FROM: Why Did Disney DO That?!? Published As Necessary

Am I a Child or an Adult?

We welcome Lee into the new year with a great article from him about Disney's inconsistent pricing for children or adults based on your age.

- Lee Beatens, January 24, 2011

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Some wonder if they are a Muppet or a man, but the Marrs family has another question: Is their 11-year-old daughter a child or an adult?

According to Disney, it all depends if there’s money involved!

The Story

Once upon a time, the Marrs family visited a Disney theme park. And upon entering, and paying, at the gate they got their first answer to the above question: She is an adult. So they had to pay full adult price for her entry.

The day proceeded until the family needed a nibble, and the next answer to the question in question was: She is an adult. So they had to pay full adult price for her meal, and choose off the adult menu, which served up options she didn’t like in portions she couldn’t finish.

How great it is to be an adult in Disney’s eyes!

The Beef

The Marrs family begins to wonder why this is happening. They are forced to spend money with no equivalent value in return. I’ll explain why this applies to the admission ticket later, but as for the food purchases, paying approximately $15 more for food that will be wasted just doesn’t make sense!

So they don’t visit Disney restaurants as a family any more. Good call, Disney!

Many I’ve talked to have had the same complaint, and have stopped visiting restaurants that limit kid’s menu access or offer little choice on that menu.

The Rub

Back to the admission price. Remember that the Marrs family paid full adult price for their daughter’s entry into the Parks? So they began to ride all of their favorite attractions. But after riding one particular ride too many times for the parents, they decided to sit out further goes while the kids continued on… and on… and on. At least, that was the plan.

Disney turned the ‘children’ away.

The Snub

Here’s where it gets interesting: The 11-year-old ‘adult’ who paid full admission price, and had to eat from the adult menu, was now… a child, and could no longer ride without her parents!

Why would Disney DO this?!?

Yup. Cast Members turned the young girl away because she wasn’t 14 years old, apparently the magical age one has to be to turn into a real ‘adult’ with the privilege of unsupervised riding. Even when the sharp young lady explained that she held an adult ticket for which her father had paid full adult price she was still turned away.

The conclusion

A child is an adult anytime Disney wants your money, but suddenly becomes a child again when he or she wants to ride something.

I’d like to thank the Marrs family for emailing me their story. I’m sure it’s typical of the experiences of many other Disney guests. If you’ve had such absurdities happen to you, please let us know in the comments section.

And you’re welcome to visit the Marrs family at www.TheGreatAdventureTour.com and share the pain with them directly.

And I’ll see you back here the next time Disney does something stupid!

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