History Main / DisneylandDad

* Don Draper in ''Series/MadMen''. He's pretty much an absentee father after he divorces his wife, Betty, but he periodically picks his kids up for visits into the city, which is practically magical to kids raised in the suburbs, and actually takes them to Disney Land in California.

This style of parenting can backfire, possibly resulting in a TheReasonYouSuckSpeech by the primary custodial parent, [[WetBlanketSpouse 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.]]

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 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.

* Marcus from ''Literature/IThinkILoveYou'' claims he's too broke to pay Petra's maintenance, which doesn't stop him from lavishing treats on their thirteen-year-old daughter Molly.

* Rei's senator father in every version of ''Series/SailorMoon'' is a hard Type 2. Unusually, he has the full ability to take custody of Rei (as her mother is dead and her poorer grandfather is her current guardian), but he chooses instead to functionally ignore her in favor of his career. In the manga especially, he sends the exact same expensive gift for Rei's birthday every year--and misses their expensive birthday dinner together every year.

* One episode of ''Series/TheSuiteLifeOfZackAndCody'' establishes that the twins' father Kurt is a crazy rock star who sets no boundaries at all. HilarityEnsues when [[FoolishSiblingResponsibleSibling the similarly carefree Zack]] stows away on his band's tour bus; though Kurt immediately wants to turn back around, his ex-wife Carey convinces him to keep Zack around for a week or so as a RadishCure.

* [[DeconstructedTrope Deconstructed]] [[PlayedForLaughs for laughs]] in an episode of ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'' when his retired parents, giddy with life in their retirement community, splurge by buying Jerry a Cadillac. Since Jerry is an adult who resents the implication that he's not doing well, and since he lives in New York City and doesn't want to pay exorbitant insurance and parking fees, the gift is more of an [[UnwantedGiftPlot annoyance]] than a treat.

* ''WesternAnimation/RocketPower'' had an episode where Squid's father showed up and took him and his friends to the water park, only to repeatedly get sidetracked by work calls. Eventually, the kids help him realize his problem and he starts having fun with them.

* ''Film/JingleAllTheWay'': Ted, the next-door neighbor and rival to Howard (TheHero) is (in contrast to Howard being a workaholic that can rarely be there for his kid although he's tried hard to make up for it) TheAce and a perfect father, even having the mind to purchase the much-sought-after Turbo Man doll (that Howard has been suffering hell all day to try to get because it's sold out) months in advance. Turns out that he was almost exactly like Howard before his divorce and his entire "perfect father" act is both for the sake of being this and so he'll attract women (especially Howard's wife, which he's lusting after).

* Gabriel Agreste from ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'' is an IceKing ControlFreak that has Adrien's entire life planned out in a calculated desire to protect him from the world. Due to his job as a fashion mogul and [[spoiler: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.

* '''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? [[Ride/DisneyThemeParks Take them to the most magical place on Earth!]]

-> '''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.

!Examples

[[folder:Films]]

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

-->'''Ted''': Really, sweetie? Ice cream for breakfast? No, you're right, I don't let you do that. You know what I do let you do? Get vaccinated.

-->'''Arnie Becker''': I am 42 years old and neither one of you is going to get custody!

[[folder:Stand-Up Comedy]]
* In his comedy special ''Weirdo'', Creator/DonaldGlover asks the audience where they most wanted to go on a Saturday as a kid. One person says Creator/ChuckECheese, to which Donald replies that that makes him sad, because of this trope.
-->'''Donald''': "Yeah Chuck E. Cheese, whatever. Gonna go call your ''new'' mom."
[[/folder]]

-> '''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.

* 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? [[Ride/DisneyThemeParks Take them to the most magical place on Earth!]]
* Type II: Doesn't get to see the kids often and that's fine. After all, they have a career or post-breakup personal life to focus on. However, even parents who are cool with not seeing their kids every day, or even every month, periodically get a paternal or maternal inkling and feel obligated to go pick up the kids for visit. But what to do with them? What are the kids even into nowadays? Don't know? Take 'em to [[ImGoingToDisneyWorld Disneyland]]! What kid can resist Disneyland?!

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

[[folder:Film]]

* In ''Literature/MyTeacherIsAnAlien,'' Peter's dad actually had custody after [[MissingMom his mom ran off]], but neglected him in favor of work, which contributed to Peter's decision to [[StayWithTheAliens leave with Broxholm]]. In the final book, Peter's dad admits (to a [[LatexPerfection disguised]] Peter) that he wanted to make a lot of money and buy his son's happiness, but now realizes that he drove him away.

[[folder:LiveActionTV]]

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

-->'''Ted:''' Really, sweetie? Ice cream for breakfast? No, you're right, I don't let you do that. You know what I do let you do? Get vaccinated.

-->'''Arnie Becker:''' I am 42 years old and neither one of you is going to get custody!

[[folder: Stand-Up Comedy]]

[[folder:WesternAnimation]]

* 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 a fashion mogul and [[spoiler: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.

'''Natalie:''' Yes, but he has reserved the best seats in the house for you Adrien. Front row.\\

When parents divorce, it's understood that one parent will move out of the family home. The parent that leaves generally will see a drastic reduction in how often they get to see their children, which may or may not be because of limited visitation rights. This trope can also apply to parents who were never married and have chosen to go their separate ways, but still have children as a result of their relationship.

* Type II: Doesn't get to see the kids often and that's fine. After all, they have a career or post-break up personal life to focus on. However, even parents who are cool with not seeing their kids every day, or even every month, periodically get a paternal or maternal inkling and feel obligated to go pick up the kids for visit. But what to do with them? What are the kids even into nowadays? Don't know? Take 'em to [[ImGoingToDisneyWorld Disneyland]]! What kid can resist Disneyland?!

May over lap with WellDoneDadGuy, VisitByDivorcedDad, and PushOverParents. Contrast DisappearedDad, WhenYouComingHomeDad, and DaddyDidntShow. May result in LonelyRichKid.

* In ''Series/BetterOffTed'' Ted complains that his ex-wife lets Rose run wild when staying with her, and that he has to be the responsible one because he's "an actual parent, not Willy Wonka."

* ''Series/{{Castle}}''. The title character's ex-wife Meredith, Alexis' mother, actually makes Castle look like the responsible parent. Apparently she once dropped by Alexis' school to take her to Paris on a whim. Alexis, fortunately, is more responsible than either of her parents and basically sets the rules for herself.

* ''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.

* 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 [[spoiler: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.
* ''WesternAnimation/RocketPower'' had an episode where Squid's father showed up and took him and his friends to the water park, only to repeatedly get sidetracked by work calls. Eventually the kids help him realize his problem and he starts having fun with them.

* 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 Buster's dad has rented a hot air balloon for the afternoon, enabling everyone at the picnic to have free rides.
* Pizzazz's rich and busy father Harvey from ''WesternAnimation/{{Jem}}'' had full-custody of Pizzazz after his wife walked out. However, he didn't know how to relate to Pizzazz. As a result, Harvey showered Pizzazz with gifts instead of affection. All this did was make Pizzazz grow into a bitter, spoiled RichBitch who uses her fans {{attention|Whore}} as a substitute for love.

-->-- "[[Recap/MiraculousLadybugS01E13TheMime The Mime]]", ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug''

-->-- "[[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Recap/MiraculousLadybugS01E13TheMime The Mime]]", ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug''