Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last month, rumors have swirled about the potential impact of his anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies on The Walt Disney Company’s theme parks and entertainment projects. However, a new order from the Republican president will undoubtedly impact Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort guests.
On Sunday, President Trump said he directed the Treasury Department to stop minting pennies, the smallest form of currency in the United States. In a post on Truth Social, Trump slammed penny production as “wasteful.”
“For far too long the United States has minted pennies which literally cost us more than 2 cents,” he wrote.
He’s right. It costs $.03 to produce a penny, on average. Producing nickels also costs more than $.05–on average, about $.14.
Whether President Trump has the authority to order the end of penny production remains unclear–Congress controls currency specifications in the United States. However, it wouldn’t be the first time the Treasury stopped minting the lowest denomination of coin. In 1857, Congress discontinued the half-cent coin.
The United States also wouldn’t be the first to eliminate the penny. In 2012, Canada eliminated its one-cent coin. In some places, restaurants and shops round bills up or down to the nearest nickel rather than accepting the pennies that remain in circulation.
Although most Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort guests pay with a card or another digital payment method, cash is still in circulation at the United States Disney parks. If President Trump successfully ends penny production, it remains to be seen whether The Walt Disney Company will decide to continue accepting and dispensing pennies or choose to round guests’ bills up or down to the nearest five cents.
When visiting Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, do you prefer to pay with cash, card, or another way? Disney Dining would love to hear your reasoning in the comments!
Actually, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK stopped using pennies. It makes a lot of sense. Using a credit card still allows things to cost an amount, not rounded to the nearest nickel. Since Disney is cashless, how is this going to cost the guests more money?
This is a great magazine, but I really wish it would keep politics out of your agenda. It seems obvious where you stand so you need to stop pushing your narrative through these blogs.