Given the current prices, maybe it’s wiser to just stay home alone during the holidays.
Inflation has surged dramatically over the last three decades since the memorable release of Home Alone 2. What was once a $1,000 dessert spree at the Plaza Hotel, featuring the iconic 16-scoop ice cream sundae, now seems almost trivial when adjusted for today’s pricing. According to an analysis from travel insurance comparison service iSelect, that same treat would cost around $2,233 now.
“Kevin, did you really spend $967 on room service?” Peter McCallister, played by the ever-recognizable John Heard, exclaimed in a scene set against the backdrop of New York’s Central Park. His outrage was almost palpable, resonating as if to underscore the absurdity of a child’s spending spree.
These days, just the food would exceed the total cost of Kevin’s entire trip back in 1992.
As reported by iSelect, the entire experience—from the suite to the sundae—would rise from a modest $2,109 in 1992 to about $8,511 by 2025. And that’s without factoring in the additional costs of limos and taxis that Kevin enjoyed during his escapade.
This significant increase in luxury hotel prices, roughly 303% since the film’s debut, stems from a comparison of the Plaza’s pricing, inflation data, and updated menu prices.
The most expensive item today is The Plaza Suite, averaging around $6,244 per night, although some suites apparently go for as high as $33,000!
Back when that nine-year-old was causing a ruckus in New York, the hotel’s rate was approximately $1,100 a night, when it was owned by Donald Trump, according to iSelect.
And what about desserts? A simple sundae with all the trimmings—maraschino cherries, M&Ms, and chocolate sauce—now runs for $24, a rise from the $18 that it cost while Kevin was running amok.
Currently, The Plaza is celebrating the movie with a “Home Alone Sunday” special, priced at about $350.
This considerable price rise isn’t all that startling, especially as the nation continues to navigate inflation and economic concerns.
Unemployment has climbed to 4.4% as of September, marking the highest levels since late 2021.
Meanwhile, wage growth has been sluggish, resembling the trends seen during the 2008 recession. In fact, median income growth for working adults aged 25 to 54 stands at only 1.6% as of October, possibly leading to lower consumer spending this holiday season.
