No doubt about it, Disney, and in particular Walt Disney World, is our favorite place to go. I know some may complain about prices, and increase of prices. But you really get a lot for the money. We don’t live in Florida, so I am comparing a local Theme park, Six Flags Great America in Illinois to Disney.
I believe there really is NO comparison to Disney.
But it’s crazy how some feel they are getting a deal at Six Flags Great America, and in reality, they are paying so much for so little. (I am just comparing Six Flags Great America in Illinois)
Let’s look at the numbers first:
- WDW – One day admission: 10-up $105.00; Child 3-9 $99.00
- Great America – One day admission: $66.99; Under 48″$46.00; Children under 2 are free.
I know that there are many different package deals for Disney and Great America, and when you stay at a resort at Walt Disney World the price can go down even more. But let’s just look at it as if you were planning a visit for the day. At first you look at the numbers and think, wow, Disney is much more expensive than Great America.
Well, not so fast.
With Disney World, your park ticket includes everything with the exception of special events or food. For instance, a FastPass is included with the price of your ticket at Disney. At Great America if you want to use a fast pass, which is called a “Flash Pass”, you have to pay, it’s not included in the price.
This gets a little confusing too, but the price for the “Flash Pass” depends on which package you get. They offer 3 options for the “Flash Pass” and each level (regular, gold, platinum) dictates how much of a wait time you have.
- Regular- priced from $35.00 for the first person.
- Gold- priced from $80.00 for the first person.
- Platinum- priced from $115.00 for the first person.
And – the price is for each person. Did you hear that? To get on a ride faster with a “Flash Pass” you pay $35.00 – $115.00 more per person. They limit these too, so when they are gone, they are gone. And that price does not include all rides. So how does that work out with a family? I know we can’t afford that!
Parking at Great America is $25.00 a day for a car. Parking at Walt Disney World is $17.00 a day for a car. At Disney you get a tram to your car if you park far away. At Great America, you walk to your car. Which is no fun after walking all day!
When we visit Walt Disney World, eating is part of the experience. Yes, we do order counter service for a few of our meals, but most of our meals are sit down meals. I know it’s pricey but I feel you are not only getting a meal but an experience. At Six Flags Great America in Illinois most of the meals are counter service, with the exception of a few sit down. The sit down restaurants at Six Flags Great America don’t give you the experience that most of the Walt Disney World sit down restaurants give you.
It’s the whole experience, and it’s why in my opinion Walt Disney World is worth the money. I have heard many complain about the lack of merchandise or unique park merchandise at Walt Disney World. And I have to agree with the lack of unique park merchandise. But believe me, there is no comparison to the quality of the merchandise and the selection at Walt Disney World shops compared to Six Flags Great America.
Let’s talk about the rides. When you’re on a ride at any park in Walt Disney World you’re in for a treat. They really put the detail on the rides, and even in the queue as you are waiting for a ride. A roller coaster is not just a roller coaster at a Disney park, it’s a whole experience. Most of the rides at Six Flags Great America are roller coaster rides, or very similar to what I think of as carnival rides. There really is no comparison between the two, hands down Disney wins again.
And now, let’s talk about what you get for free.
At Disney you get free fireworks every night at Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
There are free daily parades at Magic Kingdom and free shows at Animal Kingdom.
They do have some free entertainment at Six Flags Great America, but nothing compared to Walt Disney World. And that’s why we go back over and over again. We feel like we get much more for the money. No, it’s not a cheap vacation and we need to save up. But we feel like we get so much more for the money than at Six Flags Great America.
And with every vacation we have added a day, because at Disney there is so much to do and see, at Six Flags Great America there’s not as much to do. And after you’ve rode a couple of rides there, they all start to look and feel the same. You don’t get the unique rides and experience that you do in Walt Disney World.
So when it comes down too It you really do get a lot for your money at Disney World. And that’s why we keep going back!
