The op didn't mention the kids age but I'm guessing its around 3-5. A little one who is scared often can't be calmed by having the fear explained. And telling them to get over can just make it worse. The last thing anyone wants is 8 hours of a upset kid.

I wonder how many of these people actually have children, because many don't seem to realize how bad a scared child can be...

My cousin's parents had this issue, best thing you can do is forcibly take the kid in, let them ride some rides, and avoid the mascots. Do NOT let them have their way or they'll just remember the entire trip as a bad experience.

What a little beezy.

Did you at least try to figure out why she was so scared of the mascot? Maybe tell the mascot doesn't follow you inside and she wouldn't have to see it in there? while you shouldn't let your child dictate what the family does she does need support. so why not trying to figure out a solution before just throwing in the towel. giving into your child like that will teach them that throwing a tantrum will get them what they want but there is no need to push the child to the point she is traumatized becausIe of. There are methods that could have been used before just leaving.

dealing with your fears are one thing but at certain ages kids are going to be scared of something no matter what. until they see it as unscary or just out grow it. Also trying to force them to face that fear could traumatize them. making them face it depends on the age of the child. If they are like 3 then no making them face it isn't a good idea. now if they were 6 or 7 they need to face it.

So OP. You plan to have a child dictate the rest of your life? The whole point of being a parent is to help your kid get over things they are afraid of or unfamiliar with. You just taught her to throw a fit every time there's something uncomfortable in life.

"we had no choice but to leave". Ha you're child whipped

Then I would grab her by the arm and drag her in. I ain't wasting no money doing that shit. You gotta discipline her

This has happened to me once and still at my age with my deathly grave fear of rollercoasters. That's when you grab them put them through whatever they don't like. It's called parenting