That depends on how old you are. As a kid, I grew up in Orlando, and I got to go to Disney and Universal all the time. Enough that I got tired of it.
But back then, in the 90s, people still acted like civilized human beings when they went to two amusement parks. I’m just very glad that I have no desire to go back, especially considering what awful nightmare it is.
1996, a day pass for a Florida resident at Disney was $25. At Universal it was $18. Today, add a zero to the end of that, and you’ve got some idea of the amount of money they expect you to spend there. Just on the ticket.
The people and prices are insane. The behavior is one thing, but the sheer number of people crammed into these tiny spaces is so uncomfortable and unpleasant. I’m alllllll set with that.
Look, the endorphins and other neurotransmitters that come from floating through the air on that big swing or down the giant slide are the same whether you’re in Orlando or Oneida. Who needs all the other bullshit of Florida.
Maybe the one in California isn’t as unappealing. There, at least you’re in California and not Florida.
Growing up in southern California. Disneyland was common, and so common that I ended up working there. It’s changed a lot in the last twenty years.
I still go to Disneyland regularly, but it’s always because I know someone that can still get me and my family in. I’m fortunate that I haven’t paid to go to Disneyland in over 16 years, and I’ve been hundreds of times. Now, I typically get disappointed when I’m there. I’ve seen the parks go downhill and the prices go way, way up.
I’ve been to Sea World growing up, since it was a two hour drive. And Lego Land. And Six Flags.
It’s not the parks that are spoiled, it’s the flights and hotels that make these things wild trips for spoiled kids.
What do you know now that makes you grateful?
Just that these are corporate entities that care nothing for the world they are a part of and are just trying to leech off society.
These places have their goods and bads.
Disney in the past weren’t nearly so exploitive and expensive. They truly did give an extremely fun and entertaining experience to the guests. They did much better at treating their employees. They have pushed technological boundaries on the entertainment front. They built parks that have genuinely made millions happy. They aren’t perfect as a corporation and I have a shitload of gripes with their management and leadership, but they put out a pretty damn good product.
Nowadays, they do underpay and over charge. They are cashing in on nostalgia and not doing enough to foster that in the next generation. They’re no longer targeting family fun but are instead putting more towards the mid-20s to late 30s market. I haven’t felt it was worth the money in a long time.
Sea world. While they have done terrible things especially in the Orcas, they also put on a very, very entertaining theme park. They do fund a lot of research and coastal animal refuges.
We have season passes that give us access to all Cedar Fair parks with unlimited meals and drinks, unlimited visits all year long, and it still costs less than one trip to Disney. We often visit 7 different parks in a year, and our home park dozens of times.
They are a 2 hour drive from us so not extravagant trips. But I am so grateful to my mom for taking my kids with her when she traveled to Europe. Even though she never did anything like that with us, she would invite her grandkids one or two at a time to wherever she was going and her rules were “one bag, you carry it, no whining”. They got to see places I haven’t yet. Very extravagant and I wish she’d taken her own kids on trips like that!
Oh yeah, I’m not saying my parents were good parents. They would never consider a trip like this for me or my sister. I’m just saying I’m actually glad they didnt.
It’s been a long time, but I was in a dance troupe as a kid and we performed at Disney World in the late 90’s. I’m not sure if they still do it, but when you traveled to perform there, they put your troupe name and the members’ names in the park program for the day.
My mom and I took the tram back to the park at dusk every night we were there to get a milkshake and watch the fireworks. TBH, those were some pretty neat experiences.
DW was a neat place before it got enshittified.
Been a few times. You’re not missing much.
Extravagant?
This should be considered absolutely middle-of-the-road.
Look at Mr Privileged over here
I’m not saying IS. I’m saying Should. Most people SHOULD be part of the middle class and able to do these regularly.
Extravagant should be like renting a private beach or extensive ballroom for a party or something.
what do you mean? like the blackfish documentary?
