Sad Mouse

The time has finally come.

After almost 20 years...and much thought and hairpulling...I have decided not to renew my Disneyland Annual Pass. My current pass expires on March 6, and I find it difficult to bring myself to spend the $500 for another one.

I've had one of the shiny, hard plastic cards with me since 1995 when I rewarded myself for earning A's in my first three Workers Compensation classes. Back then, I spent quite a bit of time at Disneyland -- when it was still just Disneyland. I watched the demise of the PeopleMover and the Skyway, the rise and fall of the Rocket Rods, the construction of Disney's California Adventure, the updating of Tomorrowland from the vision of 1986 to a more earth-friendly glimpse at space and technology. I ate churros, Mickey-shaped ice cream sandwiches, turkey legs, dined at the Blue Bayou and the Napa Rose. Waited for three hours to ride Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye on its opening day and still have my opening day ticket for Disney's California Adventure. What a great time those past years were.

But now...I tend to go by myself as my friends don't have the same days off as I do, and we can never seem to coordinate. The parks are being overrun by strollers that spread like a fungus and overtake any available walking space. Much of the charm and fun has been replaced by the need to push as many people through as possible. Take the Haunted Mansion, as an example. I still fondly remember when they only allowed a specific number of people through the front door of the attraction before a stern-faced employee slid the door closed and warned the rest of us not to worry because our time would be up soon (fade into maniacal laughter). Nowadays, the cast members herd you through, neglecting the ambiance of the Mansion, chattering away about whose boyfriend did what or how they did on some English test.

I simply don't enjoy the parks anymore so why spend the money? Plus, I think it's about time I explored what else Long Beach, Los Angeles and Orange County have to offer.

It'll probably be less expensive, too.

Image from BoneZone Oddblog.