Carnival Game Sadness (props to WDW, not as much to Legoland)

[bsmcneil]

So, as adults, we all mostly know the deal with carnival games. It's a hard life lesson to come by. I took the kids to Legoland on our first day in FL last week (originally the trip was all WDW and I wish I had kept it that way - but they really wanted to go and I wanted to try to make it work). But, enter the carnival game conundrum. I tried to explain to my oldest (was 8, turned 9 over the weekend). But they insisted. I said, "OK, you can use your allowance's 'spend anytime' amount but no more - I really think you should save it, though." I tried to walk them through how these games can/have worked at other places. They proceeded. And then they proceeded to have a heartbreak. They actually did really well (it was toss a ball into a basket two times in the same round) but never one.

All of that is to say that while I know Dinoland (AK) and I believe Boardwalk has some carnival games (and I think there's a place in California Adventure), I'm grateful that Disney World basically doesn't have this. Again, as adults, we mostly know what's up - but it's super hard for kids and it feels like a way of making things a little bit easier (yes, there are ways Disney World gets your money in less than ideal ways). Man, we say there (at Legoland) for a while, as my kid just bawled (I mean, part of it was sensory overload, etc) and it was just heartbreaking. They definitely were able to move to the "you were right, dad" stage (which I wouldn't have dared say) and given their beliefs and personality, I was not at all surprised when they wanted to make a sign that told people not to go to Legoland and/or not to play the games to forewarn others. They ever wanted to do the survey we got from LL asking if we had a good time (I did submit my kid's feedback as part of it).

Anyway. It was a blip on the trip - but it made me really appreciate Walt's vision of a place that was above board and had good customer service!