Originally Posted By gadzuux This isn't much different than a hotel tax. Some of those can be really steep - like 14%. Same thing with car rentals - taxes and fees can often exceed 20% of the bill. BUT! These taxes and fees are often borne by people from outside the area, so it's a tax that brings in additional revenue from outsiders rather than recirculating local revenue. Perhaps as much as half of the revenue collected at DLR will come from out-of-state visitors, collectively contributing to help our state's budget crisis. Try arguing against excessive taxation at the hotel lobby desk or car rental counter - see how far it gets you. It's not up to them, any more than it is disneyland. They're just the instrument.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney I agree SPP. This is similar to the argument a few months ago about the high gas prices keeping people from Disneyland. I live 7 hours away and went to DL in June when gas was at it's highest. It cost me about $70.00 more than it would right now. If I couldn't afford that extra $70.00, I certainly shouldn't have been going to DL. Same with the tax. Unfortunately our budget crisis is severe. I'd rather pay a little more for unnecessary entertainment/vacation than have money taken from my kids' school in the form of losing all music programs, which is on the chopping block in our school district right now.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Totally agree DyGDisney. I am astonished at people who think DL is anything but a luxury. Heck, it is honestly why I chose to study and become a professional, so I could endulge in my expensive passion, Disney parks. Food, lodgings, those are essentials. Recreation that costs money...that's a luxury.
Originally Posted By ImTempest Yes, got my degree and topped it with a Master's - but I will argue with anyone and everyone that all work and no play will create a diseased and disheartened society.
Originally Posted By melekalikimaka <<but I will argue with anyone and everyone that all work and no play will create a diseased and disheartened society.>> I guess you could keep arguing and shouting it from the rooftops but the more you say it, the more unrealistic you sound and no Master's Degree is going to change that. No one is saying that there should be all work and no play, however, if you can't afford $10-20 more for your vacation, you are TOO broke and have no business going on that vacation. Not being able to afford DL doesn't mean that you are sentenced to some life of slavery where you'll never have any fun again. Dramatic much?
Originally Posted By gadzuux Also remember that there are plenty of people who wouldn't go to DLR if you paid them. People pick and choose how they spend their discretionary dollars, and theme parks are only one choice. This isn't some regressive tax policy that unfairly impacts the poor, sick, elderly and indigent. And it's a drop in the bucket compared to the entirety of a trip to a theme park.
Originally Posted By pecos bill No doubt about it, if you can afford Disneyland, then you most certainly have disposable income. As long as they lay off increasing taxes on the essentials, a luxury tax doesnt seem so outrageous.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Feeding the ducks is a form of recreation, as is playing cards. Are they as much fun as DL, not to me, but there are different levels of recreation with different costs. I mean a trip to DL for us the way we like it will run my family about $7500 for a week. Does that mean I need to go? No, but I like to.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "Not being able to afford DL doesn't mean that you are sentenced to some life of slavery where you'll never have any fun again. Dramatic much?" Is there a masters program for drama?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I would recommend a few more warm up exercises. BTW - do you pay tax on tuition?
Originally Posted By melekalikimaka I don't know...when you're part of the elite, you don't worry about things like that. Details, details. LOL
Originally Posted By melekalikimaka Well, just this once, I'll let you hang with me in my elite world.
Originally Posted By markymouse WE is so much fun. I never knew how much entertainment I was missing. Pass the popcorn. Oh, and put me down in the "I don't like taxes either, but really, its just Disneyland." Working class families have to pay tax of gasoline, diapers and detergent. But we don't have to pay a tax on going to Disneyland. Yes we need pleasures. That's part of why Disney-going ought to be taxed too. Because having to call ahead to see if you can take your kids hiking or whether that state park is closed is just messed up. At least that's 75% of my response. The other 25% agrees with the folks who argue that Sacramento handles money so badly, giving them more seems a bit of a gamble. Now if they taxed kvetching on WE, that would be a big deal. A few people would have to sell their homes to pay the back taxes. PS - I've never said "kvetching" in my life, but I saw it recently and wanted to try it out. WE does seem the place.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Now if they taxed kvetching on WE, that would be a big deal. A few people would have to sell their homes to pay the back taxes.*** LMAO! Boy, would I be totally screwed. Oh, and nice use of "kvetching".
Originally Posted By ImTempest I worked my way up from being one of five children of a divorced, working mother. I worked for every bit of what I've got, including paying my way through college (last of the loans are paid off, finally). I've earned the right to keep the money I make, and not having it nickled and dimed away from me every chance those idiots get. My mother took care of the necessities - that was always primary, and there was nothing left over for anything else. I got to go to Disneyland once every two years thanks to the generosity of loving grandparents, who believed every life needed a little joy. I can pinch a penny so hard I can make Lincoln cry, but for me, every penny I spend at Disneyland is worth it. I will do everything I can to keep those money-grubbing politicians away from the magic.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains I am a stay at home mom.. in the bay area... which in itself is a minority.. I am lucky enough that although I have a mixed marriage (he doesn't appreciate disney) he lets me go to Disneyland pretty much as often as I want. With the hotel tax already if taxes go up much more I will be priced out of the parks... I think it's time for a state auditor to come in and cut the fat - all the fat! If a tax on fun is then necessary then by all means tax it.. but lets check the numbers first!
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Isn't sales tax already built into the ticket price? Is Arnold S. talking about an additional tax?
