President Trump recently announced sweeping tariffs on imported goods in a move he claims will revive manufacturing and generate revenue in the U.S., and while we don’t know for sure how — or if — they will impact Disney World, all signs point to potential price increases in the parks.
©Disney
It seems as though we aren’t the only ones concerned about the impact of these tariffs, either. Disney CEO Bob Iger made a surprise appearance at ABC News’ daily editorial meeting on Thursday, April 3rd, and voiced his worries.
According to Oliver Darcy’s Status newsletter, Disney CEO Bob Iger expressed concern about the impact a potential trade war would have not just on his company, but on the American economy as a whole.
CEO Bob Iger ©Disney
He emphasized that relocating international manufacturing to the United States “speedily” would be impossible, along with indicating that most people “don’t really understand how tariffs work.” Anonymous ABC staffers who were at the meeting shared that Iger’s second comment seemed to be his instruction for ABC News to connect the dots for its readers and viewers.
Cinderella Castle
As the conversation continued, Iger was described as continuously jumping into the conversation to share his “unfiltered views” — especially as it relates to Disney Cruise Line’s two new ships that rely on steel for construction.
Iger shared that many major companies rely on thousands of specialized overseas workers who would need to be replaced and trained on U.S. soil.
©Disney
As a refresher, a tariff is a government surcharge on products imported from other countries, and they’re paid by the companies that import goods into a country. The costs of these tariffs can be passed around depending on how countries and companies react, but the New York Times says that trade policy experts agree that “American consumers will most likely bear the cost of the new U.S. tariffs,” notably, as they did during Trump’s first term.
To offset the costs of these tariffs, retailers often increase prices — and manufacturers face higher costs.
EPCOT
Food analyst experts have said that most Americans are likely to feel the impact of these tariffs at grocery stores first — and soon, potentially before April is over. But, it’s not just the grocery store as restaurants and other food vendors will likely have to increase prices to offset the import costs as well.
Hollywood Brown Derby spread
In addition to potential price increases on Disney World food, we could see increases in souvenirs — especially those manufactured in countries like China. Under the new tariffs, China will have a 34 percent tariff on top of a previous blanket import tax that was imposed on goods from the country earlier this year. Imports from Vietnam are to be taxed at an additional 50 percent.
Disney merch
We’ll continue to be on the lookout for more updates that could impact your Disney World vacation. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news.
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Just another excuse to hike up the prices. It seems that they really don’t want the average family going to Disney parks.
It will be an interesting conundrum for Disney if they have to increase prices to offset costs, but the average consumer will then have less spending money because they are having to pay these kinds of increases across the board (without, of course, an increase in income as COLA adjustments drag… and companies may not be able to afford to pay empoyees more as they also deal with increase costs due to tariffs), therefore less likely to be able to pay for a Disney vacation.
It will be interesting to watch over the next months and years. ??
Trump’s tariff plans and comments about Canada caused us to cancel our Disney World vacation this year which we had scheduled for early May. I do not know if they will affect us going in future years.
We really love visiting Disney World and hope that things settle down so that we can make the trip in 2026.
Fingers crossed!!
” they will impact Disney World, all signs point to potential price increases in the parks.”
= = = = =
Disney has NEVER needed an excuse to raise prices. Tariffs may be one reason, but failed movies might be another.
I call Humbug…
“Wind coming out of the west next week, we may have to raise prices.” “It may be hot this summer, ac will cost more, we may need to raise prices.” “We need to raise prices at WDW because our latest movie tanked.” $10 a beer is just not enough. Before and after tariffs we have to pay almost $3.OO a six pack for Michelob Ultra why can’t we charge $75.00 bucks for 6… and absorb the 10% increase imported beers!! ” MONEY< MONEY< MONEY
Iger is adding to the fear mongering. Disney uses cheap foreign labor and most Disney products are foreign made. Of course he doesn’t like tariffs. No surprise there!
Disney has never needed a tariff as an excuse for price hikes. They manage to hike prices throughout the year, every single year.
So for everyone who constantly complains about Disney price increases, don’t blame the company this time. Blame the White House who fails to comprehend basic economics.
People only have so much money that they can spend. Lots of consumers have already cut back on their spending. The tariffs will hurt lots of businesses, and more companies will have to lay off more people because of the drop in demand for that product or that service. People can’t keep running up their credit card bills higher and higher forever.
The Walt Disney company and all of their related businesses will not be immune from this reality, and they will see a demand for all of their products drop as well
And that is why he had a failed bid to become President. People will pay for quality. Try fixing the quality issues in the Disney company and quit blaming others for your own short commings.
And that is why he had a failed bid to become President. People will pay for quality. Try fixing the quality issues in the Disney company and quit blaming others for your own short commings.
Sorry, Todd, but it’s not the White House who doesn’t understand economics. You DO realize before income taxes the US functioned and was funded by tariffs!
Most people fail to mention how much other countries already tariff the United States.
Bob Iger doubled down on pricing LONG before tariffs were an issue. He has no one but himself to blame for his failures.
If you all complain so bitterly about Disney, then why do you go there to vacation? I always find a way to trim costs. I also do not eat like a pig and consume so much food in a day. Big savings there.
I keep saying to look into the Disney Vacation Club if you are in a position to do it. It can be financed and if you are young and intend to visit often, it’s a good way to vacation without the cost of a hotel room. And please don’t say I am rich. I bought it in 1997 when I was divorced with one child. I had a job and paid it off over time. I love my DVC and it expires in 2042. There are monthly dues, but manageable.
Pris says
April 7, 2025 at 12:01 pm
“Sorry, Todd, but it’s not the White House who doesn’t understand economics. You DO realize before income taxes the US functioned and was funded by tariffs!”
Pris is 100% SPOT ON.
YES, it is the White House. Trump didn’t have to take a chain saw to trading. He couldn’t have started smaller. He just likes to be in the News daily and then he goes off to golf.
I can’t really blame Disney here. Across the board EVERYTHING is getting exponentially more expensive for the consumer.
Between tariffs, a looming economic depression, and long-lasting financial recovery from the COVID shut-down, the price hikes make sense. That being said, as long as people keep paying the higher prices, Disney can keep raising them. The consumer grants permission ultimately.
Personally, I’m still looking forward to our September visit, especially with the rolled-out dining plan perk. We split most things (don’t eat “American” portions), so we can try and enjoy lots of different options as a family while saving a bundle.
Just wish they’d bring the Magical Express transportation perk back…
I do hope you all know that Disney is not the only entertainment park that is going to raise rates Universal , Sea World, Lego Land and a host of other entertainment places across the US. And They also raise their prices all the time. Plus you don’t get as much for your money as you do at Disney. The White House think that factory are going to drop from the sky and start making the produces we need. The worker will jump right up and know how to make all the produces. The trees will grow all the mineral that we don’t have in the ground. While other trees will bloom the mico chips fully made for the all the products. THAT is how The White House thinks. Most of us in the real world know that is not going to happen. A building can take years to build and then find and train the works, mean while we do without and pay, pay,and pay. I’ll keep going to Disney so that I can have a little get away for the worst of it. Do buy DVC and Annual Passes they pay in the long run.
So Todd, we should just let foreign countries keep ripping us off?? Looks like you’re the one who doesn’t understand basic economics. Do your homework!
If anything, Disney may have to lower prices or offer discounts to encourage travel during a recession. They’re already losing international travel as many have changed their minds or canceled their plans. Food prices will increase but merchandise will remain steady, as there already is a huge profit factored in. Also, maybe, just maybe, they will cancel Cars Land and keep RoA.
Why not use Vietnam or India to
manufacture the Disney merchandise instead of China. The Chinese products have been really lackluster these last few years anyway. Please don’t use more excuses to raise prices at Disney Parks.
Pris, you do realize that the time of tariffs is what was the final straw that pushed the United States into the Great Depression, correct? Perhaps you’ve heard of the Great Depression. That was a learning experience in that ever since leaders around the world have worked for open markets because it’s what is best for consumers. Donald Trump has economic ideas based on 100 years ago and it will bury us just like it did then. People say buy American, but they fall to realize that prices from American based companies also go up because material costs increase. What happens then…layoffs at American companies and unemployment skyrockets. Learn some economics folks.
Tariffs canbe a useful tool to support ecomonic changes, but only if they are targeted. The blanket “world” tariffs coming from Trump are stupid at best. I agree Disney needs no excuses to raise prices (they do that at will) but make no mistake, these blanket tariffs, not actually based on what other counties trariff the US, will cause extensive inflation across most products we consume every day. We willalso see US job loss. For those of you who argue we need to take some short term pain for long term gain, the short term is 5-8 years.
Income tax has been practiced since Colonial Times. The shift from tariffs was necessary. We live in different times and starting tariff wars will not benefit the U.S. but hurt us all, as seen in recent days. Our country has created a tariff war with our allies. Distancing ourselves further from our international alliances. The only winners in this war are Russia (who wasn’t on the list of new tariffs) and China (who will gobble up the business from countries who have been scorned by the U.S.).
Disney’s prices were already ridiculous and I doubt they can afford to raise their prices even higher, because that would risk loosing more customers. And from what the travel industry has been reporting, international tourism to the U.S. has dropped significantly (due to tariffs and political actions from the current Administration), with this trend expected to continue Disney will need to keep and attract more domestic business. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
You can find plenty of Democrats (15 years ago) that were for reciprocal tariffs and showed how tariffs on Chinese goods was 2% while China tariff our goods in the upper 30s. I don’t care if prices rise for a little bit while we get our country back on track and start showing the world we will not be stepped on. Already countries are folding.
Just one more excuse Iger can add to his long list of “Ways to get more $$$” .
Disney raises prices EVERY YEAR!!!! Walt Disney intended his parks to be accessable to EVERYONE, not just the elite. Way to turn his dream into a real nightmare, Disney Execs. Your Founding Father is probably rolling over in his grave!!
Well said, Dennis!
Uh, Todd, you DO realize the depression was because people who invested in the stock market “bought on margin” and if a company had over extended they “called the margin”. Most people couldn’t come up with the 90% needed to pay the margin so their stock was taken. It quickly created a snowball effect. If you think tariffs are sooo awful, let’s pretend you are the US and I am country X. I’ll give you $2 and you give me $25 then we’ll call it even. Does that sound fair to you?? THAT’S what Trump is trying to stop!!
Agree with Priscilla! The US has been taken advantage of for a long time. Time to even up the playing field!
You are heading towards disaster and destruction with this callous, corrupt lunatic in charge!