Tamia Visits The Happiest Place On Earth Using A Ticket She Won 34 Years Ago

Tamia Visits The Happiest Place On Earth Using A Ticket She Won 34 Years Ago

In 1985, Tamia Richardson of Alberta Canada was a 14-year-old high school student when she walked through the turnstile at Disneyland and won a prize. Disneyland, the Happiest Place On Earth was celebrating their 30th anniversary as part of the Gift Giver Extraordinaire, which gave out prizes to every 30th guest.

At Just 14 years of age, Tamia Richardson won a free ticket to the Happiest Place On Earth. Back then, Disneyland tickets were $16.50, with an extra charge for each attraction and lands like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Disney’s California Adventure didn’t exist. Not to mention a cost of the ticket to enter Disneyland park has increased exponentially in the past 30 years. Adjusted for inflation, the ticket should be worth $39.20, according to the inflation calculator for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

But Disneyland admission prices have far outpaced inflation. A one-day ticket to the park during the peak summer months today costs between $104 and $149 depending on the day, an 800% increase over the 1985 price. A pass to visit both parks in one day sells for $199 during the summer months, an increase of 1,100% over the original $16.50 ticket.

For the 30th anniversary of the theme park, Disneyland was running a promotional gimmick to give away gifts, Each 30th visitor was awarded a free ticket. Each 300th visitor got a plush Minnie or Mickey toy. Each 3,000th visitor was awarded a commemorative watch.

New American-made cars were awarded to the 30,000th and the 300,000th visitors, but the top prize was a new Cadillac DeVille sedan for the 3 millionth visitor. At the time, a new Cadillac DeVille sold for a manufactured suggested retail price of about $18,500. A mint-condition DeVille sells today for about $10,200, a 45% drop in value, according to online car appraisers.

Tamia won the least expensive prize: a paper ticket emblazoned with the silhouette of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle and the words “Admit one to Disneyland.”