Credit: DisneyWalt Disney World Resort is raising prices for thousands of Disney guests through the summer and into the Autumn months, affecting many vacations.
Disney World Guests To Be Impacted by Sudden Price Increase, Affecting Thousands of Vacations
Disney has revealed the lineup for the 2024 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival‘s Eat to the Beat concert series, introducing several new bands for the year. Alongside this announcement comes an update on pricing for the event’s dining packages, reflecting adjustments from previous years.
The Eat to the Beat Concert Series highlights the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, featuring performances on select nights at the America Garden Theater within the American Adventure pavilion.
Scheduled from August 29 to November 23, 2024, the concerts will entertain guests on Fridays through Mondays throughout the festival. While concert attendance remains free, guests seeking assured seating and the opportunity to enjoy a meal before or after the show can opt for the Eat to the Beat dining packages.
These packages, available for purchase starting July 9, 2024, include a meal at a selected restaurant within the park and reserved seating at the corresponding concert later that day.
Meals typically consist of an appetizer, entrée, and dessert, or in some cases, a full buffet, complemented by a beverage that may include alcoholic options for guests aged 21 and over. Notably, Spice Road Table offers a package featuring two small plates, a shared tagline, a dessert platter for sharing, and a beverage.
Advanced reservations are required for most restaurant dining packages, except for Regal Eagle Smokehouse, which exclusively offers same-day dining options.
Guests interested in dining at Regal Eagle Smokehouse must purchase their package on the day of their visit. Here’s a breakdown of the pricing adjustments for each qualifying restaurant compared to the previous year:
- Akershus Royal Banquet (Norway Pavilion):
- Breakfast — $72 per adult ($8 increase), $42 per child ($1 increase)
- Lunch/Dinner — $84 per adult ($10 increase), $50 per child ($2 increase)
- Biergarten Restaurant (Germany Pavilion):
- $66 per adult ($6 increase), $34 per child (no change)
- Coral Reef Restaurant (The Living Seas):
- $73 per adult ($4 increase), $29 per child ($2 increase)
- Garden Grill Restaurant (The Land Pavilion):
- Breakfast — $64 per adult ($11 increase), $37 per child ($3 increase)
- Lunch/Dinner — $79 per adult ($13 increase), $47 per child ($4 increase)
- Le Cellier Steakhouse (Canada Pavilion):
- $99 per adult ($4 increase), $39 per child ($3 increase)
- Regal Eagle Smokehouse (American Adventure Pavilion):
- Same-day dining packages only — $36 per adult ($1 increase), $21 per child
- Rose and Crown Dining Room (United Kingdom Pavilion):
- $61 per adult ($2 increase), $26 per child ($1 increase)
- Spice Road Table (Morocco Pavilion):
- $56 per adult ($9 increase), $21 per child ($1 increase)
These adjustments aim to enhance the overall guest experience and accommodate the anticipated demand during the famous festival period at EPCOT. The price increases for the Eat to the Beat dining packages at the 2024 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival could potentially negatively impact Disney World guests and the theme parks.
Firstly, higher costs may deter some guests from purchasing these dining packages, reducing their ability to secure guaranteed seating at the concerts and enjoy a meal as part of their festival experience.
This could lead to increased competition for limited accessible seating, potentially causing frustration and disappointment among guests unable to secure preferred viewing spots.
Moreover, the increased prices could contribute to a perception of Disney World as a more expensive destination, affecting the park’s appeal to budget-conscious families and individuals. Guests may feel compelled to allocate their spending differently, opting for fewer extras like dining packages in favor of other park experiences or necessities.
From a broader perspective, if fewer guests opt for the dining packages due to higher costs, it could impact the Food and Wine Festival’s overall atmosphere and revenue potential. Reduced participation in these premium offerings might also influence the perceived value of attending such events, potentially affecting future attendance and participation levels.
Ensuring that the perceived value of these packages aligns with the increased costs is essential to mitigating any negative impact on guest experience and overall park reputation.