Magical Day, Wicked Prices? Disney Slammed for Charging Premium for Half a Churro
Disneyland Resort has always been a magical place for families, filled with thrilling attractions, iconic experiences, and of course, delicious snacks. But while the magic of Disneyland continues to delight visitors, the reality of rising costs has started to take a toll on the once-affordable treats that used to be part of the charm.
One recent shocker has left many guests questioning whether Disney has finally gone too far in its pricing strategy.
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Visitors to Disneyland have long been familiar with the churro—an iconic snack that has been a favorite of park-goers for years. But when one guest, featured on the popular Instagram account foodatdisneyland, shared an image of a specialty churro called the Straw-batty Churro, they sparked a wave of outrage. The churro, filled with strawberry and coated in chocolate cookie dust, topped with cream cheese and adorned with a chocolate bat, seemed like the perfect Halloween treat.
However, there was a catch: it was only half the size of a regular churro, yet still priced at a steep $7.50.
Strawberry-filled churro rolled in chocolate cookie dust and drizzled with cream cheese sauce, topped with a chocolate bat. What the Disney foodie guide for Halloween left out is that this churro comds served as a 1/2 of a churro cut in half. I couldn’t believe it when they handed me half of a churro for $7.50. It tasted pretty good at least, but there is no world where I would ever recommend half of a churro for $7.50 ($15 if you want a whole churro). Disneyland has gotten fairly outlandish with some of their price points, but this is easily the most ludicrous in my opinion. 8/10 for taste; negative 20 for value. Am I overreacting?
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The issue didn’t stop with just one post. Many Disneyland fans took to social media to express their own frustrations, with some sharing photos of their own Straw-batty Churros, confirming that the snack served at the churro cart near the Haunted Mansion was indeed only half the size. Cast members reportedly took a full churro, cut it into four pieces, and then sold half of the churro for the same price they typically charge for a full-sized one.
This pricing decision left many feeling that Disneyland had taken things too far, especially when it comes to snacks that guests have long considered a staple of their visit.
I’m not going to be snarky. I was served half of a churro cut in half. What you see in the photo is 1/2 of a churro cut in half into 1/4s. I’m not an idiot. I come to the parks all the time and get churros all the time. I know what half of a churro is and is not.
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Despite the outcry, the Straw-batty Churro is just one of many seasonal items being sold at Disneyland as part of the Halloween celebrations. Disneyland Resort is known for its creative and themed treats, and the Halloween season brings a new selection of pumpkin-flavored goodies, spooky snacks, and specialty churros like the Straw-batty Churro. But the stark contrast between the size of this churro and the price has sparked widespread criticism.
What makes the situation even more frustrating is that Disneyland has raised prices on many of its food offerings in recent years. Guests have noticed the price hikes across the board, and while some of the larger meals at the park may justify their costs with large portions or unique experiences, the Straw-batty Churro seems to be an exception. For $7.50, most guests would expect a full churro, not half of one. And when comparing it to other seasonal offerings, the disparity becomes even more apparent.
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Just a few days before posting about the Straw-batty Churro, the same Instagram account shared a review of the Celestial Chocolate Churro at Disney California Adventure. At the same price of $7.50, the Celestial Chocolate Churro is a full-sized snack that many guests praised for its rich flavor and generous portion.
The difference in size and value between the two churros was striking, with guests noting that the Celestial Chocolate Churro was much more satisfying and a better value for the price.
A Churro rolled in cocoa sugar, topped with pistachio cream, chocolate sauce, crispy phyllo dough crumbles, and crushed pistachios. I liked this Dubai style churro. Rich chocolate taste with that nutty, earthy, and those slightly sweet notes with a creamy, buttery texture from the pistachio cream. It worked for me! 9/10 rating
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While the Straw-batty Churro might be smaller, it’s still priced the same as other specialty churros in the park, raising questions about whether this pricing decision is fair. The Pumpkin Pie Churro at the Cozy Cone Motel in Cars Land, for instance, costs $6.99 for a full-sized churro—cheaper than the Straw-batty variety, and yet still larger in size.
Many guests are now wondering why Disneyland would charge the same price for half the portion of a churro, leaving them feeling frustrated and questioning whether Disney is becoming too expensive for the average family.
Disney has long been known for its premium experiences, but as food prices continue to rise and portion sizes seem to shrink, some fans are starting to feel that they’re not getting the same value they once did.
This trend has caused concern among regular visitors, many of whom have watched Disneyland evolve from a place where families could enjoy reasonably priced snacks to one where even a churro has become a luxury item. For fans who visit the parks regularly, this rise in food prices is beginning to feel excessive, especially when iconic treats like churros are being served in smaller portions for the same price.
The taste of the Straw-batty Churro may have been good, but many guests found that the price tag simply didn’t match the experience. With Disney’s rising costs, it seems that even a simple snack like a churro is no longer the affordable treat it once was. Guests who have loved Disneyland for years are starting to feel the strain of increasing prices, and this particular churro incident may be a tipping point for many.
What do you think of Disneyland charging the same price while cutting the size of the specialty Straw-batty Churro in half? Should Disney rethink its pricing strategy for snacks, or do you think this is just a minor issue in the grand scheme of things? Do you think the park is pricing out its loyal guests, or are the price increases just a natural part of the Disney experience? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
