Disneyland’s Newest Drink Costs 1/4 of $1000

Okay, so we all know Disney prices have gotten completely out of control lately. Like, we’re not even pretending anymore that a Disney vacation is affordable for the average family. People are literally ordering kids’ meals just to save a few bucks.

ADULTS are eating chicken nuggets and mac and cheese because a regular entree costs like $20 at a quick-service restaurant. Disneyland has been rolling out discount after discount trying to get people through the gates because surprise, when you charge an arm and a leg for everything, attendance starts dropping. It’s gotten to the point where planning a Disney trip feels more like preparing for a major financial investment than a fun family vacation. Reddit threads explode with budget tips.

Facebook groups share elaborate spreadsheets tracking every possible expense. People bring their own sandwiches into the parks in their backpacks because paying theme park prices for food just isn’t in the budget anymore. The whole situation has become this weird balance where Disney keeps raising prices but also has to offer deals to convince people to actually show up. It’s like they’re trying to have it both ways, charging premium prices while also admitting those prices are too high for most people.

But here’s where things get REALLY interesting. While all this budget drama is happening, Disney is also out here creating the most ridiculously expensive luxury experiences you can imagine.

Like, they’re fully aware that some people are counting pennies and others are ready to drop hundreds of dollars on a single drink without even thinking about it. And Disney is HAPPY to take money from both groups. They’ll sell you a $5 pretzel and a $250 cocktail at locations that are literally a few hundred feet apart. The disconnect is wild when you really think about it. But honestly, that’s kind of the genius of it? Disney figured out how to cater to people on tight budgets AND people who don’t even look at price tags, all in the same parks. Which brings us to the holiday offering at the Grand Californian that has absolutely EVERYONE talking right now.

There’s a Holiday Cart and It’s Serving THAT

So the Grand Californian Hotel has this seasonal snack cart that pops up in the lobby for special events and holidays. It shows up for Lunar New Year, Halloween, Christmas season, all the big celebrations. And honestly, it’s usually pretty cute and festive with themed treats that are fun but not crazy expensive.

This year’s holiday version has all the expected stuff. Mickey gingerbread cookies that are super popular and totally Instagrammable. Some other seasonal snacks. Normal holiday cart things that make you feel festive without emptying your wallet.

And then there’s the cookie shot situation. Which is where things get WILD.

Let’s Talk About These Cookie Shots

Okay, so cookie shots are basically shot glasses made out of chocolate chip cookie dough. They bake them into little glass shapes, line them with chocolate so they can hold liquid without falling apart, and then you can drink from them and eat them. It’s cute! It’s creative! It’s very Disney!

The basic version costs $10.75 and comes filled with milk. Perfect for kids, totally reasonable price, fun little treat. Nobody’s mad about that.

Then there’s the adult version for $19 where they fill it with stuff like Baileys or RumChata. So now it’s an actual alcoholic beverage, and $19 is pretty standard for a specialty cocktail at Disney. Still totally reasonable as far as theme park pricing goes.

BUT THEN. Oh, but then there’s the THIRD option that costs $250. Two hundred and fifty dollars. For ONE drink. In a cookie.

They fill it with Louis XIII cognac, which is literally one of the most expensive spirits in the entire world. And people are losing their MINDS over this.

What Even IS Louis XIII Cognac?

So for those who don’t know, Louis XIII is like the Rolls Royce of cognac. We’re talking about a spirit that’s made from blends of up to 1,200 different cognacs, some of which have been aging for like 100 YEARS. A full bottle costs between $3,000 and $4,000. It comes in this fancy crystal decanter that looks like it belongs in a museum.

This is not the kind of alcohol you just casually drink on a Tuesday night. This is “I just closed a major business deal” or “I’m celebrating my 50th wedding anniversary” type of liquor. It’s FANCY fancy.

And Disney is serving it in a chocolate chip cookie. In the lobby of a hotel. During the holidays. For $250 a shot.

The audacity is actually kind of impressive?

Here’s Where It Gets Even Weirder

So normally, if you’re drinking Louis XIII, you’re supposed to use this special glass called a snifter or tulip glass that’s designed to concentrate all the aromas because apparently the SMELL is a huge part of the experience. Cognac people are very serious about this stuff.

Disney said “nah, we’re putting it in a COOKIE” and honestly, respect for the commitment to whimsy.

But wait, it gets better. The cookie shot is actually the CHEAPEST way to get Louis XIII at Disneyland right now. The Hearthstone Lounge, which is literally just around the corner from this cart, charges $260 for a regular pour. They also have another option for $690. Yes, you read that right. Six hundred and ninety dollars for a single drink.

So in the weird world of Disney pricing, the $250 cookie shot is actually the “budget” option for trying this fancy cognac. Which is absolutely bonkers when you think about it.

This Used to Be Cheaper (Sort Of)

Here’s a fun fact: when people first started freaking out about this cookie shot back in 2022, it cost $185. So in two years, Disney has raised the price by $65, which is like a 35% increase.

That’s WAY more than normal inflation, by the way. Like, everything’s gotten more expensive, but this has gotten REALLY expensive. And it’s already starting from a place where most people would never even consider buying it.

But also, if you’re the kind of person who’s going to drop $250 on a cookie shot, you probably aren’t super concerned about a $65 price increase over two years? Like, at that point, what’s another $65?

You Only Have Until January to Try It

The holiday cart doesn’t stick around forever. Disney hasn’t given an official closing date, but the holiday season at Disneyland runs through January 7, so you’ve probably got until then to try this if you’re feeling adventurous (and wealthy).

The limited-time thing definitely adds to the appeal for some people. Like, you can’t just decide to get a Louis XIII cookie shot whenever you feel like it. You have to be at Disneyland during the holidays, you have to go to the Grand Californian lobby, and you have to be willing to drop $250 on a drink that you’ll consume in literally seconds.

It’s exclusive not just because of the price but because it’s only available for a few weeks a year. Which probably makes it even MORE appealing to certain people who love collecting unique Disney experiences.

The Internet Has OPINIONS

Social media is absolutely divided on this. Some people think it’s ridiculous and emblematic of everything wrong with Disney pricing. Like, how can you charge $250 for a single drink at a theme park hotel while also knowing that families are struggling to afford basic admission?

Other people think it’s genius and actually want to try it. They’re like “it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, why not splurge?” And honestly, both perspectives are valid.

The weirdest part is that this is all happening at the SAME CART. A parent can buy their kid a $10.75 milk cookie shot while standing directly next to someone ordering the $250 Louis XIII version. They’re being served by the same cast member, at the same location, during the same operating hours.

It’s like Disney looked at income inequality and said “let’s make that into a snack cart concept.”

So Is It Worth It?

Look, if you have to ask whether a $250 cookie shot is worth it, the answer is probably no. This isn’t for people who are carefully budgeting their Disney vacation or trying to figure out how to make their money stretch. This is for people who want to try one of the world’s most expensive cognacs in the most Disney way possible.

Is drinking Louis XIII out of a chocolate-lined cookie the BEST way to experience that particular spirit? Absolutely not. Cognac experts would probably have a heart attack watching someone consume it this way. But is it a unique and memorable experience that you can’t get anywhere else? Yeah, definitely.

The real question is whether you value traditional luxury or Disney whimsy more. Because this cookie shot is 100% whimsy and maybe 60% luxury, if we’re being honest.

But the fact that Disney can sell both a $10.75 cookie shot and a $250 cookie shot at the same location and have people buying BOTH versions? That’s actually kind of the perfect summary of what Disney has become. Something for everyone, as long as “everyone” includes people at completely opposite ends of the economic spectrum.

Wild times at the Grand Californian lobby cart, folks. Wild times indeed.