Crowd Outlook

[Jrb1979]

It’s new for this year. Universal overpriced it

At least they realized it was overpriced and did something about it. That's something I wish Disney would do more of. Stop raising prices so much just to drive guest spending. Find the balance of price and maximum amount of guests to get the same income.

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

It’s new for this year. Universal overpriced it

that's primarily what i was wondering. So i don't think you can draw much off of that, it could be overpriced, but it could be that demand isn't there in the parks so they are trying to entice people more. there really isn't a way of knowing

 

[HokieRaven5]

At least they realized it was overpriced and did something about it. That's something I wish Disney would do more of. Stop raising prices so much just to drive guest spending. Find the balance of price and maximum amount of guests to get the same income.

They did something about it the day the event starts, they don’t get a pat on the back for that.

Disney is doing exactly that, they capped the maximum attendance for at least WDW at 80% max capacity and are finding ways to operate within those parameters. Consumers committing to going to them under their raising in prices is just how the market will operate.

So far for this year there has been an increase in attendance at the domestic parks under the current operation standards at the parks vs last year (7% for Jan-Mar, 1% for Apr-July 1). Enough people currently seem to be okay with it outside of our parks fanatic bubble that is hyper critical of everything they do.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Third is go back to investing in the parks and stop focusing solely on D+.

They are, it’s just not going primarily to WDW at this time. It’s going to where they view the current growth opportunities are within the company: International Parks and DCL.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Very well said. And you are right those people aren't around anymore in these groups. My family is somewhere in the middle, not ready to drop it but also not happy with the way things have gone but have chosen to not see many recent movies/shows. I hear it around me all the time that Disney isn't the same, some have stopped it all some are like us and not sure where to go, but many of them use to go alot (we live 2.5 hours away) to now just going a couple days a year at most. It is a much larger crowd then some want to believe.

Have you read the Disboards "Disapointed" thread?

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

Are the parks dying? No of course not. Attendance is down due to a lot of things. I also believe they need to go back to what worked for the parks prior to Covid. First Genie+ and LL have to go. There has to be a simpler solution for line skips then booking return times. Second the Epcot festivals should be cut down to 1 or 2 a year. Make Epcot an updated version of what it originally was. Third is go back to investing in the parks and stop focusing solely on D+.

when have they not invested in the parks

 

[wabbott]

when have they not invested in the parks

I would suggest that at this very moment, there are unmet maintenance needs in both personnel and supplies in ALL the parks. At least judging by the attractions downtime numbers. You can't operate that way over the long term.

 

[Jrb1979]

when have they not invested in the parks

What's coming after Moana and Tiana? With how long it takes them to build things Epic Universe will be open. WDW desperately needs more attractions in DHS, AK and Epcot.

 

[ChipnDale79]

What's coming after Moana and Tiana? With how long it takes them to build things Epic Universe will be open. WDW desperately needs more attractions in DHS, AK and Epcot.

id love a 5th gate, but these 3 parks lack in attractions as to what MK does, adding attractions would help with crowds

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

when have they not invested in the parks

As some other posters have noted, I think there needs to be better focus on not just realizing maintenance, upkeep, wear and tear and staffing needs/deficiencies. But, there needs to be a better plan to address those issues in full and dare I say in a more timely manner.

For instance, I may be a lone wolf out in the woods here, but to me it is absolutely ridiculous that the central area of Future World (or whatever the heck they call it now) is still unavailable for guest traffic. You are razing a building and laying pathways and an interactive walk through and that is going to take 4 years or more? Just crazy stuff.

You would think that construction walls in the MIDDLE of the park for 4 years or more would be a source of embarrassment for a company that sell entertainment. Apparently, not at TWDC, after watching the EP construction project.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

With crowd levels being reported as shrinking, and Disney offering discounts through the summer. What does everyone think crowd levels will be through the end of the year. Similar to last year, less, or more in line with pre pandemic crowds?

huh?

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Negativity and pessimism are IMO what is primarily driving these boards, the demise of WDW is all over the place. Nickle and diming, unsustainability, complaining about how things were so much better years ago... ect. The thing that annoys me the most about it is the fact that people like riffing without any actual evidence, which spreads untruths that people just adopt blindly.

Wait...you're the one who opened this thread asking for opinions on attendance for the fall.

Now you are annoyed that forum members tried to answer the question YOU asked?

 

[HokieRaven5]

As some other posters have noted, I think there needs to be better focus on not just realizing maintenance, upkeep, wear and tear and staffing needs/deficiencies. But, there needs to be a better plan to address those issues in full and dare I say in a more timely manner.

For instance, I may be a lone wolf out in the woods here, but to me it is absolutely ridiculous that the central area of Future World (or whatever the heck they call it now) is still unavailable for guest traffic. You are razing a building and laying pathways and an interactive walk through and that is going to take 4 years or more? Just crazy stuff.

You would think that construction walls in the MIDDLE of the park for 4 years or more would be a source of embarrassment for a company that sell entertainment. Apparently, not at TWDC, after watching the EP construction project.

So imo those are valid concerns over how TWDC is operating in terms of construction of projects and maintenance in their parks, but to date hasn’t shown as large of an impact on the actual Crowds at the parks vs the prior year.

 

[Smugpugmug]

when have they not invested in the parks

AK has been a half day park (ride wise) for 25 years.

 

[ChipnDale79]

AK has been a half day park (ride wise) for 25 years.

its time for AK, its crazy to think Pandora has been open since 2017.

Hopefully we're gonna get something where dinoland was.

 

[HokieRaven5]

AK has been a half day park (ride wise) for 25 years.

In fairness so are each of the Universal Parks.

 

[bryaalre]

Sadly, I don't think we will get any sort of announcement until D23 next year when their cash doesn't have to be tied up buying Hulu.

AK needs a replacement for Dinoland and could use a new land expansion as well. HS and Epcot need more people eating rides or shows and HS needs to do something will animation courtyard.

 

[wabbott]

So imo those are valid concerns over how TWDC is operating in terms of construction of projects and maintenance in their parks, but to date hasn’t shown as large of an impact on the actual Crowds at the parks vs the prior year.

But then WDW numbers have been soft over the past few months, as asserted in yesterday's release. Heat, political climate, visit complexity, pricing, end of revenge travel - all these likely the culprits. So it would seem management should try to expedite things they DO have control of.

 

[Smugpugmug]

its time for AK, its crazy to think Pandora has been open since 2017.

Hopefully we're gonna get something where dinoland was.

And the version of Pandora we received was the budget cut one....it's still incredible but I think they can do more with the concept.

AK really needs to be next. It's my favorite park theming wise but it definitely needs another heavy hitter E ticket.

In fairness so are each of the Universal Parks.

I can do USF in an hour. Walk in, ride ET, then single rider Mummy and then I'm out of there.

 

[HokieRaven5]

But then WDW numbers have been soft over the past few months, as asserted in yesterday's release. Heat, political climate, visit complexity, pricing, end of revenge travel - all these likely the culprits. So it would seem management should try to expedite things they DO have control of.

I agree with the premise that they should be doing more in terms of in park maintenance, that’s a separate issue in my mind.