Costco’s making big changes, and you’re definitely going to notice.
All 905 warehouse locations are rolling out changes that are going to shake up how you shop, some great, some annoying. From new payment options to a surprise food court comeback and even the end of a long-standing Disney deal, it’s all changing. The retail wars and inflation struggles are forcing giants like Costco to pivot fast, and shoppers are going to feel every bit of it.
Let’s start with the biggest win: Costco now has a payment plan option, thanks to a partnership with Affirm. This new setup gives you the freedom to spread out payments on bigger purchases, anywhere between three and 36 months. So instead of dropping a bunch of cash all at once, you can now buy stuff from $500 to $17,500 and pay later in monthly installments of 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, or 36 months.
Affirm’s SVP of Revenue Pat Suh says they’re seeing more people use this ahead of summer, for everything from BBQ grills to patio furniture and storage sheds. Basically, all the bulk buys Costco is famous for. But it’s not totally free money, you’ll be charged interest between 10% and 36% APR, depending on your credit and the amount you’re spending. The good news? You can opt into automatic payments to avoid missing a due date.
Next up is a bit of a bummer. Costco’s travel perk with Disney is officially gone. Yep, they’ve ended their partnership with Disneyland Resorts. You can still get discounted tickets to the Anaheim, CA, park, but you can’t book reservations through Costco anymore. That’s a major blow for families who used to bundle hotel and park tickets together for less.
It’s more than just a travel headache, though, it’s a branding shift. These vacation packages used to target parents with young kids, helping them travel for cheap. Now that they’re gone, it leaves people wondering what’ll happen to Disney products on Costco shelves. It’s not confirmed yet, but it wouldn’t be a shock if Disney items start disappearing from the warehouse too.
If you’re still planning a Disney trip, the experts recommend going during the least crowded months, like February, May, August, or September, and avoiding holidays like MLK Day, Presidents’ Day, Spring Break, Memorial Day, Easter, and Christmas. Best days to go? Try Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays.
Finally, let’s talk about the food court, because yep, that’s changing too. Starting with something sweet: the strawberry banana smoothie that’s been around since March? It’s officially staying on the menu. It’s already become a hit and doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere.
But the best part? The turkey provolone sandwich is coming back in the third quarter of this year. Fans have been asking for it for years, and now it’s finally returning. Oh, and remember when Coca-Cola used to be the soda of choice at Costco? Well, after switching to Pepsi in 2013, Coke is making a comeback.
That means the iconic $1.50 hot dog combo will now be paired with Coke instead of Pepsi for the first time in over a decade. Small change? Maybe. But for loyal shoppers, it hits hard in the nostalgia.
So whether you’re excited about paying in monthly chunks, bummed about losing that easy Disney deal, or just hyped for Coke with your hot dog again, these changes are big. Costco’s clearly listening to what shoppers want, but also making hard cuts when the pressure’s on.
Here’s a quick look at what’s changing:
| Category | What’s Changing | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Payment Plans | Costco adds Affirm financing | Buy Now, Pay Later option for $500–$17,500 purchases with 3–36 month plans and 10%–36% APR |
| Travel Perk | Ends Disney vacation bookings | No more hotel + ticket packages via Costco; still offers discounted park entry to Disneyland Anaheim |
| Disney Impact | Product availability unclear | Potential removal of Disney merchandise from shelves |
| Food Court Drink | Switches back to Coca-Cola after 11 years | Ends Pepsi partnership; $1.50 combo now includes Coke |
| New Food Item | Strawberry banana smoothie is here to stay | Available since March, not leaving any time soon |
| Sandwich Return | Turkey provolone sandwich coming back | Expected return in Q3 after several years off-menu |
| Best Disney Times | Planning trips without Costco packages | Go in Feb, May, Aug, Sept. Avoid holidays like MLK Day, Spring Break, Easter, Thanksgiving, Xmas |
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