Orlando Paper: "Disney is Losing Market Share"

[mjstaceyuofm]

Thanks for the info.

...it sure is relaxing just to plop your butt down in one of them boats or seats and enjoy an airconditioned ride.

Wait, doesn't air-conditioning = $ ? We may not have that luxury for too much longer....

 

[Sarangel]

As for skyway, from what I've been told, it was closed because people today are AS___LES. Idiots would throw,spill,spit,etc from the baskets.

In addition to these very valid points, there was one moron (just before they closed it) who decided to throw himself out of the basket....

Sarangel (who still misses the skyway)

 

[mattjs]

Using the Amusement Business estimates for 2001 and 2002...

Universal/IOA
IOA:
2001 5.5 million visitors
2002 6.1 million visitors

up 600,000

Universal Studios Orlando:
2001 7.3 million visitors
2002 6.9 million visitors

down 400,000

US/IOA TOTALS
Total 2002 attendance -- 13 million
Change from 2001 -- up 200,000
% change from 2001 -- up 1.54%
--------------------------------------------

DisneyWorld
MK:
2001 14.8 million visitors
2002 14.7 million visitors

down 100,000

Epcot:
2001 9 million visitors
2002 8.3 million visitors

down 700,000

MGM:
2001 8.4 million visitors
2002 8.3 million visitors

down 100,000

AK:
2001 7.8 million visitors
2002 7.3 million visitors

down 500,000

DisneyWorld TOTALS
Total 2002 attendance -- 38.3 million
Change from 2001 -- down 1.4 million
% change from 2001 -- down 3.53%
------------------------------------------

Attendance numbers alone aren't much to go on, but since that's where we're at...

In 2002, DisneyWorld had 25.3 million more visitors than it's closest competitor (US/IOA).

If DisneyWorld attendance just stays level in the coming year, US/IOA would need to see a 194% increase in 2003 attendance numbers just to pull even with WDW. US/IOA's increase this year was 1 and 1/2%.

If Disney's numbers are a problem, that's a problem I'd like to have.

 

[pheneix]

Matt, I don't know eher you go those numbers from, but they are inflated across the board for both companies. The 2002 numbers from AB are as follows:

MK 14 million
Epcot 8.3 million
MGM 8 million
AK 7.3 million

Your 2002 numbers for Universal are accurate, but your 2001 numbers were also too high for them.

WDW drew 37.5 million visitors in 2002 according to AB, although it is rumored that they drew much less.

 

[mattjs]

You're right on one count. The Universal Studios Orlando number 2001 is 7.2 million not 7.3 million. A typo. That I'll correct right now. The 2001 Amusement Business estimates listed above can be cross checked at the following links...Link 1 and Link 2

The 2002 numbers come from a Sentinel article referencing them as being supplied by AB.

 

[pheneix]

No, what I stated was correct. Here are the 2001 numbers supplied by Link 2:

- Magic Kingdom, Orlando -- 14.7 million, down 4%
- Disneyland, Anaheim, CA -- 12.3 million, down 11%
- EPCOT, Orlando -- 9 million, down 15%
- Disney-MGM Studios, Orlando -- 8.3 million, down 6%
- Disney's Animal Kingdom, Orlando -- 7.7 million, down 7%
- Universal Studios Orlando -- 7.2 million, down 10%
- Universal's Islands of Adventure, Orlando -- 5.5 million, down 8%

I am 100% certain that the 2002 numbers I posted are correct, as I used the Sentinel article you mentioned to compile a Top 10 list for Theme Park Insider last month.

 

[raidermatt]

Scoop, mjstacyuofm makes some good points about the whole being greater than the sum of the parts. We can look at ToT and reach the same conclusion. I mean how many people really come to WDW just because of ToT? Not many, but that doesn't mean it does not contribute to the resorts appeal.

Now, that said, I really agree with much of what you said. If Small World or Pirates are just not popular, its time to make some changes. Of course, I'd like to actually see some ridership numbers...

What I would have a HUGE problem with would be shutting down Small World, when there are multiple other attractions that have been shut down without replacement.

As little appeal as you might think Small World has, certainly it has more appeal than attractions that are already closed. In other words, repair the weakest link before moving on to stronger ones.

As far as updating Small World, Pirates, or other classic attraction...YES! Do it! I was looking forward to the new effects we heard were being planned for Pirates for DL's 50th. The philosophy that Disney was built on would not allow something to be kept around merely for nostalgic purposes. If it was losing its appeal, or could be made better with new technology, then do it.

Like you, Scoop, I am concerned that Disney is not doing enough updating and improving, let alone adding.

 

[raidermatt]

If Disney's numbers are a problem, that's a problem I'd like to have.

If the goal is merely to remain number one, than I agree, Disney still has a huge lead, and nobody it going to take it away within the next few years at least.

But Disney has to be more concerned about market share, and about year to year perfomance. Remaining #1 isn't really a good indication of how Disney is doing.

And when you look at year to year and market share, there are some indications that WDW's performance is slipping. That can't just be brushed off by saying their attendance dwarfs Universal's, because there is no guarantee it will continue to be that way.

Also, lower market share means less influence.

 

[Lisa P.]

In addition to these very valid points, there was one moron (just before they closed it) who decided to throw himself out of the basket....

That was very sad. He was a youth with a mental disability who panicked when the ride carrier departed from the loading platform. He managed to open the door and climb out onto the outside of the ride, then fell. There had been another, similar accident with the same ride attraction at DL so it was suggested that WDW probably opted to eliminate the risk altogether by closing the attraction. Perhaps a more secure lock on the door was not an option?