Since when is a 10 year old not a child?
 

Answer: In Walt Disney World. I haven't been to the Mouse in quite a few years and am considering taking the kids. I just checked the ticket prices and their "childrens" price applies to kids 9 and under! This is just a rant but it ticks me off that they charge an adult price for anyone over 9. I mean it costs a fortune to take the family to WDW anyway but come on, can't they give us a little break! It may be a paradise for kids but it's a nightmare for the parents wallet! Yeah, yeah, yeah I know, don't go if you don't like it so I'll just pre-empt the nasty rebuttels before they're posted. Just had to vent, sorry.

It is amazing isn't it? I guess they figure most 10 yo will ride all the rides that adults ride so they can charge them adult rates. But is that really true? No I think not, my neice who is turning 10 next month still can't get on anything going faster than Small World. I bet there are other kids who fear speed and/or roller coaster make them queasy. I think they should consider sticking to the semi-universal age of 12 and under for children. Just MHO.

Unless she's very big for her age, I'd say she was 9.

Mickey, do you think it has anything to do with the way some parents treat their 10yr olds? I can't count the times I have seen 10yr olds & younger in PG-13 and even R movies. I've seen parents encourage their 10yr olds to have "boyfriend-girlfriend" relationships. I know parents who have allowed 10yr olds telephones and computers in their rooms. Seems when it's "convient" to the parent to treat their 10yr old as a young adult, they do, then cry foul when someone demands to also treat them as a young adult. Please know I am not talking about you, Mickey, just telling you what I've observed. Think there might be a connection?

Dont have em if you cant afford em.

Frances--- That's more or less what we did when we went to Disney in May. Our daughter is almost 4, but small for her age, so we didn't buy her a ticket (2 and under get in free), and no one questioned us. Even though the parks are geared mostly towards children, I think it's ridiculous to charge $38 for 3 or 4 year olds who might not get much out of the experience. I think 5 would be the right age to start charging, but I doubt Michael Eisner's going to take advice from me...

Mickey, <BR> <BR>I feel your pain, too. But I guess they can charge what they want. After all, airlines charge the adult price for everyone over 2. If it makes you feel any better, just pretend the child is getting in free, and adults are charged $86. :) <BR> <BR>As for lying about your child's age, well, I guess people can do what they want. Personally, I figure I would want my kids to know I wouldn't fib to save a few bucks.

Hey Cindy I'm with you. It's hard enough to teach your child to be honest with others(including politicians in the news) lying so much. I'd sure hate to have them know that lying to save money is ok. It's not worth the loss of respect.

Beachbum: while I completely agree with your comments, I think Disney's charges are more about profit than anything else.

As long as you keep paying it, they'll keep charging it! <BR>Give me a national park with kids instead any time!

As a single professional woman with no children, I find that it's only fair that these older kids are charged the same ticket price as myself. If I have to stand in the same lines, why should I have to pay more than other riders just because they're a little shorter than me. I know too many of my friends who have decided to have 3 and 4 children and then complain about the costs of daycare and admission prices. I've decided to hold off on starting a family until I've become established in my career and can afford the cost of raising a child in this economy.

Ah, Single Girl, you're making me smile. I waited to have kids until I had established a career. Guess what? The cost of raising a kid is enormous, and the income/career sacrifices that hubby and I feel are needed to do the thing properly make it even more difficult. Indeed, the income/career monetary sacrifices outstrip the actual cost of feeding/clothing the kids by quite a bit. <BR> <BR>As for child discounts, everyone is entitled to their opinion. Just wondering, though -- how do you feel about discounts for seniors/employees/AAA members/military?

Cindy, I am well aware of the costs of bringing up children. However I personally don't feel right about having children to just leave them at home with a nanny or in daycare from 6 am to 6 pm every day. I work very hard and have been making some very good investments. In addition to stashing some money away in stocks and bonds, I have also (through a lot of long hours and hard work) managed to buy a number of investment properties. The income of these units will allow me to stay home with my children when the time comes.

Oh single girl it's so great to be on the other side looking back knowing that those statements we all made about getting the career going and the cost of raising, blah blah blah are virtually meaninigless. Gosh we sure all did say the vbery same thing. Then we had the babies and their perfection (however brief)took our breath away and with it went our drive for the old career. I've flushed all my possibilites by jumping onto the "mommy track" of part-time. Mostly for the benefits that are not available to hubby.

Oh single girl I was writing my post and didn't see your update. I'm proud of you. It's something you'll absolutely NEVER regret.

I was afraid this would digress . . <BR>I love the National Park idea and believe me, we've taking the kids to many of them, but they keep asking for WDW. Go figure. Which is why I think that children should not only receive a discount but a commission as well for dragging all of us reluctant adults and our wallets! I mean, who in their right mind goes to Orlando to stand in lines in the hot sun if not cajoled into by thier children! <BR>As for affording them, we do just fine thank you. Their college is already completely saved for. I just think Eisner is too greedy. <BR>I don't think it has anything to do with parents rushing their children to grow up and everything to do with almightly dollar, if they can squeeze an extra $50 bucks out of every kid think of the impact on there bottom line. Unfortunetely (for us)they have a good product, no competition and people will pay it.

I was rather surprised myself at Disneyland, with adults at $43 and "kids" for $39. I paid the $39 for our six year old, and she road all the big rides that we could -- Space Mtn., Crazy Train, etc. -- she is tall enough for all of them, and handled herself pretty well. Anyway, I remember when $10 was outrageous, even if all the rides were "free" instead of A thru E. <BR> <BR>

Frances and Sue, I have to agree with Suzie. You may save a few bucks by lying about your child's age as long as you can get away with it, but at what cost? Is it worth saving a few bucks to miss the opportunity to teach your child the value of honesty and integrity? When your children lie to you for their own purposes, will you get angry, wring your hands, and wonder why they do it, or will you remember that they learned it from you? I agree that 9 is an arbitrary age, and not in step with the more commonly accepted 12, but that's just the way it is, and you have to accept it if you don't want to teach your kids the wrong values. <BR> <BR>I have to say, those who think that Disney's rates are outrageous should think about what they're paying for - when you look at what you're getting for your money, you must admit that they must have much greater expenses than your typical local amusement park. Look at how many employees they have to employ to make your experience "magical" - I don't know, but I hope they are paying them all well. And this would necesitate high ticket prices to pay the employess, cover expenses, and make a profit (after all, this is not a charity!). Just MHO.

The solution is simple: if you feel the price is too high, then don't go. If you're willing to pay full price for a nine-year, that is irrefutable proof that you consider it a fair price to pay. The only reason any business will alter its pricing structure is when it reaches the conclusion that its high prices are causing a loss of customers. As long as customers freely pay a price for a product in a free market, there is no way any one of them can claim the price is too high.

The problem lies with Disney Incorporated and with those of us who refuse to boycott this capitalistic enterprise. <BR> <BR>No average family can afford a Disney vacation for an average family without great sacrafice or investment. <BR> <BR>I marvel at how many kids will never darken the Disney gates and I am amazed at Disney's "do not care" attitude about that. <BR> <BR>I was waiting for a discussion where we could all talk openly about this enterprise. Disney is all about the money, not the child and certainly not the family. <BR> <BR>I too am responsible for not sending Disney a message by not buying the "product". Disney is feeling no pain. We have ourselves to thank. <BR> <BR>Oaktown