2009 Theme Park Attendance Report Released

[Krack]

This is what interests me the most. It's as if IOA has done the opposite of what Uni probably wanted.

Part of the problem is that they royally screwed up the marketing when IOA opened. To this day, most people don't realize there are two parks there.

 

[bork]

IOA had it's peak of 6.3 million in 2004. I'm guessing they'll blow that number away with Harry Potter, but the question is whether people will also spend a day at USF. Will people spend multiple days at Universal or just 1 day to see Potter?

WDW attendance increased from 40.5 million in 2004 to 47.5 million this year. At the same time, Universal went from 13 million to 9.9. I think this really shows the effects of the Magic Your Way tickets and Magical Express. They've done what they were intended to do by keeping people at WDW.

Sea World is the one park that has really held it's own. While it was down a bit from last year, attendance has been steadily increasing over the past decade. I know personally that if I were to leave WDW, that would be my first choice.

 

[wolf359]

Part of the problem is that they royally screwed up the marketing when IOA opened. To this day, most people don't realize there are two parks there.

It could be marketing, because until this recent push to advertise Harry Potter I can't remember the last time I saw a TV ad for any of the Universal parks, yet I catch a Disney ad at least every other day.

It could be word of mouth. To see a drop of over 20% from 2003 to 2009 could certainly mean people know Universal is there, they just didn't want to go back.

Harry Potter will draw a lot of people back to Islands of Adventure, but just like bork said, will it draw people to both parks, or will it just be one day out of someone's Disney vacation to see IoA only?

And again, what about word of mouth? I think a lot of people might feel a little misled when they arrive at IoA to find Harry Potter is just a couple of rides and not an entire park.

And will those rides be ready to handle the numbers, because everyone going to IoA is going to be in that one small section of the park.

 

[tomman710]

It could be marketing, because until this recent push to advertise Harry Potter I can't remember the last time I saw a TV ad for any of the Universal parks, yet I catch a Disney ad at least every other day.

It could be word of mouth. To see a drop of over 20% from 2003 to 2009 could certainly mean people know Universal is there, they just didn't want to go back.

Harry Potter will draw a lot of people back to Islands of Adventure, but just like bork said, will it draw people to both parks, or will it just be one day out of someone's Disney vacation to see IoA only?

And again, what about word of mouth? I think a lot of people might feel a little misled when they arrive at IoA to find Harry Potter is just a couple of rides and not an entire park.

And will those rides be ready to handle the numbers, because everyone going to IoA is going to be in that one small section of the park.

Judging IOA and USF by last year's numbers I think Harry Potter will just get them back to status quo for them, essentially getting that 10-15% back they lost. I can't imagine a scenario where WWoHP bumps them up 20% or more, seems like an incredible amount of people.

I like your points of who will go to USF or in reality will it be WDW people just taking a day for Potter or some variation of that?

I think the real interesting stat will be the following year, what kind of longevity does WWoHP have after people have seen it? Will the numbers have sustainability or will we see a significant drop off?

 

[Krack]

It could be word of mouth. To see a drop of over 20% from 2003 to 2009 could certainly mean people know Universal is there, they just didn't want to go back.

Truth be told ... I've never been to IOA. That said, I don't know a single person who has ever been to IOA, that didn't love it - and I always ask. I have an uncle that lives in the area that laughs every time I say I'm coming to Orlando but by-passing Universal; he thinks I'm crazy.

Outside of Disney message boards, I have never heard a bad word said about the Florida Universal parks.

 

[devoy1701]

I have been keeping a spreadsheet with the attendance numbers since 1992.

No, Disneyland was ahead of MK in 1995 and 1996. Also, until Tokyo DisneySea opened in 2001, Toyko Disneyland was consistently the top park in the world. I believe Tokyo Disneyland's 2001 attendance is the all-time high for any park at 17.7 million.

Some interesting facts:
-If you add up the WDW parks, this is the 4th year in a row that the total attendance has set an all-time high.
-MK and AK set all-time highs while Epcot and DHS highs were back in 1997 before AK opened (11.8 and 10.4 million)
-USF drew 8.9 million in 1998 before IOA opened. Now both parks combined only draw 9.9. They peaked in 2004 at 13 million.
-DL and DCA both set all-time highs

That's dedication right there! Thank you so much for the insight and the numbers.

If it's not too much to ask, can you post the top 5 as far back as your spreadsheet goes? I was only able to find back to 2003 online.

Thanks for your help! :wave:

 

[stewdog1]

I have been keeping a spreadsheet with the attendance numbers since 1992.

No, Disneyland was ahead of MK in 1995 and 1996. Also, until Tokyo DisneySea opened in 2001, Toyko Disneyland was consistently the top park in the world. I believe Tokyo Disneyland's 2001 attendance is the all-time high for any park at 17.7 million.

Some interesting facts:
-If you add up the WDW parks, this is the 4th year in a row that the total attendance has set an all-time high.
-MK and AK set all-time highs while Epcot and DHS highs were back in 1997 before AK opened (11.8 and 10.4 million)
-USF drew 8.9 million in 1998 before IOA opened. Now both parks combined only draw 9.9. They peaked in 2004 at 13 million.
-DL and DCA both set all-time highs

Wow, that's some dedication right there.

Might I ask what your reasoning behind doing all of that is?

 

[bork]

Wow, that's some dedication right there.

Might I ask what your reasoning behind doing all of that is?

I'm a stat geek. It started in the late 90's when Screamscape used to keep a table of the attendance figures. At some point Amusement Business made him take them down (I think). So each year, I just started adding new data to my own spreadsheet, starting with Lance's data.

How do I post an attachment?

 

[devoy1701]

I'm a stat geek. It started in the late 90's when Screamscape used to keep a table of the attendance figures. At some point Amusement Business made him take them down (I think). So each year, I just started adding new data to my own spreadsheet, starting with Lance's data.

How do I post an attachment?

I don't think you can post the actual spreadsheet on here, but it should let you just copy and paste the cells.

or copy and paste it into a paint file and save as a PDF then link on here as a picture?

I think the first one sounds easier actually! :wave:

 

[WildcatDen]

Surprised to see Kings Island had better attendance than Cedar Point, in top North American parks.

With the Midwest mired in the global economic funk and the failed takeover by Apollo of Cedar Fair, still pretty decent numbers.

Surprising numbers all around for Disney, Universal, SeaWorld and Cedar Fair parks.

I am sure Diamondback had something to do with that. Also, King's Island is more centrally located for those seeking a "Stay-Cation". We have our passes for this year. . .

 

[sloanfreak]

It is hard to believe that Cedar Point which is the best Amusement Park in the world is ranked 16th in North America.

I live 30 miles from Cedar Point and get season passes every year. I have been to almost every amusement park in North America and they all pale in comparison to Cedar Point.

People who have never been to Cedar Point are just missing out, and there is also so much to do in the area besides Cedar Point. You have the great fishing of Lake Erie and the Erie Islands.

 

[rodserling27]

Three things:
1. Way to go Disney!
2. I'm shocked Universal's attendance is as low as it is.
3. Poor Kennywood :shrug:








:ROFLOL:

 

[PotteryGal]

Judging IOA and USF by last year's numbers I think Harry Potter will just get them back to status quo for them, essentially getting that 10-15% back they lost. I can't imagine a scenario where WWoHP bumps them up 20% or more, seems like an incredible amount of people.

I like your points of who will go to USF or in reality will it be WDW people just taking a day for Potter or some variation of that?

I think the real interesting stat will be the following year, what kind of longevity does WWoHP have after people have seen it? Will the numbers have sustainability or will we see a significant drop off?

I think a lot of that will be whether Forbidden Journey will deliver what it's promising, how they manage the crowd control in the HP shops (experiencing Ollivander's, for example), etc. This is the first year we are doing a Uni vacation, with only a couple of day trips over to WDW. And yes, it's because of Potter.

 

[Yellow Strap]

I am not shocked by Universals numbers in 2009. I believe people stayed away from Uni last year because they decided they were going to wait until 2010 to visit, due to Harry Potter.

 

[hokielutz]

Judging IOA and USF by last year's numbers I think Harry Potter will just get them back to status quo for them, essentially getting that 10-15% back they lost. I can't imagine a scenario where WWoHP bumps them up 20% or more, seems like an incredible amount of people.

I like your points of who will go to USF or in reality will it be WDW people just taking a day for Potter or some variation of that?

I think the real interesting stat will be the following year, what kind of longevity does WWoHP have after people have seen it? Will the numbers have sustainability or will we see a significant drop off?

I think Uni will probably just get back its losses from last yet... at best. Because Potter will only be open a half year in 2010, that will affect the overall attendance... since the first half is the status quo with that section of the park closed for construction.
In 2011, there will probably be an increase of around 5%-10% over the 2010 year end numbers.... but after that... we will have to wait and see what happens. Alot will depend on the execution of all the new and repackaged rides at Potter. Also, since 2011 is the year of the final Harry Potter movie... what is going to keep the interest going to keep visitors coming back just for Potter?

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Maybe they should import some fairies and pixie dust, seems to work else where.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Part of the problem is that they royally screwed up the marketing when IOA opened. To this day, most people don't realize there are two parks there.

It could be marketing, because until this recent push to advertise Harry Potter I can't remember the last time I saw a TV ad for any of the Universal parks, yet I catch a Disney ad at least every other day.

It could be word of mouth. To see a drop of over 20% from 2003 to 2009 could certainly mean people know Universal is there, they just didn't want to go back.

Harry Potter will draw a lot of people back to Islands of Adventure, but just like bork said, will it draw people to both parks, or will it just be one day out of someone's Disney vacation to see IoA only?

And again, what about word of mouth? I think a lot of people might feel a little misled when they arrive at IoA to find Harry Potter is just a couple of rides and not an entire park.

And will those rides be ready to handle the numbers, because everyone going to IoA is going to be in that one small section of the park.

They're doing it again with the poor marketing. On very few advertisements are they telling people where The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is. They're saying Universal Studios Resort. It's similar to how they marketed IOA at first with the one destination Universal Escape.

The diehard Potter fans that don't know much about theme parks are going to arrive and possibly go to the wrong theme park. Universal better be very careful with how this is marketed once people arrive. They would be smart to put signs that specifially say "Wizarding World of Harry Potter" and pointing toward Islands of Adventure.

 

[bork]

Here are the attendance records and the year for the top parks.

PARK		Year	Max
Magic Kingdom	2009	17.233
Disneyland	2009	15.9
EPCOT		1997	11.8
DHS		1997	10.4
Animal Kingdom	2009	9.59
DCA		2009	6.05
Sea World FL	2008	5.926
USF		97/98	8.9
IOA		2004	6.3
USH		1996	5.4
Sea World CA	06/07	4.26
BG FL		2000	5

 

[bork]

Here are the top 12 as far back as I have. Hope it's readable.

PARK	2009	2008		2007		2006		2005		2004		2003		2002		2001		2000		1999		1998		1997		1996		1995		1994		1993		1992		1991	1990	1989	1988	1987	1986	1985	1984
MK	17.233	17.063/#1	17.06/#1	16.64/#1	16.1/#1		15.1/#1		14/#1		14/#1		14.8/#1		15.4/#1		15.2/#1		15.64/#1	17/#1		13.8 / #2	12.9 / #2	11.2 / #1	12 / #1		11.5/#1		#1	#1						
DL	15.9	14.721/#2	14.87/#2	14.73/#2	14.5/#2		13.3/#2		12.72/#2	12.72/#2	12.3/#2		13.9/#2		13.45/#2	13.68/#2	14.2/#2		15 / #1		14.1 / #1	10.3 / #2	11.4 / #2	11.6/#2		11.6/#2	12.9/#2	14.4	13	13.5	12	12	9.8
EPCOT	10.99	10.935/#3	10.93/#3	10.46/#3	9.9/#3		9.4/#3		8.62/#3		8.3/#3		9/#3		10.6/#3		10.1/#3		10.59/#3	11.8/#3		11.2 / #3	10.7 / #3	9.7 / #3	9.5 / #3	10/#3		#3	#3						
DHS	9.7	9.608/#4	9.51/#4		9.1/#4		8.6/#4		8.26/#4		7.87/#4		8/#4		8.4/#4		8.9/#4		8.7/#4		9.47/#4		10.4/#4		10 / #4		9.5 / #4	8 / #4		8 / #4		8/#4		#4	#4		Open	---	---	---	---
AK	9.59	9.54/#5		9.49/#5		8.91/#5		8.2/#5		7.82/#5		7.3/#5		7.3/#5		7.8/#5		8.3/#5		8.6/#5		6/#6		Open		---		---		---		---		---		---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
DCA	6.05	5.566/#8	5.68/#7		5.95/#7		5.8/#7		5.6/#8		5.31/#8		4.7/#10		5/#9		Open		---		---		---		---		---		---		---		---		---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
SW FL	5.8	5.926/#7	5.8/#8		5.74/#8		5.6/#9		5.6/#9		5.2/#9		5/#9		5.1/#8		5.2/#8		4.7/#8		4.9/#8		4.9/#7		5.1 / #7	4.95 / #6	4.6 / #6	4.5 / #7	4.1/#7		#8	#7						
USF	5.4	6.231/#6	6.2/#6		6/#6		6.1/#6		6.7/#6		5.88/#6		6.85/#6		7.2/#6		8.1/#6		8.1/#6		8.9/#5		8.9/#5		8.4 / #5	8 / #5		7.7 / #5	7.4 / #5	#5		#5	#14	Open	---	---	---	---	---
IOA	4.5	5.297/#9	5.43/#9		5.3/#9		5.76/#8		6.3/#7		5.58/#7		6.07/#7		5.5/#7		6/#7		3.4/#13		Open		---		---		---		---		---		---		---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
USH	4.308	4.583/#10	4.7#/10		4.7/#10		4.7/#10		5/#10		4.58/#10	5.2/#8		4.7/#10		5.2/#8		5.1/#7		5.1/#7		5.4/#6		5.4 / #6	4.7 / #7	4.6 / #6	4.95 / #6	4.8/#6		#6	#6						
SW CA	4.2	4.147/#12	4.26/#12	4.26/#12	4.1/#13		4/#13		4/#13		4/#12		4.1/#13		3.6/#11		3.45/#12	3.7/#10		3.99/#9		3.9 / #10	3.75 / #10	3.7 / #9	4 / #8		4/#8		#9	#8						
BG FL	4.1	4.41/#11	4.4/#11		4.36/#11	4.3/#12		4.1/#12		4.3/#11		4.5/#11		4.6/#10		5/#10		3.9/#9		4.2/#9		4.2/#8		4.2 / #8	3.8 / #9	3.7 / #9	3.5 / #11	#15		#14	#11

 

[devoy1701]

Here are the top 12 as far back as I have. Hope it's readable.

PARK	2009	2008		2007		2006		2005		2004		2003		2002		2001		2000		1999		1998		1997		1996		1995		1994		1993		1992		1991	1990	1989	1988	1987	1986	1985	1984
MK	17.233	17.063/#1	17.06/#1	16.64/#1	16.1/#1		15.1/#1		14/#1		14/#1		14.8/#1		15.4/#1		15.2/#1		15.64/#1	17/#1		13.8 / #2	12.9 / #2	11.2 / #1	12 / #1		11.5/#1		#1	#1						
DL	15.9	14.721/#2	14.87/#2	14.73/#2	14.5/#2		13.3/#2		12.72/#2	12.72/#2	12.3/#2		13.9/#2		13.45/#2	13.68/#2	14.2/#2		15 / #1		14.1 / #1	10.3 / #2	11.4 / #2	11.6/#2		11.6/#2	12.9/#2	14.4	13	13.5	12	12	9.8
EPCOT	10.99	10.935/#3	10.93/#3	10.46/#3	9.9/#3		9.4/#3		8.62/#3		8.3/#3		9/#3		10.6/#3		10.1/#3		10.59/#3	11.8/#3		11.2 / #3	10.7 / #3	9.7 / #3	9.5 / #3	10/#3		#3	#3						
DHS	9.7	9.608/#4	9.51/#4		9.1/#4		8.6/#4		8.26/#4		7.87/#4		8/#4		8.4/#4		8.9/#4		8.7/#4		9.47/#4		10.4/#4		10 / #4		9.5 / #4	8 / #4		8 / #4		8/#4		#4	#4		Open	---	---	---	---
AK	9.59	9.54/#5		9.49/#5		8.91/#5		8.2/#5		7.82/#5		7.3/#5		7.3/#5		7.8/#5		8.3/#5		8.6/#5		6/#6		Open		---		---		---		---		---		---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
DCA	6.05	5.566/#8	5.68/#7		5.95/#7		5.8/#7		5.6/#8		5.31/#8		4.7/#10		5/#9		Open		---		---		---		---		---		---		---		---		---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
SW FL	5.8	5.926/#7	5.8/#8		5.74/#8		5.6/#9		5.6/#9		5.2/#9		5/#9		5.1/#8		5.2/#8		4.7/#8		4.9/#8		4.9/#7		5.1 / #7	4.95 / #6	4.6 / #6	4.5 / #7	4.1/#7		#8	#7						
USF	5.4	6.231/#6	6.2/#6		6/#6		6.1/#6		6.7/#6		5.88/#6		6.85/#6		7.2/#6		8.1/#6		8.1/#6		8.9/#5		8.9/#5		8.4 / #5	8 / #5		7.7 / #5	7.4 / #5	#5		#5	#14	Open	---	---	---	---	---
IOA	4.5	5.297/#9	5.43/#9		5.3/#9		5.76/#8		6.3/#7		5.58/#7		6.07/#7		5.5/#7		6/#7		3.4/#13		Open		---		---		---		---		---		---		---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
USH	4.308	4.583/#10	4.7#/10		4.7/#10		4.7/#10		5/#10		4.58/#10	5.2/#8		4.7/#10		5.2/#8		5.1/#7		5.1/#7		5.4/#6		5.4 / #6	4.7 / #7	4.6 / #6	4.95 / #6	4.8/#6		#6	#6						
SW CA	4.2	4.147/#12	4.26/#12	4.26/#12	4.1/#13		4/#13		4/#13		4/#12		4.1/#13		3.6/#11		3.45/#12	3.7/#10		3.99/#9		3.9 / #10	3.75 / #10	3.7 / #9	4 / #8		4/#8		#9	#8						
BG FL	4.1	4.41/#11	4.4/#11		4.36/#11	4.3/#12		4.1/#12		4.3/#11		4.5/#11		4.6/#10		5/#10		3.9/#9		4.2/#9		4.2/#8		4.2 / #8	3.8 / #9	3.7 / #9	3.5 / #11	#15		#14	#11

Thanks Bork! This is great stuff! It's greatly appreciated!