[Question] Money’s worth or enjoy the day...

[bayouguy]

A recent post had a comment about getting one’s money worth when visiting Disneyland and DCA in light of the recent price increases. In a sense, this was my wife’s point of view. I, though, made a decision to not let money concerns run our day’s enjoyment when I take my daughter to the parks. Of course I don’t go spending hundreds of dollars but have made slight increases in spending, such as eating at a sit down restaurant on occasions or buying a snack or souvenir for daughter. Daughter and I are enjoying our visits more now. Daughter is now more involved in decisions in how our money is spent and surprisingly is not asking for a treat or souvenir at each visit.
What’s your take on this?

[whoever]

NEVER let money stand in your way. You can always make more. Enjoy your vacation to its fullest. You never know when you'll be back.

[Crazybirdman]

Worth is subjective. Sometimes we'll pack lunch, sometimes we'll go to a sit down restaurant. There's enough things trying to ruin your day, don't be one of them by stressing yourself out.

[Theme Park Chat]

Worth is subjective. Sometimes we'll pack lunch, sometimes we'll go to a sit down restaurant. There's enough things trying to ruin your day, don't be one of them by stressing yourself out.

Yeah, sometimes I skip dinner in the park for some tasty fast food lol. That might sound absurd to some people, and I might spend up to $15 on that, which is more than the cost of dinner after pass discount at the quick serves.

Last time at the park I treated myself and my younger brother to our first meal/dinner at Blue Bayou in over 10 years. It felt ridiculously expensive compared to what I'm used to spending at the DLR on food. But my younger sibling loved it and you can't put a price on that. We'll probably be eating there much sooner than the last time because of that.

I feel I'm getting my money's worth in the number of visits I take with my pass and not the amount I spend in the park because I feel I have to get more value. But this is a very individual topic and as others have said I don't think there's any wrong answers. Spend what you want and don't stress on it either way. As long as you are happy!

[Emrakul]

I mean what you need to think about is what "your money's worth" means at a day in Dsneyland, does it mean:

• Getting on enough rides as possible?
• Seeing enough shows as possible?
• Minimizing time spent waiting?
• Buy treasured memories?
• Fill out the autograph books?

You should probably keep money as a concern. It's probably not a good idea to go to any Disney park without having enough money to burn, as you're going to spend a lot more than just the park fee. I guess from the most measurable standpoint, getting "your money's worth" with an annual pass is visiting Disneyland enough times to the point where the cost per visit is less than if you paid a normal ticket (I guess you can say a Parkhopper, but how many times have you actually Parkhopped?), and reaching that point will make your pass "worth" it.

[DisneyPilot]

Are you getting your "money's worth" if you are cranky and miserable at the end of the day?

I love DL after dark...goes form happiest place on earth to crankiest place on earth because many feel the need to eek out every second of the day available that they are paying for. Mom and Dad are tired, kids are done, everyone is frustrated and snappy...but we are having FUN DANG IT.................STOP CRYING!!!!!!

Seriously...I advocate for at least one sit down meal a day and if you are doing a full day go back to hotel for even an hour or two, rest up, freshen up, then hit the remainder of the day fresh and enjoying yourself. Very few can withstand the physuical demands of a FULL day in the parks...then add multi days and you are really toast.

That does not mean you need to spend to achieve that...spoil yourself for one table service meal if character breakfast every day is out of budget.

Regarding the kids, one thing my buddy does is give each kid a pre loaded gift card for their "allowance". They can spend that on any food or souvenir they want to indulge in, but limited to that beyond the family group buys. Empowers them to make their own decisions.

Pace yourself both physically and financially. Enjoy the experience.

[Emrakul]

Are you getting your "money's worth" if you are cranky and miserable at the end of the day?

I love DL after dark...goes form happiest place on earth to crankiest place on earth because many feel the need to eek out every second of the day available that they are paying for. Mom and Dad are tired, kids are done, everyone is frustrated and snappy...but we are having FUN DANG IT.................STOP CRYING!!!!!!

Seriously...I advocate for at least one sit down meal a day and if you are doing a full day go back to hotel for even an hour or two, rest up, freshen up, then hit the remainder of the day fresh and enjoying yourself. Very few can withstand the physuical demands of a FULL day in the parks...then add multi days and you are really toast.

That does not mean you need to spend to achieve that...spoil yourself for one table service meal if character breakfast every day is out of budget.

Regarding the kids, one thing my buddy does is give each kid a pre loaded gift card for their "allowance". They can spend that on any food or souvenir they want to indulge in, but limited to that beyond the family group buys. Empowers them to make their own decisions.

Pace yourself both physically and financially. Enjoy the experience.

This, so much this.

Your feet are going to get very tired, and you don't need to be in the parks 24/7. Downtown Disney and the Hotel amenties around town exist for the reasons that staying in Mickey Realm will even make the strongest into a gibbering mess.

[bayouguy]

I mean what you need to think about is what "your money's worth" means at a day in Dsneyland, does it mean:

• Getting on enough rides as possible?
• Seeing enough shows as possible?
• Minimizing time spent waiting?
• Buy treasured memories?
• Fill out the autograph books?

You should probably keep money as a concern. It's probably not a good idea to go to any Disney park without having enough money to burn, as you're going to spend a lot more than just the park fee. I guess from the most measurable standpoint, getting "your money's worth" with an annual pass is visiting Disneyland enough times to the point where the cost per visit is less than if you paid a normal ticket (I guess you can say a Parkhopper, but how many times have you actually Parkhopped?), and reaching that point will make your pass "worth" it.

To answer that question, wife wanted to make sure we used our passes enough times to sort of make the passes worth their price. I felt that we go when we want to go, not go one or twice within a month, because that felt more how the passes were meant to be used. This issue was a small battle in our household. But now the emphasis is to enjoy the time together while at Disneyland...and daughter and I will also enjoy a meal in the Blue Bayou for the experience and ambiance.

[Starcade]

Having AP's has made all the difference in how we enjoy the parks tremendously to the point where we would probably not go at all if we had to purchase single or multi-day tickets. We often go for a meal and couple of rides then return home or we go in late morning after the initial entrance surge cycles through then we usually leave right before the dinner/evening crowds. There is always something left for next time and we are never rushed or crushed by a certain ride being down or line too long as we know we will be back in the near future. For us a visit to Disneyland has become a stress release activity rather than what was once a very stressful endeavor.

[Eagleman]

Having AP's has made all the difference in how we enjoy the parks tremendously to the point where we would probably not go at all if we had to purchase single or multi-day tickets.

I know when I had my AP
It was for the care free time......
I go when I want-and leave the same way........
and was my way to get away from a stressful time .......
Relax ,No Rush.......place to getaway for a time.

[merlinjones]

I go to relax and enjoy the park's atmosphere, use the wishing well, gaze at the castle, take a leisurely ride or two, see a parade or fireworks -- I will no longer go with people who want to run around and freak out about fast passes and such (using a smartphone to book reservations will never happen for me - I would stop going first). That's one reason Disneyland is preferable to me over Walt Disney World - the over-structured routine in Florida is too demanding.