Funderland Amusement Park in Sacramento faced long lines and growing frustration as families waited for hours to take advantage of a nearly 78% discount on season passes, only to be turned away when the gates closed at 5 p.m.The special was on Friday for the celebration of the park’s 80th anniversary season.Darlene Ragan, who waited in line for six hours, said she feels like she let her grandson down because he didn’t get to go in. “My phone’s died because it’s been so long,” said Jennifer Griffith, another visitor who waited for six hours.”We had to sit in line all day and we didn’t even get to hang out or play in the Funderland,” added another visitor, Braelynn Tanabe. The park had promised free entry for the first 80 guests and a nearly 78% discount on its season passes, so instead of the usual $90, it was $20.26 for those in line Friday. “Five-hundred-plus families that have shown up and showed out for Sacramento’s Funderland and they’re not showing up for us,” Griffith said.Ragan explained the importance of the deal for her family. “If it was the other way around, I wouldn’t be able to afford it. So when I stood in line, I felt like, okay, this is okay. This is okay, but if I had to pay the regular price, I wouldn’t be able to take my kids,” Ragan said. “We all just wanted something for our kids that we can afford and life’s getting expensive,” Griffith added.As the gates closed, workers informed families that they could return on a different day and the deal would be honored, but many remained skeptical. “We’ve had the update of no vouchers and now we just got the update they’re going to honor the vouchers. So hopefully this is true and that they come through for us and honor the vouchers and rain checks for people that weren’t able to make it through the line,” Griffith said.Funderland staff declined to comment in person, and attempts to reach them online have not been successful.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Funderland Amusement Park in Sacramento faced long lines and growing frustration as families waited for hours to take advantage of a nearly 78% discount on season passes, only to be turned away when the gates closed at 5 p.m.
The special was on Friday for the celebration of the park’s 80th anniversary season.
Darlene Ragan, who waited in line for six hours, said she feels like she let her grandson down because he didn’t get to go in.
“My phone’s died because it’s been so long,” said Jennifer Griffith, another visitor who waited for six hours.
“We had to sit in line all day and we didn’t even get to hang out or play in the Funderland,” added another visitor, Braelynn Tanabe.
The park had promised free entry for the first 80 guests and a nearly 78% discount on its season passes, so instead of the usual $90, it was $20.26 for those in line Friday.
“Five-hundred-plus families that have shown up and showed out for Sacramento’s Funderland and they’re not showing up for us,” Griffith said.
Ragan explained the importance of the deal for her family.
“If it was the other way around, I wouldn’t be able to afford it. So when I stood in line, I felt like, okay, this is okay. This is okay, but if I had to pay the regular price, I wouldn’t be able to take my kids,” Ragan said.
“We all just wanted something for our kids that we can afford and life’s getting expensive,” Griffith added.
As the gates closed, workers informed families that they could return on a different day and the deal would be honored, but many remained skeptical.
“We’ve had the update of no vouchers and now we just got the update they’re going to honor the vouchers. So hopefully this is true and that they come through for us and honor the vouchers and rain checks for people that weren’t able to make it through the line,” Griffith said.
Funderland staff declined to comment in person, and attempts to reach them online have not been successful.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel