Dec 29, 2025
3 min read
Disneyland's new drink costs 1/4 of $1,000. Okay, so we all know Disney prices are completely out of control lately. We're not pretending it's a Disney vacation anymore. Disney Dining offers the latest Disney food, treats, news and more!
Disneyland's new drink costs 1/4 of $1,000
Okay, so we all know Disney's prices have been completely out of control lately.Like, we don't pretend like a Disney vacation is affordable for the average family anymore.People literally order baby food to save money.
ADULTS eat chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese because a simple entree costs about $20 at a quick service restaurant.Disneyland is throwing discount after discount trying to get people through the gates because, surprise surprise, when you charge an arm and a leg for everything, attendance starts to decline.We've gotten to the point where planning a trip to Disney feels more like preparing for a big financial investment than a fun family outing.vacation.Reddit threads are exploding with budgeting advice.
Facebook groups track various expenses and share detailed spreadsheets.People bring their own sandwiches to the parks in their backpacks because it's no longer in the budget to pay the main price for food.The whole situation has become an odd balance, with Disney continuing to raise prices but offering deals to convince people to actually show up.It's like they're trying to have both, charging high prices while admitting the prices are too high for many.
But here's where things get really interesting.While all this budget drama is happening, Disney creates some of the most ridiculously expensive luxury experiences you can imagine.
As they know, some people are counting money and others are willing to drop hundreds of dollars on a single drink without a second thought.And Disney is happy to take money from both groups.They will sell you a $ 5 brazil cake and a $ 250 cocktail at a few hundred feet away.Disconnection is devastating when you really think about it.But is that really his talent?Did Disney know?Find a way to cater to those on a tight budget and those who do not see all the price tags in the same park.Which brings us to the Grand Californian vacation offer that everyone is talking about right now.
There's a holiday card and she takes care of that
So the Grand California Hotel has this seasonal snack cart that pops up in the lobby for special events and holidays.Appears for Lunar New Year, Halloween, Christmas season, all major celebrations.And honestly, it's usually a very sweet and holiday themed treat that's fun but not expensive.
This year's holiday version has everything you'd expect.Mickey gingerbread cookies are super popular and totally instagrammable.Other seasonal dishes.Holiday cart staples that make you feel good without breaking the bank.
And then there's the cookie-cutter situation.That became a forest.
Let's talk about these galleta shots
Okay, so cookie shots are basically cups made of chocolate chip cookie dough.They bake them in little glasses and cover them in chocolate to keep the liquid from melting so you can drink and eat them.Cute!Creative!It's so Disney!
It is $ 10.75 When average and full of milk.Good for children, the right price, the little fun.Nothing is dishonor for it.
Then there's the adult version for $19, which they top up with things like Baileys or RumChata.So now it's actually a drink, and $19 is pretty standard for a specialty cocktail at Disney.Still quite reasonable considering the theme park prices.
But later.Oh, but there is a third option for $250.Two hundred and fifty dollars.To drink cookies.
They filled it with Louis XIII cognac, which is literally one of the most expensive spirits in the world.And people lose their minds over it.
What is a Lui XII Commoner?
So, for those who don't know, Louis XIII is like the Rolls Royce of cognac.We are talking about alcohol made from 1,200 different cognacs, some of which are over 100 YEARS old.The entire bottle costs between $3,000 and $4,000.It comes in this beautiful crystal decanter that looks like it belongs in a museum.
It's not the kind of liquor you casually drink on a Tuesday night.It's the "I just closed a major business deal" or "I'm celebrating my 50th wedding anniversary" type of spirit.It's fantastic.
And Disney serves it with chocolate chip cookies.In a hotel room.On vacation.For $250 a shot.
Is courage really effective?
Here is where it gets even weirder
So when you drink Louis XIII, you use this special glass called a snifter or tulip glass, which is designed to concentrate all the aromas, because clearly the SMELL is a big part of the experience.Konjac people like this kind of thing.
Disney said "no, we're putting it in a COOKIE" and honestly, respect for their commitment to whimsy.
But wait, it gets better.The cookie is currently the cheapest way to get Louis XIII at Disneyland.The Hearthstone Lounge, which is literally around the corner from here, charges $260 for regular pours.They also have another option for $690. Yes, you read that right.Six hundred and ninety dollars per drink.
So in the strange world of Disney prices, a $250 cookie shot is actually the "budget" option for trying this premium brandy.When you think about it, it's totally crazy.
This used to be cheap.
Fun fact: When people started going crazy for this cookie in 2022, the price of the cookie was $185, so in two years Disney raised the price by another $65, which is a 35% increase.
Higher than normal inflation.I love, everything is more expensive, but it is really expensive.And it's already started from a place where most people would never think to buy it.
But if you're willing to pay $250 less for a cookie shot, you wouldn't worry too much about it going up $65 two years from now, right? At that point, what's another $65 worth?
You only have until January to try it
The holiday cart doesn't stop forever.Disney hasn't given an official closing date, but the holiday season at Disneyland runs until January 7th, so you might want to try this out if you're feeling adventurous (and rich).
The limited time thing definitely adds appeal to some people.You can't decide to have a shot of Louis XIII cookies whenever you want.You have to go to Disneyland during the holidays, you have to walk into the lobby of the Grand Californian, and you have to be willing to drop $250 for a drink that you consume in literally seconds.
It's not just because of the price, but because it's only available for a few weeks a year, which may appeal to some people who want to pack in a unique Disney experience.
The Internet has ideas
Social media is very divided on this.Some people think it's silly and point to everything that's wrong with Disney fare.Like, how can you pay $250 for a single drink at a private parking lot when you know that families are struggling to afford regular admission?
Other people think it's genius and actually want to try it.They're like "this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, why not splurge?"And frankly, both perspectives are valid.
The bizarre part is that this is all happening in the same cart.A parent can buy their child a dose of milk biscuits for $10.75 while positioning the same place at the same opening hours.
It's like Disney looked at income inequality and said, "Let's do this with a snack cart concept."
So is it worth it?
Look, if you're asking if a $250 cookie is worth it, the answer is probably no.It's not for people who are planning their Disney vacation carefully or trying to find a way to stretch their budget.It's 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 chip cookie the best way to enjoy that spirit?Not at all.Cognac connoisseurs would probably give someone a heart attack if they consumed it this way.But is it a unique and memorable experience that you won't get anywhere else?yesDefinitely.
The real question is whether you value traditional luxury or Disney more.Because if we're honest, this cookie-cutter is 100% junk, maybe 60% luxury.
But can Disney sell a $10.75 cookie and a $250 cookie at the same place and can people buy both versions? That's actually a perfect summary of Disney's journey. Something for everyone, as long as "everyone" includes people on completely opposite economic spectrums.
Wild times in the Grand Californian lobby car, folks.Wild times indeed.
