Economy Affecting Attendance?

[liltoot]

Anyone that's been recently did you notice a change in the crowds due to the economy? Just curious.

 

[10yrsApart]

Anyone that's been recently did you notice a change in the crowds due to the economy? Just curious.

We were there Feb.7-14 and while at the parks my husband and I were discussing how the economy didn't seem to be hurting Disney at all! The parks were packed!!

 

[Robo]

We were there Feb.7-14 and while at the parks my husband and I were discussing how the economy didn't seem to be hurting Disney at all! The parks were packed!!

There this January.

Lots of guests. Plenty of them!

 

[wilde_oscar]

people are booking closer to their vacation. used to be that folks booked 6-9 months out... now more like 3 months. Over all attendance is down, but not by much

 

[LadyGracey]

Before, it seemed like people were still coming to the parks, but not buying souvenirs (much less people coming out of stores with bags of stuff, or not buying as much). This weekend sales seemed to be picking up again. Hopefully it's a good sign.

 

[4luvofbearandmouse]

While we anticipated the crowds would be smaller due to the economy, we were wrong. I think Disney also anticipated the economy could lower attendance so they offered the buy 4 get 3 which EVERYONE we talked to (while at Disney the first week of February) was participating in. So from our experience I'd have to say that Disney was on top of the situation and attendance is not currently being affected by the economy.

 

[chartle]

On the podcast I think they quoted Disney saying that attendance was 5% over the last quarter.

Which I don't think the casual observer would notice but Disney does. 5% may not seem like a lot but 5% of a gazillion dollars is a big hunk of change.

One other thing they discussed was that its the future bookings they may be more worried about and that the 4/3 deal may extend into summer.

 

[selina4disney]

At MK last week we saw solid heads as far as the eye could see back by Splash...the last time I saw that many people back there was in April 2007. We saw a lot of people everywhere we went.

Disney seems to feel there is lower attendance since they keep extending perks to get people to book, but one of the CMs told us he couldn't see it, and I didn't see it either. Looked pretty busy to me for what I had expected to be a very slow time.

 

[selina4disney]

On the podcast I think they quoted Disney saying that attendance was 5% over the last quarter.

Which I don't think the casual observer would notice but Disney does. 5% may not seem like a lot but 5% of a gazillion dollars is a big hunk of change.

One other thing they discussed was that its the future bookings they may be more worried about and that the 4/3 deal may extend into summer.

The 4/3 deal was already extended to August 15 (as of February 9). My son and family had booked already for August 16-21, so that was a bummer for them!

 

[Robo]

5% may not seem like a lot but 5% of a gazillion dollars is a big hunk of change.

But 95% of a gazillion dollars is even bigger.

Many American companies would be plenty happy with 95% of what they were making in boom times.

 

[Metro West]

We were there Feb.7-14 and while at the parks my husband and I were discussing how the economy didn't seem to be hurting Disney at all! The parks were packed!!

I agree...I was at MK on Sunday and couldn't believe how crowded it was. I didn't notice if people were buying stuff or not...I didn't stay long.

 

[JoanneNC]

But 95% of a gazillion dollars is even bigger.

Many American companies would be plenty happy with 95% of what they were making in boom times.

Definitely true -

Disney is doing some great marketing - giving some great discounts but will need to be careful to not over discount the product for too long. Our economy will bounce back - it will take longer then past recessions - but there is only so long those Americans with money can stay sheltered in their houses.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

With all the promos for WDW, I decided to venture west to DLR this summer. I know, that sounds backwards. But, I am hoping for smaller crowds at DLR. Even with the WDW 4/3 promo, I was able to book the Disneyland Hotel @ DLR for almost the same price as a WDW package. Yes, that shocked me too.

A lot of people are heading to Orlando this Spring Break and Summer that normally don't go to WDW. To me that means, larger crowds and guests that may not appreciate the true magic of WDW and think it is a glorified Six Flags. I'd be curious to read DISers and WDW vets experiences at WDW come August.

Jennifer

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Let's see.
2) There is 7.5% unemployment.
3) That leaves 92.5% working.
4) Maybe 75% of the working feel apprehensive.
5) That leaves 23.1% still spending.
6) So, there are 6,999,000 people to go to Disney.

Seriously, yes, resort bookings are down, but there still are a lot of people doing vacations. WDW has seen busy days and medium busy days lately, especially since it is President's Week.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Not that I can see! I was just in Disney last week, and it's actually the busiest I've ever seen it in February.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

We were just down there (not in the parks) but at down town disney and I hit up will call for my dd's fun card for her birthday and I was shocked how full it was. There were tons of people shopping in DTD and many had build a dino boxes and bags full of stuff and the restaurants were packed.

It was very busy on the monorail too and looked like a lot of people for that time of year going into the parks. I figure the promos this year may have something to do with disney not seeing much drop off.

 

[abc999]

My co-worker was there first week of February and he said he had never seen Disney so crowded and he usually goes during the summer.

 

[jimmymac]

Disney announced that attendance was down 8% last quarter. Profits are down 22%. The Florida Chamber of Commerce announced today that tourist attendance in the state was down 13% for October -December, the biggest 1 quarter dropoff since 9/11. The actual numbers do NOT represent what I'm reading here. Whom do I believe - Disney and Florida Chamber of Commerce or those who post here?

 

[eliza61]

Disney announced that attendance was down 8% last quarter. Profits are down 22%. The Florida Chamber of Commerce announced today that tourist attendance in the state was down 13% for October -December, the biggest 1 quarter dropoff since 9/11. The actual numbers do NOT represent what I'm reading here. Whom do I believe - Disney and Florida Chamber of Commerce or those who post here?

Welcome to the wonderful world of spin Jimmy. Probably all 3 are correct. The chamber of commerce may be tracking attendance for the entire state. So even if Disney is booming, Miami and the keys and the gulf coast may be seeing a substantial drop in tourism, which could bring the entire state down. Same thing with profits. Disney has quite a few revenue streams, Movies, parks, merchandise sales. attendance at the parks can be off, while 1 hit movie (think POTC) can make a season.


Always believe us Dissers we are one of you. Personally, no matter what the economy, I think the days of empty parks is over. Disney is a good value and imo when you are stretching your pennies you want the best bang for your buck. Now with all different types of promotions, Disney makes it real hard not to go.

 

[Grumpy's_Gal]

I was amazed at how full the TS restaurants were at dinner time, and how crowed the shops were at MK at closing a couple weeks ago. I can't speak to the attendance numbers, but the people that were at Disney were spending PLENTY of money!

Lori