In response, he took to social media to express his dismay and alert others.
A dedicated father of two boys from Canada planned to take his family on a dream trip to Disneyland. However, what was supposed to be an unforgettable adventure ended in frustration when they discovered the exorbitant expenses required for the trip.
The Magic of Disneyland
Disneyland is a universally beloved destination, attracting visitors from all over the globe. Yet, one of the most persistent challenges is the extensive wait times for attractions.
Enthusiasts often spend hours in line for a brief thrill on their favorite rides, highlighting the irresistible charm of Disney’s magic. Mario Zelaya, a Canadian husband and father, succumbed to this allure and organized a family trip to Disneyland.
Although the enchantment of Disneyland is unmatched, the financial burden it imposes is significant. The rising cost of admission in recent years has sparked outrage among many visitors, including Mario. He shared his financial frustrations on social media.
What was meant to be a joyful family outing turned into a nightmare when he saw the final bill. In a widely viewed social media video, he confessed, “I made a huge mistake, I went to Disneyland in Paris. I’m almost embarrassed at how much money I spent.”
Soaring Ticket Prices
Mario was shocked to find that Americans had to pay $1,100 for flights, while Canadians faced a $1,600 bill just to get to Paris. This was only the beginning of his concerns. “Just the tickets alone, that’s $1,200. Why the hell would I do that?” he exclaimed.
Determined to avoid long waits, Mario purchased upgraded passes for his family. Despite the additional cost, he criticized Disney for the situation. In a video featuring long queues with his commentary, he noted, “It’s crazy how overflowing Disney is. It doesn’t matter if it’s in Paris, Orlando, or California, it’s like this all the time,” showing a line for a “crappy ride” with a wait time of over an hour without the premier pass.
Mario explained the reality of visiting Disneyland: “Here are the Disney rules: Expect crazy long wait times. If you don’t want to wait in line, expect a huge bill to upgrade to a Premier Pass. If you decide to wait in line instead because the Premier pass doesn’t cover all the rides, expect a huge bill regardless.”
Father’s Advice: Avoid Disneyland
The upgraded passes allowed Mario and his family to skip some of the longer lines. Without them, they would have faced up to two-hour waits for some rides. “Now, if you total up all the rides that we did when we did all of the rides, we would have been waiting for over 25 hours,” he said. “You’re better off buying the Disney access pass to bypass the line than you are buying a three-day parks day.” He concluded, “My advice: don’t go to Disney.”
Comments on his video echoed his sentiments. One viewer wrote, “So true, waiting an entire two hours for a lame five-minute ride.” Another added, “My family went once and that was enough for us….it cost us about 5000 for a family of 5 & it wasn’t worth it.”
However, some disagreed, suggesting that visiting later in the day results in shorter waits. One commenter shared, “I go so much to Disneyland Paris and I never bought the Disney Premier Access, you can do so much rides after 7pm already a lot guests leave the parks.”
