If you’re a regular visitor to Walt Disney World or if you pay particular attention to menu boards or your receipts while you vacation, you may have noticed some inconsistencies in the pricing of items and foodstuff across the sprawling property.

So why — oh, why! — does a Mickey Pretzel seem to cost more in some Disney World locations versus others? Why are certain resorts taxed at a higher rate? And what’s the deal with water that’s even more expensive than usual? Let’s get into it.

Mickey Pretzel, why art thou pricier?

Imagine this scenario: on day one of your vacation, you purchase a Mickey Pretzel (with gooey cheese sauce included!) for $6.59 at Magic Kingdom’s Lunching Pad. It’s delicious, and on day two, you must have another. You stop at a pretzel cart in Epcot to discover that the SAME snack is now $7! What’s the deal?

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