Never again. We are too old. The prices are a rip off. The website tells you to buy a ride card for various amounts. There was no need. You can pay as you go. I think we left $10 on the prepaid ride card, non redeemable. The worst thing was the killer loud pop music played by the rides. It was just awful, a cacophony of music coming from all directions that was just noise.
I expected food to be expensive and it was, perhaps even more than airport prices.
Two rides on a long slide were needed but you can only buy three. One ride went to waste.
Face painting, very good but $25!
I think Hippie Niece misheard the stall attendant and did not realise it was $40 to throw three balls into a bucket to receive a large stuffed toy. The balls just bounced out of the bucket when thrown or hit the rim which was not allowed. Between them I think R and Hippie Niece spent $140 on this, and did receive a rather nice and colourful large bear, which then had to be carried around. I think it was a sympathy prize.
One great niece wasn't interested in rides and one was. Hippie Niece took her on an 'adventurous' roller coaster. Apparently she was ok until the vehicle turned upside down. There were tears. I could have told Niece but I kept my mouth shut.
The twins did enjoy themselves, especially the very large petting zoo. Compared to when they were younger, at six years old now, they are really good kids. The even give Grumpy Auntie Andrew a hug when they greet him.
Anyway, it is the last visit to the show for us and I can't recommend a visit. How families manage to pay the prices for a few kids astonishes me. The animals are fun to watch, especially the goats.
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You made me laugh ! Not only you have to suffer but your wallet too ! It's everywhere the same. Each year it becomes more expensive ! The animals at least are worthwhile to look at. and yes the noise !!!
ReplyDeleteGattina, my wallet suffered big time, but it is money they won't get. Yes, I like seeing the animals. It is supposed to be the country coming to the city, but I didn't see a lot of that.
DeleteYe Gods! That sounds like a real rip off to me.
ReplyDeleteStill, the littlies seem to have enjoyed themselves. even if the wrinklies didn't.
Jay Cee, a rip off it was but the pain is less if the littlies enjoyed themselves, and they did. The wrinklies just endured it.
DeleteYou were very brave. I can well understand you saying not again. Will we have to remind you?
ReplyDeleteEC, possibly remind R.
DeleteThese things are just money pits. The crowds, the smells, the noise are all too much.
ReplyDeleteJB, yes, yes and yes. We are all too old.
DeleteI wonder why Melbourne Show Day, which used to be a public holiday each September, is no longer. Families loved to be together, at least for one day.
ReplyDeleteYou know who to blame Hels. Kennett. The show now falls on school holidays, and a Friday public holiday. But Show Day was quite special and I regret its passing. Now our public holiday is to go into town to cheer on footy ball players. No matter that is close by, we won't attend the parade. Maybe we will watch it on tv.
DeleteIf we ever had extra tickets, I made a great point of having the kids look about for another family to give them to. That way they did not go to waste, and someone else benefitted. There are two happy looking girls there, and bottom line, that's the main reason that you went, right?
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the noise though. I hate the noise.
As I was writing this post Debby, I thought of that. We should have passed on a least one ticket. Yes, the girls loved it. That was what it was all about.
DeleteAnd there were Sheep to see, worth the visit.
ReplyDeleteYes TP, sheep. Well more than one so sheeps.
DeleteBut the kids had fun so maybe that was worth the extravagant prices?
ReplyDeleteYes Bob. I rationalise it to they get money now instead of when i am dead.
DeleteI remember doing this with Grandgirl when she was younger so i can totally understand your mixed bag of pain and enjoyment in the pleasure of the littles. But the cacophony and greed of the barkers, etc., is quite dementing but I remind myself they all have to make a living too. Still.....
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
WWW, I don't think too many make a fortune in that kind of work. I'm sure you have some good memories from your visit.
DeleteMaintenance and supply of prizes plus travel costs around the country must take a fair bit of their profits.
DeleteYes River. Probably under the umbrella of a large organisation that does make lots of money.
DeleteI understand your pain with the noise and expenses. Stick to the animals!
ReplyDeleteWho Pat, seem very unfazed by the commotion going on around them.
DeleteTwo rides were needed but you had to buy three? What a rip-off! And $40 to throw three balls in a bucket! I remember it being far, far cheaper than that. The girls are going to have to start saving ther pocket money if they want to go again next year.
ReplyDeleteCan't Granny save a bit from her meagre pension to take them? You would if you really cared.
DeleteMy 'Uncle' days were largely spent in New Zealand where there were 4 littlies in the tribe I usually looked after. I quickly learned the difference between the places that charged $2 for ice cream and those that charged $10. Not that I begrudged a cent but by the time one has paid for 4 children on all the fairground rides etc........
ReplyDeleteGraham, that is what I want R to do. Just say no at times. I don't begrudge the money spent but it should not involve rip off prices that go ahead without thought. How old are the four littlies now?
DeleteThe oldest is 29 and the youngest 22. Their Mum and Dad used to live on Lewis before any of the children were born and they were very close friends indeed. When I lived in New Zealand they, in effect, became my family - or I became theirs. My cottage was on their lifestyle plot.
DeleteNice.
DeleteOh that's like a county fair here and they are tremendously expensive, from the entrance fee, to parking fee, to outrageous and unhealthy food prices and the rides!!!! Routinely some kid gets an infection from getting too close and personal with the condemned 4H livestock, who, after the show ends, ribbons handed out, will be auctioned off, most to end up slaughtered. I have no understanding of why people want to go see the condemned animals and make over them, when they will soon be slaughtered, seems really sicko stuff to me. Well, lots of movies have been made about the carnies, mostly horror movies.
ReplyDeleteStrayer, condemned cattle on display??? Really. While plenty of individuals make money at the show, the organisation that runs it is not for profit. I wondered which country uses the word carnies. Now I know. It's a good word for often not so good people.
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