Disneyworld needs updated to better attract tweens and teens

[North of Mouse]

Originally Posted by maxiesmom

Not getting it. Disney doesn't need to add roller coasters to add things that are "more exciting". However "More exciting" doesn't necessarily equal "roller coaster" or "extreme thrill ride". They should add and update, but they don't need to focus on roller coasters to do that.

Again, there are plenty of places to go to get a roller coaster/ extreme ride fix. There are not many Disney Worlds/Lands. Why this need to make it into the park you want it to be? Why can't it be what others want it to be?

[Herfnerd]

My parents enjoy going to Disney just as much as my DD10 and DS17. DW and I just got back from a trip we took down there just the two of us.

While my DS17 enjoys US/IoA, my DD10 and the 'rents don't.

JMHO but that says a lot......

[Bullseye]

Originally Posted by FlightlessDuck

A few more thrills rides would be nice, yes.

OP, I'm with you all the way. They have like forty square miles of property. No one is saying replace what they already have with big thrill rides. Just add some more big rides to appeal to people that can handle bigger thrills than EE, RNR, and SM. My whole family loves Disney we go every year, but adding some big thrill rides would be a plus.

[Just_Trish]

Haven't read this whole thread (supposed to working! LOL) but just wanted to throw in that you can't generalize about what teens/tweens want. Maybe yours, but not all of them...

My daughter is 19 and we've gone to WDW about 16 times since she was 7 years old. We've been to Universal once and both of us agreed it simply wasn't for us. WDW is her place of choice, her happy place and she wouldn't change a thing. She still enjoys meeting characters, getting autographs, dressing up for MNSSHP (every year!), riding the Carousel...That's where she chose to go for her Sweet 16 birthday and she informed me that is where she wants to spend her 21st birthday. Not drinking at a bar with her friends, but spending it at Disney World, preferably having dinner with Pooh.

So no, not all teens and tweens want more than what the World has to offer...

[gwmort]

Originally Posted by TDC Nala

That's not the reason. Won't go into it though.

My bus driver said it last trip so it must be true

[jenjordan]

My 14 year old DD isn't that into thrill rides (we will be lucky to get her on EE or ToT) but she's mostly looking forward to the whole experience. Her dream is to become an animator for Disney, so she's going to absorb as much of it as she can.

I think it's all about managing expectations.

[Trek Girl]

Originally Posted by gwmort

My bus driver said it last trip so it must be true

Your bus driver was wrong. Maybe that's what they want people to believe, but it's not the truth.

[Mousemommy1]

I have been going to Disney since I was 7. I have been as a child, a tween, a teen, a college kid on spring break (x2), a honeymooner, and the last 3 (and upcoming 4th) trips as a mom/wife with my DH and kids. I think it's safe to say I've gone in all stages of life thus far and it has yet to NOT appeal to me. I think Disney is just fine.

[lydzma]

I'm 20 and I've always been attracted to Disney! I've been to Busch Gardens, Six flags, and Universal but nothing can compare with the magic and atmosphere of WDW! My favorite ride of every theme park I've ever been to is and will always be Splash Mountain!

[pixie08]

I grew up my whole life going to Disney. We also went to Universal and Busch Gardens etc, but I always loooved Disney. I loved thrill rides too, but WDW had a special feeling to me. I do see how not all teens will love it. Although I know many that do. I agree Disney does not want to create thrill parks, however they have added some big eticket rides that are thrill rides and that draws people in so i suspect they will continue to do this in the future.

To the OP: Maybe you can break WDW up with IOA, universal busch gardens, aquatica etc that way you get the best of both worlds?

[#1DopeyFan]

Originally Posted by bytheblood

I think the area where they really lack is souvenirs and clothing.

Oh how I WISH my kids and I agreed with this statement!! We all spent a LOT of money this last trip and already saving spending money for the next trip.

[Laketravis]

Originally Posted by dadddio

They also sold off some of their parks.

This is why forums are so filled with misinformation. One poster claims Six Flags is losing money when the fact is that the most recent three years they've had record profits.

Then someone says they also sold off some of their parks. But that was in 2004.

Six Flags went thru a reorganization in 2010 and they've been profitable since with increasing attendance.

I'm not suggesting that Six Flags parks are anywhere near the caliber of WDW, but people need to get their facts straight.

[pixie08]

Originally Posted by Trek Girl

Your bus driver was wrong. Maybe that's what they want people to believe, but it's not the truth.

This is completely creating a side conversation,so this is the last I will say of this, but I agree with TDC Nala &Trek Girl. That is what they tell people, but not the whole truth.


Now all of us Disney fans are siding with the "family version" of the park. Yes this is true, but thrill rides do sell park tickets. Look at AK, they used to close at 4:00 most nights. Add a wild and crazy coaster and now attendance went up. The large pulls at HS yes is TSM, but also RNR and TOT. So thrill rides are also an important factor. I think the difference at Disney is balance between the thrill ride, the child's ride, the family ride and the show. This is how it comes together to be a full family experience.

[momto2girls]

I have always been a big Disney fan. DH and I loved coming here when we were dating (we lived in FL then). We got married here. We bought in to DVC. We've brought our children here yearly (or close to it) since our oldest was 2. I do agree that Disney shouldn't change it's formula. It obviously works.

That being said, I do see where it is less appealing for Tweens and teens. My older DD is 12. She isn't one to crave the super-thrill rides at Six Flags, etc. She is fine with Disney's level of exciting. She loves TOT, Rock and Roller Coaster, etc. Even so, there aren't many rides/activities at each park that interest her. We are at WDW right now and as I've looked around, I've realized that so many of the things we used to do to fill our days are now too young for my kids. I really think that WDW is suited much better for little ones. I've even been bored myself this trip. I think my family has outgrown Disney.

I guess I didn't anticipate this when we bought DVC. Fortunately, we can use the points for Hawaii. After that trip, I'm not sure what we will do about the DVC. I am looking forward to taking more exotic trips overseas rather than going to WDW, but it still is a bit sad. It feels like the end of an era.

[mikesdisneymom]

I think Disney is perfect the way it is. I have a 15 year old that does not like the thrill rides, he will not go on Splash, Everest, TOT, RnR. I am fortunate to get him on some of the larger rides. We enjoy Disney for the atmosphere and thrills that we get from the rides.