Readers React: The Disney way of making you pay

Walt Disney Co.’s decision to raise admission prices to Disneyland and California Adventure by 4% is one more example of a family tradition fading quickly. (“Disney park crowding reveals options: Hike rates or expand,” Business, May 21)

As a lifetime resident of Southern California, I vividly recall those special trips to Disneyland during my childhood. I remember when my father would have to purchase multiple booklets of tickets because they never had enough “E” passes to the really good rides.

Seven years ago, my wife and I became annual pass holders because I wanted my firstborn son to have the same memories that I had. After two years, we realized that those memories could be replaced with a new tradition. Since the birth of our second child about four years ago, we have been season pass holders at Legoland.

Sorry Mickey, but the tickets are cheaper, the food is better and the lines are shorter.

Roman G. Nava

Chino Hills

Disney officials might have to manage theme park crowds by further raising prices — or would pricier admission just be a way to pay for expansion?

There are myriad ways to control overcrowding, including the obvious solution of more tightly limiting the number of guests in a the park at one time. But how would they get the money to pay for expanding?

Disney cut out the discounted annual pass for Southern Californians to make more room for out-of-towners, who buy more souvenirs. Let’s not forget that those Southern Californians are the people who helped Disneyland survive the early years and for decades to come.

This is truly just another case of someone getting greedy, and apparently a mouse is no different.

Ron Diton

Upland

In addition to raising prices or expanding the theme parks, there is always a third option for addressing crowds: Do not raise prices, and do not expand. Require reservations and only allow a reasonable number of people in the parks at all times.

Think of it as a movie theater or an airplane. Set limits.

Will this happen? Not likely, but it would probably work.

Diana Jacobs

Los Angeles