50th anniversary disappointment

[disneyfreak75]

Oh darn, this one says that the bobsleds are closed while we're there while the other website didn't...or at least I don't remember it saying this. given the fact that the California Screamin is broken down a lot (per prev. poster) I'd rather do the bobsled. oh well, guess I'll just have to see when I get there.

 

[YoHo]

Historically speaking, 6% is not strong growth. Burbank cares a lot more about Florida's numbers and they were really hoping they would get an attendence boost there.

I'm not gonna say any more though. This is a rumors a news kinda topic I don't want to risk anything with the mods.

 

[snowy76]

The 50th celebration at WDW is about 10% as visible as it is at DLR so this is not a good comparison and it is definitely not the same celebation. I was at WDW last week.

Agree that the celebration in WDW is being touted differently -- but I'm surprised to hear that it wasn't very visible. We were there a year ago and reminders of "Happiest Celebration on Earth" was EVERYWHERE. Maybe it was because the new/borrowed attractions for the celebration had just opened then? I'd imagine they're not going to focus so heavily on it now and will want to start to promote the new theme more heavily as the 50th winds down.

BTW, we've been to WDW each of the last 3 years and attendance has been way up each time, from our observations. There's been a steady climb since people have gotten over post 9-11 fears about travel -- and since WDW has been offering promotions like free dining. Disney has pumped a LOT of money into marketing the Florida parks, we see it constantly here on the east coast.

 

[HydroGuy]

Agree that the celebration in WDW is being touted differently -- but I'm surprised to hear that it wasn't very visible. We were there a year ago and reminders of "Happiest Celebration on Earth" was EVERYWHERE. Maybe it was because the new/borrowed attractions for the celebration had just opened then? I'd imagine they're not going to focus so heavily on it now and will want to start to promote the new theme more heavily as the 50th winds down.

BTW, we've been to WDW each of the last 3 years and attendance has been way up each time, from our observations. There's been a steady climb since people have gotten over post 9-11 fears about travel -- and since WDW has been offering promotions like free dining. Disney has pumped a LOT of money into marketing the Florida parks, we see it constantly here on the east coast.

Have you been to DL since the celebration started? There are "Mickey 50" signs everywhere - the park was cleaned up and is immaculate - the Remember Dreams Come True fireworks show was specially designed for the 50th and is incredible - and all over Southern California I saw advertisements for the DL 50th (I made 4 trips to SoCal there over the last year). I do not remember seeing much of this in Florida.

After having experienced the 50th celebration at DLR, the celebration at WDW just seemed like an afterthought.

 

[snowy76]

Have you been to DL since the celebration started? There are "Mickey 50" signs everywhere - the park was cleaned up and is immaculate - the Remember Dreams Come True fireworks show was specially designed for the 50th and is incredible - and all over Southern California I saw advertisements for the DL 50th (I made 4 trips to SoCal there over the last year). I do not remember seeing much of this in Florida.

After having experienced the 50th celebration at DLR, the celebration at WDW just seemed like an afterthought.

Honestly, I haven't been to DL so can't compare the two. I was just basing my comment on my observations in FL -- for example, they brought in at least a half dozen "new" attractions all at once down there, which just doesn't happen there. And, as a NY'er who doesn't often see WDW advertised up here... there has been an ad blitz throughout the celebration up here, much more visible than previously.

To me it makes sense though that the WDW version of things would be less visible -- after all, it is DL's 50th, not WDW's. That being said, the whole thing has made us more interested in going out to DL where we weren't as intertested before the celebration.

 

[HydroGuy]

To me it makes sense though that the WDW version of things would be less visible -- after all, it is DL's 50th, not WDW's. That being said, the whole thing has made us more interested in going out to DL where we weren't as intertested before the celebration.

Oh, I agree 100%. The level of "50th" celebration at WDW was along the lines of what I would have expected - actually maybe a little more.

This was our first trip to WDW (10 days in mid-June, just got back last week). We do DLR regularly. I think it is natural for a veteran of one park to make comparisons during their first visit to the other. The big question is whether they do this with "an agenda" or are just making casual observations.

I thought WDW was a great place. And while there I was aware that many (or at least some) WDW vets think of WDW as superior to DLR without having given DLR a try. So when I was walking around WDW and had some time to reflect I tried to come up with a way to explain DLR to WDW vets. And what I came up with was this: Yes, DLR is smaller. But do not let that make you think that DLR only has 50% of the magic. Rather DLR has 100% of the magic as WDW. It so happens that the DLR magic can be experienced in fewer days.

There are a lot of similarities between WDW and DLR, but also some key differences. I would advise WDW vets to try not to make DLR into "WDW lite". Understand the differences and work with them, even enjoy them.

I am working on a long topic I will post here in the next week on "DLR for WDW vets" where I will try to make some of these distinctions. Keep an eye out if you are interested.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I am working on a long topic I will post here in the next week on "DLR for WDW vets" where I will try to make some of these distinctions. Keep an eye out if you are interested.

Looking forward to that.