Does Amusement Park Food Have to Be Low-Quality?

One thing I like about Charlotte is that (so far) on event nites I've only had to pay $10 for parking to go to TWC Arena. Not sure what it'll be like for a Panther's game, but I'm not opposed to parking and walking.

So, basically what you guys are saying is, people are different? I've heard that somewhere recently...

I'd argue that you get the same things (convenience, time savings, piece of mind, etc) with paying for parking as you do paying for in-park perks.

Depending on the situation, though, I sometimes find that the closest parking choice isn't necessarily the most convenient parking choice.

^ I agree, I'd much rather start and end the day with a 10/15 minute walk than exit the main car park with everyone else at the end of the day. Same with concerts.

I've never understood the need by some people to leave a sporting event or concert early so they can get out of the parking lot more quickly. I always find a way to hang behind so I can just walk to my car, start it and leave.

Same with parks. I usually grab an ice cream cone at Knoebels at closing time, then sit on a bench and watch all the people leaving. At Hershey the other night, I was the last customer in line at the Chocolate house (at 10:45), so I had no trouble finding my car in all that open asphalt. BTW, paid a total of $0 for parking. But I do see the point about paying for the convenience and proximity to where you're going.

My reasoning for what you mentioned stems from myself and four of my friends having to spend the night in a Mini in a thunderstorm in the middle of nowhere in a car park after a Oasis gig!

What something is "worth" depends on situation and circumstance...

For instance, a FP would be "worth" more to me on a busy day at GAdv than on a slow day at Wild Adventures. Also, price is not always reflective of "value" - when you find that something is "worth" more to you than the price listed, you buy. Someone else may find that its worth more, and therefore be willing to pay a higher price. Or they may find it doesn't have the same value to them, and not be willing to pay as high a price.

By the same token, something may be worth more to me under certain circumstances - for instance, if my mother (with bad knees) is with me, then yes, a closer parking spot, a wheelchair, etc., suddenly becomes a better "value".

^The only part about that I'm sorry for is that you had to see Oasis. ;)

Tailgating is not about "beating the system" by avoiding paying for food in the stadium. Tailgating is about enjoying a good meal with friends and is an essential part of the experience. Its also the only part of the day that is guaranteed to be a "good time." I tailgate at any game I go to but I still buy food in the stadium.

Who said it was about beating the system? I must have missed that. Honestly, whoever thinks that must have never been to a tailgate. I barely ate anything the last time I was tailgating. We were playing games, and drinking, and playing drinking games, but mostly it's about hanging out.

Concerts are as much about the tailgate, as they are the show - at least for the bands I like.

Touchdown said:
Tailgating is about enjoying a good meal with friends and is an essential part of the experience.

A good meal with friends is something I can have on a random Tuesday evening.

You're doing it wrong! :)

You cannot have barbecue meats eating them outside in the crisp autumn air while catching up with friends who live halfway across the country.

Fall weekends are usually a battle between the football fan in me wanting to go to games and the enthusiast in me wanting to go to parks all decked out in their Halloween finest (aka their best days of operations by far.)

The football fan usually wins out.