flynnibus
Premium Member
It’s because the cruises were such a better product… true to the disney approach… long before G+. The park nickel and diming just pushed more people to get over their hesitation
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
Is attendance really down at WDW this or…
- Thread starter coachb
- Start date
It’s because the cruises were such a better product… true to the disney approach… long before G+. The park nickel and diming just pushed more people to get over their hesitation
DisneyHead123
Well-Known Member
So I totally agree if you’re primarily a cruiser. I am primarily a Disney-er though, and I might get the shakes if there was no Disney theming on my cruise. Sad but true, lol.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
Crews cup…but they dumped the menu
Territory lounge…but they put that abomination next to it…
Hmmmm…the good bars might all be in springs now?
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
But unlike the Disney parks…the cruise competitors are better…caught them and passed them
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
The best Norwegian ships can be on par with the Disney dream class
The last 3 RCCL classes are clearly better
Celebrity is better from top to bottom
And there are other operators above that are miles ahead like silversea
DCL is fine for what it is…but not a good value
OrlandoRising
Well-Known Member
I understand why some disillusioned WDW fans gravitate towards the Cruise Line these days, but I maintain that it's not a comparable replacement for a theme park vacation. Could be that it took going on a cruise for those folks to realize that going on rides really wasn't important to them. I also think this shift from theme parks to DCL gets exaggerated by the blogs and podcasts sponsored or owned by travel agents.
Me personally, I like theme parks. Nothing about a cruise appeals to me. I'm not alone in that thinking either.
Last edited:
wannabeBelle
Well-Known Member
wannabeBelle
Well-Known Member
Absolutely true, A cruise vacation is very different from a theme park vacation. You have to choose what you are most comfortable with. I was content to go to the theme parks for the longest time. Cruising however has changed a bit, not quite as much dressing up for dinner, stuffy atmosphere etc, so I gave it a shot and love it. I did try Disney first but have since been on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Crystal, and Virgin Voyages. Different lines appeal to different people as well so that has to be factored in. I am thrilled to visit a bunch of really cool destinations around the world via cruising currently. Marie
It’s not just Disney seeing cruise bookings surge.
Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Carnival each reported all time record levels of forward booking in their most recent earnings calls.
Norwegian is so booked up that it literally broke their occupancy metric; they’re reporting >100% occupancy.
So no real surprise that DCL is buying more ships.
Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Carnival each reported all time record levels of forward booking in their most recent earnings calls.
Norwegian is so booked up that it literally broke their occupancy metric; they’re reporting >100% occupancy.
So no real surprise that DCL is buying more ships.
UNCgolf
Well-Known Member
Couldn't agree more; they're completely different things. Obviously there's nothing wrong with enjoying both (or preferring a cruise to a theme park) because it's all personal preference, but one is not a replacement for the other -- it's almost like suggesting someone go to a football game when they wanted to see a baseball game because they're both sports.
You'd have to pay me to go on a cruise; they don't really offer anything I want on a vacation. I'm not interested in all-inclusive beach resorts either. I also don't want to spend a few hours in a city like Barcelona; I want to go there for a week and explore (I've actually already done this but Barcelona came to mind as an example since it has a major cruise port).
Theme parks aren't really that high on my list of vacations either, but I do enjoy them every once in a while.
Last edited:
DisneyHead123
Well-Known Member
I completely felt this way when I was younger. I didn’t understand the appeal of Disney cruises at all. I feel like as I’ve gotten older and tired-er the appeal of a Disney cruise has really grown on me though. And I’m not going to lie, the possibility of someone else supervising my child on vacation vs. a day of meltdowns in the parks is a bit of a game changer (not sure if he would actually go to the kids club though.)
I still like the rides. But the kiddie rides that my niece and nephews can do (son has sensory issues and mostly hates rides) - I never thought I’d say it, but I’m kinda bored with them now. The food, site seeing, and entertainment is really the highlight for me at this point, and that would be plentiful on a cruise.
I completely understand if people would rather go to the parks. I think the appeal of one vs. the other has a lot to do with a person’s current life situation though. Some people physically just can’t do the parks anymore, some people may feel mentally overwhelmed by them, for parents the parks may mean a lot of extra responsibilities or struggles… I think there are plenty of reasons why a cruise could legitimately be a better choice for some Disney fans.
Jrb1979
Well-Known Member
For us, if we want a vacation for relaxing we go up to my sister's trailer for a week. We can't stand all inclusive resorts or cruising. We love our theme parks and going to different cities for a week and explore. Wherever we vacation, we are out the door by 8 and gone til 8-9 pm. A hotel is just a place to sleep.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
So we seem to be saying the same thing that always comes up in any park discussion: the planning is a hassle that’s turning people off.
That goes back to the same point - they haven’t invested to handle their crowds comfortably. That is 100% Bob Iger’s fail. When he took over the parks - though with flaws/issues - had enough in them to handle the crowds at that time. But travel numbers have gone up organically (everywhere…not just Disney parks) and they did not handle it. At least in Florida…Disneyland may be better…wdw is far worse.
That’s the “ground zero” of what we’re saying. It’s a simple numbers game.
And they arent fixing it. At all. Not now and not in the near future.
That goes back to the same point - they haven’t invested to handle their crowds comfortably. That is 100% Bob Iger’s fail. When he took over the parks - though with flaws/issues - had enough in them to handle the crowds at that time. But travel numbers have gone up organically (everywhere…not just Disney parks) and they did not handle it. At least in Florida…Disneyland may be better…wdw is far worse.
That’s the “ground zero” of what we’re saying. It’s a simple numbers game.
And they arent fixing it. At all. Not now and not in the near future.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
Royal is cranking out super ships
2 more oasis rolling out, 2 more Icon under construction
Which makes it all the more impressive, as they report these things as a % of available rooms.
BrianLo
Well-Known Member
I think you are still over-catastrophizing. It’s largely been about content spend containment. We’re 18 months into it with a huge work stoppage in the rear view mirror.
We have our GoT (Shogun), we have our British Shows (Doctor Who). We have other high quality content like bear season 3 and even Disney live action for once actually gave us something in Percy Jackson. That’s not even getting into the well that is their staple IP machines, like the Acolyte. Or the steady drip of the tentpole films.
Content is still present. Before I get some shenanigans about how that’s Hulu… time to catch up to 2024. It’s all the same service and has been for years. The content isn’t being cut to the bone. The out of control spending was held back and will slowly release over the coming decade as ARPU and subscribers slowly build.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
I think you’re doing the “it’s DISNEY…” thing…perhaps subconsciously?
I’ve heard it. We’ll see
I never imaged them losing park share and having people scoffing at the price and marvel and Star Wars box office bombs that long ago either…so things aren’t guaranteed.
Laketravis
Well-Known Member
Just don't book the Prima.... horrible ship. Almost made me swear off cruises forever.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
We looked at one for summer this year about 18 months ago and that was one of the options
After doing some research I can honestly say I’ve never seen something so HATED in the history of the internet?
Except for Brie Larson and 7 of the last 8 Star Wars movies…of course
Sounds like unprecedented demand that will last forever...
The cruise industry isn't at all financially volatile is it? Asking for a friend.