Many Disney enthusiasts are expressing their anger after it was revealed that some popular fries were quietly removed from Disneyland in January.
This has been dubbed the “French fry apocalypse” by frustrated fans.
Items like filmstrip fries from Award Winners, beer-battered fries from Hungry Bear Jamboree, and Tavern Potato Bites from Red Rose Tavern have reportedly vanished from the California park.
In their place, visitors are finding regular fries, which has led many to believe this pivot is a cost-cutting maneuver.
Andrew Bordwein, a senior writer for Disney’s blog Inside the Magic, suggested that costs are a likely factor. “Fewer unique items can lessen the need for multiple suppliers, simplify kitchen operations, reduce training, and minimize waste,” he explained.
He added, “Standardization helps lower costs and can speed up service. We’ve noticed this trend not just in Disneyland but also at Walt Disney World.”
A Disneyland spokesperson stated that the park frequently updates its menu. However, they noted that items like house fries, tater tots, and even sweet potato fries remain available throughout the resort.
Bordwein pointed out that patrons have been noticing these gradual changes, with specific fries being altered or removed often without notice. “When something familiar disappears unexpectedly, it feels like Disney is slowly eroding the park’s unique identity,” he added.
Fans are taking to social media to voice their discontent. “Not the filmstrip fries! My heart is broken,” lamented one user on a Reddit thread dedicated to Disney planning.
“Those filmstrip fries were absolutely fantastic,” another food lover chimed in, while another remarked, “This is awful. Regular fries just don’t cut it, even homemade chips? Come on!”
This isn’t the first uproar over menu changes at Disney. In 2024, the park also discontinued fried green tomato sandwiches at Hungry Bear, prompting another fan to express their dismay on Reddit.
In 2025, Disneyland stirred controversy again by halting the sale of clam chowder bread bowls at the Royal Street Verandah, leaving some guests quite sad.
Recent years have seen increased frustration among fans, particularly after price hikes affected hundreds of food and drink items in summer 2025, leading individuals to question the value they’re receiving for their money.
With one-day Magic Kingdom tickets averaging around $160, and even reaching $200 on peak days, some fans are feeling that the cost versus value isn’t aligning well.
Bordwein concluded, “For many long-time visitors, this shift signals that Disney is moving away from special menu items towards a more standardized, corporate approach. That’s why it resonates so deeply.”
