Does anyone think 10 is a bit young for adult ticket?

[bicker]

Heheh... the frequent refrain of the anti-capitalists.

 

[Lizzybee]

The last time we went to WDW in March 2005 my kids were 7 and 10. My daughter had a child's ticket and my son had an adult ticket. Since he's very small for his age a CM embarrassed him at EPCOT. She stopped him when he was putting his fingers in the biometric thing "hold on wait you're too little to be using a ticket like that". I pulled her aside and told her "he's 10, almost 11 he's just small for his size". I guess WDW is lucky we aren't dishonest because I could probably pass him off as under 9 for the next couple of years as long as he doesn't talk. I would never do such a thing because that sends a horrible message to the kids even though I do think it's a rip off to charge him an adult rate when he's not tall enough to go on most thrill rides. The height thing at Six Flags definitely works to our advantage. He still orders off of kids menus sometimes and I have no problem with it, I don't think it's unethical for a CHILD to order from the CHILD's menu whatever the restaurant's profit generating policy may be. If they don't ask me how old he is, he'll get a kids meal and we'll pay for a kids meal. Sometimes he orders an appetizer or from the adult menu if they have good seafood, but I leave it up to him to choose.

 

[mking624]

I don't think it's unfair of them to charge adult prices when a child of that age can go on about everything because they're at that minimum height (with some exceptions of course). They have to have an age cut off at some point, and they determined theirs (I honestly believe that no matter what age they did a cut off, there'd be at least one person up in arms about it). When a child is at the point where they can do all an adult can do, I see no reason why the park cannot charge them the full price. It makes sense that they would...same reason it makes sense they charge less for children who do not meet all of the requirements. When it comes to the menus, I can understand the argument about being eligible for the children's menu...however, what WOULD be an appropriate cutoff then? What determines the age where they are no longer eligible for the children's menu? You see, there really isn't a "fair" way to do this...a way that would work for ALL people worldwide. They needed to make a cutoff at some point, and this is what they chose.

 

[bicker]

Exactly. I just think of my mother, who loves to come with us to the parks when we bring the little ones, but she never would go on any rides. She enjoys fewer attractions in the parks than a three year old. Yet she pays full adult price.

 

[MAKMOM41]

I think 10 is fair for Adult prices. They can go on every ride. If anything I think Seniors should get the discount since they will not go on alot of rides

 

[MKCP5]

i agree it is a difficult and sticky situation. But honestly, I don't know anywhere except theme parks where my 11 yo is considered an adult. Not movies, not museums, no other place I can think of off the top of my head. And if he, or I, for that matter, want to order a kiddie cone at Dairy Queen because we don't want a full size, they have no trouble with it. It won't stop me from going anywhere, but it is a drag to spend so much for a burger eatin', mac and cheese lovin', french fry scarfin' "adult"

 

[WaltD4Me]

I don't think 10 is too young for the adult price. My niece is nine and so she got the kid's price when we went, but she rode EVERYTHING. She's fearless! I also think Disney has alot less adult/thrill rides than most parks and by ten MOST kids can safely ride just about everything -- if they want.

As for the senior thing, I don't think this applies to Disney. There are so many shows and things to do other than rides, I can see where Disney would not give them a discount. They are the only park I can think of, where you can do and see ALOT without riding any rides.

I do think though, that amusement parks, like Cedar Point should offer a non-rider ticket. I know that would involve arm bands or whatever, but it would be so nice for families where the grandparents just go to watch the younger ones while the parents go on the big rides. Or even for adults who want to go and be with their teens, but not ride the rides. I mean all you do at Cedar Point basically, is walk from ride line to ride line. Kennywood near Pittsburgh does this (or they used to) They had an one admission price with rides where you get a ride bracelet or one price without rides, no bracelet, but you can buy individual ride tickets if you decide you want to go on a ride here and there. I thought that was great.

 

[mskeshaffer]

Disneyland definitely had child, junior, and adult ticket books when I was little. I remember because I was envious of my older siblings for being "juniors" when I was just a "child"! (and they didn't let me forget, either)

 

[tjmw2727]

As far as park admission I think that 10 is a fair age, by 10 my kids are tall enough for all the rides and enjoy them all, as most if not all 10yo's will.

As far as dining I don't agree with the dining change, I understand how it comes to play with the packages, but for us esp as AP holders, it just dosen't work.

I don't mind paying extra for a character meal but honesly my 10yo does not eat even 1/2 what an adult eats. FWIW my kids are not big "kids meal" eaters either and usually get a salad or soup rather than the fries and fingers at table service. At the buffets it was nice to give them the run of the "more appealing but only slightly more healthy fare" and for the childs price it was worth it - even if they didn't eat their money's worth because of the characters. Now - we will be waiting the line!

So - I will be skipping ME as as a town car will be even more worth the $$ for the breakfast foods, snacks an occasional sandwich for either lunch or dinner!

TJ

 

[mskeshaffer]

Disneyland definitely had child, junior, and adult ticket books when I was little. I remember because I was envious of my older siblings for being "juniors" when I was just a "child"! (and they didn't let me forget, either)

Alright, I am looking at an old Disneyland ticketbook I had left. (All that's left in it is "A" and "D" tickets). This is the book available to "Magic Kingdom Club" members (got stuff at a slight discount). "Summer admission and 13 adventures in Disneyland - Junior $7.00 (12 thru 17) a 13.60 value"

For those interested, the "D" ticket was for America Sings, Disneyland RR trains, Peoplemover throu Superspeed Tunnel, Rocket Jets, Skyway, Storybook Land canal boats, Mark twain steamboat, Tom Sawyer's island, Columbia sailing ship, and the Davy Crocket explorer canoes.

The "A" ticket was for the main street vehicles, main street cinema, king arthur carrousel and sleeping beauty castle.

These don't have a date on them, but on the back page lists all the attractions at Disneyland. Space Mountain is listed, along with Adventure thru Inner Space, so I guess it was late 1970's. (well, to be telling my age, it had to be at least 1977 through 1982).

 

[TDC Nala]

At the World of Disney in New York last weekend I noted they had a kiosk where you could purchase tickets to both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

They didn't designate "adult tickets" and "child tickets." Their tickets were "age 3-9" and "age 10 and up"

Looks like they're getting into changing the wording to try and avoid this kind of objection

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

How about the original prices for Walt Disney World opening day in 1971!!!

******************************************

Adult: $3.50 General Admission
Junior (12-17): $2.50 General Admission
Child (3-11): $1.00 General Admission

Adult: $4.50-$4.75 7 Adventure Book
Junior (12-17): $4.00-$4.25 7 Adventure Book
Child (3-11): $3.50-$3.75 7 Adventure Book

Adult: $5.75 11 Adventure Book
Junior (12-17): $5.25 11 Adventure Book
Child (3-11): $4.75 11 Adventure Book

A Tickets $.10 Additional ride tickets
B Tickets $.25 Additional ride tickets
C Tickets $.50 Additional ride tickets
D Tickets $.75 Additional ride tickets
E Tickets $.90 Additional ride tickets

Adult: $6.50 Guided Tour - Enjoy a guided tour of the MK, 3.5 hour walking tour and 5 attractions plus admission to 2 others
Child (3-11): $3.75 Guided Tour - Enjoy a guided tour of the MK, 3.5 hour walking tour and 5 attractions plus admission to 2 others

***********************************************

I love the $6.50 per person for a 3 1/2 hour Guided Tour through the Magic Kingdom and admission to 7 attractions!!! Somehow...if I save up long enough...I just might be able to swing that tour!

 

[snowy76]

An idea: what about the old pay-as-you-ride system... but instead of paper tickets you use a card, sort of like a debit system. Maybe you pay a small basic admission to get into the park, but the more you ride, the more you pay. You add money to the card at a kiosk and as you ride, you swipe the card, and it deducts a certain amount per ride... you could have different rates for different rides, or a standard amount. And maybe continue to have a sort of premium pass that has unlimited riding on it. I would bet this wouldn't be too difficult given the technology they have today for Fastpass, hopping etc.

 

[Pedler]

How about the original prices for Walt Disney World opening day in 1971!!! ...

A Tickets $.10 Additional ride tickets
B Tickets $.25 Additional ride tickets
C Tickets $.50 Additional ride tickets
D Tickets $.75 Additional ride tickets
E Tickets $.90 Additional ride tickets

Lets go back to tickets! That way my kids would know what the heck I am talking about when I refer to something as an E Ticket ride! Not!

On a side note for those fans of pixy dust one of my earliest memories of the mouse is going to Disneyland over 30 years ago and sitting on the curb at main street at the end of a long day waiting for a parade. I seem to remember that we were pretty beat, out of tickets, and after the parade we were leaving. Well... along comes an older couple with a bunch of D & E tickets and they very "kindly" give them to us to use as they were leaving. I say "kindly" because I think my parents were ready to go and now that we had more tickets we just had to stay and ride more rides! It has been over 30 years but I can still remember sitting there on the curb when they came up and gave us the tickets. It is one of my best memories of Disney.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Yes I think it is rather high. I had to buy adult prices for my niece both times she came with us (12 and 13.)

I think the new kids meal plan is a joke (a bad one) and I am sure came about as part of the new magic your way meal plan. Too bad AP can't get that.

If they are offering discounts, how about pregnant women. I went twice pregnant I couldn't ride the e rides! (just kidding.)

Really the price difference between kids and adults isn't all that great anyway.

 

[mking624]

An idea: what about the old pay-as-you-ride system... but instead of paper tickets you use a card, sort of like a debit system. Maybe you pay a small basic admission to get into the park, but the more you ride, the more you pay. You add money to the card at a kiosk and as you ride, you swipe the card, and it deducts a certain amount per ride... you could have different rates for different rides, or a standard amount. And maybe continue to have a sort of premium pass that has unlimited riding on it. I would bet this wouldn't be too difficult given the technology they have today for Fastpass, hopping etc.

I absolutely hate hate hate that pay-as-you-ridee systems. That is WAY to "carnival-esque" for me and I can't stand it. Not to mention, that would be such chaos if they tried to implement it with the more and more people attending.

 

[snowy76]

Mary: Good point about the carnival feeling. One admission price IS part of the magic of walking in and feeling like it's your place! Maybe when they finally get the biometrics to work they could look into some sort of solution!

Hey, Disney PhD, careful what you say! If you go to WDW pregnant, they might try to charge you for two admissions! Then again, kids under three are free... it was a good joke for a second...

 

[DisneyMim]

I think 10 is fair to be paying full price. No they are not adults at that age and maybe that's the problem, calling it "adult" price. Most 10 year olds can and do go on all the rides and they are enjoying the atmosphere and entertainment. I know this is a very hard subject to discuss and believe me I totally understand, I have 2 children and have been paying "adult" prices for them for years now. They went on more rides than I did at age 7-8. I don't do roller coasters. My kids always joked that there should be a "Mim" price because I don't do some of the rides. Paying admission has never bothered me because I know that what you really are paying for is the whole atmosphere, the characters, parades, etc. Heck we have two "kiddie" parks in our area and the "adult" price is everyone over 3. In the same vein, I think that if Disney is going to offer a "junior" price, that is between say 10-16, they should offer a "serior" price. I have watched many many grandparents over the years sitting on a bench holding the family's bags, etc. Business-wise Disney is not going to do that. Bottom line-Disney is a business.

 

[SueM in MN]

At Camp Snoopy at the Mall of America, they have a "pay as you ride" ticket system. I hate it because you go in there not knowing how much it will cost you and you have to decide, is it worth it to me to use one of my tickets to do "x". They do have "unlimited" ride packages, but then you have to decide whether or not you will get your money's worth out of the rides you plan to go on. I love being able to walk into a WDW park and know that all the entertainment is already paid for without me thinking about it.

The last time we went to Valley Fair (local Minnesota amusement park), they did have a non-rider's ticket, which was good because there was almost nothing my youngest DD, who is disabled could ride on. We were prepared to pay full price for her, but the policy at that time was anyone with a disability had to go to Guest Services and get a slip that was marked with what rides they were "authorized" to ride, depending on their disability. There was almost nothing my DD was "authorized' to ride, so I would have been pretty upset to pay full price for her. I don't know if they still do it like that or not.

We have been paying adult prices since my youngest DD was 10, but there are quite a few things she is not able to ride and it seems like every year there is something that she gets too big for us to lift on (or we are getting older and weaker ).
Imagine having to tell your child they can no longer ride on Peter Pan because they are too big to safely get on - we had to do that. But, that said, there is still enough entertainment to make a day at WDW worthwhile.

If they did have some sort of reducted "non-rider's" price, I'm sure it wouldn't take long for people to try to figure out some way around it. After all, people do try to sneak in 4 yr olds as under 3 and 11 yr olds as being nine. And when Fastpass first came out, people posted trying to put anything with a magnetic strip (including credit cards and their driver's license) into the machine hoping to get an extra Fastpass.

 

[Matt'sMom]

Personally, it doesn't bother me in the least. Based on the tickets that we have purchased, the difference in price between my DS9's ticket (8 day premium w. hopper and plusses), and the equivalent adult ticket amounts to a mere $5.38 per day (based on 8 days regular park admission--difference per day is even less if you count the 'pluses' as additional admission days). I have no problem with paying that difference once he is 10+, because in all honesty he already gets just as much enjoyment out of the entire Disney experience as we adults do.

They have to have a cut off age at some point, and the age at which most children pass from elementary to middle school age seems as reasonable as any, I suppose. By age 10, the majority of children are tall enough to take advantage of most any of the attractions that they choose to. I believe a key issue that needs to be considered when examining the pricing difference between the children's admission, and an 'adult' admission, is that once one meets the height requirements then whether to ride or not indeed becomes a personal 'choice'.

Just my own feelings on the subject. The prospect of paying an additional approx. $5-$6 per day difference (once our son is 10+) is not going to have much if any impact on our WDW vacation experience.