Today, Disney held its Q4 Earnings Call, providing all kinds of updates about the company’s financial status, Disney+ subscriptions, and more.
During the call, we also got to hear a bit more about how things are going in the Disney parks and where things may be headed in the future. In particular, we got a bit of insight on some measures Disney is considering when it comes to cutting costs.
During the earnings call, one individual asked about inflation and how Disney is thinking about potentially mitigating that. In response, Christine McCarthy, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Walt Disney Company, noted that that’s on the mind of all companies right now.
She noted that they’ve already experienced the impacts in some parts of their business and are considering various ways in which it could be mitigated when it comes to the parks.
Specifically, McCarthy noted that she had been speaking with the parks senior team about what can be done, and she said that there are “lots of things that are worth talking about.” McCarthy said, “you know we can adjust suppliers. We can substitute products. We can cut portion size, which is probably good for some people’s waistlines. We can look at pricing where necessary. But we aren’t going to go just straight across and increase prices. We’re really going to try to get the algorithm to right to cut where we can and not necessarily do things the same way.”
McCarthy said they’re trying to really use their heads to come up with a way to mitigate the challenges they’re facing.
Based on McCarthy’s quote, it seems some methods that could be considered include shifting the products used when it comes to the parks, changing their suppliers, looking at the pricing of certain items, and even potentially altering food portion sizes. Of course, at the moment these appear to only be things under consideration or that are potentially “worth talking about” when it comes to cutting costs. But, there has been no official word as to what steps may ultimately be taken.
We have seen price increases when it comes to food in Disney World. We’ve also seen ticket price and parking price increases in Disneyland.
We’ll be on the lookout for more updates and we’ll let you know what we find.
Pete says
Who is he fooling? They’ll do reduction in portions and Jack up prices.
Julian Villar says
As long as they don’t reduce the portion sizes at Food & Wine Fest and Flower & Garden, I’ll allow it.
Meg MacPherson says
Sounds like just another example of Disney trying to charge more for less. Its insane to me that people are still willing to pay for it.
Daryle says
Disney can suck it up prices to high now how what’s to pay 6.00 for. Ice cream bar stupid
William Wells says
Disney continues their quest to eliminate and/or reduce the things that used to make them special. They are rapidly approaching mediocrity. No free fast passes, no free airport shuttle, no free resort parking, no free magic bands, charges for individual ‘fancy rides’, reduced portions (a blatant effort to end entree sharing), and the list list goes on. It honestly seems that Bob Chapek is making every effort to take Disney world away from middle class families. I am disgusted by this greedy ongoing money grab and as a shareholder I am embarrassed.
Michelle Spryszynski says
What a disgusting comment to make (by a “professional”??) about people’s waistlines. It’s comments like that which make it easy to see why so many of us suffer with eating disorders.
K. Sullivan says
They could have kept people’s waistlines out of it. They are in the business of selling overpriced high calorie food so saying it’s a health thing is both insulting and nonsense. If they cut the portions they need to cut the price. But whoever said Disney is fair. As for their profit margin, too bad. The rest of us are losing too. They likely have way more than most.
Brad says
Lol. Their portions are already small, for even a regularly priced restaurant, much less the prices they currently charge. I’ll never forget my daughters face when she ordered a cheesecake. It came out and it was a square, about the size of half a Hershey bar LOL! On a plate 10 times as big.
You would think this company is struggling. With $700 rooms and $25 -$35 breakfast.
John Staley says
When will the Disney gouging stop! This ties into the 30% increased spending article. Make money, make money! Come on… enough already! You’ll probably censor this comment also since it doesn’t stroke the Disney image
Ronjon says
So if they are going to reduce the portion sizes are they going to reduce the prices? Seems like just another way Disney just keeps taking away and giving less back. Thanks again Bob (Chapek). It’s not “cost savings”, it’s corporate greed.
Tlaw says
I think that we should consider cutting the portion size of McCarthy’s (and the rest of the management team’s) compensation, to reduce their waistline and head size.
Diane says
Ok. Let me see. Disney income up by billions and they want to reduce portion size to save money. When will it end???
Charlie says
How about stop voting for policy that results in high inflation?? 🤣
Cheri says
We just returned last week and we already noticed the portions are smaller! Disney couldn’t sneak that one by us. I think they implemented the smaller portions just as they did raising the park attendance.
FL-Dad says
So literally LESS product for MORE money. I know Disney lost BILLIONS of dollars during their shutdown, but squeezing loyal customers for every dime they can get is NOT the way to go.
John says
So attendance and spending increased in 2021, but Disney still is into making things more expensive for guests? Walt is turning over in his grave. The almighty dollar is the bottom line for the current corporation. Guests be damned.
Stephen keane says
The price of food is allready to high if you do that nobody will buy it
Joe Sesek says
“We have seen price increases when it comes to food in Disney World. We’ve also seen ticket price and parking price increases in Disneyland.” (Copied and pasted from above).
Charge more and provide less! New Disney motto.
Disney supported this President. Now live with the inflation.
I hope the WORLD wises up and just quits going to Disney – “The MOST EXPENSIVE happiest place on earth”. Poor Walt.
The Value is just not there anymore.
By the way, almost all the food you show every day, is about 10,000 calories. Maybe healthier foods, and less fat on the heart attach foods offered would help control costs.
JanH says
Restaurants have already cut back portions and limited choices of entrees, apps and desserts. I have noticed that doesn’t apply to alcoholic drinks. If anything, the number of drinks have increased as has the prices. Food prices are up since 2019 and it’s getting to be just not worth the cost. We have started to split meals to save on costs. Paying for Lightning Lane and Genie+ adds up to a full meal for the 2 of us! We enjoy Disney and will continue to go but look for ways to cut back expenses rather than add to them. Disney property hotels are beyond overpriced, Magic Express will end soon and there is another expense to think about. I don’t think Disney, with all its subsidiaries are on the verge of bankruptcy. They appear to be gouging vacationers as much as they can to increase profits, all along cutting back on extras such as shows, parades, character interactions, luggage handling from the airport, free dining, room discounts.
Bob R. says
What else. They have already cut to much. Price increases coming also I’m sure.
JB says
This is a joke. Disney’s portions and prices are already inflated! Me and my family will be vacationing else where. Already looked into so many other resort options outside of Disney and you get SO much more bang for your buck. Also better quality. Sadly Disney quality just isn’t there anymore. And yes, it truly does make me sad. I’ve loved Disney for as long as I can remember.
Diane says
Cut portion sizes? I’ll bet they don’t cut the prices.!
Maybe they should do both. Make portions of a reasonable size and with a reasonable price. I don’t need to spend $13 on a piece of pizza that tastes like it came out of the freezer of a grocery store. Nor do I need a supersized burger that will feed 3 people. If they make it reasonable they will most likely sell more! Same with snacks. That’s why I bring my own.
Bill says
Stop it already! This is another gut punch from that bean counter Chapek who’s running the place. He has no “feel” for what Disney is about. Bob you’re really making Disney fans mad. Somebody get rid of this 🤡.
Disney Mama says
It doesn’t surprise me anymore that Disney would be cutting portion sizes while increasing prices. So now you can pay a lot more to get a lot less. So disappointing. Also- leave our waistlines alone! You know we don’t count calories in Disney World! Lol
Jon says
Not a bad idea, but they should at least cut a big portion of Chapek’s decision making abilities first and see what they gain from that.
Jayson says
Is it possible to have good news come from Disney? “But we aren’t going to go just straight across and increase prices” and then proceeds to give ideas and examples of how they will substitute components and use less components overall… Hello??? that makes it more expensive for the end consumer! even if you dont raise pricing. you’re getting less for the same dollar. man, im really getting bummed knowing that soon i will be priced out from taking my family to Disney like we have been for years.
Don says
“But we aren’t going to go just straight across and increase prices.” Might we suggest that Miss McCarthy take a stroll down by the Disney Dock…For that ship has sailed!
Drew Sanner says
Definitely will eat more off property if this happens. The worst part is the person promoting this states that this is a way to increase profits and many Americans need to be watching their weight. So she is using obesity as a crutch for her actions but not offering to reduce prices along with portion sizes which would indicate a true concern for guests health. Now if Disney cuts portions and prices 25% I am all for it, but simply robbing us and using health as the excuse is awful.
Michele says
Seems like this is something they could have quietly done and not announced. Most people would probably not have known the difference if they don’t visit frequently. They could have avoided all the negative comments and bad feelings.
Jay says
The thing is, if you bought a meal for $14 dollars and it was a decent size portion but was deemed too expensive, Disney may make the portion smaller and ask for just $9. But if it’s smaller, you’ll get hungry again quicker and so buy another small meal/snack for $9 and end up paying out more than if the portion size was bigger and filled you up!? It’s a way of showing that they care but knowing they’ll most likely make more money in the long run.
Just keep the portion sizes the same, maybe add cheaper options, or look at how to keep the same portion sizes for less!?
Frank E Bialas says
Good-bye, Disney. It’s just one thing after another that is removed. But the prices keep going up. I can have a good vacation elsewhere.
Mark E says
They’ve already jack food prices up through the roof so I guess they will now compensate with higher prices by cutting value per portion….Don’t like the way they are thinking…Just a money grab which has gotten astronomically worse since covid…
Pam says
I noticed portion size at Rose & Crown was smaller. I’m glad they’ve cut portion size because none of us can finish the usual large portions.
We go to Disney World 4 times a year and I no longer go for the higher end restaurants because they are over priced and not that great.
We did have wonderful quick service dinners at Riverside. The Pot Roast was really good.
June W says
They have already cut portion sizes and put sprinkles on one side of marshmallow treat where it used to be on both sides and charged the same price. You are already paying more and getting less on quite a few things. I used to love WDW and was planning on moving to Florida when I retired. Not anymore.
Stephanie says
$$$$$$$$ Poor Disney. It’s a joke. Thankfully my kids are outgrowing Disney. I’m still debating whether to cancel my Disney Chase card. Probably will use the money saved to bill one last year of tickets and goodbye.
Kimberley Fischer says
Bob Chapek needs to go. He is making every effort to take the Disney Parks away from middle class families. I’m also a shareholder and I’m appalled. Have our dividends gone down? NO. What has increased? Executive wages. Take a pay cut, Bob, before you do anything else. I’m already at the point where going to the park isn’t fun anymore. Almost everything requires you use a mobile device. People are running around like chickens with their heads cut off, staring at their phones, no longer interacting, trying to make deadlines to pick up stuff or get on rides they’ve had to pay extra for. It’s no longer Disney, the happiest place on earth. It’s Disney Hell.
Blanca says
My family of 8 and I were in Disney for 8 days in 2019. To hear the VP and CFO say that crowds and REVENUE ARE UP 30 percent in comparison to 2019 Pre Pandemic numbers is very interesting. Christine Mc Carthey has raised prices on FOOD ROOMS PARKING PARK ENTRY GENIE PLUS INDIVIDUAL ATTRACTIONS WRIST BANDS TRAVEL TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT AND MERCHANDISE. That’s where your profit is coming from Christine. If that is not enough, Christine, you want to cut costs by reducing portion size for food because IT IS GOOD FOR PEOPLES WAISTLINE. How self serving and insulting those words are to me and ALL DISNEY GUESTS. Please resign Christine but before you do give some perks back to your Disney Guests . Thanks
Coastie16 says
Cutting portion sizes?? I don’t know if anyone recalls the sneaky marketing by numerous food manufactures reducing portion sizes without telling people? When was the last time you bought a 16oz can of beans, corn, box of spaghetti… etc?? This is a marketing execs dream to reap in profits without any customers knowledge. WRT Disney? I doubt any one will know other then price increases with reduced portion sizes on smaller plates. We are most definitely in a challenging time…
Medina says
As a Sr. VP, it was extremely unprofessional for her to mention cutting food portions and saying it would be good for some people’s waistlines. That is a snide, arrogant, rude comment that was inappropriate and unnecessary.
Suzanne coppola says
Look at what they have done to the “buffets like cape may and trails end….this is a joke
James Heathcock says
Everyone in a microscope looks like a crybaby, but really we aren’t. It’s death by a million cuts with this company. it would be one thing to to state “to weather the storm of covid economics” and then we will go back to normal. But with Disney, and any company frankly, it will never go back. Nobody takes money off the table when it’s there already. And we can complain all we want. Check the second week of January…26 resorts are SOLD OUT. Only the very highest are available, and I’m not paying $625 for a room at Wilderness Lodge when I just paid $425 a year and a half ago! I don’t know “how high” prices can get, but obviously they aren’t high enough to drive people off. They don’t care what the economic status is for the people who are going there. They just know that seemingly whatever they do, people will come.
Mike says
Disney food is and has been for some time a poor value for the quality! To cut portion size and not price is a blatant Money Grab, something that current Management has perfected!
gillian Doolan says
everything being said in these comments is very much right I think it’s terribly wrong what their doing people will stop going their then they’ll be in trouble they’ll loose it all won’t feel atall sorry
Dorothy McGeagh says
Once again you give me a reason to quit Disney. For years my husband and I have made Disney our vacation place. It is now where we, as seniors on a disability fixed income , can no longer afford to go. They have inflated prices to an unmanageable level, removed all the free things, made getting to and from the resorts harder,but most importantly they have removed the FUN. It seems we all know Walt very well , as we all say the same thing,Hempstead be turning in his grave. As I remarked previously , poor Walt cannot rest in peace seeing what has happened to his vision of…
A fun filled place where everyone, families can relax and have FUN.
Everyone means just that,not increasing prices and removing perks until it is is a place for the upper echelons who never have to think about money and how much they are spending. It is elitist, not Walt’s dream.
Helen says
The cynic in me says they’ll cut portion sizes but bring back the DDP at an increased price.
Travis says
I’ve noticed many negative comments and those saying they will never go back to Disney. I am sure there are many willing to take their place and go to Disney to pay whatever the cost just for the experience. This fear of missing out on the experience far exceeds any common sense
Doug says
If people are silly enough to think they should wear a mask while going 65 mph, outside, on Test track, or Everest, Big Thunder Mountain, etc. (that is pure politics, there is no science or data behind that rule), I’m sure they don’t care about getting severely ripped off on food coasts. It was bad before, after the re-opening it got ridiculous, and now…what is it going to be $10.00 for one spring roll from the cart? People will pay it, and Disney will take that as license to continue to charge more for less. Pretty soon Disney will look like The Capital from The Hunger Games: a Playground for the rich and frivolous. It will look like extravagant rich people, looking silly doing silly things, to the rest of us.
My family and a few friends’ families have cancelled trips recently, entirely because of that mask rule. I just can’t bring myself to pay that much money, to be that foolish. I want to wait for ‘normal’ to return but the way things are headed, I fear we will never return. It’s not even close to the same place it was 2 years ago, so not sure just how much we’ll miss it.
sundogg says
Mr. Chapek has done what many felt was nearly impossible, he has sucked the life and fun out of the ‘most magical place on earth’. The ridiculous price increases aside, he has removed all the perks Disney guests used to get that helped make the visit special and set it apart from Holiday Inn, he has overseen the demise of spontaneity making everyone slaves to their phones, no longer is it feasible to just ‘grab lunch’ now you have to mobile order and maybe your lunch will be ready in a couple of hours, maybe not. It’s very unfortunate, especially for middle-class, working families who are clear being priced out of what was once an amazing family vacation.
NENolan says
It’s great to know that this supposed professional at Dinsey is so concerned about my waistline. This is what is exactly wrong with Disney! That comment and possibly the fact that Christine has no compunction in saying it just about sums it up! Talk about a %&$# disconnect! It’s not even about raising prices for me, it’s just the sheer pomposity of a statement like that!
John Staley says
So…. you’ve been inundated with negative comments. Any chance the greed driven Disney movers & shakers will see these comments (let alone do anything about it)???? PROBABLY NOT. Nobody in control gives a tinkers bell!