Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

And just to put in the most obvious answer to the question: because you're paying it.

I don't think it's because it's from the sticks.

I think it's because it's a theme park, which will always taint the impression, regardless of food quality.

Considering the food at those 'lesser' places can certainly rival a medicore-yet-esteemed sub-$100 tasting/ prix fixe, seems fine to me. Less an issue of quality:cost ration, more about the type of experience and meal you're after. Cost aside, most nights I'd rather have a 4-course with drinks at Little Owl or comparable than a tasting of the same price at a 'top' (whatever that means) restaurant. I think that's the reason - there's no difference in the economic means of the clientele for each that would drive them to one or the other, it's more a matter of taste and mood.

Certainly no need to pay $150 for an average meal - that's a different problem atogether! Plenty of great $50, and even great $15 meals to be had if you're diligent.

Baruch - safe to say, my response certainly addressed the original question more directly than yours.

Looking forward to hearing your ever-thoughtful (and I'll be so disappointed if not sufficiently nuanced and subtle as well) reply to said question.

hate to be controversial, but maybe (?) it's what this site needs????
"chrisbarr"'s response is indicative of the problem & is so incredibly naive, it's not worth pointing out its/his discrepanies. the original post was asking a responsible on-point question, & deserves a more thoughtful reply, not one that clearly did not understand the nuance, or the subtlety!!!!