Interesting, yeah, that blowback makes sense… because water is required to stay ALIVE.
Conversely, pretzel bites with cheese dip is NOT. Yet a parent stuck in a line may certainly be willing to pay $5 for a small cup of bites, or a shooter of cold Dole-Whip, to keep her child from fussing. Honestly, I refuse to pay $14 for a pretzel at a stand — but I could be suckered into buying a few pretzel bites at $5, probably six different times throughout the day, LOL.
See how much Disney is losing by not exploiting my weak spot? I do bring my own snacks to save money. But I can’t bring something warm, and I can’t bring something cold. Many times in line I would’ve killed for a little bit of pretzel with warm dipping cheese.
Disney just chose the wrong item. Sell desirable options, not life-essential water.