Attendance Down, Revenue Up

[TwoMisfits]

Funds at universal aren't the problem. Look at where universal is located they can't put on a nightly fireworks spectacular because of that. As for meet and greets they don't really have lovable characters that everyone wants to meet. Universal is rather focused on creating amazing experiences like potter or Kong than nighttime shows.

See, I prefer Universal's meet and greets - nothing like the impromptu parade or show actually breaking up and coming to meet the crowd that watched...of for the real Transformer to come out moving and talking...or the actual Jurassic park dino (amazing)...or the wizards who teach magic all over Harry Potter land to help your kid learn and perform their spell correctly (and who stay in total character)...or the Green Goblin playing pranks in the crowd before the supers arrive in the morning for greets...

Disney isn't very far ahead at all anymore for character M&Gs...and Universal's greets have the advantage of zero lines b/c people don't usually go to Universal for characters...

 

[luisov]

I agree but people including the board love him, we can only hope his contract isn't extended and that they find someone outside the company that doesn't make things worse.

And that's what worries me. If the board loves him that much because of his abilities to increase revenues and decrease costs, what are the possibilities of Disney ever getting a CEO that actually cares about the experience again?

 

[jade1]

See, I prefer Universal's meet and greets - nothing like the impromptu parade or show actually breaking up and coming to meet the crowd that watched...of for the real Transformer to come out moving and talking...or the actual Jurassic park dino (amazing)...or the wizards who teach magic all over Harry Potter land to help your kid learn and perform their spell correctly (and who stay in total character)...or the Green Goblin playing pranks in the crowd before the supers arrive in the morning for greets...

Disney isn't very far ahead at all anymore for character M&Gs...and Universal's greets have the advantage of zero lines b/c people don't usually go to Universal for characters...

I've been to them and like the more adult feel of them, but mostly agree with your last sentence and for good reason.

 

[Slapshot1188]

Form their just published quarterly report:

Attendance at our domestic theme parks was relatively flat, as an increase at Disneyland Resort was offset by a modest decrease at Walt Disney World Resort.


Are the cost increases starting to impact attendance?

Anyone notice a difference in parks?

 

[jade1]

I'm not in anyway taking away from what they do/contribute...

You absolutely 100% did just that. Its "not high quality entertainment"?

And shows are great...but good god, they ride them for far too long...nearly to oblivion.

Fantasmic was really cool when i first saw it...that was 17 years ago...same with illuminations 2.0.

It just stretches on into oblivion. And you're defense is the tired pro-Disney stance: "can't get this anywhere else"

Yes the alternative can be like other parks and just not offer these things and close early etc.

Again you are talking about repeat customers. Certainly things get old to a % of them, but not to a large % of them and not to "new" visitors.

But even then, you pick and choose. What about Celebrate the Magic or Star Wars Fireworks. And Jungle Book starts in a couple weeks followed by ROL.

What about FOTLK, Nemo, B&B, VOTLM, Frozen-why are they so different than aging "ride" attractions?

Why not close Splash and BTMRR then?

 

[RedAngie]

The difference in attendance is probably not noticeable. Who can really tell the difference between a crowd of 50,000 vs one of 48,750?

 

[Slapshot1188]

Attendance was up 7 percent in 2015 vs 2014 and I could feel it...

 

[hakepb]

I think the strong dollar is hurting international tourism into WDW more than price increases impacting domestic WDW trips.

 

[Accident]

Anyone notice a difference in parks?

I've seen it get much more empty at night but even the Dis Unplugged team has commented on how their trips tot he park haven't been as empty as past years.. I would call it more busy than usual for this time of year. Hollywood does feel less crowded so I think that's where the hit is.

I'm not really convinced that report says it's lower attendance. Yes it's much lower than the insane Q4 they had last year with osbourne closing but it feels more crowded than previous years Q1s. I would not be shocked if that is a play on words to make it sound stronger later in the year.

I do however think people are starting to back off in preparation for new things opening. people waiting for soarin/norway and AK at night to open before coming. Then next year with pandora I can see people maybe holding off going this year with the price and crowds. Then you have the every 5+ year goers that are probably holding off for star wars and toy story land.

 

[jade1]

And that's what worries me. If the board loves him that much because of his abilities to increase revenues and decrease costs, what are the possibilities of Disney ever getting a CEO that actually cares about the experience again?

But I could see "him" extend to make sure the new expansions fall under his "umbrella". I can't see him wanting to go out on any kind of sourish note with Billions in expansion over the next years, some starting to open this weekend. Be interesting to see what happens.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I agree but people including the board love him, we can only hope his contract isn't extended and that they find someone outside the company that doesn't make things worse.

The board are more empty suit than he is...

At least he made the 3 big acquisitions and got good product

 

[TiggerBouncy]

I do however think people are starting to back off in preparation for new things opening. people waiting for soarin/norway and AK at night to open before coming. Then next year with pandora I can see people maybe holding off going this year with the price and crowds. Then you have the every 5+ year goers that are probably holding off for star wars and toy story land.

This.

I think the strong dollar is hurting international tourism into WDW more than price increases impacting domestic WDW trips.

And this.

 

[luisov]

But I could see "him" extend to make sure the new expansions fall under his "umbrella". I can't see him wanting to go out on any kind of sourish note with Billions in expansion over the next years, some starting to open this weekend. Be interesting to see what happens.

He keeps saying he's not intrested in extending his contract once again, but I suppose he might be waiting for the right offer. I agree that he probably wants Star Wars land to be the jewel to top his crown.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

You absolutely 100% did just that. Its "not high quality entertainment"?



Yes the alternative can be like other parks and just not offer these things and close early etc.

Again you are talking about repeat customers. Certainly things get old to a % of them, but not to a large % of them and not to "new" visitors.

But even then, you pick and choose. What about Celebrate the Magic or Star Wars Fireworks. And Jungle Book starts in a couple weeks followed by ROL.

What about FOTLK, Nemo, B&B, VOTLM, Frozen-why are they so different than aging "ride" attractions?

Why not close Splash and BTMRR then?

I said "groundbreaking, high quality entertainment"...which I'm talking about technical innovation. So I'll clarify.

And yes...repeat customers DO EXIST. The parks are not 95% first timers 365 days a year...FAR LESS.

You do know that the Disney strategy from 1985-2005 was to develop repeat, loyal customer base? Do you not?

Even if they move away from that now...you can't erase that base. You have to service it.

And big thunder and space have held up well...but at 35 and 40 years respectively...if they were to close, it wouldn't exactly be a head scratcher.

You can only defend your employer so far...that is what is going on here, correct?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

He keeps saying he's not intrested in extending his contract once again, but I suppose he might be waiting for the right offer. I agree that he probably wants Star Wars land to be the jewel to top his crown.

It's all about his stock option cash out point...if the perceived "high point" is within this contract - he's out.

If analysts think it's a few years down the road into a more high charge IP/digital license era...he'll double down.

Or he'll start to wreck the place like evil Michael.

With no Roy as a backstop. That's a high wire act without a net.

 

[Josh Hendy]

And some times its no fault of their own.

Dueling Dragons was far better when the "dueled" at the same time, but as Dragon Challenge they send them off staggered.

IIRC they stopped dueling a year or so before they became Dragon Challenge because of an accident in which someone lost an eye due to an object such as a coin flying out of someone's pocket. Or hand.

 

[Tekneek]

My personal anecdote, for whatever that is worth, is that I am being sent offers from Disney on a weekly basis to go and stay on resort. It is difficult for me to imagine they would be doing this if they already had more than enough business walking through the doors.

 

[Tekneek]

Imagineering is still in charge of details and theming there though.

Right, but if Imagineering were all that was necessary then everything would be on that same level. This is a management failure within Disney itself.

 

[jade1]

IIRC they stopped dueling a year or so before they became Dragon Challenge because of an accident in which someone lost an eye due to an object such as a coin flying out of someone's pocket. Or hand.

Hence the "no fault of the former imagineers" comment, or was it?

 

[jade1]

I said "groundbreaking, high quality entertainment"...which I'm talking about technical innovation. So I'll clarify.

And yes...repeat customers DO EXIST. The parks are not 95% first timers 365 days a year...FAR LESS.

You do know that the Disney strategy from 1985-2005 was to develop repeat, loyal customer base? Do you not?

Even if they move away from that now...you can't erase that base. You have to service it.

And big thunder and space have held up well...but at 35 and 40 years respectively...if they were to close, it wouldn't exactly be a head scratcher.

You can only defend your employer so far...that is what is going on here, correct?

Thanks for clarifying the M&G's are indeed "high quality entertainment" after all-I assume that's your new stance correct?

Although Baymax and Talking Mickey are pretty technical, I know the suit tech, not sure on Olaf or Kylo.

And repeat customers are indeed a large %, hmm I wonder why?