Good news for Disney theme parks?

[Planogirl]

From http://www.forbes.com/2004/01/02/0102automarketscan07.html?partner=yahoo&referrer= :

Disney Theme Parks Ended 2003 With Good News

Walt Disney (nyse: DIS - news - people ) shares were a little higher after Credit Suisse First Boston issued a favorable research note concluding that the U.S. theme parks division ended 2003 on a positive note due to a strong December performance. Citing industry research provider Smith Travel, CSFB said that hotel occupancy at Disney's Orlando, Fla., theme park in the four weeks ending Dec. 27, 2003, rose 3% from year-earlier levels to 51.9%, while occupancy at the Anaheim, Calif., location rose 10.8% to 61.6%. CSFB said it also had anecdotal evidence that theme park attendance was very strong at both locations in December. Disney shares were up 36 cents at $23.69.

The occupancy still seems a bit low to me but considering the rough times, I guess that any increase is very good news.

 

[Mr D]

I guess it adds another tick to the Disney resort having one less guest, I'm staying at a vacation rental home for 4 weeks...AND going everywhere else but Disney.

 

[wtg2000]

51.9%

Wow. That seems awfully low even considering the number of hotels Disney now has. In the book Prince of the Magic Kingdom (1992) it mentioned that occupancy rate was 45 % nationwide, 68 % in Orlando and 98 % at WDW. I guess times have changed.

 

[DemoBri1]

Originally posted by wtg2000
Wow. That seems awfully low even considering the number of hotels Disney now has. In the book Prince of the Magic Kingdom (1992) it mentioned that occupancy rate was 45 % nationwide, 68 % in Orlando and 98 % at WDW. I guess times have changed.

First, there were alot less rooms at WDW back in 1992. Second, when was the 98% figure quoted for? Over the holidays?? I can't believe that 98% of the rooms would be occupied over the holiday season at any point in time.

Brian

 

[walter]

The price per share is still less than we paid for them approx. 5 yrs ago. Any upswing is encouraging

 

[WIcruizer]

Disney made a mistake in their "class" system of hotels. The WL and AKL...great destinations. The All Stars...perfect for those looking for value. The Mods are the problem. This happens to be my income range, so I know what I'm talking about. Comparing the mods to off-site isn't even close.

I can get a mod for maybe $150 on average, and as you know those are pretty "standard" rooms. Off-site I can get a 2 bedroom suite with full kitchen, full living room, and balcony within walking distance off DTD for under $100. Now why would I want to stay in a small room on Disney property for 50% more?

Disney missed the boat on suite hotels i nthe mod price range.

 

[Planogirl]

Originally posted by WIcruizer
Disney made a mistake in their "class" system of hotels. The WL and AKL...great destinations. The All Stars...perfect for those looking for value. The Mods are the problem. This happens to be my income range, so I know what I'm talking about. Comparing the mods to off-site isn't even close.

I can get a mod for maybe $150 on average, and as you know those are pretty "standard" rooms. Off-site I can get a 2 bedroom suite with full kitchen, full living room, and balcony within walking distance off DTD for under $100. Now why would I want to stay in a small room on Disney property for 50% more?

Disney missed the boat on suite hotels i nthe mod price range.

I think that the mods are too high (another issue) but I also think that they're nicely themed particularly Port Orleans. They are on-site (a plus), they have more amenities than the budget resorts, their rooms are big enough and nicely decorated and well, Port Orleans works well for me. I have problems with the deluxes because I think that they're WAY too expensive and the budget resorts because I think that they're too austere but to each their own.

 

[Schmeck]

Mr D, what is your problem?

Anyways, only a 3% rise during the FairyTale whatever it was called, pay for 4 days get 3 free? That doesn't sound too good!

As a moderate resorter, I find the benefits of staying onsite (EMH, frequent buses, great theming, and Disney quality) outweigh the saving of staying offsite. But to each their own, LOL!

 

[crusader]

I have a problem with the Mods as well but mainly due to proximity.

The exception being the WL - which I do place in this category.

The Mods afforded me the first opportunity to stay on-site in a hotel in the early 90's. The problem was they were 100% dependent on one mode of transport within the disney system - a bus.

Having been spoiled so to speak for years with access at the campground, I wasn't prepared for the inconvienence and felt confined to one place without it being a hassle.

That level of inconvienence remains a primary deterrant for me and after staying this past trip at the Boardwalk I can honestly say I'll avoid the mods at all cost unless forced due to some unforseen circumstance.

 

[WIcruizer]

The mods are great if you don't mind the transport system. Personally, I much rather drive to the parks- especially MK. Also, when I'm at Disney for a week I don't like being "trapped" in one place.

Finally, I think the quality is misleading. The rooms are small and don't have any "amenities" at all. Off-site I can get a balcony, full kitchen, full living room, and seperate bedrooms with locking doors. All for far less money. The pools and other facilities are just as nice. Best of all I'm not trapped into the food court at the mods which is mediocre at best- and again expensive. We dine off-site whenever possible- even when we stay on-site.

I understand the theming, and that's a big draw. But since we're in the parks most of the day (or DTD, Boardwalk, etc.) we get plenty of magic. (And an extra $400-500 to spend)

 

[kilarney]

Originally posted by WIcruizer
I can get a mod for maybe $150 on average, and as you know those are pretty "standard" rooms. Off-site I can get a 2 bedroom suite with full kitchen, full living room, and balcony within walking distance off DTD for under $100. Now why would I want to stay in a small room on Disney property for 50% more?

Are you talking about the Staybridge Suites?

 

[WIcruizer]

Are you talking about the Staybridge Suites?

There are many, but Staybridge Suites is certainly one example.

 

[Schmeck]

Luckily, there are many options for everyone in Orlando, because the last place I want to see, never mind be in, while I'm on vacation is a kitchen, shudder

One of the reasons why we like onsite is because of the great transportation system - buses every 10 minutes or so. At the offsite resorts, it seems like the buses were only available at certain times, and many of them covered every park, so you spent a lot of time on a bus if your park was last for drop-off. At least that's what we heard from friends, and from surfing hotel websites.

Has the bus situation offsite improved that much over the past few years?

 

[WIcruizer]

Buses....talk about shudder. Good example of everyone having their own preference. I hate taking those Disney buses, and we don't even use them when we're on-site. I hear you on the kitchen....we don't do any cooking believe me. But it is great to have a full sized fridge, freezer, and microwave.

 

[chainkid]

Everyone knows you can spend alot less off site for much nicer accomodations than you get in a moderate but you get offsite. I don't even feel like I've been to disney unless I stay onsite. I rarely use the buses. The resort atmosphere theming ...getting to avoid traffic jams at the close of the parks, the great restaurants all add to my enjoyment. I joined the DVC so now I get the great accomodations for the price of a moderate or less and all the perks of being onsite.

My family that stays offsite goes in frequently to Disney always saying its a hassle. No one understands our three trips a year. We don't even go into the parks sometimes just enjoy renting,water mice and golf. For those who GET IT you can't sell us offsite even in a lookalike TRump Towers

 

[searlproudbottom]

I Thought for a minute that Michael might had resigned by the topic of this Post, but then again this Post might have been called Fantasmic News for Disney Theme Parks. Ill keep my fingers crossed and keep wishing upon a star. And at every wishing well I come across and some day my Dreams will come true. I do believe in fairies. I do believe in fairies. I do believe in fairies.

Searl

 

[Mari annie]

Hi

We tried many years ago staying off site, very cheap, but the traffic/crowds/people/hotel room problems/or hotels being just plain dirty! we drive from MA-FL to begin with!!!
I understand what you are saying COMPLETLY!
We go twice yearly and both for 10 days, and we couldn't imagine staying off property ever again!
We go to the parks one day, rest in the next, take in lots of sites and really enjoy our trip, besides traveling to other FL destinations.
You are soooo right, to get the true feeling of of Disney experience, or Universal you have to stay at the Resorts!
After trying to "save" a few bucks, and deal with congestive traffic/and horrible hotel rooms, never again!
Most of the time, staying at Moderate is like maybe 20.00 more than those cheap chains outside, and you never know what you are getting!
You can read and read all the reports that people write, but everyone's views/likes are sooo different, if anything goes wrong at Disney, you let the front desk know it, and they take care of it, sometimes it may take a little time, but in the long run, they do take care of it, and you do get the treatment you are paying for!
IE. Our stay in Music a few years back, dirty carpets, bathroom-dust everywhere.........we complained they put us in Dixie Landings the same price!
Now, if we stayed outside someplace, you are on your own, and it's up to the Mgr's, or owners decision...
most likely you may be moved to another room, but it's probably the same condition or worse!!!
We have done alot of traveling all over FL-and The Keys, and learned our lessons about cheap hotels/motels.
Everything from broken toliets to broken phones to food under the beds to the unmentionable on the bathroom walls... or not great areas...
Most are dumps and it usually goes from bad-worse!
Have to weigh it, vacations are costly and scarce and are memories for the entire family--so instead of buying an extra toy or dining out at more expensive resteraunt, stay on property, and save yourself alot of aggravation and truly enjoy your trip!

We had too many incidents, not to stay at Disney or The Universal Hotels!


4 more Days to Sunny FL!!!!