Please give a warm MiceChat welcome to our dear friend and newest columnist, Alyssa Claar. She’s a mom, podcaster, and proud Disney nerd. – Dusty
There are many reasons people love Disney and love going to Disneyland. For us, it is a place we used to come to as a children – and with every stroll down Main Street, we get to relive fond memories of the past. The sights, the sounds, the smells, they all evoke a sense of nostalgia. It’s something we want to share with our own children. We are truly inspired by Walt’s dream and the kingdom he created. Whatever your reason for being drawn to the Happiest Place on Earth, there’s one thing most everyone can agree on, it’s a magical place…
Or is it?
That Disneyland of my childhood has changed. It’s no longer an impulse purchase. It’s no longer easy to find an uncrowded day to visit. And many of the things I remember as a child are now gone.
There’s no question that a lot of people have been priced out of the parks with the recent price hikes. You might even be one of them. So, let’s address the elephant in the room and talk about this for a minute. I’ll use my family as an example. We are a family of 5, with two adults and three children ages 14, 5, and 1. For us to get annual passes for our entire family and be able to visit most weekends, we would need to get the Deluxe Pass at $729.00 for each of us (except our 1 year old). That’s a $2916.00 annual investment that doesn’t include our $20 parking fee every time we go, not to mention our churro and Dole Whip addictions. Even if we opt for the Southern California resident payment option, that’s still a $588.00 investment up front and about a $194.00 monthly payment. If we decided to go for just one day to both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure on a peak day, it would cost us $732.00. Talk about sticker shock! To the average household, neither option is cheap by any means and, as I’ve pointed out, not possible for a lot of families.
If you’re fortunate enough to continue to visit the parks, that must mean you’re basically a member of a very exclusive club; a club that offers access to the most magical of places with, presumably, lesser crowds due to so many not being able to afford such a luxury any more, right? Think again. The crowds these days are enormous enough to send just about anyone’s anxiety through the roof! “Slow” seasons seem to be a thing of the past. It’s obvious, Disney has cracked the code on drawing in the masses and keeping people coming back for more despite the high price tag. I can only imagine what it’s going to be like once Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens.
Why would anyone spend that kind of money on a theme park? Why would anyone want to go if it’s so crowded? One answer is quality. There’s still no place out there that does it quite like Disney. Here’s an example: I was sitting on Main Street with my family recently and I happened to look down at the ground. As I looked down, I marveled at how clean it was. I mean, I couldn’t see one speck of dirt, not even the remnants of old stuck on gum. It was spotless! The experiences of the attractions and the shows, from the biggest effects to the smallest details, is simply spectacular. I am in my thirties and the Disney imagineers are always finding ways to make my inner child believe in magic…even if it is just for a moment. For those of us with kids, seeing their excitement and the wonder in their eyes is a joyous experience; one that’s brought many a tear to my eye. These are the things that make the crowds and the expense worth it . . . to us. The memories, experiences, and quality we know we can expect from Disney overshadows the bad. There’s no doubt that Walt hit a home run when it came to creating a place for families to enjoy together.
If it’s money keeping you away, there are plenty of ways to get your Disney fix without taking out a 2nd on your home. As the price grows ever higher, it’s something I think about a lot. How about a date night at Downtown Disney with dinner, or drinks at one of the many resort’s restaurants? Splitsville opened up this year and is a fun-filled, intimate bowling experience with good food and wonderful service. Pop on over to Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Express for dessert and enjoy the messy, but oh-so-wonderful New Orleans beignets. Another favorite of ours is Trader Sam’s. Talk about a true Disney experience – they offer some tasty libations in a totally themed environment. Do the kids miss hanging out with their favorite characters? Consider a character meal at one of the resort restaurants. The point is, if you have a true love for Disney, but can’t make it into the parks, you can still find a way to keep making Disney memories.
So, is Disneyland still magical even with all the drawbacks? It is for us! It’s all about perspective. As Walt said, Disneyland will never be complete. Change is inevitable and I’m certain that the magic makers, the artists, the Imagineers, the storytellers, and everyone involved will continue to create and inspire a bright future for Disneyland! In the meantime, don’t get too down and out, get creative! If Disney is your passion and you’ve been priced out, seek out experiences beyond the parks. You can still make some Disney memories!
How have crowds and prices changed the way you do Disney? How do you scratch your Disney itch?