Disney World’s Secret Price Hike: What Guests Need to Know Before Their Next Visit

Walt Disney World Resort is secretly raising its prices again, and you and your loved ones will be negatively impacted.

Disney World Is Raising prices…again

If you’re planning a trip to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, have your heart set on the popular Fantasmic! Dining Package: there’s a small, yet noticeable, change to keep in mind the next time you book. As of August 29, 2024, Disney has implemented a slight price increase for this magical dining experience, leaving some guests surprised while others may not bat an eye. First things first, what exactly is the Fantasmic! Dining Package, and why is it so beloved?

Well, it’s not just about the food—though that’s undoubtedly a highlight. This package offers a unique opportunity to enjoy a delectable meal at one of several themed restaurants within Hollywood Studios and then skip the long lines with guaranteed seating at the Fantasmic! Show. If you’ve ever seen this nighttime spectacular, you know that finding the perfect spot to watch the battle between good and evil unfold on the water can be a bit of a challenge.

The package makes that part easy, and who doesn’t love a good deal that promises both food and prime entertainment? Now, let’s move on to the price hike. For adults, prices have risen anywhere from $6 to $9, depending on your choice of restaurant.

The New Price Hike Broken Down

While children’s prices have remained the same, parents might still feel the pinch when budgeting for their family vacation. Let’s break it down:

• At 50’s Prime Time Cafe, where the décor throws you back to the 1950s with comfort food to match, the new adult price is $60, up from $54. Kids still dine at $23, which hasn’t changed.
• Hollywood & Vine, famous for its character breakfast with Disney Junior stars and seasonal dining with Minnie and friends, now charges $65 for an adult breakfast (up from $59) and $81 for lunch or dinner (previously $75). The price for children remains steady at $39.
• Over at Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, known for its casual Italian fare with a touch of California, adults will now pay $62 instead of $56, while kids continue to dine for $23.
• The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, where you can eat in vintage cars while watching classic sci-fi movie clips, has increased its adult price to $57 from $51, but the kids’ price stays at $23.
• And finally, at The Hollywood Brown Derby, which captures the elegance of Hollywood’s Golden Age, the adult price is now $83, up from $77, with the kids’ price holding at $31.

While these increases might seem minor, they add up, especially for larger families. It’s worth noting that these prices don’t include alcohol, tax, or gratuity, and a valid park ticket and reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios are still required. So, if you’re planning your visit, you might want to double-check that budget.

Of course, reservations are highly recommended, given the popularity of this package. And don’t worry—if the Fantasmic! The show is canceled due to weather or other reasons, but you’ll still get to enjoy your dining experience, though the reserved seating won’t be much use that day. Before you start thinking that this is all about the extra few dollars, it’s important to remember why this package is so beloved in the first place.

Each restaurant on the list offers a meal and an experience that adds to the magic of your Disney day. Whether you’re being playfully scolded by “Mom” at 50’s Prime Time Cafe or gazing at old Hollywood glamour in the Brown Derby, these moments become memories. The cherry on top is the VIP treatment at Fantasmic!—a breathtaking show where Mickey Mouse battles Disney villains in a larger-than-life spectacle of water, fire, and pyrotechnics.

The reserved seating means no jostling for space, no camping out hours in advance—just a relaxed end to a fun-filled day. Price increases might feel part and parcel of the experience for those who have been to Disney before. However, Disney knows how these changes can impact your vacation planning. The company seems to bet that Disney’s magic outweighs a few extra dollars.

So, is the Fantasmic! Dining Package still worth it after the price hike? For many, the answer will be a resounding yes. After all, in the world of Disney, a little bit of extra magic often comes with some additional cost. But if it means securing that perfect view of Mickey’s triumphant victory over the forces of evil, it just might be a price worth paying.