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-   -   What's the biggest tourist rip-off that you have ever experienced? (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/whats-the-biggest-tourist-rip-off-that-you-have-ever-experienced-475269/)

garyt22 Sep 19th, 2004 06:56 PM

What's the biggest tourist rip-off that you have ever experienced?
 
Just wondering... we just paid $160 for our family of four to just "walk around" the Polynesian Cultural Center... seemed pretty steep for what we saw... anybody experience a similar rip-off on any of their travels? PS Please don't try to defend the PCC... i was there.

Ryan Sep 20th, 2004 04:23 AM

With a volunteer organization here in NYC, I took a group of kids on the NBC studio tour a few years ago. It was expensive and about the only thing visually interesting was a short film on NBC. But, for what they charged it really was underwhelming.

The other was the Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore. The home of the Singapore Sling now sells them premade in souvenier glasses.

Jayne1973 Sep 20th, 2004 05:01 AM

Meteor Crater, Arizona

Spent about $60 for our family to go stare at the big hole for a few minutes. We are intersted in that type of thing, but for us it was just an overpriced pit stop.

DonnaD44 Sep 20th, 2004 08:24 AM

Disneyworld! Sorry fans, but I just loathe the place.

Dreamer2 Sep 20th, 2004 08:33 AM

While I do love Disney World, we took our first trip to Calif last April and went to Calif Adventure at Disney Land. It was so crowded, I actually got on only 2 rides the entire day - even with FastPass and our family riding as "singles!" (Kids and Dad did a couple more, but I designated myself as the FastPass line-waiter.) Plus we had a pretty horrendous lunch at the Vineyard style restaurant. Pretty expensive day for a family of four, with very little "return on investment."

I'm also always amazed at the lines waiting to get into the "Witch House" in Salem, MA. It's a fine historic home, but really nothing to do with "witches" except that it was owned by one of the Judges of the trials. Very boring tour of antiques, more suited to historians than kids. None of that "living history" stuff the younger generation is accustomed to. The Witch Museum, however, does give a historic presentation with low-tech theatrics. I do enjoy that and the Hawthorne House of 7 Gables - for those of you heading to Salem next month!


MikeT Sep 20th, 2004 08:42 AM

Ford's Theatre

Anonymous Sep 20th, 2004 08:45 AM

? Ford's Theatre, run by the National Park Service, is free.

Ryan Sep 20th, 2004 08:45 AM

Author: MikeT
Date: 09/20/2004, 12:42 pm
Message: Ford's Theatre


Amen to that
A. Lincoln

MikeT Sep 20th, 2004 08:45 AM

It's a rip-off of my time. <g>

Anonymous Sep 20th, 2004 08:53 AM

You must have had a different presenter than we had; ours was charming and informative.

GailLK Sep 20th, 2004 08:55 AM

We also went to the PCC, and I agree with you, it was a rip off. I also think the tea at Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC at $50 CAD per person is another rip off.

TOMZ Sep 20th, 2004 08:57 AM

Speaking of a waste of time.
I am sure President Bush's library will be a waste when that is built.

Anonymous Sep 20th, 2004 08:59 AM

The Polynesian Cultural Center exists primarily as a fundraising effort for the attached Mormon college.

radiofanatic Sep 20th, 2004 09:07 AM

I agree with Salem as a whole was a waste of time/money.

Also the Rock n' Roll wax museum in Paris was a big waste of time and money - I didn't want to go but I was outvoted.

FainaAgain Sep 20th, 2004 10:29 AM

Dreamer and Radio, thank you for Salem advice, I'll be there next month!

And of course I've been ripped off and in some cases felt it should've cost more. Live and learn!

HowardR Sep 20th, 2004 10:48 AM

Faina, the best thing about Salem is the Peabody Essex Museum. It's well worth your time.

Mommar Sep 20th, 2004 11:32 AM

Back in college (don't ask, trust me it's a while ago) we went to The House of the Seven Gables in Salem. It's right on the water and was very educational. Until then I didn't realize how small old wooden frame homes were and how drafty. We had a big discussion about the large fireplace and the various cooking implements still hanging there.

I also remember seeing the Customs House and seeing the entry points were up at the second floor level. It helped me visualize an old sailing vessel coming into the port to unload merchandise and having to put a plank over to the Customs House. I found it all very fascinating!

reneeinva Sep 20th, 2004 11:35 AM

I went to Salem in 1988 with my family and we went into some dark theater for a presentation - or a play - or something? I don't remember what it was, but as an 18 year old, I thought it was pretty neat. I also remember the statue of the witch in the middle of a circle somewhere...maybe near the theater?

obxgirl Sep 20th, 2004 11:50 AM

Prairie Dog Town, Kansas. Home to the world's largest prairie dog (8,000 lbs) and a pair of 5 legged cows.

ncgrrl Sep 20th, 2004 11:51 AM

Parking fees! Concession prices! After paying $$$ for an event then to get hit with parking fees. I do my best to avoid buying food at events because of the price, but sometimes you would like a snack.

Cherokee, NC: Tacky, tacky, tacky. I think most of it was free, but I think you were suppose to tip the guy 'chiefing' it up in the street.


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