The Downsides of Disneyland

Disneyland is a magical vacation destination. When you are a child everything is perfect about the theme park. As you get older and visit it for yearly trips with your family, there are certain constants that dim the magic enough to border on the incessant. Every park has its downsides, and though Walt's park is still enormous fun, Disneyland is no exception. Here are a few of the largest problems with Disneyland which older kids and parents will certainly take notice of.

1. Overpriced items and food
This is a universal problem with most theme parks, and sadly Disneyland does not break the formula. The ticket packages could be called "affordable," but still are far from fair. Snacks and cool drinks year round usually cost around three or four bucks, and a meal in the park for four people is far more than needs be (park food is never worth the prices). Souvenirs can border on the ridiculously high priced; finding that special memento or early gifts for friends will hurt your wallet, no questions asked. A monster company such as Disney could do middle-class vacationers a favor by cutting prices and still manage to be an empire. Hopefully it happens soon, but for now bring more money than even what your highest estimate is to eat and buy things you will want.

2. Maintenance schedules
Every theme park has rides that break down and need cleaned and repaired. Disney rides seem to do this fairly frequently. Especially during high-traffic tourist months, it is a rarity to see every single ride and attraction operational for days at a time. Even if the rides are not broken, the staff does have cleaning, maintenance, and testing schedules for the upkeep of rides. Of course this is a good system to keep travelers safe but can ruin a trip for first time visitors who may only have an afternoon in the park and find that they can't ride The Matterhorn because it is being washed. Again, this is a fault that all theme parks share, so don't expect perfection with the attractions at The Happiest Place on Earth either.

3. Constant ambient sounds and music
From the walkway common leading to the park to the waiting lines and bathrooms, there is hardly a completely quiet place in all of Disneyland. Again, little kids will hardly take notice and be enthralled with the park itself. To older people, people with hearing impairments, and those who like to relax in a semi-noiseless environment, Disneyland will offer you no solace. From section to section in the park ambient sounds and music rebound from the rides and stands themselves, often at jarring volumes. Theme parks are humming with the footsteps and conversations of thousands of patrons, but that coupled with barrages of non-stop music and effects will give many visitors headaches. This is not a problem for everyone, but spending several days at a time in Disneyland will wear your ears down and leave you feeling drained. Assuredly your saving grace will be a quiet hotel room. As far as annoyances go, Disneyland's ambient acoustics are its biggest fault.

Do these minor setbacks ruin a Disneyland vacation? Of course they don't, but they are all there in full-force year round, and will become bothersome to older kids and parents whether it is their first trip or their fiftieth. Take note of them and be prepared for them for your next trip.