Crowds and the recession

[Laura_Lewis]

Does anyone think that visitors to DW will be affected due to the current economic situation? I know that it seems like Disney has ramped up their advertising on TV. Just curious.

 

[centurythree]

I'm embarrassed to say I was thinking the same thing. Typically attendance does fall off during bad economic times.

 

[rgf207]

Does anyone think that visitors to DW will be affected due to the current economic situation? I know that it seems like Disney has ramped up their advertising on TV. Just curious.

Honestly, I dont think you will see much of a difference. I think we have been in a recession for a while now just not officially according to economists. I haven't seen any decline in crowds yet and I dont think there will be

 

[Laura_Lewis]

I should add however, that I was just curious. I don't mean to sound as if I was happy to benefit from other's problems.

 

[wilde_oscar]

is it wrong to hope the economy tanks so that crowds and theme parks will be lower?

WDW trips are often budgeted and planned a year in advance... 2009 will be when things change for WDW... I suspect this will be a record year of people getting a vacation in before several years of sitting in the bathroom crying as you open the cable bill.

 

[jctwizzer]

Personally, I think the impact will be minimal.....JMO, but I think those persons most affected by any recession will not from the demographic
group that frequents WDW...:

 

[centurythree]

is it wrong to hope the economy tanks so that crowds and theme parks will be lower?

WDW trips are often budgeted and planned a year in advance... 2009 will be when things change for WDW... I suspect this will be a record year of people getting a vacation in before several years of sitting in the bathroom crying as you open the cable bill.

That was so wrong.

 

[kxmeeh]

I think wdw will see more foreign travelers. the american dollar is down, so it is getting cheaper for them to come here to visit.

 

[disney-super-mom]

I think the poor state of our economy will affect attendance at WDW, both this year and next.

If middle class families are already feeling pinched and trying to stretch their dollars now (which they are), and with the expectation that our economy is only going to get worse, I feel that it will indeed affect Disney and others in the hospitality industry. (All luxury spending will take a hit in my opinion, but my opinion isn't worth a whole lot, unfortunately. )

 

[loco4dis]

If Disney isn't being impacted by the "recession" than there is no recession. Luxuries like vacations are the first thing to go. This recession, so far, is a media myth. There is no recession where unemployment is below 5%.

 

[melly]

I think wdw will see more foreign travelers. the american dollar is down, so it is getting cheaper for them to come here to visit.

your not wrong. I felt like a millionaire when I went over last year.

Was considering buying purchasing some small shop called Wallmart with my spare change

 

[Not so Dumbo]

In Michigan we've been in a recession for the last 5 or so years. There are still plenty of people we know, including ourselves that are making their annual pilgramages to WDW.
I'm sure those who have lost their jobs obviously won't go, but those who are just trying to be careful won't forfeit their vacations.

 

[Cdn Gal]

We're able to afford to go b/c our dollar is stronger than the U.S. Our jobs are not directly affected by the markets, but there are lots of people who have lost their manufactiring jobs b/c the plants in our town have shut down and have moved to the U.S., Mexico, and China. Even with our dollar being strong, those people who normally would have gone to Disney, can't now with no job. Every day in Canada, more and more manufacturing jobs are being lost. The only thing that is saving us right now is the Alberta Oil Sands and other natural resources, but those too in time unless managed properly will be gone.

 

[taxmom04]

Are ya'll kidding - we're using our tax stimulus check TO GO to WDW!!!

 

[Pixiedust34]

I think that the number of American families who take a domestic vacation will decrease, but the number of those who travel to WDW from other countries will increase. That'll probably balance out the crowds at WDW.

 

[sallysue66]

In my area, coastal NC, I've know more people that have gone to WDW over the last 2 years than ever. They have scaled back from more exotic locales to WDW, and some regulars to WDW have opted for value resorts over deluxes.

 

[Feralpeg]

I am greatly concerned about the economy in the greater Orlando area. If gas prices go to $4 per gallon in this area, there will be many people who will have a hard time going to work. Many jobs here (including most WDW CMs) are minimum wage positions. Many of them commute long distances to work. It will end up costing them more to drive to work than they make.

I know many CMs who work multiple jobs now just to survive. Sadly, if tourism declines in this area, WDW and other tourism driven employers will begin laying people off. This is what happened after 911. This will really hurt this area.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

If Disney isn't being impacted by the "recession" than there is no recession. Luxuries like vacations are the first thing to go. This recession, so far, is a media myth. There is no recession where unemployment is below 5%.

AMEN!

As long as we can pay the for the PAP and DVC, we're going!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

If Disney isn't being impacted by the "recession" than there is no recession.

Disney is ramping up advertising and ramping up incentives to induce those abroad who's currencies haven't tanked to come visit. That's a sign they either are being impacted on the domestic front, or think they will be.

There is no recession where unemployment is below 5%.

Well when your labor force participation rate drops from 67.3 in 2000 to 66.1 now, Factoring that in throws your unemployment rate well above 5%.
That's not to mention they've changed the way it's calculated over the years. Virtually none of those changes had an effect of increasing the reported unemployment rate. Job growth has been declining for awhile now and has been in negative territory recently. We'll see what the next report says.

This recession, so far, is a media myth.

The following certainly aren't myths.
Foreclosures in January were up 59% over January of last year.
The S&P/Case-Shiller national home-price index for the fourth quarter fell 8.9% from a year earlier, the largest drop in its 20 years of data
And the OFHEO had its first ever year over year decline in 16 years
Fannie mae took a 2.45 billion 4th quarter loss.
Goldman-Sachs economists estimate that about 3 trillion in mortgages could go upside down (Ie people owe more than the home is worth.) in the near future. Only 1 trillion of them would be accounted for in the sub prime market.
The number of vacant completed new homes for sale has reached its highest level since the 1970s

Those are not signs of a healthy economy.

Originally Posted by wildeoscar View Post
is it wrong to hope the economy tanks so that crowds and theme parks will be lower?

That is so wrong. Instead you should hope that the economy tanks so the crowds will be lower and Disney offers deep discounting too.

 

[TexasMinnie82]