The price of admission at theme parks
By rice5899
@rice5899 (193)
United States
December 24, 2006 2:13pm CST
What do you think about the price of admission at most theme parks. I think they are outrageous, every year they seem to go up higher and higher, then alot of them dont even let you bring in food from outside, so then you are also paying more money to eat their expensive food.
We live in an area where we are pretty much surrounded by theme parks and we would like to visit them, but financially there is just no way possible
5 people like this
37 responses
@southernpixie (741)
• United States
24 Dec 06
I would love to go to Disneyworld one day, but I looked up their ticket prices and it was just outrageous. There's a water theme park about an hour from where I live and it's pretty expensive also. And I am pretty sure if you want to eat, you have to buy your food/drink at one of their restaurants. You can't bring anything in with you. They could at least make the food more affordable if they are going to make the ticket prices so high.
2 people like this
@penny78256 (288)
• United States
25 Dec 06
my kids keep asking me mom lets go to disney world and i think yea right let me just go take out a loan that is very expensive trip for anyone
@Simplemind26 (510)
• Canada
24 Dec 06
I think it's crazy and ridiculous how each year the prices get higher and higher.Not only the admission fee is high but the restaurants in the theme parks are crazy.I feel sorry for big families.It would save them some money if your allowed to bring food.Over here in montreal there is an amusment park called Laronde which the prices are shy high.They check your bags to see if you have food.They have a mcdonals in there.They don't even have a trio.Can you believ that.A hamburger,frenchfries and 1 coke cost me $13.00.Its cray how the market makes money.
1 person likes this
@penny78256 (288)
• United States
25 Dec 06
I agree you better have a few hundred on you when going to one they are way too high from the park to the food and don't even think about buying anything out of the stores
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
25 Dec 06
I agree with you People just can not afford to take the Children anymore it looks like they are starting to make money on the Children to now and then they wonder why Children are growing up the way they are
Part of the reason because Parents can't afford Day trips anymore
@missjackie (1357)
• Ypsilanti, Michigan
24 Dec 06
I think it's outrageous that we have to pay so much money and then have to wait up to an hour, just to get on a stupid ride.
1 person likes this
@kris182_2000 (5444)
• Canada
24 Dec 06
If it's a stupid ride, why wait for it?
And because I have a disability, I don't have to wait in lines for rides. I can get on most almost right away.
When I worked last summer, some people waited 4 hours for an amazing ride, and all waiting said it was worth it.
@kris182_2000 (5444)
• Canada
24 Dec 06
I have to disagree to a certain degree.
If you purchase a season's pass, it pays for itself in 2 visits.
I just purchased 3 season's passes for my local park up here, and will upgrade in the summer for $20.00 to go visit 2 other parks in the U.S.
I worked at my local park last summer and I know what the prices were like. It didn't stop more than 3 million people from showing up though. Not to mention all the people who travelled here from all over the world.
The great thing about the upgrade I will purchase is that I can go to 12 different parks on that pass.
Trust me, a season's pass is the best value.
As for the food, well, there's nothing you can really do about that unless you leave the park for your meals.
@kris182_2000 (5444)
• Canada
25 Dec 06
As long as you can go at least twice, then it's worth it. It all depends on how much time you have. Even if you only go for a few hours, but go a few times, it's all worth it.
@djr5899 (51)
• United States
24 Dec 06
I agree that most theme parks overcharge. An example is a newer children's theme park called Wannado City. This theme park allows kids to dress up in different costumes and pretend to be things like a fireman, doctor, pilot, etc.
Wannado City was charging kids $30 and adults $15. The kicker is the adults couldn't go in with the kids, they had to wait in a waiting area, and there was nothing for them to do.
Attendence dropped so much in a year's time that they finally had to wave the parent admission and let them in free.
@kris182_2000 (5444)
• Canada
24 Dec 06
Why charge parents to do nothing anyways? Sure, most parks charge a grounds admission, however people are free to roam the park.
And charging $30 for children to dress up and pretend is outrageous. They shouldn't charge that much.
Is this place still in business?
@toonatoons (3737)
• Philippines
25 Dec 06
some themed parks may charge a lot, but i think it's because they get to pay a lot of expenses, too, like the rent, maintenance costs, salaries and wages of their people, things like that.
i don't think themed parks in the philippines cost much, though. in the province of aklan, for instance, sampaguita gardens just charge around $1.00, and that's even consummable. meaning, with $1.00, you get to tour the whole place, including the mansion of the creator of the Precious Moments dolls, and you get to fill your stomachs, too.
@kris182_2000 (5444)
• Canada
25 Dec 06
I can help fill in the blanks with the pricing since I worked in the park office last summer.
Here's just a small breakdown of their costs at my local park:
More than 3000 seasonal employees working from March to October.
More than 300 permanent employees who maintain the park year round.
The maintenance costs alone are large, I've seen replacement costs of parts well over $1000 each.
Food shipments, etc cost thousands per week.
Daily maintenance inspections to keep the rides safe.
TSSA inspections on a monthly basis to keep the rides open.
Rental of transportation services costing approximately $3000 per month or more.
There are many other costs associated in running these parks, but I can tell you that my park pulled in a gross revenue of over $1billion dollars last season.
Hope this gives you a basic idea of why it costs so much to visit these parks. Also take a look at the rides themselves and the landscape. It cost a lot to build the rides and to make the park look beautiful for the public.
@nmw2005 (1197)
• United States
25 Dec 06
I think the price of tickets are crazy. Not to mention paying 5.00 for a bottle of water and who knows how much if you want a hamburger. Plus they have gift stores all over the place.
@madhurtravels (292)
• India
25 Dec 06
i think parks arrangement is too difficult we aw admissation it very difficult
@natuser28 (907)
• United States
25 Dec 06
I think addmission at theme parks are highly ridicolus. The average price here in Cali. is $60 bucks.
@maddinair (281)
• India
25 Dec 06
ya exactly they are earning a lot by just attracting children and just for entertainment they are making holes in the pocket and ya the restu.. inside that place are more costly just because u cannot carry anything inside and so if u feel hungry as everyone does u got to buy food frm them the costly one thats it
@sunsational (253)
• United States
6 Jan 07
It is crazy that they keep making the price higher, especially when they really are not improving, im my opinion, yes they might have 1 ride debut but, sometimes that doesnt justify the price increase
@my3busyboys (207)
• United States
15 Jan 07
I think the admission is outrageous. We are planning a trip to Disneyland in December, and the admission tickets will be more than our hotel - that is just crazy! We also live by a Six Flags, but mostly waterpark, that runs about $26.99 each which is more reasonable, but there aren't any totally fantastic rides there.
@share1000 (337)
• India
25 Dec 06
firstly there should be no entry fee or price of addmission at theme parks. we should pay only for the stuff we use.
secondly, there is no sense in buying food from theme parks, they just rob u in broad daylight.
@classy56 (2880)
• United States
25 Dec 06
i dont go to them for that reason..i really want to go to one,but they arent getting my hard earn money.
@foosje (41)
• Belgium
25 Dec 06
I like amusement parks a lot, but with the ridiculous prices that they have now, it's just not possible to go. I have got enough money, but I don't want to spend all of it in just one day.
If they would lower their prices, more people would go and maybe they'd even make more money!
@Joe808 (49)
• United States
25 Dec 06
I have an idea for you Rice. But only if you're willing compromise with yourself and family. Ya see, I would suggest, instead of going to a theme park, why not try just a regular amusement park that is more affordable for you. Here in Oregon we have a place called Oaks Park. I think addmission is between 8 and 12 dollars and the food prices aren't too bad. Definately better than Disneyland and six flags etc for price. These smaller types of places are indeed smaller but they can be ALOT of FUN!!
