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Entity discusses whether Disneyland parks are worth the money.

As a kid, the best part about  Disneyland was the feeling that  I had truly entered “A Whole New World.” Everything felt magical, from the cheery bricks lining the streets to the ambient instrumental music piping through sweet, churro-scented air. I would ride Jungle Cruise, get off and run straight back to the front of the line three times in a row before my parents would finally drag me away to the next attraction.

Even as an adult, the nostalgia for the stories, characters and rides that I grew up with (and let’s be honest, the new Pixar movies) make a ticket to Disneyland feel like a special treat. But with prices climbing to over $100 a pop during peak seasons, and additional expenses for food, drinks and souvenirs waiting inside, some park guests have questioned whether the “happiest place on earth” merits the hefty toll on their wallets.

Some critics argue that Disney Parks are simply well-designed marketing ploys that rope families into spending exorbitant amounts of money each year to temporarily satisfy their kids’ obsessions. For a family of four, just one day at Disneyland could easily cost upwards of $500 if you factor in meals, parking and souvenirs. And on a crowded park day, hour plus long lines could limit your experience to just three or four rides.

READ MORE: Why ‘Moana’s’ Auli’i Cravalho Is a Real Life Disney Princess (VIDEO)

Street artist Banksy’s 2015 pop art exhibition, Dismaland, drew critical acclaim for highlighting the distorted cultural values that contribute to the success of these mega-popular commercial theme parks. The large-scale art installation was a dystopian “bemusement” park, complete with a dilapidated “magic” castle and warped statue of Ariel (“The Little Mermaid”) sitting in a murky pond. The official brochure heralded it as “The UK’s Most Disappointing New Visitor Attraction!”

The anti-consumerism message seems aimed squarely at Disney. So is a Disney vacation even worth the money, especially if you’re bringing a child who may be too young to remember the trip clearly?

I would argue that a trip to Disneyland or Disneyworld is just as much an experience for parents as it is for the child. So what if your kids don’t remember riding the Matterhorn? You’ll never forget the look of excitement on their face when they first met Elsa. Plus, it’s the “feeling” of Disneyland that makes it truly magical for fans, not always the specific experiences or memories.

While the up-front entrance fee can require planning and saving to make it all work, it becomes easier to justify when you think of it as a special once-per-year trip in the context of your annual income.

READ MORE: Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Trailer is Giving Us All the Feels (VIDEO)

Ultimately, your enjoyment of the theme parks likely rests on how much you revere and enjoy Disney entertainment, including its movies and characters. If the films never held any magic for you or have ceased to bring you delight in adulthood, then why would you expect a theme park built around these stories to be any different? On the other hand, if you counted down the days until the “Finding Dory” premier, then by all means, buy a ticket and run straight for the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage ride. We’ll meet you there.

Edited by Ellena Kilgallon
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