Disneyland Resort has always been a place where magic comes alive, with beloved characters, thrilling attractions, and iconic snacks that make every visit feel special. But lately, more and more guests are starting to question whether the magic is being overshadowed by the rising prices that come with the experience. It’s not just the admission tickets, which have steadily increased over the years, but also the price of food, with guests now finding themselves paying more for less.
Related: Disneyland Just Raised Prices on Over 1,200+ Snacks — Here’s What You’ll Pay Now
One recent incident that’s sparking outrage involves a seasonal churro, the Straw-batty Churro, a Halloween-themed snack that left many guests wondering if they were getting their money’s worth. Priced at $7.50, the churro is smaller than usual — half the size of every other Disneyland churro, to be precise. Guests who ordered it were shocked to find that the treat, which is supposed to be a full-sized indulgence, was cut in half and still sold for the same price as a full serving.
While the Straw-batty Churro is a seasonal treat filled with strawberry and rolled in cookie crumbs, drizzled with cream cheese sauce, and topped with a chocolate bat, many couldn’t overlook the discrepancy between the price and portion size.
Related: Pricing Surge: Disney Institutes Immediate Pricing Increases at Nearly All Restaurants
Foodatdisneyland, a popular Instagram account, shared their surprise at the high price tag with their hundreds of thousands of followers:
Strawberry-filled churro rolled in chocolate cookie dust and drizzled with cream cheese sauce, topped with a chocolate bat. What the Disney foodie guide for Halloween left out is that this churro comds served as a 1/2 of a churro cut in half. I couldn’t believe it when they handed me half of a churro for $7.50. It tasted pretty good at least, but there is no world where I would ever recommend half of a churro for $7.50 ($15 if you want a whole churro). Disneyland has gotten fairly outlandish with some of their price points, but this is easily the most ludicrous in my opinion. 8/10 for taste; negative 20 for value. Am I overreacting?
View this post on Instagram
Related: Report: Disneyland Has Raised Event Ticket Prices by 37% Since 2019
The comments on the post reflected just how upset visitors were about the price increase, particularly when it came to something as simple as a churro.
“Disneyland has gotten fairly outlandish with some of their price points,” one follower commented, adding, “But this is easily the most ludicrous in my opinion.”
It wasn’t just about the churro itself — it was about what the price increase represented. Many guests are starting to feel that Disneyland is losing touch with what made it so special for families, especially when it comes to food. What was once an affordable snack has become yet another premium item, with little to show for it.
Related: The Cost of a Disney Vacation Just Got Significantly More Expensive: Here’s Why
The issue raised by the Straw-batty Churro is part of a larger trend that’s been happening across the park. Disneyland, known for its signature snacks like churros, popcorn, and pretzels, has long prided itself on offering tasty treats that were reasonably priced for families. But with food prices continuing to climb, many guests are beginning to feel the pinch.
The rise of Disney’s food prices, alongside the shrinking portions of popular snacks, has some visitors questioning whether the park is becoming too expensive for the average family to enjoy.
While some guests are willing to pay a premium for a unique seasonal treat, the Straw-batty Churro has left many feeling that they’re not getting the value they expected.
It’s hard to justify paying $7.50 for a smaller-than-usual churro when the larger, more substantial options at Disneyland, like the Celestial Chocolate Churro at Disney California Adventure, are also priced at $7.50 and offer much more in terms of size and flavor.
The Celestial Chocolate Churro, which is rolled in cocoa sugar and topped with pistachio cream and crushed pistachios, is a fan favorite. Guests have praised the larger portion and the rich flavors, saying it’s a much better deal for the price. When compared to the Straw-batty Churro, the Celestial version offers better value, both in size and taste. But despite the differing portion sizes, both churros are sold at the same price.
A Churro rolled in cocoa sugar, topped with pistachio cream, chocolate sauce, crispy phyllo dough crumbles, and crushed pistachios. I liked this Dubai style churro. Rich chocolate taste with that nutty, earthy, and those slightly sweet notes with a creamy, buttery texture from the pistachio cream. It worked for me! 9/10 rating
View this post on Instagram
What makes the situation even more frustrating for guests is that Disneyland is not just increasing the cost of food, but also making those food items smaller in the process. The Straw-batty Churro serves as a prime example of this trend, where the price remains the same, but the quantity is cut.
And the problem isn’t just with churros. Disneyland’s overall pricing strategy has raised concerns among guests for years, especially as the cost of admission and food has steadily increased. The trend of small portions for high prices is only fueling the frustration, as fans are finding themselves paying top dollar for smaller servings that don’t seem to deliver the same value they once did. The Straw-batty Churro is just one of many examples of Disney’s rising prices making it harder for families to enjoy a reasonably priced treat.
What do you think of Disneyland charging the same price while cutting the size of the specialty Straw-batty Churro in half? Should Disney rethink its pricing strategy for snacks, or do you think this is just a minor issue in the grand scheme of things? Do you think the park is pricing out its loyal guests, or is this just part of the overall Disney experience? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
