Disneyworld needs updated to better attract tweens and teens

[Mad Hattered]

Ummmm......yeah. That's part of my point!! What would a more adventurous ride hurt those that state it's only for "families". The last time I checked teens and "tweens" were still considered a part of the "family".

 

[ThreeBeans]

One of my favorite things about Disney World is that with a few exceptions, almost everyone can go on every ride.

When I was a teen, I liked thrill rides. Now I am uhcoughcoughcougholdercough and I don't enjoy that feeling in the least. I'm not complaining that Universal Studios and Six Flags aren't more family friendly. I recognize that they really don't care what a woman in her mid thirties is interested in Their demographic is teens/young adults.

Disney's demographic is the family vacation, and people who prefer a theatrical experience to a high-thrill one.

Disney does not appear to be suffering with this approach. LOL. If you prefer the other theme parks, there's certainly nothing wrong with that. More power to you! It's your vacation. Enjoy yourself. Meanwhile, I will be enjoying myself on something that doesn't give me motion sickness

 

[Sandy Fisher]

Not that I can add anything different, just add my opinion. It's really too bad that kids of that age are no longer "thrilled" at going to Disney because they seek thrill rides.
What a shame. There are plenty of parks you can go to for just the thrills. Disney is so much more. Maybe when they're older they'll appreciate it and you can go back for another vacation.
I for one would NOT sign any petition for more thrill rides. We are old enough to be great grandparents to a 10 year old. If I couldn't show them the value of Disney, then I certainly would let them go elsewhere.
Disney is for all ages. Kids today (don't you love that expression??) are so easily bored and want new and better and more. I could go into the spiel of "when I was a kid" but I'll spare you all!
I love Disney and would be there right now if I could be.

 

[Patience]

My oldest daughter enjoyed Disney when she was small. Then she went to WDW on her class trip when she was in 9th grade and had a great time BUT I think it was mostly because she was with a big group of friends. The rides, shows, etc. weren't all that thrilling to her as a teen but being on vacation with a big group of friends sure was. We then went on a family vacation to WDW when she was 17 and she had a great time BUT it was mainly because she thoroughly enjoyed watching her little sister who was then 4 years old experience the parks for the first time. I think my daughter will probably be like me and return to WDW again and enjoy it immensely once she has children. The magic of Disney for me (my opinion only, I know that many disagree and I respect that) comes from experiencing it through the eyes of my children. If it wasn't for that, I wouldn't go. My husband and I prefer traveling out of the country and this is what we will do when our youngest is a tween/teen.

 

[maxiesmom]

My nephew is now almost 22 yrs old, and has been going to WDW from the time he was 4 yrs old. At no time has he ever complained about the lack of thrill rides, or expressed a desire to go somewhere else instead. He is always very excited to go back!

Not every tween or young adult is only into thrill rides. And if they are, there are plenty of places for them to go. Why do some think Disney needs to be everything to all people? That is an impossible mission.

 

[maxiesmom]

Ummmm......yeah. That's part of my point!! What would a more adventurous ride hurt those that state it's only for "families". The last time I checked teens and "tweens" were still considered a part of the "family".

Not every tween or teen finds the same thing adventurous. For our family, Expedition Everest, Test Track, Rockin Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror, Space Mountain, and Mission Space are plenty adventurous. And anything more extreme would be a waste of their money (and ours in return, as we would all pay for those new rides in even higher prices).

I don't see why your family can't do both. Go enjoy WDW for what it is, and then take the family to UA if you want more extreme rides. Why the need to remake a park that many, including a lot of tweens and teens, love the way it is?

 

[scjo68]

My DD is fifteen and loves WDW.

She and I both love thrill rides, and always get season passes to Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens Williamsburg, too.

Here is the advantage to Disney: there are more things the whole family can ride together. Yes, she and I separate from DH and younger DS at Disney so we can ride RnRC, Everest, etc. But we have to tour separately much more of the time at "coaster parks" like BG and KD.

Disney obviously wants to target every age group. I remember them including a whole teen/tween segment on their planning DVDs . The tweens were given mobile phones and missions/ attractions to complete. (I think- been a while since I watched it....). And Luke from the Erin/Dave/Stacy/ Luke edition was clearly an effort to target thrill-riding teens. So, whether or not it is succesful, marketing hasn't completely forgotten this group.

But IMO, they will spend money on attractions that will increases their overall bottom line. When their research shows this will happen, they will do it.

If WDW were to put in more thrill rides, DD and I would definitely ride them. But honestly, it would not increase the amount of business Disney gets from us. We already go as much as possible.

 

[bauer1168]

Not every tween or teen finds the same thing adventurous. For our family, Expedition Everest, Test Track, Rockin Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror, Space Mountain, and Mission Space are plenty adventurous. And anything more extreme would be a waste of their money (and ours in return, as we would all pay for those new rides in even higher prices).

I don't see why your family can't do both. Go enjoy WDW for what it is, and then take the family to UA if you want more extreme rides. Why the need to remake a park that many, including a lot of tweens and teens, love the way it is?

I agree.
Whilst I love high speed thrill rides like The Hulk at Universal, I think a roller coaster like that would stick out like a sore thumb in WDW. Aerosmith is a great roller coaster ride, but it comes across as more enjoyable than something that would get my adrenaline going like some of the rides at Universal. I like being able to go to Universal one day for those kind of rides. But yet enjoy WDW and the fact that I can go on a ride and, if I have a bag with me, I can take them on most rides with no problem.
Just my opinion

 

[andyman8]

A ridiculous statement. My kids are grown and my family all enjoy thrill rides. I would just hate to see Disney ever become a place that wasn't kid friendly.

How would the addition of thrill rides detract from the kid friendly atmosphere? It seems like you're going from one extreme (very few thrill rides) to the other (all thrill rides). The number of "other kinds of rides" far outnumber the few thrill rides in the parks.

Also, I'd just like to remind everyone that 75% of Disney's most popular attractions are the thrill rides. When was the last time "it's a small world" had a three hour wait?

 

[Paradise18]

I LOVE Disney. I (and others in my family) also really enjoy thrill rides. As a result we always spend 3-4 days of a 2 week trip to Florida visiting other parks. While we don't enjoy the overall atmosphere of those parks like we do at Disney we go to get our fix of thrill rides. If WDW added 1 or 2 thrill rides I can honestly say I would not leave property and Disney would get 3-4 more days of my family's money. I am in favour of adding rides, not replacing.

 

[maxiesmom]

How would the addition of thrill rides detract from the kid friendly atmosphere? It seems like you're going from one extreme (very few thrill rides) to the other (all thrill rides). The number of "other kinds of rides" far outnumber the few thrill rides in the parks.

Also, I'd just like to remind everyone that 75% of Disney's most popular attractions are the thrill rides. When was the last time "it's a small world" had a three hour wait?

I see your Small World and raise you a Peter Pan's Flight. That is one non thrill ride that always has long waits. And Dumbo. And Pooh.

WDW does have thrill rides. And apparently, going by all the posts on how busy the parks are, they have enough to attract a lot of guests. Why go crazy adding more thrill rides, when there is no indicator that they are needed? Why would they spend that kind of money for little to no return?

 

[Laketravis]

There are theme parks all over the country that focus on thrill rides. They are called Six Flags and many aren't doing well financially.)

Six Flags has had record profits in recent years.

 

[ILVPOOH]

I think Disney can provide more activities for Teens, like dance parties, firework cruises just for teens, pizza party, other social gatherings just for teens, maybe even offer a villian character dinner just for teens. There are a ton of ideas Disney can do for teens without changing the family aspect of the parks.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

My tweens and teens also prefer IOA, US, and Busch Gardens over Disney. They don't dislike Disney but they prefer the better rides in the other parks. Now my youngest (11) prefers Disney because is super scared of rides and he doesn't do thrill rides. But the whole rest of the family prefers IOA and BG.

 

[North of Mouse]

I've been attending WDW regularly since 1972 so forgive my ever-evolving opinion of it. Believe it or not, as much as I still like Disney, I can tell that they switched up the Kool-Aid recipe to include the magical pink packet stuff instead of real sugar.

If you got past my malarkey in the post then you will see my ticker states I will be at Disney pretty darn soon. Exactly two of those days will be spent at Disney while the next four will be spent at other parks in the area. That is a stat that is increasing and beyond any argument. Perhaps if the Execs running the show would do something about it then they could go back to using real sugar in their coffee instead of having to settle for the pink packet stuff.

OK - truce - I'll agree to disagree - we all have our opinion, reasons, and I'll respect yours.

We, too, had our first trip there in '72 when the MK was just a babe!
Our next trip will be in April for Flower & Garden Festival for 10 nights.
But, unlike you, our complete 11 days will all be joyfully spent at Disney
Also, just spent 10 nights there first part of Dec.

Oh, I'll also add, we took our three children (all through their teens) to WDW and they were happy as clams, now they are taking their children
For each teen that may not want to go, there is another one that does.

Also, as some others have stated, there is always plenty of smaller parks that have huge thrill rides that can satisfy the major *thrill seekers* in between their Disney trips

 

[dadddio]

Six Flags has had record profits in recent years.

They also sold off some of their parks.

 

[Rileygirl]

Food for thought?

IMHO, the difference between Disney and ANY other theme park, is the completely immersive detailing in any attraction they build. Often amazing, and is what makes it so magical. (dont throw tomatoes, but WWOHP has the same depth imho).

I am going to steal a very thought provoking quote that was just posted on the rumour board from Hollygolitely93. I dont know how to link it, so its just a cut and paste

Soon as these kids are 48" and can ride the coasters they want them...younger kids want big thrills faster than they did generations ago...they are exposed to Star Wars, Transformers, SuperHeroes earlier than the Sesame STreet generation was...so I feel it isn't even an age group they have to go after anymore it is a height group

I'm not even going to comment on this tremendous quote, it stands alone- you dont have to agree with it, but its great food for thought.

I remember taking my kids for the first time on BTMRR, their first ever coaster. The squeals of joy and LETS DO IT AGAIN, I wont forget, the youngest one just barely met the minimum height requirement. And its great because since I got older, cough cough, I can't handle intense, pee your pants attractions, like they have at universal. SO- its really nice that I can SHARE the great MODERATE thrill ride with my kids. I want to say that Disney realizes this, and this is the market niche for 'family' thrill rides. And what is wrong with adding a few more to some of the parks? Im not talking major loops and death defying drops. I am talking gorgeously themed, fun, imaginative rides that have a bit of speed and thrill. (Again, no tomatos, but some additional food for thought - WWOHP big thrill ride is a MODERATE attraction, not a hurl into the bushes type of ride. I wonder if Universal is trying to steal a little of Disney's successful formula of a 'family' thrill ride.)

I think Disney a while back spent a lot of money on mission space, which is an AMAZING ride, and it may have been directly aimed at the over the top thrill attraction that universal was claiming glory for. Its themed gorgeously, the concept is amazing, and yet it was a dud for many years. Its more popular with the introduction of the less intense mission, but even still, its easy to get a fp late in the day for this ride. I dont think Disney is planning to rush out and try and build a hulk style rollercoaster anytime soon.

Side note: I was forced to try the easy version of MS by my kids a couple of trips ago. I was nervous, because I knew it was based on spinning - and I dont even like teacups. I am SO GLAD I tried it though, its awe inspiring, and I was not sick at all. I don't know how much or if any spinning is involved in the LESS intense version, but if you have not tried MS, and can do teacups without hurling, go do it!

Bottom line is, its cheese that drives the mouse. So if it makes financial sense, then they will do it. And Teens, and Tweens are a big market, but a happy family unit is even bigger market.

 

[gwmort]

I think it goes back to why they scrapped Pleasure Island as a separate ticketed adult venue, it didn't fit their family focus.

I think for tweens the best draw of Disney is the chance to be more independent, when I was a tween we played out in the town/neighborhood until the streetlights came on. Now most kids in the US don't have that kind of independence for a whole host of reasons.

Try letting your teenagers loose on their own, to make their own choices to go to the pool, hit a water park, hang out in DisneyQuest, or just repeat ride a few of their favorites (or their favorite in each park), and then meet up with you later for dinner, and see how much they look forward to Disney trips.

 

[Jacquie668]

When I was a teen I LOVED Disney for one reason.... I GOT IT!

You either get it, or you don't. A tween whining about how there are not enough thrill rides = someone who doesn't get it. Meaning, how many roller coasters and thrill rides would it take for a fussy tween to suddenly love Disney? Think about that...because IMO Disney would continued to be compared to the average amusement park even with added rides.

I think Disney should continue to improve things, but the big point is if you don't get or enjoy the Disney experience they it is doubtful you would get it even with more thrilling rides. Amusement parks are a dime a dozen, there is only ONE Disney (I mean Disney as a whole).

This reminds me of a video I saw of a young adult saying how she likes Disneyland better because she can do all the 'rides,' meaning thrill rides, quicker than WDW so she can "get it all done in half a day". She even gave an example, stating that at Hollywood Studios only three rides were worth it so the whole park was stupid and boring.

See...she doesn't get it. She isn't going to get it. Painting a pretty picture for her isn't going to help. She just isn't that into Disney and that is okay. Not everyone needs to love Disney.

Someone like me, who gets it, will do both. I'll go to Universal or where ever and ride those roller coasters and etc. Then I'll go to Disney and splash around with Disneyfied Imagination.

 

[Sandy Fisher]

What Riley and Jacqui said.