35.7% of all Brazilians bound for the US visit WDW

[Rumors Rocks]

http://qz.com/128367/the-happiest-place-on-earth-is-full-of-brazilians/

A RIO RUNS THROUGH IT

More than a third of Brazilians who travel to the US go to the happiest place on earth

In 1941, Walt Disney traveled to Brazil with a team of illustrators on a propaganda mission for the United States, charged with sowing the values of democracy in a nation where Nazi and Fascist ideas were taking root. Seven decades later, it’s the Walt Disney Company that is reaping the rewards.

Brazilians are now visiting Disney World in droves. In fact, 35.7% of arrivals from Brazil to the US arrive in Orlando, Florida, where Disney World is located, according to the US International Trade Administration, a trend prominent enough for US president Barack Obama to take notice. In March, Obama noted Brazilians’ fondness for Disney World and described US efforts to reduce visa processing times in Brazil. Just last week, he mentioned it again.

Disney CEO Bob Iger is a member of the Export Council, but his Company is not waiting for reductions in government bureaucracy. Disney World officials told CNN last year that following a record number of Brazilian visitors at the park, they hired more than 50 Portuguese-speaking “Super Greeters” in order to better serve the growing number of Brazilian guests—a number that has since risen to nearly 100.

The more welcoming environment combined with marketing has yielded impressive results. During the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Media, Communications & Entertainment Conference on September 12th, Disney CFO Jay Rasulo said Brazilians drove the 7% year-on-year international attendance growth seen at Disney World.

Disney has cited the importance of Brazilian visitors to their Florida theme park in its last six consecutive earnings calls, according to transcripts compiled by FactSet. It’s no wonder—Orlando seems to be teeming with Brazilians, especially compared with the rest of the US.

While Brazil’s proximity to Orlando contributes to the city’s popularity among Brazilian tourists, it’s not the only reason. For all South American countries, many of which are closer to Florida, 29.1% of US arrivals are in Orlando; for Brazil, the figure is 35.7%.

“We aggressively started marketing in Brazil—especially in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo,” Brian Martin, corporate communications director for Visit Orlando, told Quartz. A mere five years later those efforts appear to be paying off. “We’ve been growing at double digit rates for the past few years,” Martin said.

No other country included in the fast-growing large-population countries group called the BRICS—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—show a similar trend in visiting Orlando or even Florida at large. Most visitors from those countries are traveling to New York or Los Angeles.

To satisfy a deep desire to commune with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy (or perhaps José Carioca), Disney World is significantly closer than Disneyland. A Brazilian traveler looking to experience the original but quainter magic at Disneyland would have to fly nearly 2,000 miles farther from Sao Paulo to get to Los Angeles than Orlando.

TAM, Brazil’s largest airline, flies two non-stop 8.5 hour flights between Orlando and Sao Paulo daily.

Fortunately for Florida, Brazilian tourists have been spending more and more money, too. Brazilians spent a record $2.227 billion abroad last month and are expected to spend nearly $20 billion by year’s end. Much of that will have been spent in the US, of which a sizable chunk will likely end up in Mickey Mouse’s pocket.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

Fortunately for Florida, Brazilian tourists have been spending more and more money, too. Brazilians spent a record $2.227 billion abroad last month and are expected to spend nearly $20 billion by years end. Much of that will have been spent in the US, of which a sizable chunk will likely end up in Mickey Mouses pocket.

^^^~This is the main reason Disney is upgrading DTD to Disney Springs! Disney is so late to this party. I bet they've already lost billions to the malls and outlet stores -- I hope they can complete Disney Springs quickly.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I don't notice what "types" of people are at WDW these days...

I spend most of my days following those cool little flags that some people carry...still trying to figure that out.

 

[lizandjason]

Brazilians are voracious spenders. According to a recent NPR story, they have only had access to 'easy credit' within the past 10 years, and the result has been like letting the kids in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory into the candy garden. Credit card payments account for over 20% of a typical middle-upper middle class Brazilian's monthly expenses, and defaulting on loans is becoming more and more common. Unemployment rates are starting to creep up and the Brazilian currency is getting increasingly weaker against the US dollar.

I'm wondering when and how a Brazilian recession will affect WDW, but it seems that WDW is only preparing for more and more Brazilian tourists, and hoping they will continue to bring 3+ giant suitcases a piece and stuff them with Disney merchandise.

 

[Planogirl]

I would bet that many of these travelers will continue to visit the malls and outlet centers. I've heard that part of the lure is having ready access to many of the brands that we take for granted plus these items actually cost less here. Apparently places such as Wal-Mart and Target are doing major business.

 

[jeepfreak]

We've all been to WDW, is anyone surprised ?

 

[PuppyJonathan]

So why don't we have Jose as a permenant character or brazil in world showcase?

 

[buckeyecinderella]

I was just saying when I was at wdw last week that Brazil would be a great addition to WS. Wouldn't the country's govt need to sponsor it? I really think it would be a win all around.

 

[PuppyJonathan]

I don't think sponsered, but they do need their approval and help

 

[Ego831]

So let all the people that couldn't find Brazil on a map....let alone have ever travelled there and enjoyed the country....start their consternations of the large tour groups and how Disney needs to do something....

And I agree....between the Amazon and Iguazu Falls, Carnival and the Crist the Redeemer statue there are PLENTY of visuals/locations to create the pavillion - and the food and drinks....yummy...yummy!

 

[Fantaluminishes]

So let all the people that couldn't find Brazil on a map....let alone have ever travelled there and enjoyed the country....start their consternations of the large tour groups and how Disney needs to do something....

Those people don't even realize how racist they sound. I can't stand reading all the complaints about Brazillian tour groups. And I love how some of the people try to mask their comments to sound more "Disney friendly". Anybody with a brain can read right through them.

But of course this behavior is accepted by the DIS masses. Write something about all the fat people at Disney, and everyone on here will lose their minds. Free dining for all!!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I'm just not a fan of large 16 year old tour groups...no matter where they are from.

And no...I don't think that's necessarily a great attitude...but there's a reason high school only last 4 years

 

[Camila]

There's a reason why Brazilians take 3+ XL suitcases when we visit Orlando. I'm gonna tell you what the secret is:

Adidas Springblade sneakers U$ 180 (about R$400) in the US - R$1000 in BR (LOL)

Coppertone U$8 (about R$ 20) in the US - R$55 in BR (for a much smaller bottle!!)

Pair of Jeans U$25 (about R$60) in the US - R$200 in BR

Barbie Ballerina U$18 (about R$40) in the US - R$100 in BR

Kids clothes, perfume, accessories, electronics, the list is endless, the difference is HUGE!

Now, if you ask me why Florida, than I'll have to ask you why you're participating in the forum in the first place! The answer couldn't be other than "Because Disney is the happiest and most magical place in the world, and also because Zé Carioca is really cute, but we really love Mickey Mouse!" Who doesn't?

 

[lizandjason]

There's a reason why Brazilians take 3+ XL suitcases when we visit Orlando. I'm gonna tell you what the secret is:

Adidas Springblade sneakers U$ 180 (about R$400) in the US - R$1000 in BR (LOL)

Coppertone U$8 (about R$ 20) in the US - R$55 in BR (for a much smaller bottle!!)

Pair of Jeans U$25 (about R$60) in the US - R$200 in BR

Barbie Ballerina U$18 (about R$40) in the US - R$100 in BR

Kids clothes, perfume, accessories, electronics, the list is endless, the difference is HUGE!

Now, if you ask me why Florida, than I'll have to ask you why you're participating in the forum in the first place! The answer couldn't be other than "Because Disney is the happiest and most magical place in the world, and also because Zé Carioca is really cute, but we really love Mickey Mouse!" Who doesn't?

That is brilliant! I was thinking those suitcases were just full of WDW merchandise but I'm sure there are many trips off campus too. I would do the exact same thing (and probably re-sell it back in Brazil for a profit!)