History Main / DisneylandDad

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This style of parenting can backfire, possibly resulting in a TheReasonYouSuckSpeech by the primary custodial parent, who's tired of looking like the boring, bad guy for [[ToughLove enforcing the rules]] on an everyday basis, or the offspring finally tiring of the elaborate but sporadic outings and [[CallingTheOldManOut making it clear that their affection can't be bought.]] In real life, this can absolutely be treated as parental alienation, and this can result in a contempt finding if it's particularly egregious or the parent has continued to do it after having already been told to knock it off by the judge.

Generally, there are two types of Disneyland Dads, as well as a more rare third type:

* Type III: Rare in fiction, but [[TruthInTelevision anyone who works in family law will tell you that it is infuriatingly common]]. The non-custodial parent doesn't like the custodial parent at all and is likely still pissed about getting the short end of the stick in the divorce, so they feel like the least that they can do is to use the kids to get a leg up on them. Spoiling them rotten, giving them free rein, deliberately failing to follow through with punishments that the custodial parent has instituted - if it's going to make them look like the fun parent and the custodial parent a boring disciplinarian, they'll do it.

* In ''Literature/TheBabysittersClub'', Dawn refers to her father almost by trope name (particularly in the opening chapters of The Ghost at Dawn's House), saying that while he always seems to be arranging fun things for her and her brother to do when they visit him in California (such as visiting Disneyland), it doesn't feel like having a "real" father.

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* Type I: Got the short end of the custodial stick, but genuinely loves their kids and wants to spend time with them despite the custodial parent's dislike of them. This is emotionally taxing for them, and when they do have their children, they want the experience to be as memorable as possible to make up for their inability to spend more time together. How to show the kids Dad loves them? [[DisneyThemeParks Take them to the most magical place on Earth!]]

* Type III: Rare in fiction, but [[TruthInTelevision anyone who works in family law will tell you that it is infuriatingly common]]. The non-custodial parent doesn't like the custodial parent at all and is likely still pissed about getting the short end of the stick in the divorce, so they feel like the least that they can do is to use the kids to get a leg up on them. Spoiling them rotten, giving them free reign, deliberately failing to follow through with punishments that the custodial parent has instituted - if it's going to make them look like the fun parent and the custodial parent a boring disciplinarian, they'll do it.

* One episode of ''Series/TheSuiteLifeOfZackAndCody'' establishes that the twins' father is a crazy rock star who sets no boundaries at all.

Generally, there are two types of Disneyland Dads:

This style of parenting can backfire, possibly resulting in a TheReasonYouSuckSpeech by the primary custodial parent, who's tired of looking like the boring, bad guy for [[ToughLove enforcing the rules]] on an everyday basis, or the offspring finally tiring of the elaborate but sporadic outings and [[CallingTheOldManOut making it clear that their affection can't be bought.]]

* WesternAnimation/{{Arthur}}'s best friend Buster has a father who only appears to take him on trips, except for the Father's Day episode "1001 Dads." Arthur feels guilty that Buster's parents are divorced, so he tries to have other men step in to play the role of surrogate father to Buster. Come the day of Elwood City's Father's Day picnic, it turns out Busters dad has rented a hot air balloon for the afternoon, enabling everyone at the picnic to have free rides.

While the kids may love this or thinks it's incredibly lame, depending on age and disposition, the point of the outing is for the non-custodial parent and kids to be able to spend time together with minimal preparation, restrictions or discipline, often allowing this parent to be seen as the "fun parent."

A non-custodial or limited-custodial parent who prefers to take their offspring somewhere spectacular and do expensive stuff to earn or show affection. Disneyland Dad doesn't spend time with his kids, so he spends money on them instead.

* Type I: Got the short end of the custodial stick, but genuinely loves their kids and wants to spend time with them despite the restrictive custodial agreement. This is emotionally taxing for them, and when they do have their children, they want the experience to be as memorable as possible to make up for their inability to spend more time together. How to show the kids Dad loves them? [[DisneyThemeParks Take them to the most magical place on Earth!]]

* Parodied in one episode of ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'', where the post-breakup Penny and Leonard act like divorced parents with [[ManChild Sheldon]] "playing" the child. And yes, Penny takes Sheldon to Disneyland, though she claims it was originally an outing with her coworkers and Sheldon invited himself.

* While he's not actually a parent, [=Scrooge McDuck=] tries to use his wealth to out do Donald Duck and win over the affection of his orphaned nephews, Huey, Duey, and Lewey in some early Creator/CarlBarks stories.

* ''Film/{{Chef}}'': Carl is so engrossed in his work as a restaurant chef, he mostly ignores his kid Percy even though said son is interested in his job and wants to see the kitchen for himself. When the two get a single day off together, it's summed up in two brief shots of them on a rollercoaster, at a movie, and then Carl having driven Percy right back home.

* ''Series/LALaw'' contains a rare double example. When Arnie Becker's parents separate, they each try to outdo the other with extravagant gifts trying to buy his affection. Finally he has had enough.
-->'''Arnie Becker:''' I am 42 years old and neither one of you is going to get custody!
* Javier Delgado, Gloria's ex-husband in ''Series/ModernFamily''. Whenever he appears, he showers Manny with expensive gifts, which greatly annoys Gloria, who had to eke out a living alone with her son after the divorce.

-->'''Natalie:''' ''[talking to Gabriel Agreste on the phone]'' Yes sir, understood. I'm sure he'll understand, sir.\\
'''Adrien:''' My dad's flaking, isn't he? Let me guess, something came up?\\
'''Natalie:''' Yes, but he has reserved the best seats in the house for you Adrien. Front row.\\
'''Adrien:''' As usual, the best money can buy.

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* Tino's dad in ''WesternAnimation/TheWeekenders''. All Tino wants to do is spend time alone with his dad, but his dad keeps taking him to various attractions and talking with other people.

* While he's not actually a parent, Scrooge Mc Duck tries to use his wealth to out do DonaldDuck and win over the affection of his orphaned nephews, Huey, Duey, and Lewey in some early CarlBarks stories.

* In Alyssa Brugman's Young Adult novel ''Being Bindy'', the protagonist Bindy's mother acts like this, constantly taking her out on trips during visits every second weekend. (which is how often she sees her mother). She resents it, feeling like her mother is trying to "make up" for not seeing her often.

--> '''Ms.Driscoll''': Could you just be less exciting? Say 'no' once in a while!

* In the American remake of {{TheOffice}} divorced dad and ButtMonkey Toby Flenderson trying to buy that year's hottest doll for his daughter, specifically so that he could look better than his ex-wife for once. [[RunningGag It doesn't work very well]].

* ''Seris/LALaw'' contains a rare double example. When Arnie Becker's parents separate, they each try to outdo the other with extravagant gifts trying to buy his affection. Finally he has had enough.
--> '''Arnie Becker''': I am 42 years old and neither one of you is going to get custody!

-->'''Natalie''': [Talking to Gabriel Agreste on the phone.] Yes sir, understood. I'm sure he'll understand, sir.
-->'''Adrien''': My dad's flaking, isn't he? Let me guess, something came up?
-->'''Natalie''': Yes, but he has reserved the best seats in the house for you Adrien. Front row.
-->'''Adrien''': As usual, the best money can buy.

* Gabriel Agreste from ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'' is an [[IceQueen Ice King]] ControlFreak that has Adrien's entire life planned out in a calculated desire to protect him from the world. Due to his job as fashion mogul and [[spoilers:his excursions as Hawk Moth]], Gabriel could not actually be there for him and instead compensates using his vast fortune to keep his son happy and complacent with any material thing he wants. [[LonelyRichKid It doesn't]], but still it's the thought that counts.

* In Alyssa Brugman's Young Adult novel '''Being Bindy''', the protagonist Bindy's mother acts like this, constantly taking her out on trips during visits every second weekend. (which is how often she sees her mother). She resents it, feeling like her mother is trying to "make up" for not seeing her often.

--> '''Ms.Driscoll: Could you just be less exciting? Say 'no' once in a while!'''

-->Natalie: [Talking to Gabriel Agreste on the phone.] Yes sir, understood. I'm sure he'll understand, sir.
-->Adrien: My dad's flaking, isn't he? Let me guess, something came up?
-->Natalie: Yes, but he has reserved the best seats in the house for you Adrien. Front row.
-->Adrien: As usual, the best money can buy.

* Tino's dad in ''WesternAnimation/TheWeekenders''. All Tino wants to do is spend time alone with his dad, but his dad keeps taking him to various attractions and talking with other people.

!Indexes
* ''Administratrivia/NoRealLifeExamplesPlease''
* DysfunctionalFamilyIndex
* TheExIndex
* FamilyTropes
* ParentalIssues