Dynamic pricing while dining at Disney

[SL6827]

When will Disney start dynamic pricing with thier dining? Next year, or the next?
Will counter service hit first followed by table service? Great reason to buy the dining plan, right?

I remember back in the day when we were one of the very first groups to test out the magic bands while we were staying at the Yacht Club. It felt special. But now, this type of pricing was what those bands were leading to all along.

 

[crazy4wdw]

I don't think there are any definite answers to how this eventually will work. According to this article on BlogMickey, the earliest date would probably be in October 2026.

https://blogmickey.com/2025/11/airline-style-ticket-prices-walt-disney-world-disneyland/

 

[reddog21]

I don't think there are any definite answers to how this eventually will work. According to this article on BlogMickey, the earliest date would probably be in October 2026.

https://blogmickey.com/2025/11/airline-style-ticket-prices-walt-disney-world-disneyland/

Let's be honest, the actual details don’t matter here. Torches are lit, and pitchforks are sharpened.

 

[japanese maple]

I didn't interpret it as for food, more for room rates, ticket prices and lightning lane. Unless I missed that part?

I just doubt they will increase/decrease the price of a water bottle every few days.

 

[crazy4wdw]

I didn't interpret it as for food, more for room rates, ticket prices and lightning lane. Unless I missed that part?

I just doubt they will increase/decrease the price of a water bottle every few days.

Yes, some of the articles regarding dynamic pricing at WDW have indicated that food prices might increase based theme park capacity. A crowded day at the MK, the price for a bottle of water or a soda might be increased just for that day or a series of days.

They are already using dynamic pricing at the buffet restaurants. The per person charge is often higher during holidays and more crowded periods

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

Yes, some of the articles regarding dynamic pricing at WDW have indicated that food prices might increase based theme park capacity. A crowded day at the MK, the price for a bottle of water or a soda might be increased just for that day or a series of days.

They are already using dynamic pricing at the buffet restaurants. The per person charge is often higher during holidays and more crowded periods

Can you show some evidence of Disney having dynamic pricing at the buffet restaurants over the past few years? Cause I don’t believe that is true at all at Disney world

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

Using dynamic pricing for the restaurants would completely ruin the whole 60 day advanced reservation system. Also last thing we need is something else to monitor on our phones at Disney!

 

[crazy4wdw]

Can you show some evidence of Disney having dynamic pricing at the buffet restaurants over the past few years? Cause I don’t believe that is true at all at Disney world

From Touring Plans (This is from 2007, so the dynamic pricing on buffets has been in place for some time):

Beginning this week, Disney is adding a holiday surcharge in the amount of $4 or $5 to all WDW buffet dining during peak periods.

These peak periods reportedly are:
Nov 18 - 24
Dec 16 - Jan 5
Mar 16-29
May 25 - July 5

 

[crazy4wdw]

Can you show some evidence of Disney having dynamic pricing at the buffet restaurants over the past few years? Cause I don’t believe that is true at all at Disney world

This is a thread from 2010 that discusses the dynamic pricing for holiday periods:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/surcharge-for-buffets.2504277/

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

This is a thread from 2010 that discusses the dynamic pricing for holiday periods:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/surcharge-for-buffets.2504277/

Yea that isn’t recent though. 15 years ago is a long time ago

 

[Lewisc]

From Touring Plans (This is from 2007, so the dynamic pricing on buffets has been in place for some time):

Beginning this week, Disney is adding a holiday surcharge in the amount of $4 or $5 to all WDW buffet dining during peak periods.

These peak periods reportedly are:
Nov 18 - 24
Dec 16 - Jan 5
Mar 16-29
May 25 - July 5

That is NOT dynamic pricing. It is an example of seasonal pricing. Peak vs Non Peak.

Dynamic pricing changes with demand. Price depends on when you buy it.

Think about Mickey party tickets. A change to dynamic pricing would mean prices would go up as the number of available tickets diminished. The event is wouldn't sell out as fast BUT later purchases would be $$$.

 

[Marthasor]

Using dynamic pricing for the restaurants would completely ruin the whole 60 day advanced reservation system. Also last thing we need is something else to monitor on our phones at Disney!

Why? Even without dynamic pricing, menu pricing is subject to change at any time. I don't think we can even count on menu items remaining constant within a 60 day period.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

Why? Even without dynamic pricing, menu pricing is subject to change at any time. I don't think we can even count on menu items remaining constant within a 60 day period.

So that is true that you can’t count on menu item prices being the same within a 60 day period because there are periodic price increased (never decreases though ) but I’m pretty sure that you should be able to count on the price being the same when you start heading to your reservation and getting there and not having the dynamic pricing cause the food to now be 50% more than when you started heading over to the reservation

 

[japanese maple]

So that is true that you can’t count on menu item prices being the same within a 60 day period because there are periodic price increased (never decreases though ) but I’m pretty sure that you should be able to count on the price being the same when you start heading to your reservation and getting there and not having the dynamic pricing cause the food to now be 50% more than when you started heading over to the reservation

Can you imagine? I order food at the counter service, but by the time I get my card out to pay, it went up $5.

 

[SL6827]

Can you imagine? I order food at the counter service, but by the time I get my card out to pay, it went up $5.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Conversation with a WDW cast member on the app just a few moments ago:

 

[japanese maple]

Conversation with a WDW cast member on the app just a few moments ago:
View attachment 1026594

Yes, but I don't think this what they are alluding to when they discuss bringing dynamic pricing to the states. I really think it's about tickets/resorts/passes, etc. As in price going up/down almost weekly.

But I could always be wrong!

 

[crazy4wdw]

Yes, but I don't think this what they are alluding to when they discuss bringing dynamic pricing to the states. I really think it's about tickets/resorts/passes, etc. As in price going up/down almost weekly.

But I could always be wrong!

The first park to try this new pricing system was Disneyland Paris. As far as the info that I was able to find, the Paris park is not using dynamic pricing for drinks and food. However, supposedly Disney is looking at using this pricing system for food/drinks in the future. It will be interesting to see how all of this unfolds in the near future!