Disney Closing Animal Kingdom?

[EUROPA]

Originally posted by airlarry!
Definition of Synergy*:


* Not in Webster's dictionary. Check Ei$ner's New Abridged Dctnry (sorry but had to cut the vowels out--10% removal of vowels may increase the bottom line 10%).

Or starting making movies out of 20-30 year old theme park attractions. One of which you close down before releasing the movie. I just can't wait for the movie about the Monorail!

 

[blackshirt]

Originally posted by Peter Pirate
Yeah man! I just renewed our annual passes! Not what you had in mind I'll bet?

My mantra "Vote with your wallet" extents far beyond WDW. If a customer is unhappy with the services being provided by a company, the best way of letting that company know that you are dissatisfied is to not support that company. Even in these BLEAK times for WDW, however, I must admit we still buy passes for the MK on each trip to Orlando. Hypocrite? Well, possibly. But, IMO,the MK still holds its value on certain days.(fireworks, parades,etc.)

 

[OnWithTheShow]

Not to get into the half day park argument, but it still takes me the whole day to do Animal Kingdom. Also, if you would like my a copy of my videos of the animals active in the afternoon I could send it to you. I only have video from one day, but I could start doing it everyday I go (about once a week) if it would get you to believe me.

 

[pr surfer]

Originally posted by EUROPA
I just can't wait for the movie about the Monorail!

only if it's a musical!

 

[grinningghost]

First off, I like AK. I like it alot. It's a good park, especially on the 3rd or 4th day, after you've been running commando at MK or MGM. You can slow down there. But even if AK were declared a "huge disaster" by Disney (which won't happen), it's unlikely they would close it down completely without trying some other things out first. Everest, it seems is a definite go. It would be crazy for them to close the park now. Lots of people are looking forward to Everest, and even planning a trip to coincide with it's opening.

Nasty rumor. Don't listen.

 

[DrKnow77]

I remember when MGM Disney Studios first opened up and it was just as "boring" as AK is now. They had very few attractions and not much to do. Now MGM is one of my favorite parks and there is a ton of things to do.... give the AK some time and it will be just as great as the other parks!

 

[HB2K]

Not to get into the half day park argument, but it still takes me the whole day to do Animal Kingdom.

That's wonderful show.

But the cold hard facts show that the MAJORITY of guests percieve DAK to be a Half a day park and bad value compared to other theme park options.

I remember when MGM Disney Studios first opened up and it was just as "boring" as AK is now. They had very few attractions and not much to do. Now MGM is one of my favorite parks and there is a ton of things to do.... give the AK some time and it will be just as great as the other parks!

It's funny you say that....

I remember my FIRST trip to DAK. At this time, I was a FIXTURE in what is now the car 1 mindset....I couldn't WAIT to see Disney's latest theme park....

and I went with my family (Mom, Dad & Siblings). And I remember looking at the tree of life with my father at about 1:00 in the afternoon and he asked me what I thought of the place (since we had just finished everything).

My reply?

It's not bad, but there just seems like there's nothing here.

His response?

Yeah, well just give them time...I bet they have big plans for this place....

Fast Forward to today (about 8-10 years later).

How much time do they need? The place has largely been static other than opening Asia & DinoRama.

Disney's policy of ignoring DAK after opening it as a shell is what put me in car 3. The recent cutbacks have pushed me further into car 4.

P.S. the above also happened at the Boardwalk. We figured Disney had BIG plans for the place, and guess what....it's still the same as it was back then.

 

[Peter Pirate]

The cold hard facts show that the MAJORITY of guests perceive DAK to be a half day park...

What "cold hard facts" are these? The attendance numbers that still show AK ahead of IOA & USF in attendance? Correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't you been touting these USF Parks as great? Yet, they're simply1/2 day Parks by your criteria...

You claim the place (AK) has remained "static" after throwing out two major additions. You may not like the quality of these attactions and for sure Disney can (and will) do better - 'E:E' has been announced, right? But dismissing what's been offered (because you don't like it) is hardly a legitimate argument.

With regard to the Boardwalk, what more could you have possibly expected? It is what it is in the space available and fulfills an entertainment/dining need as well as providing a diferent ambiance...

Lastly, with regard to AK's attendance numbers, I believe that when this years numbers come out AK WILL NOT BE the Park indicating the biggest problem. EVERY time we have gone to WDW this year we have always gone to AK twice. AK has been busier than both other parks (other than MK). This opinion is further evidenced by reading trip reports here on this board (Rumors & News) indicating that AK crowds have been healthy...

AK my never be the typical theme park, but it is loved by many faithfull followers and it offers a great diversion in theme park entertainment for many and is far from being a 1/2 day Park...

 

[DisneyKidds]

What "cold hard facts" are these?

Pirate..................thanks for saving me the keystrokes . Rediculous the 'facts' that some people feel qualified to throw around. Now if someone wants to make statements like 'AK is the least attended of the Disney parks', or 'Based on my experience it appears that crowds thin in the AK by X o'clock', etc - fine. Some of that may be true and some may just be personal experience, but "cold hard facts that the MAJORITY" of the public considers AK to be a half day park.............please .

 

[Samirella]

Originally posted by HB2K
Fast Forward to today (about 8-10 years later).

Actually, 8-10 years later would be fast forwarding to tomorrow since DAK has only been open five years. So, you just fast forwarded to 2006-2008. In August 2005 a new $120 million attraction is tentatively set to open. As of yet, we don't know what else will come by 2008.

 

[d-r]

"Having a movie you produce hit the top of the charts for four solid weeks, threaten to take over top spot of unadjusted for inflation Biggest Animated Movie ever, have said movie set in Australia"

Larry - I didn't know the rescuers down under was that big of a hit! Just kidding, I really wish for an Australia, too, and I think it would be the best place for a soarin.


DR

 

[Dznefreek]

If I remember correctly USF runs about 14 million a year. Isn't Epcot, DAK less than that??????????

 

[d-r]

Is 14 thousand the number of students at the University of South Florida? Or is 14 million the number of attendance for the studio park numbers and the IOA park numbers added together?

 

[Dznefreek]

Fourteen million for just USF without IOA. This figure was given long before IOA opened.

 

[Laurajean1014]

AK is one of our favorite parks! We don't mind that it opens at around 9 and closes at 6! We go so often, that I'm just like the wild life there. I want to have a nice day, go home and enjoy the evening with my family.....

Like dining at Jiko..... yummy.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Also, if I was only looking for quantity, I wouln't be at Disney, I'd be at the $3.99 buffet!

I think AK is a great value at a walk up price of $52!

 

[HB2K]

What "cold hard facts" are these? The attendance numbers that still show AK ahead of IOA & USF in attendance? Correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't you been touting these USF Parks as great? Yet, they're simply1/2 day Parks by your criteria...

Apples to Oranges.

Yes I rah rah the UO parks on these boards. I feel they're doing all the right things to grow their business whereas Disney seems like it's trying to shrink it's customer base.

Disney's Animal Kingdom's primary function is to stretch guest's vacations for an extra day, not compete with UO (which it's not doing well at....the last report I saw showed Universal Studios Park ahead of DAK). Excluding the first year, the parks' attendance has been horrid when compared to it's sister parks (the real measuring stick). The park has a BUILT IN customer base from the other three parks, yet it struggles and continually disappoints with regards to attendance.

This FACT has been well documented not only in the press, but as well as discussed here on these boards. While some may not agree with the "half day park" conclusion, the attendance numbers have NEVER been disputed....and the most reported guest complaint? There's not enough to do here...

You claim the place (AK) has remained "static" after throwing out two major additions.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you daring to call DinoRama a "major" attraction?

Walt's turning in his grave....

BTW I do not count Asia as an expansion. It was opened so close to the park it seemed like it was supposed to be a part of the original opening. But that's just my opinion....your mileage may vary. All in all that park has remained very static since it's inseption.

Some of that may be true and some may just be personal experience, but "cold hard facts that the MAJORITY" of the public considers AK to be a half day park.............please

What have you seen the park reported as? All of the press given to the park allude to it's less than desirable attraction count.

Actually, 8-10 years later would be fast forwarding to tomorrow since DAK has only been open five years. So, you just fast forwarded to 2006-2008. In August 2005 a new $120 million attraction is tentatively set to open. As of yet, we don't know what else will come by 2008.

OK I'll admit I didn't do my research before throwing out the 8-10 yr window. For some reason I thought DAK opened in 94 but after running a quick google search I discovered the park opened April 98. So I was wrong. Fast forward 5 years.

P.S. Don't count your mountains before they've hatched. Remember the WRE!

I think AK is a great value at a walk up price of $52!

Compared to a day at Magic Kingdom for the same price?????

Also, if I was only looking for quantity, I wouln't be at Disney, I'd be at the $3.99 buffet!

Or the wonderfull, quality DinoRama right?

 

[EUROPA]

Without going back to the 1/2 argument can somebody take a stab at why it is the least attended park out Disney's parks in Orlando? We know it's not a lack of advertising. It's no longer the new kid on the block. We won't argue the number of attractions. So if it's none of those things what is it? Just simple lack of appeal to the dumb masses that just don't get it's" magic"?

 

[Samirella]

Originally posted by HB2K
Apples to Oranges.


P.S. Don't count your mountains before they've hatched. Remember the WRE!

If you speak of Expedition Everest, it has already begun. WRE never got this far.

 

[JimC]

I believe it was Earth Day 4/22/98 that it opened. AK is on track - its only five years old and three of those years have been with a poor economy, terror threats and the Iraq war. At the same time Disney has been struggling with its ABC network purchase.

In those same five years it brought on line the Magic 7/98, the Wonder 8/99, Downtown Disney CA 1/01, California Adventure 2/01, Tokyo Disney Sea 9/01 (probably the best theme park ever built and originally conceived as the second California park), Walt Disney Studios Paris 3/02 and groundbreaking on DL- Hong Kong. Add to that AKL, Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club Villas and Pop Century resort construction. Now add the rides brought on line at the various parks in those same years. Admittedly the foreign parks are largely owned and funded by other investors and the rides have sponsors and DVD recovers its capital outlay in the sale of timeshare interests. But it just highlights that AK is not the only draw on talent and capital in the Disney empire.

I believe if you look at the history of all Disney parks you will find that they open with a limited selection of rides and many plans for future development. This holds true all the way back to DL. In fairness they are supposed to grow and develop.

Florida is having a problem attracting tourists and I would expect that Disney has had many scenario planning sessions to consider how they might respond under different conditions. Some of those would logically consider how they would cope with further business downturns. Those same scenarios have probably been discussed by their competition, and I bet by the State of Florida as well. I would be surprised if they had not coordinated some of their thinking in this regard.