On layoffs, very bad attendance, and Iger's legacy being one of disgrace

[Jrb1979]

You can go...just don’t expect good conduct of the customers

A couple runs on those monstrosities these days and I’m “good” for the day

I am 41 and can still ride coasters non stop all day. Last year at Cedar Point I rode Maverick 12 times in 2 days. I have been to many parks all across the US and have never had any issues with bad conduct.

As far as Busch Gardens goes all I have heard is great things about them. The only thing I can think of as to why some don't like the changes is that they have added some amazing coasters but have taken away from the theming.

 

[Jrb1979]

The difference between an amusement park and a theme park.

I get that. I think why I find other parks more fun is I enjoy riding attractions multiple times, especially great coasters. What I find with Disney is just every attraction at Disney is one and done for me. There isn't one single attraction I would be rushing to get back on again. At least Universal gives me that, the Mummy, the Hulk, Spiderman and Forbidden Journey I always ride multiple times when I go.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The difference between an amusement park and a theme park.

True...but that isn’t the “cut and dry” response that pro-Disney fans tend to make it out to be.

Amusement parks have that “incomplete feel”...they always have and always will. But theme parks can’t maintain their feel if the math is off. They need to be of adequate size and reinvestment or their flaws are highlighted over time. I believe that is what is slowly happening at Disney parks. Need to maintain enough investment with the costs. That’s been more of a mixed bag than we admit freely.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I get that. I think why I find other parks more fun is I enjoy riding attractions multiple times, especially great coasters. What I find with Disney is just every attraction at Disney is one and done for me. There isn't one single attraction I would be rushing to get back on again. At least Universal gives me that, the Mummy, the Hulk, Spiderman and Forbidden Journey I always ride multiple times when I go.

I think that is a philosophy difference as well...to give Disney credit. They have more “check it off” rides and shows that leave most content. That isn’t an issue when you’re in park because it’s balanced by the atmosphere, touches...and particular in park dining. The table service are a huge advantage. No other parks were ever close and that makes Disney unique. But they have to maintain it and they have not moved in the right direction there.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Just wondering, since I probably haven't visited since the early 90s (and I agree very much so with your assessment), how has it changed since? I remember the theming, if not quite at Disney-level, still being very immersive and well-done.

Busch gardens/sea worlds are most definitely the “second place” US parks outside of the two combatants in Orlando/los Angeles.

Very nice in most ways.

 

[carolina_yankee]

BTW, California is on that tri-state quarantine list, as were Delaware and Maryland.

IOW, the way you framed this is not based in reality at all.

California's off the list. They met the metrics last Monday. The Tri-State area can prop up Orange County's tourism by visiting Disneyland. Oh, wait . . .

I'm not a fan of the quarantines (poor Delaware gets on and off on a weekly basis, it seems), but it is based on numbers and nothing more. To be honest, there are many around here who would not travel to Florida or anywhere even with the quarantine lifted.

And it's not like our own tourism-based areas aren't being slammed, either (such as Broadway). It's not quarantines that are killing everything. It's the virus.

Dirk

 

[Heppenheimer]

Busch gardens/sea worlds are most definitely the “second place” US parks outside of the two combatants in Orlando/los Angeles.

Very nice in most ways.

I was specifically wondering about Busch Gardens Williamsburg, since I've never beem to the one in Tampa.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I was specifically wondering about Busch Gardens Williamsburg, since I've never beem to the one in Tampa.

Both are very nice. Williamsburg is a tad better...but different concepts.

 

[_caleb]

I was specifically wondering about Busch Gardens Williamsburg, since I've never beem to the one in Tampa.

One a theming scale of 1 (“parking lot with off-the-shelf carnival rides”) to 10 (“Animal Kingdom”), Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a 6 or 7 for me. It definitely has charm, with lots of little villages and tons of flowers everywhere, but when it comes to attractions (where it matters most), it feels more like decorating than “imagineering.” It’s like they drew inspiration from different European countries, but they didn’t add much in the way of imagination.

 

[zengoth]

Also of value: seaworld and busch gardens are zoos. Thats what keeps me coming back. Tampa Bay also has other great zoos and aquarium, making living in this part of Fla so rich in experiences.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

California's off the list. They met the metrics last Monday. The Tri-State area can prop up Orange County's tourism by visiting Disneyland. Oh, wait . . .

I'm not a fan of the quarantines (poor Delaware gets on and off on a weekly basis, it seems), but it is based on numbers and nothing more. To be honest, there are many around here who would not travel to Florida or anywhere even with the quarantine lifted.

And it's not like our own tourism-based areas aren't being slammed, either (such as Broadway). It's not quarantines that are killing everything. It's the virus.

Dirk

Yep...several travels spots - Nevada, Hawaii, and California - are off the lists. I believe Hawaii is open 10/12...long haul for them with no travel allowed.

But you highlight what I keep saying when people insist “the demand is there”. There is still little desire in the north east to go!! It’s a fantasy.

And that is right on Florida, Georgia, South Carolina . They just don’t get it with the optics of their whining for months about “opening”. It looks wreckless. It’s severely handicapping demand. It’s “anti-logic” to vehemently complain about the rules and then ask those that implemented/needed them more successfully to “trust us”.

I’d love to see Florida off the list...but they look dumb. The formula is out there...get to the numbers and they are not helping themselves. This is an open book exam.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

One a theming scale of 1 (“parking lot with off-the-shelf carnival rides”) to 10 (“Animal Kingdom”), Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a 6 or 7 for me. It definitely has charm, with lots of little villages and tons of flowers everywhere, but when it comes to attractions (where it matters most), it feels more like decorating than “imagineering.” It’s like they drew inspiration from different European countries, but they didn’t add much in the way of imagination.

That’s kind a silly, isn’t it?

“Imagineering” is a Disney way of doing things...and it costs a fortune that can be viewed many times as bad business.

You’re holding others to a goal they never attempted to achieve.

 

[Jrb1979]

California's off the list. They met the metrics last Monday. The Tri-State area can prop up Orange County's tourism by visiting Disneyland. Oh, wait . . .

I'm not a fan of the quarantines (poor Delaware gets on and off on a weekly basis, it seems), but it is based on numbers and nothing more. To be honest, there are many around here who would not travel to Florida or anywhere even with the quarantine lifted.

And it's not like our own tourism-based areas aren't being slammed, either (such as Broadway). It's not quarantines that are killing everything. It's the virus.

Dirk

I personally think the quarantines are a great thing at this time. Here staycations and traveling within your own province is encouraged, were as interprovincial travel is discouraged.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Also of value: seaworld and busch gardens are zoos. Thats what keeps me coming back. Tampa Bay also has other great zoos and aquarium, making living in this part of Fla so rich in experiences.

And they’re very nice ones - PR aside.

I love zoos...but zoos are not very popular to the overall public. Disney learned this as well. It’s not universal appeal.

Busch gardens is a nice zoo. Not superthemed...but good animal exposure.

A real failing for me is that disney has kinda given up on the zoo. Adding attractions - not enough - and adding really no animals. It’s a downside to the park IMHO.

 

[Jrb1979]

That’s kind a silly, isn’t it?

“Imagineering” is a Disney way of doing things...and it costs a fortune that can be viewed many times as bad business.

You’re holding others to a goal they never attempted to achieve.

I think the problem is many Disney fans have the belief that a ride needs to be highly themed to be good. Look no further then the new Jurrasic Park coaster. It looks like it's going to be one of the best new attractions coming in the next year but many Disney fans look down on it cause it's not well themed

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I personally think the quarantines are a great thing at this time. Here staycations and traveling within your own province is encouraged, were as interprovincial travel is discouraged.

...says someone NOT locked in New Jersey

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I think the problem is many Disney fans have the belief that a ride needs to be highly themed to be good. Look no further then the new Jurrasic Park coaster. It looks like it's going to be one of the best new attractions coming in the next year but many Disney fans look down on it cause it's not well themed

Oh yeah...

Go back and look at the threads here...that ride was labeled “trash” by the mouse jury before they broke ground. I bet they said that about Hagrids too and it is the best attraction is Orlando (if it’s working).

It’s a long-standing double standard.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I think the problem is many Disney fans have the belief that a ride needs to be highly themed to be good. Look no further then the new Jurrasic Park coaster. It looks like it's going to be one of the best new attractions coming in the next year but many Disney fans look down on it cause it's not well themed

It needs to be themed to be a good themed experience. Theme parks are a themed experience.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

It needs to be themed to be a good themed experience. Theme parks are a themed experience.

You know as any though that new attractions...no matter the theme level...have a different sort of merit that can’t be outwardly dismissed.

Disney has fallen behind on that front.

 

[Jrb1979]

...says someone NOT locked in New Jersey

I don't see why they can't bundle a few states together. Say New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania together. I have always believed a big part of the high case numbers is the amount of traveling going on in the US. Same with Europe.