Chapter 60 Question 053

Why are there always long queues for the most popular rides in many amusement parks, but the amusement parks don't charge extra for them? On January 1, 2006, at Disneyland in Orlando, Florida, children entered the park to play for a whole day, and the ticket price was 55.5.sixteen dollars.To be more precise, there are not many rides in a day: although children can take as many rides as they want, there are always long queues in front of the most popular rides.For example, at the busiest time, if you want to play the most attractive roller coaster in the park, you have to queue for more than an hour.Why doesn't Disneyland charge extra for these items?

By its very nature, queuing doesn't necessarily mean sellers are putting money on the table.For example, the number of people who want to eat at a restaurant varies from night to night, so it is difficult for restaurants to price based on the number of people and ensure that the seats are filled without queuing.Yet, in the view of economists, long-lasting and predictable lines like those at Disneyland should not be there. One possible explanation is that when children go to Disneyland, it is the parents who pay the bill.Let's imagine what would happen if the park charged an extra $10 per ride for roller coasters in order to eliminate queues.Many children still want to ride the roller coaster again and again, but after a few rides, most parents must refuse their children's request. It is not as simple as refusing once, but repeatedly.So who else can leave Paradise with happy memories?

Flat fees and reliance on queuing to limit a child's access to the most popular items is probably the most reasonable compromise Disneyland management could find.