Park Capacity Percentage

[Darcy03231]

Based on the pictures I've seen they are greater than 35% and it wasn't announced that it increased.

Part of that is because things that can take a lot of people out of the walkways/lines aren't open - shows, parades, fireworks, dining, etc. This means that everyone is in the walkways, lines for rides/stores, or trying to eat in the limited restaurants that are open.

 

[Ermise]

Update from yesterday's Disney earnings call:


Q: (Alexia Quadrani, JP Morgan)

"Any color you can provide on how we should think or how you're thinking about when it's OK to start raising capacity, attendance capacity, particularly at Disney World?"

A: (Bob Chapek)

"In terms of the parks and when we're going to sort of be able to raise our capacity limits. We've already started that given the guidance that just came today from the CDC and earlier guidance that we got from the Governor of Florida, we've already started to increase our capacities.

Obviously, today's guidance that we got from the CDC in terms of those that were vaccinated do not necessarily need to wear masks anymore, both outdoors and indoors, is very big news for us, particularly if anybody's been in Florida in the middle of summer with a mask on. That could be quite daunting. So we think that's going to make for an even more pleasant experience. And we believe that as we're now bringing back a lot of people back to work, that it's going to be an even bigger catalyst for growth in attendance.

And we've been quite pleased to date. So I think you're going to see an immediate increase in the number of folks that we're able to admit into our parks through our reservation systems that we recently implemented. So we're very, very excited about that."


Q: (Jessica Reif Ehrlich, Bank of America Merrill Lynch)

"Some of the pictures from the parks look like it's totally full even with this reduced capacity. So now with capacity increasing, how does that relate to like kind of normal attendance?"

A: (Bob Chapek)

"OK. So in terms of the parks' demand domestically, our intent to visit at Walt Disney World is growing and is actually already flat with '19, which is obviously our last pre-COVID year. So that's really good news for us. And since we've opened up Disneyland Resort, intent to visit is actually growing well.

So we're thrilled with the guest response to that. So as capacity limits increase, we don't think we're going to have any problem at all sort of increasing our attendance to match that capacity. That is not something that keeps any of us up at night. In terms of our yield management, as you know, we've been practicing yield management for a while, and it's really become an art form with these extraordinarily limited capacities that we've been operating at.

But you've seen the margin's very healthy. Our yield is growing up from a very healthy standpoint. Consumers are spending more. And we're doing it under some tremendous cost management parameters because everything has become automated.

And so we've sort of got the perfect positive storm, if you will, where we've got plenty of demand. We've got really great yield management gains and cost management at the same time. And in terms of labor, we've had about 80% of our cast members return that we've asked to return. And obviously, one of the gating factors for us to continue to increase capacity is to continue to get more and more cast members back.

It thrills us to be able to do that, but we've had no problems whatsoever in terms of trying to get our cast to come back and make some magic for our guests."

 

[gharter]

Part of that is because things that can take a lot of people out of the walkways/lines aren't open - shows, parades, fireworks, dining, etc. This means that everyone is in the walkways, lines for rides/stores, or trying to eat in the limited restaurants that are open.

That was our experience. It seemed to be alot more people walking around then on previous trips. And we decided it was because of people waiting to get into a restaurant (trying to find a seat at QS was much easier) and the shows and parades not running.

 

[Upatnoon]

Sounds like while you can snap your fingers and open the gates to 100% capacity, that doesn't work with all the workers you fired during the pandemic. It will take time to get staffing up to 100% so they will expand capacity as staffing improves.

 

[MomOTwins]

Restaurants. Fastpass. Now.

 

[gharter]

Restaurants. Fastpass. Now.

I really didn't miss FPs when we were there. Was nice to see the standby lines moving.
Can't open the shows and restaurants if you can't staff them.

 

[wfjny]

Part of that is because things that can take a lot of people out of the walkways/lines aren't open - shows, parades, fireworks, dining, etc. This means that everyone is in the walkways, lines for rides/stores, or trying to eat in the limited restaurants that are open.

That is another point that people are all missing.

Many things are closed. When things are closed, that means people that would have been doing those things are doing other things.

People have mentioned that the capacity at MK is about 100,000 people. If that is true or not does not really matter. When the MK is full, you do not want to be there. But at 35% capacity, perhaps there are 35,000 people there.

But when doing social distancing, lets say space mountain is only loading the coasters at an average of half full. Well if every ride was equal, that would mean 35,000 people world seem like 70,000.

Most of the "Theaters" around WDW hold about 1,500 people each. Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular is a bit larger, and can hold over 2,100. That 25 minute show fills up about an hour for most attendees. Without that show, those 2,100 people are all in line in front of me for Tower of Terror.

Ok, not quite, but hopefully everyone gets the point.

So, the true capacity of the parks are cut by rides not running at capacity, and a general lack of things to do (Parades, Fireworks, Character Meet and Greets, Attractions/Shows, restaurants being closed). The past few times we were there, even the food carts that were open had longer lines.

 

[sdeut]

That is another point that people are all missing.

Many things are closed. When things are closed, that means people that would have been doing those things are doing other things.

People have mentioned that the capacity at MK is about 100,000 people. If that is true or not does not really matter. When the MK is full, you do not want to be there. But at 35% capacity, perhaps there are 35,000 people there.

But when doing social distancing, lets say space mountain is only loading the coasters at an average of half full. Well if every ride was equal, that would mean 35,000 people world seem like 70,000.

Most of the "Theaters" around WDW hold about 1,500 people each. Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular is a bit larger, and can hold over 2,100. That 25 minute show fills up about an hour for most attendees. Without that show, those 2,100 people are all in line in front of me for Tower of Terror.

Ok, not quite, but hopefully everyone gets the point.

So, the true capacity of the parks are cut by rides not running at capacity, and a general lack of things to do (Parades, Fireworks, Character Meet and Greets, Attractions/Shows, restaurants being closed). The past few times we were there, even the food carts that were open had longer lines.

Which is why if they wanted to increase people in the park they need to open more things up.

 

[Tess]

Sounds like while you can snap your fingers and open the gates to 100% capacity, that doesn't work with all the workers you fired during the pandemic. It will take time to get staffing up to 100% so they will expand capacity as staffing improves.

We were at Disney the day the CDC changed the mask mandates. We had conversations with CMs (one of whom was a manager) and they indicated that they had just left meetings wherein they were advised that 100% of full-time, furloughed CMs have been recalled. Further that so many FT CMs came back that the PTs were having a hard time getting hours. With the return of the college program, staffing should be better. Disney also began new hires recently.

 

[MrKnight]

I agree with Pete's assessment on the show yesterday, most likely parks are currently operating at 35% capacity and in the coming months likely be up to 50% capacity and even higher as the year progresses..

In addition, it is also worth noting that the state of Florida has no limitations/restrictions whatsoever on park capacity, so technically a park could operating at 100% capacity if they really wanted to, the current "capacity limits" have been imposed by Disney themselves and are controlled by Disney so there is really no way to know if park capacity exceeded 35% on any given day.. Food for thought..

 

[DSLRuser]

30% Capacity. Though we aren't for sure if that is:
30% of Capacity vs Average this time of year
30% of Capacity vs Max
30% of Capacity based on what all is open

or a mixture of all of it.

That is so deceptive....."Capacity" is New Years Eve / Christmas / 4th of July crowd levels. In reality, the parks usually never hit "capacity".

Our trip in September and early December seemed like a normal Disney park vista. slightly less people.

 

[Katie1174]

We just got back from a 10 day trip yesterday and we all remarked that the Saturday they lifted the outdoor mask mandate and the days after that the parks seemed way more crowded than the previous days of our trip, Maybe just coincidence, but all the people we talked to also said the same thing.....that bam, after the 15th it seemed much busier. We were glad we were leaving on the 18th.
Hopefully they get their employees back and open up more things because they certainly seem to need it.

 

[kverdon]

We too are glad to be leaving tomorrow. It gotten nuts this week. You can get on your first E ticket ride in 30-40 mins, you ones after that will be 60+. That is the way it was at EPCOT yesterday and AK today.

 

[_19disnA]

Update from yesterday's Disney earnings call:


Q: (Alexia Quadrani, JP Morgan)

"Any color you can provide on how we should think or how you're thinking about when it's OK to start raising capacity, attendance capacity, particularly at Disney World?"

A: (Bob Chapek)

"In terms of the parks and when we're going to sort of be able to raise our capacity limits. We've already started that given the guidance that just came today from the CDC and earlier guidance that we got from the Governor of Florida, we've already started to increase our capacities.

Obviously, today's guidance that we got from the CDC in terms of those that were vaccinated do not necessarily need to wear masks anymore, both outdoors and indoors, is very big news for us, particularly if anybody's been in Florida in the middle of summer with a mask on. That could be quite daunting. So we think that's going to make for an even more pleasant experience. And we believe that as we're now bringing back a lot of people back to work, that it's going to be an even bigger catalyst for growth in attendance.

And we've been quite pleased to date. So I think you're going to see an immediate increase in the number of folks that we're able to admit into our parks through our reservation systems that we recently implemented. So we're very, very excited about that."

Basically, he just talked around the question without ever answering it......LOL. Funny how those who blog fling out all kinds of % when official Disney sources won't reveal them. I agree with prior posters who said these are trade secrets and why advertise to a competitor like Universal what your planned capacity will be? Nothing to be gained by doing that. That is part of how you run a business.

 

[eleven24]

Can someone tell me what percentage the parks are operating (crowd wise)?

This number is VERY misleading. Percentage of capacity is not the same as percentage of typical guests during a particular time of year. It's like going to a restaurant and seeing a sign that says "Maximum capacity 300 guests", but you know at best the place only ever has 60 at most. That's 20% of capacity.

I have no idea what typical guests vs capacity might be by month, but I'm certain Disney rarely comes close to 100% capacity. I've only experienced it once, and that was New Year's Eve at MK. My bet is a typical May would see parks at 50% capacity. Having just been there this weekend, and also in January - I can tell you that it really doesn't seem significantly less crowded than it always is. That could be because people are not indoors at shows, or dining as they were before due to restrictions, but the people walking about seems to be no different than before.

 

[gharter]

This number is VERY misleading. Percentage of capacity is not the same as percentage of typical guests during a particular time of year. It's like going to a restaurant and seeing a sign that says "Maximum capacity 300 guests", but you know at best the place only ever has 60 at most. That's 20% of capacity.

I have no idea what typical guests vs capacity might be by month, but I'm certain Disney rarely comes close to 100% capacity. I've only experienced it once, and that was New Year's Eve at MK. My bet is a typical May would see parks at 50% capacity. Having just been there this weekend, and also in January - I can tell you that it really doesn't seem significantly less crowded than it always is. That could be because people are not indoors at shows, or dining as they were before due to restrictions, but the people walking about seems to be no different than before.

Very true.
While Disney will never release the numbers, it would be interesting to know what the % of capacity normally is on any given month. If April normally is at 50% capacity and now its capped at 35%, it really isn't going to seem that much less crowded.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Moving this discussion to Theme Parks Community as the actual number has not been announced.

 

[MomOTwins]

Very true.
While Disney will never release the numbers, it would be interesting to know what the % of capacity normally is on any given month. If April normally is at 50% capacity and now its capped at 35%, it really isn't going to seem that much less crowded.

I used to crack up at elevators signs on capacity. You would be in a teensy elevator with 8 people squished in to the max and it would say capacity is 35 people!

There was a great article a while back that dug in the numbers and it explained a lot. Basically Epcot pre-Covid averaged 20% capacity so doesn’t feel any different these days, while MK averaged 70% of capacity. Also getting rid of FP increased what “100%” capacity means because it tied up more people in queues, which is why 35% of the new increased capacity post-fastpass feels higher.

 

[Scalemaster34]

35% was Feb.

I know that they upped Park Reservations in MAY/JUNE.... clearly they have gone beyond 35% to add that additional capacity.

My guess is they are working towards 100% operations by October, but maybe still limiting crowd levels to less than that. No way they want full 100% that you see during some Holidays.

 

[DSLRuser]

We too are glad to be leaving tomorrow. It gotten nuts this week. You can get on your first E ticket ride in 30-40 mins, you ones after that will be 60+. That is the way it was at EPCOT yesterday and AK today.

We will be there Thursday the 27th..... I am ok with crowds like this....doesn't make me feel bad when we spend 4 or 5 hours at the pool each day