Not allowed in park for free.

[Lasolimu]

First, the article http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/ ... ed_ma.html.

This is definitely an SG in action, don't get me wrong, I feel sorry for the guy, but to expect that he would be allowed into a theme park for free because of his injury when the park has set no expectation of this is definitely stupid. "But he wouldn't ride any rides!" The ticket price is used to cover more than just rides; see the cleanly swept walkways and the way the park looks? Yup, that costs money which comes from ticket sales. "But he will only be there for an hour or two!" First, the park has no way to verify this; if they allowed people in for free because they said they were only going to stay for an hour or two than everyone would say that and stay all day because the park has no way to verify this claim. Second, even if he was really only going to be there for an hour or two, he is still enjoying the things the ticket price covers anyway such as the clean walkways. It is nice that the park has a Memorial Day promotion for one free ticket with the purchase of a ticket for service members, but only on Memorial Day, this was not Memorial Day so there was no expectation of free entrance.

Of course, than there is the line, "We weren't looking for a free trip," yet this is exactly what they were doing, looking for free entrance to the park.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Some of the comments make a good point.

I back our service men and women 100%, but in all the years I have served my country, I don't recall seeing anything that said I would get free admission to a park, or any other venue.

kind of sad that they expected free admission.

[Disneyguy85]

Yes, I agree with what has been said here.

I feel sorry for him, but they should not have expected free admission. They had no reason to.

A great deal of those article comments really disturb me.
Which is kind of why I really don't read many article comments anymore.

[LittleDollClaudia]

Wow, that just is ridiculous.

I'm sorry for his condition, but honestly if you wanted to see each other so badly, why not a public park?

Those are free.

This is just another prime example of people exploiting the system. You know, theme parks are not obligated to let anyone in for free. It is just something they choose to do.

Such as at Knott's they have certain times where military and fire/police get in free. Hell, I believe last year it was most of November.

Anyhow, that whole "he's not going to ride" bit is BS. Maybe not his particular case, but I have seen quite a few folks that have wheelchairs become ambulatory just long enough to be seated on a ride. Or some rides even have :gasp: special accommodations for wheelchairs to be secured onto the ride itself.

So sorry, I don't buy it. :mad:

P.S. I also love the fact that the picture that's posted shows him in his uniform. I'm sure he didn't go to the theme park looking like that. Way to pull at the heart strings, newspaper guy!

Hahaha, the park is owned by Cedar Fair. I bet some investigating will show they probably do the exact things that Knott's does. Shame on you people.

[drcorey]

First, the article http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/ ... ed_ma.html.

This is definitely an SG in action, don't get me wrong, I feel sorry for the guy, but to expect that he would be allowed into a theme park for free because of his injury when the park has set no expectation of this is definitely stupid. "But he wouldn't ride any rides!" The ticket price is used to cover more than just rides; see the cleanly swept walkways and the way the park looks? Yup, that costs money which comes from ticket sales. "But he will only be there for an hour or two!" First, the park has no way to verify this; if they allowed people in for free because they said they were only going to stay for an hour or two than everyone would say that and stay all day because the park has no way to verify this claim. Second, even if he was really only going to be there for an hour or two, he is still enjoying the things the ticket price covers anyway such as the clean walkways. It is nice that the park has a Memorial Day promotion for one free ticket with the purchase of a ticket for service members, but only on Memorial Day, this was not Memorial Day so there was no expectation of free entrance.

Of course, than there is the line, "We weren't looking for a free trip," yet this is exactly what they were doing, looking for free entrance to the park.

no rides? so he wants to just enjoy the entertainment for free? I am on Disney's side. would a movie theatre let you in free if you dont buy snacks or drinks? I dont think so.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

The only thing that I got, was in the 70's we could go to Disneyland in Uniform and get a massive discount on admission and ticket books.

After the first time, I just paid the difference and went in civilian clothing.

[drcorey]

The only thing that I got, was in the 70's we could go to Disneyland in Uniform and get a massive discount on admission and ticket books.

After the first time, I just paid the difference and went in civilian clothing.

they wont even let a Priest in for a discount. the girl at the booth said,
In God we trust, all others must pay cash.
so, if you are God, it's free, if you work for him, you pay.

[Shorty82]

I agree with the park. Being injured while fighting for our country doesn't automatically earn one the right to free entry into any place that charges admission. Yes I'm sorry he's paralyzed and all but that still doesn't entitle him to special treatment. Doesn't matter if you go on any rides or not, everyone pays something to get into theme parks (with very few exceptions). I know of no theme park that will let the handicapped in for free.

I am on Disney's side.

This didn't happen at a Disney park. It happened at Michigan's Adventure.

[KidAtHeart]

I fully agree with the park. In fact, I don't think the park should have offered even the two complimentary tickets they did after the fact.

[SpeedFreak]

His fiance is hot, I could make a joke in poor taste about rides here but I won't. But I will say that it's not right to expect to get into places for free. Even though he was in the military and got crippled. He can't go to a grocery store and get his groceries for free if he doesn't intend to eat any of them. Same basic thing with the park.