Amusement Park Attendance Rises 4.2 Percent

[F-L-A]

I'd love to know what amuses you oh so much.

 

[d4est]

What about Mummy? When did that open?

 

[pedro2112]

I'd love to know what amuses you oh so much.

Perhaps if you would be so kind as to explain how Disney is "monopolizing tourists in an unfair manner," perhaps that would shed some light on exactly what you mean. Also, why would the airport challenge ME when it has a contract with Disney?

 

[Loves Disney]

If you think about it, this is great news for Universal Park fans. Universal management knows the market is there for growth, and they're missing out on it. Disney has added more attractions over the past year than Universal. The burden is on Universal to draw more people in by embiggening their lineup of attractions.

Disney, on the other hand, is in a position to sit back and service the needs of their shareholders over their customers.

I also think the MYW ticketing process has been a big win for Disney. Two weeks ago, I purchased passes for eight people. Adding a seventh day to our pass only cost about $25 extra. If we had spent that seventh day at Universal, it would have cost me a few hundred dollars. Easy choice.

What makes it more is, Universal has already used up a bunch of its land (has less space left than Disney) while Disney only used up 1/3 of its land. That means, despite the many parks (MGM, EPCOT, etc...) and the water parks, and the resorts, Disney still has 2/3 of its land left to build on!

 

[CVW]

Universal has already used up a bunch of its land... Disney still has 2/3 of its land left to build on!

Be careful. F-L-A might claim that's unfair.

 

[bicker]

Now, now -- be nice.

 

[cocowum]

Thanks for posting this article! Very interesting. We have AP's to both Disney and US/IOA. We are with the majority here US/IOA really doesn't compare.

 

[cannp123165]

Very interesting....Thank you for sharing.

 

[erikthewise]

At least in the case of Disney parks, these are estimates, as Disney doesn't release official numbers. But I suspect they're pretty good estimates.

I believe Disneyland Tokyo is still #1 worldwide.

I could be wrong, but I think these may be record highs for some of the WDW parks, in particular I do not recall MK coming in over 16M before. Anyone know for sure?

But the really amazing thing (for an Ohioan) is that Kings Island edged out Cedar Point. Cedar Point is generally regarded as the national roller coaster leader, and Kings Island is just a fine regional park (we have season passes).

 

[skent10]

Very interesting report. I agree with the MYW making a big difference. With our 7 day passes and the plus options, we'll be at either a park or water park or Disney Quest every day of our 11 day vacation. We won't even be going to Sea World (for the first time ever during an Orlando vacation).

On a side note, we live 10 minutes from 6 Flags in Gurnee, IL (#21 on the list) and it lists the increase as 24%!!! They opened a new water park this year included with your daily admission, so we had noticed a huge increase this year, but I was surprised by that figure.

 

[basas]

At least in the case of Disney parks, these are estimates, as Disney doesn't release official numbers. But I suspect they're pretty good estimates.

I believe Disneyland Tokyo is still #1 worldwide.

I could be wrong, but I think these may be record highs for some of the WDW parks, in particular I do not recall MK coming in over 16M before. Anyone know for sure?

But the really amazing thing (for an Ohioan) is that Kings Island edged out Cedar Point. Cedar Point is generally regarded as the national roller coaster leader, and Kings Island is just a fine regional park (we have season passes).

Not sure, but i believe MK has been above 16M before (look at the late 90's)...i believe they were close to 17M one year.

Also, Tokyo DL hasn't been first in the World for a few years now (according to the estimates anyways).

 

[Pedler]

They didn't add any rides this year, to go along with the fact that Disney has started monopolizing tourists in an unfair manner. They have new attractions lined up for 2006 and 2007 and the airport could challenge ME, so I wouldn't be too worried.

An article in the WSJ on this data did reference that celebrations and new attractions do affect the numbers signifigantly. While its great news for Disney we should wait to see if the trend continues in the next year or two before drawing any long term conclusions.

As for the "monopolizing tourists in an unfair manner" I agree that Disney has pulled out all the stops to try to get as much vacation time and dollars from their visitors. I know they did with us this last year. I don't think it was unfair at all. Universal or any other theme park can also come up with:

Free transportation, dinning plans, promotions including free food, minimal cost for incremental days.... ect. No one held a gun to our head to spend all of our time at Disney and from what little I know Universal has nothing like the programs WDW had last year to keep people on site. It just good old fashioned marketing.

 

[Laurabearz]

Wow.... I knew the water park at Gurnee added people but 24% increase!!!

We really noticed the difference in crowd levels between US/IOA and WDW this past trip.

Thankfully we love US/IOA and we got a great deal... 2 year premium AP for $169 bucks. Even the $295 DVC WDW AP doesnt come close to that.....

I am also thankful for this board and all it's tips on how to avoid/deal with crowds!! Fast Passes are great!

 

[bicker]

I'm sure the celebrations make a difference. We can probably expect a decrease for WDW and an increase for Universal in an in-between-celebrations year. Disney really can decide how much business they want to do, just by how they promote themselves any given year.

 

[F-L-A]

I think I hit a nerve. Whoopsy. [/sarcasm] Doesn't take an awful lot to incite the childish, overly defensive mumblings around here, does it? Of course, Disney can do no wrong, right... CVW?

Perhaps if you would be so kind as to explain how Disney is "monopolizing tourists in an unfair manner," perhaps that would shed some light on exactly what you mean. Also, why would the airport challenge ME when it has a contract with Disney?

I'm not sure if you were aware of this, but having cast members in parts of the airport they aren't supposed to be in, and them doing what they've been doing there (they do a whole lot more than pick up designated ME users) is... what's the word I'm looking for? Oh, right... illegal. Many local businesses and transportation companies are very disgruntled, to say the least, with the entire thing and the airport isn't happy either, and whether anyone likes it or not, it could very likely mean the end of ME in the near future. I say good riddance. Disney should have to get customers the same ways everyone else does.

 

[safetymom]

I doubt DME will be going away any time soon and if it does it will be Disney's choice. Disney set up the program with the cooperation of the Airport authority. The authority doesn't seem to be doing the moaning and groaning all the transportation companies are doing.

 

[Pedler]

While I do think the transportation companies should all compete on the same level I don't think having Disney greeters on a different level had a signifigant effect on the attendance figures. Its not like someone got off a plane and wanted to go to Universal but changed their mind when they saw the people with the white gloves on.

 

[bicker]

And the dispute wasn't really "Universal" versus "Disney" but was rather "Magical Express" versus all the other transportation options.

 

[peter11435]

I think I hit a nerve. Whoopsy. [/sarcasm] Doesn't take an awful lot to incite the childish, overly defensive mumblings around here, does it? Of course, Disney can do no wrong, right... CVW?



I'm not sure if you were aware of this, but having cast members in parts of the airport they aren't supposed to be in, and them doing what they've been doing there (they do a whole lot more than pick up designated ME users) is... what's the word I'm looking for? Oh, right... illegal. Many local businesses and transportation companies are very disgruntled, to say the least, with the entire thing and the airport isn't happy either, and whether anyone likes it or not, it could very likely mean the end of ME in the near future. I say good riddance. Disney should have to get customers the same ways everyone else does.

Disney did not put CM anywhere they were not allowed to. The CM were in those parts of the airport as per Disney's agreement with the airport. If anyone is at fault here it is the airport for giving Disney the rights they did to begin with. Only when other companies complained did the airport run scared and change Disney's contract. Also having people in those parts of the airport was never illegal as you say. It was simply against airport rules. A rule the airport itself broke not Disney by signing the ME contract.

 

[kydisneyfans]

To further the trend, both Disney California parks was up, while Universal hollywood was down. Not sure if monopolizing tourists at the Orlando airport had anything to do with the drop in attendance 3,000 miles away.

As for the Ohio parks dropping-there were some rainy days on key weekends which may have dampened park attendance. PKI is still open for holidayfest so thair number may still bump up some. Cedar Point may be down due to their operations of the old Geuaga lake-as they are now competing with themselves. Ohio's economy is also horrid compared to the rest of the country. We stopped visiting Cedar Point years ago as lodging was too expensive and the hotels were nasty.