food IS a theme park
Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, recently participated in a Q&A session at the MoffettNathanson Media, Internet & Communications Conference on May 14th, 2025. During the Q&A session, he commented on the affordability of Disney.
Josh D’Amaro at Destination D23, 2023 ©Disney
A Disney vacation is not cheap, but how does Disney feel about the affordability of its own parks? We have some thoughts directly from the Chairman of Disney Experiences, so let’s dive in!
The Wall Street Journal recently published an article about the increasing costs of visiting Disney World and Disneyland. When Walt Disney was initially developing the parks, he envisioned an “affordable playground for families, where visitors could imagine themselves entering the dreamlike world of Disney’s animated movies.”
Magic Kingdom
However, price increases and the reduction of complimentary services like the Magical Express and FastPass+ have made a Disney vacation out of reach for many people.
If you’re heading to Disney World soon, you might want to apologize to your wallet beforehand.
Boatwright’s Dining Hall
Planning a trip to Disney World is tricky enough before even factoring in cost. We’re no strangers to Disney World price increases, as we’ve seen things like ticket prices and Lightning Lane costs get more expensive this year. Unfortunately, the blows aren’t slowing down as Disney World has increased food costs across their resorts.
Are you having trouble deciding where you should stay when you visit Disney World?
Disney World
There are over 25 hotels on Disney World property alone. It can be hard to find the right fit for you and your party. With three different hotel tiers, Value, Moderate, and Deluxe, each tier shares and has its benefits as compared to the others. While you may think the room size or proximity to the park may be some travelers’ top priority, a pool rule could actually sway where you stay!
It is not only the theme parks and Disney Springs that have great dining options at Disney World.
Skipper Canteen
Disney World’s hotels have SO MANY great dining options. Depending on whether you choose to stay at a Value, Moderate, or Deluxe Resort, your dining options increase. Value Resorts only have food courts, whereas Moderate Resorts will have a food court with some other quick-service and table-service options. Deluxe Resorts have the most dining options; for example, the Grand Floridian has over a dozen dining options, including a food court, a character dining experience, and the luxurious Victoria and Albert’s. But we have a controversial hotel restaurant statement to make.
We know a thing or two about dining at Disney World!
California Grill
Not only have we dined at every restaurant at Disney World, but we have even stayed at every hotel in Disney World. We have ranked hotels and restaurants, but then we thought, “What if we ranked Disney World hotels just based on their restaurants instead?” So that is precisely what we are going to do!
Here at Disney Food Blog, we love staying at a Disney World Hotel when we visit Disney World!
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Staying at a hotel on Disney World property has so many benefits and added perks! The best part is that you get to be immersed in the Disney bubble for your whole trip! Gen Z is currently starting to travel on their own, and there are some misconceptions that they might have about staying at a hotel on Disney World property. But don’t worry! We are here to debunk any preconceptions about Disney World hotels!
Disney World offers a plethora of hotels for your vacation, with 3 different tiers and nearly 30 options. Rest assured, you and your party will find a hotel that perfectly suits your needs!
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
That said, not all hotels are created equal, and depending on your party, certain hotels might not be the right fit. We tend to avoid these three hotels, and here is why.
Not all “discounts” are created equal.
The burger at Tiffins
It likely goes without saying, but a Walt Disney World vacation is not cheap, so it only makes sense that it’s tempting to jump on any possible “discount.” However, we’d advise you to look deeply into these discounts before committing, as some of them are only beneficial in certain circumstances.
Are you planning a trip to Disney World? Are you having problems deciding on where to stay?
Pop Century Resort
Well, the first thing you need to think about is your budget, right? But you also need to think about what Disney World hotel might offer you the best value, or bang for your buck. So we’re going to tell you about some hotels that might not be on your list, but should be! We’re also going to tell you why.
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
