they often find themselves limited by circumstances and technology.

On October 11, 2023, several new menu items appeared at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Geyser Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Banana Cabana at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and the Three Bridges lounge at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. The new menu items went up online on the morning of October 11, 2023.

One would commonly think that the price would be correct on opening day, right? Our experience with the pricing on online menus and printed menus at Walt Disney World does not reflect that previous assumption.

You might say, “Well, these things happen sometimes.” We agree. However, pricing issues happen often when we dine at Walt Disney World. On October 11, 2023, we noticed some slight price discrepancies with quick service items at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Example: Banana Cabana at Walt Disney World Menu Price Issue

One of our colleagues told us to visit Banana Cabana and order the Banana Cabana Burger. They wanted our opinion on the texture of this burger. We will publish a review of that new menu item at a later date. This is where the pricing confusion started.

We looked at the online menu seeing the burger cost $17.00. We arrived to dine at Banana Cabana. Our printed menu stated that the burger cost $17.00. We noticed that at least three other guests ordered this burger before us. Since we were dining at Banana Cabana around 3:00 p.m., when it opened at 11:00 a.m., logic dictates that several other people ordered the Banana Cabana Burger earlier in the day. We based that on servers saying that so far, guests liked that burger and the new variations of the wings.

Our Check Arrived

Then, as you might imagine, something did not match with our check. Our server brought our bill. We noticed that we were being charged $19.00 for the burger. Now, two dollars may not seem like a big difference. Still, at this point, we asked our server about it. She checked the printed menu, and we pointed out the online menu price. She said that would be fixed. Do not worry- we will get back to that.

Concerns

We thought of a few concerns based on our day. First, guests should not have to point out price differences to cast members. You are on vacation, so this remains unacceptable.

Second, since this is the first time it was pointed out to a cast member, how many other people paid the higher price? Based on chatting with cast members, we concluded at least ten on that day at this one place. Remember, the online menu and the printed menu reflected a lower price.

Third, our talented cast member serving us asked if we would like to speak with a manager. As a food blogger, food and beverage managers are always great to talk with. Still, we have done this dance at Walt Disney World a few times. The manager will come and offer to cover the meal to appease the guests. We wanted to know why this keeps happening with pricing issues across the theme park resort.

In fairness to this manager, as opposed to previous managers, they went through the motions of checking if we could speak to someone higher up. We knew that would not be allowed since we have done this a few times before over other pricing issues with Walt Disney World menu prices. They came back and said they were not allowed to give out that type of information.

Lessons in Life

However, sometimes in life, you should just apologize and walk away. This did not happen with our cast member. We received an apology again but were told that they were glad they caught this pricing problem in time. Yes, they said that. In addition, we asked them to repeat their words and hear the same line.

We love Walt Disney World, but is catching it in time equal to charging more than the menu says before a food blogger calls you out on it? We inquired how that is catching it in time. No satisfactory answer was forthcoming.

Of course, we understand. The cast members’ hands are tied. The inadequate information technology system at Walt Disney World leaves them exposed to incorrect pricing. Though we would prefer cast members simply apologize, they often keep talking.

Disney Technology

Anyone who has used the My Disney Experience mobile app knows that Disney technology does not always work. The reasons for this range from too many third parties involved to a lack of staffing. In this case, someone probably decided the prices should go up, as many things have across Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort today. That decision may be good or bad. However, cast members are left not knowing the correct data. So, you, as a guest, may get caught in this. We advise you all to triple-check what you are charged at Disney dining operations.

One Last Word of Advice About Walt Disney World Menu Prices

As we have written in many places, when possible, use the restaurant’s own website instead of checking Disney’s website for information. For example, if you are dining at a third-party restaurant like Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ or Yak & Yeti, go to the restaurant’s own website.

Walt Disney World does not update its version of those restaurants’ menus very often. For example, a menu item was removed from Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ menu in July 2021. Walt Disney World’s version of that menu took it off the menu in January 2022. So, in addition to incorrect menu items, the prices were not accurate. As you plan your Disney vacation, we want you to have the best information. The Walt Disney World website often fails to be the best option. Thus, we encourage you not to trust the Walt Disney World menu prices. Also, if you think you have been charged incorrectly for a food or beverage item, bring this to the cast member’s attention. You will probably find they did not know about the price issue. They will be happy to help.

Conclusion about Walt Disney World Menu Prices

Yes, we contacted higher-up guest service cast members about today’s issues, but we are still getting the same non-answers. Yes, we emailed and even spoke on the phone and in person with higher-up cast members about these issues, but we received no satisfactory answers. We do not expect these technical issues to cease.

Still, we want you to know before you go. Despite these potential hurdles, a Walt Disney World vacation can create memories for a lifetime. Sure, you should do your research and plan. Not everything will go properly. Nonetheless, the magical place of Walt Disney World offers great fun and food. As always, eat like you mean it!