News Disney World Hits All-Time High Revenue in Q3 2025, Strong Bookings Continue into Q4

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Do you think Disney really was able to effectively serve all the people that were coming pre COVID? Having been right before COVID and then right after, but switching to Universal the last few years, I don’t think Disney really was able to actually serve all the people they were having.

We went in the “off season” and the whole thing felt very borderline too rushed and too crowded, which is part of why we’ve stopped going. Universal feels way more relaxed.

Nope…and yet growth has always been a constant

So are you falling for that “they want less people…” nonsense?

Absolutely not…that is an always will be a smoke screen.

They can’t handle the people because Bob screwed up the model…now they need more people…really can’t handle them…but don’t have a choice but to chase them
Brilliant stuff

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Do you think Disney really was able to effectively serve all the people that were coming pre COVID?

Disney world could - were they always doing the best job of it? No, but they could.

Disneyland was getting to a point where over crowding was sometimes an issue that didn’t have an easy solution. But honestly that was around the 60th, cause Galaxies Edge opening was a really slow summer.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

Just a comment on Las Vegas. Where I live we have several nice casinos within driving distance. Two are within 30 minutes, other's within an hour. They are every where. We used to go to Vegas to gamble occasionally, but not any more. The convenience of these casinos is the pull for us.

The sad thing is I think Vegas did an incredible job over the last 20+ years of re-inventing itself to adjust for gamings growth worldwide, the transition to nightlife, dining, shopping, shows, and sports was working amazingly well… until the nickel and diming and drop in customer service reversed that course.

I think the pain we’re feeling now feels 90% self imposed due to greed, nickel and diming, and forgetting customer service was our primary mission.

There are casinos everywhere now but Vegas always stood out above the rest, much like there’s amusement parks everywhere but Disney stands out above the rest. One massive benefit the Disney parks have that we don’t is they’re both near huge population centers, if travel collapses DL can probably survivor on LA alone, WDW may struggle a bit more but they still have tens of millions of people within a couple hours drive/train, we’re far more isolated.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Do you think Disney really was able to effectively serve all the people that were coming pre COVID?

I must admit being in EPCOT Nov. 2019 , it was Food and Wine, and it being literally shoulder to shoulder and I remember thinking to myself, "what am I doing here?" it was so mobbed, the lines at the food booths for the $7 food samples were TOO LONG to even get on!

To be fair, in 2019, the food samples were around $5, Today they are about $7

 

[DisneyHead123]

The sad thing is I think Vegas did an incredible job over the last 20+ years of re-inventing itself to adjust for gamings growth worldwide, the transition to nightlife, dining, shopping, shows, and sports was working amazingly well… until the nickel and diming and drop in customer service reversed that course.

I think the pain we’re feeling now feels 90% self imposed due to greed, nickel and diming, and forgetting customer service was our primary mission.

There are casinos everywhere now but Vegas always stood out above the rest, much like there’s amusement parks everywhere but Disney stands out above the rest. One massive benefit the Disney parks have that we don’t is they’re both near huge population centers, if travel collapses DL can probably survivor on LA alone, WDW may struggle a bit more but they still have tens of millions of people within a couple hours drive/train, we’re far more isolated.

I’m not sure what’s going on with Vegas, although I find it interesting.

One thing I wonder about is if the image sold by Vegas has lost a sort of aspirational status, if that makes sense. (If that’s the case, I think Disney may have actually taken some of their market share). It just seems to me that the stereotypical images of Vegas - little black dresses, steakhouses, shopping for luxury goods, partying your face off, etc. - may resonate less in this zeitgeist, which to my mind is having a 1970s revival moment. Instagram is full of beautiful young women in crop tops and billowing pants extolling the virtues of clean living, getting back to nature, unrealistically sparse countertops and self care. I can see Disney with its wholesome, innocent image fitting that vibe but Vegas much less so.

Maybe not, maybe it’s the rise of online gaming or the nickel and diming - just a random musing.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I must admit being in EPCOT Nov. 2019 , it was Food and Wine, and it being literally shoulder to shoulder and I remember thinking to myself, "what am I doing here?" it was so mobbed, the lines at the food booths for the $7 food samples were TOO LONG to even get on!

To be fair, in 2019, the food samples were around $5, Today they are about $7

2018/19 was brutal and definitely the biggest complaint I heard was crowds

I think crowd levels now make it much more enjoyable, even if it costs a bit more (obviously there is a point where it doesn't work out that way)

 

[wedenterprises]

I love when posters on here dare us to explain why we’re still paying to go to Disney. Like we owe them an explanation as to why. It’s also fun when we are called rubes - one of the perks I always look forward to when I come on here to post my opinions.

I don’t owe anyone any explanation. My wife and I just got back from a 4 day trip and we had a blast. We stayed at the Poly tower and Riviera. We went into all 4 parks and every dinner is spent at a signature restaurant. I guess we are advanced rubes.

At the end of the day, we pay for what we like. The arguments made on here are fascinating for why we shouldn’t be going anymore. It’s like asking me why I payed so much for the house I live in or the car I drive when there are clearly less expensive alternatives. Maybe I fancy art and like to but paintings. Some might say how could you possibly spend so much on something like that? It’s what is important to me. It is what I get enjoyment out of. Sorry if you can’t grasp that.

You know what I can’t grasp? Why some people spend so much time on a fan forum, literally complaining about everything Disney does with their domestic parks. This isn’t hyperbole. There are some folks on here that do nothing but complain and clearly can’t stand the product anymore. My question is why are you still here? Why haven’t you found something else in life to enjoy instead of spending every day on here complaining? That is what I don’t understand. But the one thing I won’t do is insult you for it. You be you.

You're not a rube, you're privileged. I am fortunate to fall into the same camp as you.

These folks that come on here to complain don't owe an explanation either, but I'll offer one. Many people have been priced out of the privilege and this is one of very few places their voice may be heard. To them, folks like you and me are the reason Disney can justify pricing them out.

 

[wedenterprises]

The Vegas Strip is killing itself with their past pricing decisions. Whether or not it can pull itself out of that death spiral without significant, long-term damage remains to be seen. WDW is a far cry from being in that same death spiral, but they are not far from the same road that lead to Vegas's situation.

We own a bunch of DVC points. We've been to the parks more times than I honestly can count. Our kids have no desire to return anymore, because in their eyes it has become too expensive. They have seen what things cost there, and it's been eye-opening for them. The wife and I have one DCL cruise (which has zero WDW days attached to it at this time) booked for September 2026. Beyond that? Tokyo a few years after. Maybe a DLP or UK trip in-between, if good fortune and good health smiles on us, plus the proper stars align. I have zero desire to pay what Bob and Josh are charging for the current experience. I was the biggest consumer of WDW nostalgia... right up to the point when they started removing things for no good reason other than "I need NEW things to push to make more money and leave my mark on these amusement park things!", and also started strip-mining my wallet. Both Bob's shoulder the blame there, with Josh receiving an Honorable Mention. DCL pricing has taken up a similar place to WDW - They have way out-kicked their coverage with pricing, and other options have become far more enticing. But who cares, as long as "it has value to MEEEEEEE!!!!1!!!"...

I've had nice times at Vero, Hilton Head, and Aulani over the years that reminded me of old school Disney. That would be my suggestion if you're DVC.

They're more enjoyable than injecting your bank account into Bob's bloodstream at the parks.

 

[CoastalElite64]

There’s only 1 Vegas. “Many casinos” would = “many amusement parks”

Except it's not. Casinos have the same slot machines and table games as Las Vegas. Many have buffets, clubs, and entertainment. The Las Vegas experience and quality can be more easily replicated, not the Disney experience.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Except it's not. Casinos have the same slot machines and table games as Las Vegas. Many have buffets, clubs, and entertainment. The Las Vegas experience and quality can be more easily replicated, not the Disney experience.

It’s kinda the same thing - lots of casinos have slot machines and buffets. Just like lots of theme parks have rides and shows.

It’s the level of scale, and over the top theming and high-budget entertainment that makes Vegas different than other casinos. Same with Disney and Universal.

 

[CoastalElite64]

It’s kinda the same thing - lots of casinos have slot machines and buffets. Just like lots of theme parks have rides and shows.

It’s the level of scale, and over the top theming and high-budget entertainment that makes Vegas different than other casinos. Same with Disney and Universal.

Local parks don't have the consistent quality or attractions like Disney. Casinos do have the same exact machines. See the difference?

The numbers don't lie, Vegas is experiencing double digits decline while Disney is not.

 

[Tha Realest]

Except it's not. Casinos have the same slot machines and table games as Las Vegas. Many have buffets, clubs, and entertainment. The Las Vegas experience and quality can be more easily replicated, not the Disney experience.

1) Ubiquity of online gambling and sports betting apps have diminished the importance of/need of getting that fix in Vegas vs virtual

2) Hotels and buffets and shows no longer viewed as a sufficient loss leader to bring in the crowds. Now their hotels are routinely as expensive as anywhere else in the country (more expensive relative to what you get TBH) AND the entertainment is comparably more expensive AND the food and drink options are extortionately expensive.

 

[rogerrabbitfan9]

Nope…and yet growth has always been a constant

So are you falling for that “they want less people…” nonsense?

Absolutely not…that is an always will be a smoke screen.

They can’t handle the people because Bob screwed up the model…now they need more people…really can’t handle them…but don’t have a choice but to chase them
Brilliant stuff

I don’t think they want less people. I don’t think they hate hitting the profit numbers they want by upping prices though. If they did they could lower prices and they aren’t.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

Local parks don't have the consistent quality or attractions like Disney. Casinos do have the same exact machines. See the difference?

The numbers don't lie, Vegas is experiencing double digits decline while Disney is not.

Possibly but since Disney doesn’t release attendance numbers that’s pure conjecture.

This was in our paper last week… “the LVCVA’s new data shows that, despite the decline in visitation, gaming revenue has remained steady or increased across the board.

Sounds familiar doesn’t it? Make cuts, charge more, fewer tourists, just as much revenue…

(Note, LVCVA is the Las Vegas Convention and visitors authority, the official entity that tracks tourism, revenue, etc).

 

[MisterPenguin]

Local parks don't have the consistent quality or attractions like Disney. Casinos do have the same exact machines. See the difference?

The numbers don't lie, Vegas is experiencing double digits decline while Disney is not.

And Disney's gearing up for live, continuous, and multi-venued sports gambling. Disney's drinking Vegas's milkshake.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I don’t think they want less people. I don’t think they hate hitting the profit numbers they want by upping prices though. If they did they could lower prices and they aren’t.

Little complicated…

The backstory is Bob said “we want less people” off the cuff about 10 years ago when they had an unexplained attendance dip. Totally made up

Every Business wants higher prices so they get more cash for less effort/overhead. But the list of companies who went bye bye doing that is long, but distinguished.

The more you push…the more collateral damage you do.

They are under the impression that no one can resist their IP…
But if you look at their movie biz…it’s showing the opposite. You have to stay fresh…to keep it engaged.

Disneys charm and rep was built on a couple of generations.

One is 100% gone
One will be effectively close in about 10 years
And the last is notoriously cranky

They’re in a lot worst shape than it appears…but it’s a slow burn. That is the benefit of Disney Rep…but they need new leadership

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

And Disney's gearing up for live, continuous, and multi-venued sports gambling. Disney's drinking Vegas's milkshake.

Nobody give a &$@! About espn…it’s been in steady collapse for 15 years

Look it up

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

And Disney's gearing up for live, continuous, and multi-venued sports gambling. Disney's drinking Vegas's milkshake.

That ship sailed years ago, Vegas only makes up about 20% of all sports betting now, the online apps have legally been chipping away at sports betting for nearly a decade already.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

That ship sailed years ago, Vegas only makes up about 20% of all sports betting now, the online apps have legally been chipping away at sports betting for nearly a decade already.

Leave it to a Disney board

“No one can resist DISNEY gambling”

The one product where no one cares…online gambling is so easy and the labels means nothing

 

[CoastalElite64]

And Disney's gearing up for live, continuous, and multi-venued sports gambling. Disney's drinking Vegas's milkshake.

Their milkshake and their nachos.