We go to WDW as a couple for very specific reasons like the Flower Show and Christmas activities. We enjoy the Halloween/F&W festivites as well, but they haven't been the draw that the other 2 have been for us over the years.
We, (maybe it's mostly I, but DH comes along with me and enjoys himself) especially enjoy the music concerts. I was amazed at the wide range of ages at Herman's Hermits concerts last week and for Davy Jones previously. We, and I did ask DH, are so glad the Four Tops will be there when we're at F&W. Disney does seem to be targeting the Baby Boomers music for now, and there are groups that I don't remember, so it's all of the generation, or maybe the next younger one as well.
There are so many festivals that we're not interested in, but others are, the fitness people have their Marathons, the present Star Wars weekends, and whatever else, Night of Joy.
The generation that our children are in, (they are 31 and 29) have different ideas than we do. For instance, I am amazed that there is a Bibbiti Bobbity Boutique that seems to be so popular. I had sons, so maybe that has something to do with it. Disney does seem to be able to find a hook that draws people in.
Time and time at MCO, I hear things like, Universal is OK, but it's a 1-2 day/visit park, you know we really like to go to Disney there's more to see/do, many more times than I hear statements the other way. And also, because I have sons, I do wonder why they seem to cater more to little girls than little boys, or maybe they don't but it seems that way to me.
During our recent trip, DH and I went to the campground for Chip n Dales campfire/movie. They still sing campfires songs like B I N G O, or maybe they changed the name, I don't remember. I love campfires, and apparently so do lots of other people! We didn't stay for all of Lizzie McGuire, but I finally know who Hillary Duff is.
I guess Disney has to keep my DS and DDiL interested, we have the points, we'll bring them if they want to go. Our 3 yr. old DGD knows all of the Princesses, and she hasn't even gone yet, and it's not coming from me, we live far away and see them every few months, the next time is in 2 weeks, yeah!
I hope they do succeed. I don't own any stock, but DH does.
Bobbi
PS. Another thing, the Mother's Day brunch, not something that many people travel huge distances to get to seemed to be a huge success with locals. We have friend from Tarpon Springs who have made it a tradition to go to WDW every Mother's Day. So local people need to be hooked in too.