Vote of the week: Carnival games

February 8, 2008, 2:34 PM · I know that this isn't an issue for most Disney theme park visitors, 'cause Walt is said to have ordered carnival games kept away from Disneyland (an order the Mouse House has, for the most part, followed in its theme parks).

But elsewhere, carnival games are a prominent part of many theme and amusement parks. Do you think these games are fun? Or a waste of money and time?

Talk about your view of carnival games (and your favorites, if you do play them), in the comments.

Replies (9)

February 8, 2008 at 7:18 PM · hi
i dont know why i still lose my money on carnivals games, i usually play the ring in the bottle because its looks so simple but i always lose :(
February 8, 2008 at 9:56 PM · The carnival games on Paradise Pier in DCA is the only place Disney can get away with them. They work there.
February 9, 2008 at 9:20 AM · I normally play the quarter pitch, whack-a-mole, & basketball. Being 6'4" helps win me big prizes in the basketball games. And I usually can take the 5-7 year olds at the whack-a-mole game....LOL!
February 9, 2008 at 11:11 AM · I don't need to pay extra to look like an uncoordinated fool...
February 9, 2008 at 11:28 AM · I never play carny games. They are a ripoff, even if you win, the value of the prize is less than the money spent to win the item.
February 9, 2008 at 3:32 PM · Even though I voted No, I actually only ever play them when there is absolutely nothing else to do and I have a little more money to blow.
February 9, 2008 at 9:51 PM · My husband won something on the first try for me at the California Adventure Paradise Pier. That is a good place for a few games the way they have them. I think to have more is dumb and needless at Disney. I don't play them anywhere really that was the only time. There is more to do and it is cheaper to buy something better quality in the stores at an Amusement park.
February 10, 2008 at 1:15 PM · I love them but my wife has all but banned me from playing them.
We have a house full of soft toys and pillows won from Universal Orlando.
Yesterday at Mardi Gras we won a huge Aligator on the Basketball game (Because she wanted it :) and it cost me $5.
It was great for the parade too, one of the Actors (?) took it from her and ran around the street "Slaying" it, which was very funny, and I got a great photo.
Of course, for me, the best part was all of the attractive "Actors" were coming up petting it and making comments, also great for photo's :-).

We actually need to find a Childrems hospital locally that we can donate them too as our spare room is slowly being overrun by them.

FYI, I don't play them for the prizes, I play them to make syself look masculine for the wife, lol.

On a visit to Seaworld just before Christmas year we played the ringtoss game and my wife actually won. She ended up walking around with a 5ft+ Shamu whci drew a lot of attention.

I did wonder why there were a lack of Carny games at Disney, thanks for the info and why there aren't any, but I did notice a few at Disneys BoardWalk.

If anyone knows of any local Kids Hospitals please send me an email with an addy or phone number, I am in Orlando!

February 11, 2008 at 1:16 PM · The basketball hoops are always too small.

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