# When did Disneyland get so Damn Expensive? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 20, 2015, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313 "2015-08-20T02:40:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313/61 "2015-08-23T00:21:48Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > There was an article in the Times about the movie park (no longer MGM) which noted attendance is way down because there is hardly anything to see there anymore. They are going to upgrade it. It was barely okay when we went 20 years ago, Universal was much better. Yeah, but they have the Brown Derby with the best Cobb salad in the world. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313/62 "2015-08-23T00:25:14Z")
after we got home Disney World sent me a big survey to fill out. They asked a lot of questions about the cost of many different items and my opinion of those costs. It was not a surprise they did not bother to ask about the cost of the food, since everyone knows that is way overpriced. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313/63 "2015-08-23T00:38:52Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > after we got home Disney World sent me a big survey to fill out. They asked a lot of questions about the cost of many different items and my opinion of those costs. > > It was not a surprise they did not bother to ask about the cost of the food, since everyone knows that is way overpriced. You are quite wrong there, since it depends. The 'fast food" stuff is overpriced compared to say a fast food eatery out in the public byways. It’s cheaper than a sports stadium, however. Once you get into better and better food, the Price inside the parks is very comparable to the price outside. le Cellier is about the same price as other high end steakhouses. etc. I compared the fried chicken dinner at Disneyland’s Plaza Inn, and you can’t get a fried chicken dinner with chicken that good and portions that large outside the park. Mind you, that dinner is known for it’s low price and huge portions. ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313/64 "2015-08-23T02:04:41Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > Check your math. It’s two adults and one child under 10. That averages USD 77.78 per person per day, or $233 per day for a family of three. > . $233 a day + $250 for food and another $200 for a hotel + misc expenses. Roughly $800 a day. Ugh. These amounts may be off but it’s still an expensive trip. ---
**Author:** ![bb49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b38774/32.png) [@bb49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bb49)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313/65 "2015-08-23T03:39:32Z")
> [@Laggard](#): > > $233 a day + $250 for food and another $200 for a hotel + misc expenses. Roughly $800 a day. Ugh. > > These amounts may be off but it’s still an expensive trip. And you can throw in airfare, close to $1400 for us, transportation from LAX to the hotel @ $100 each way. Ugh is right. I’m fighting this trip, but its a losing battle. Thanks for all the comments. What it boils down to, we’ll just have to climb over the fence (: ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313/66 "2015-08-23T03:51:39Z")
> [@bb49](#): > > And you can throw in airfare, close to $1400 for us, transportation from LAX to the hotel @ $100 each way. Ugh is right. I’m fighting this trip, but its a losing battle. > > Thanks for all the comments. What it boils down to, we’ll just have to climb over the fence (: Book a shuttle, $15 per person each way. And, three people can eat far cheaper than $250 a day. Free breakfast at the hotel, Lunch at Rancho del Zocalo $30 for three, Dinner @ Plaza Inn $40. That’s $70 per day, and not eating fast food or burgers. > **[All Menus for Restaurants in Disneyland](https://allears.net/dlr/dining/menu/)** > > All Menus for Restaurants in Disneyland Hotel? You can stay at a number of Good Neighbor hotels, within 10 minutes walk, and serving Ok but not great free breakfast for under $100 a night. So that’s $400 a day for three people. ---
**Author:** ![dzeiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@dzeiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzeiger)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313/67 "2015-08-23T03:58:38Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > You are quite wrong there, since it depends. The 'fast food" stuff is overpriced compared to say a fast food eatery out in the public byways. It’s cheaper than a sports stadium, however. Yup. The food court in the Land pavilion in Epcot has grilled salmon with green beand and potatoes for $12.50. Not cheap, sure, but hardly highway robbery. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313/68 "2015-08-23T04:01:39Z")
I read a satirical article about Disneyland in an issued of \*Mad \* that came out about the time the place opened in 1955, painting “Walt Dizzy” as a moneymad huckster. Scoff all you like at \*Mad, \* but I think that article, given current admission prices and other information appearing upthread, was remarkably prescient. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313/69 "2015-08-23T04:42:43Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > I read a satirical article about Disneyland in an issued of \*Mad \* that came out about the time the place opened in 1955, painting “Walt Dizzy” as a moneymad huckster. > Scoff all you like at \*Mad, \* but I think that article, given current admission prices and other information appearing upthread, was remarkably prescient. Nope. _Walt_ didnt give a crap about money except as it let him do more magic. Now, _Roy_, otoh… ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313/70 "2015-08-23T05:00:35Z")
> [@2ManyTacos](#): > > I’ve been saying for a few years now that the reason that Disneyland prices have risen so much is that the company is deliberately trying to _price out_ folks like me, who come down to the park for a few hours a week and don’t spend any money on gifts or souvenirs. Our local amusement park “World’s of Fun” has done the same. Season tickets were super cheap so many teenagers would get them and just go hang out. Now its more expensive. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313/71 "2015-08-23T05:11:11Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Nope. _Walt_ didnt give a crap about money except as it let him do more magic. Now, _Roy_, otoh… Oh, Roy hasn’t croaked yet? Too bad… ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313/72 "2015-08-23T17:51:23Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > Oh, Roy hasn’t croaked yet? Too bad… 😕😕😕 No, he died in 1971. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313/73 "2015-08-23T19:26:12Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yeah, but they have the Brown Derby with the best Cobb salad in the world. If you buy a ticket just for that, the most expensive one too. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313/74 "2015-08-23T19:28:43Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Book a shuttle, $15 per person each way. There is also a special Disneyland Express bus. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313/75 "2015-08-23T19:35:42Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > You are quite wrong there, since it depends. The 'fast food" stuff is overpriced compared to say a fast food eatery out in the public byways. It’s cheaper than a sports stadium, however. > > Once you get into better and better food, the Price inside the parks is very comparable to the price outside. le Cellier is about the same price as other high end steakhouses. etc. > > I compared the fried chicken dinner at Disneyland’s Plaza Inn, and you can’t get a fried chicken dinner with chicken that good and portions that large outside the park. Mind you, that dinner is known for it’s low price and huge portions. For Disneyland you can go out to Downtown Disney, where the prices are definitely not out of line with outside. Definitely make reservations though. The Jazz Kitchen snack bar, by the way, has the best beignets I’ve had outside of New Orleans. I’ve been to all the restaurants there pretty much except for the chains, and they are all reasonably good. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313/76 "2015-08-23T21:15:26Z")
Are the [Citipasses](http://www.citypass.com/southern-california/disneyland) a good deal for Disneyland? ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313/77 "2015-08-23T22:10:34Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > 😕😕😕 > > No, he died in 1971. Then I wonder why anyone brought him up in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![dzeiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@dzeiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzeiger)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313/78 "2015-08-23T23:24:09Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > 😕😕😕 > > No, he died in 1971. Roy died in 2009. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313/79 "2015-08-23T23:26:26Z")
Roy O. Disney, Walt’s brother, died in 1971. His son, Roy E, died in 2009. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2015, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313/80 "2015-08-24T00:50:44Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > 😕😕😕 > > No, he died in 1971. Great username/post combo. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-disneyland-get-so-damn-expensive/728313.md?page=5)