'Absolutely insane': People are mad at the mouse over an $86 family meal ‘deal’ at a Disneyland pizza stand

“A bag of homemade bean and cheese burritos, Taco Bell sauce, some chips and store-bought candy bars is my Disney meal. $12.99,” said one commenter. Per Disneyland’s policy, guests can bring in food and non-alcoholic beverages as long as they don’t require heating. Glass containers are not allowed.

Families can bypass the in-park markup, lines and limited food options by getting meals from the two-block radius outside of the park. For those who prefer not to leave the park or prepare food, it’s worth checking restaurant menus on the Disneyland app to avoid surprises.

Borrowing happiness

While guest numbers dropped to an all-time low in 2025 according to data analyzed by the Disney Tourist Blog and reported by Fox 35. However, revenue was still up for Disney due to guest spending, Travel Weekly reports.

According to a 2024 LendingTree survey, 24% of Disney visitors have gone into debt for their Disney trip. For parents with children under 18, that figure is 45%. Of this group, 59% say they don’t regret it. Parents of young children took on an average of $1,983 in Disney-related debt. When asked what expenses cost significantly more than planned, 65% of those with debt cited in-park food or beverages.

Disney lovers don’t have to forgo that magical trip. Instead, families could open a dedicated savings account to funnel a percentage of their income into each week. Even a small amount — such as 2% of your take-home pay — can add up. For example, if your family’s household post-tax income is $6,000 a month, that’s $120 per week or $6,240 annually, plus any interest you make if you put it in a high-interest savings account. If you set an annual “experiences” budget for your family, you can save with something specific to look forward to.