News Blizzard Beach Hosts Month-Long 30th Anniversary Celebration Before Typhoon Lagoon Reopens

[ParadoxPortals]

Question for the pixie dusters and shills:

If everything is so great at the world's largest themed resort, why can't Disney operate both of their award-winning waterparks during the peak waterpark season?

@Sirwalterraleigh please no hints for our contestants.

I mean regardless of how well you're doing financially, if you have more water parks open than you have demand for water park experiences by guests, it would make sense to shutter one park and keep the other open to save money. I'm not happy about this at all, in fact I hate but, but it objectively isn't a sign that Disney is struggling financially these days. They're just cheap and wanna reduce as many expenses as possible to make final profits as high as can be

 

[Dranth]

But the parks are MOBBED!!!

So they have to raise prices!!!

Never mind cheap cost cutting moves such as this. College programmers just too much


Isn’t that the narrative of the last men left inside bobs Alamo defending him?

Sure, it is a cheap and easy cost cutting move, but one I don't blame them for using.

Not that is wouldn't be nice to have both running but it is so far down the line for most people that it is kind of funny we are even having this discussion. Disney is now giving days away to the water parks so few people go. It isn't just Disney either. Water parks in general, at least in North America, have low attendance levels.

Bottom line, there are a TON of other things Disney could do to engender some good will or reverse course that will have a far larger impact than this.

 

[Dranth]

Those days are long gone. Their water park marketshare plummeted and they essentially just handed the business to Volcano Bay. It's now at the point where you'd struggle to get one of them to capacity let alone 2.

As usual all down to refusal to invest and incompetence.

I don't believe VB is doing all that great either. It was pretty close but the last year we have numbers for, TL had more visitors than VB despite not being opened as much.

I think water parks in general are just very limited in their appeal since the early 2000s. Not that there isn't a very supportive group, it just isn't that big or growing.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Next to nothing has been done to compromise those themes bar the frozen retheme of tikes peak which was unnecessary but that’s it.

I don’t recall attempting to make a point otherwise?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Ok I would argue that things are at least slightly better than the chapek years but in any case what you said does not disprove my point .

There were no “chapek years”

But that’s where it gets complicated

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

When it gets to the level of intentionally keeping a park closed, you're being disingenuous by just simply shrugging it off and labeling a person a hater.

This is not like keeping a restaurant or attraction/pavilion or part of a hotel closed where you can just pretend it's not a problem.

Has anyone in this thread gone to any length to justify it being closed? Who are you yelling at exactly?

Also, isn’t it possible that some of us don’t really care if it’s open or closed or not because we just don’t like water parks? I’m not gonna sit here and go on and on about thinking it’s stupid to not have both open at the same time when the reality is far as I’m concerned they could close and never re-open both of them and my life would go on.

I’m happy for those that enjoy them, but even when they were both open they were hardly attendance monsters. I just don’t know that the majority of people going on a WDW trip are factoring in the water parks. Hell, I wouldn’t be shocked if a large number don’t even know they’re there.

It isn’t being a shill or a pixie duster to not break out into fits of hysteria over every dumb choice the company makes.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Sure, it is a cheap and easy cost cutting move, but one I don't blame them for using.

Not that is wouldn't be nice to have both running but it is so far down the line for most people that it is kind of funny we are even having this discussion. Disney is now giving days away to the water parks so few people go. It isn't just Disney either. Water parks in general, at least in North America, have low attendance levels.

Bottom line, there are a TON of other things Disney could do to engender some good will or reverse course that will have a far larger impact than this.

Demand certainly isn’t as high as it was…and they’ve stated their “distaste” for a lot of the day to day clientele more than a few times…

…but it looks cheap. Who wants to pay high prices to go anywhere with mothballing? Which goes against the crap they’ve been pushing for 10 years.

There is a value beyond the dollar…bad managers miss it here

 

[monothingie]

Has anyone in this thread gone to any length to justify it being closed? Who are you yelling at exactly?

Also, isn’t it possible that some of us don’t really care if it’s open or closed or not because we just don’t like water parks? I’m not gonna sit here and go on and on about thinking it’s stupid to not have both open at the same time when the reality is far as I’m concerned they could close and never re-open both of them and my life would go on.

Operationally it is too expensive to operate two water parks at the same time. Demand has also dried up because pricing is too high. Guests are foregoing water parks because it is a non-necessary component of a visit to WDW and simply not worth the added expense on top of already expensive tickets.

I’m happy for those that enjoy them, but even when they were both open they were hardly attendance monsters. I just don’t know that the majority of people going on a WDW trip are factoring in the water parks. Hell, I wouldn’t be shocked if a large number don’t even know they’re there.

During the summer season not too long ago, both water parks would be packed. Admission was also half the price. The company is worried about operational expenses but opens the water park in the winter when it barely makes it into the 60s to tens of people.

It isn’t being a shill or a pixie duster to not break out into fits of hysteria over every dumb choice the company makes.

There’s sadly a lot of celebration of Disney stupidity on the socials.

 

[FigmentFan82]

One would assume that this would be The summer to have both open, yes? Especially with a new theme park and all opening nearby.

Disney should be ashamed they don't have both open regularly. Pathetic is too good a word.

 

[esskay]

The company is worried about operational expenses but opens the water park in the winter when it barely makes it into the 60s to tens of people.

Honestly wouldn't be at all surprised if they go completely seasonal within a couple of years on the water parks. It can't be cheap to keep them operational over winter, never been during that period myself but presume the costs of heating go up a fair bit.

As much as I'd hate for it to happen I honestly struggle to see both parks surviving for another 3-5 years and wouldn't be at all surprised if one was permanently closed and the other becomes a seasonal location.

I guess the only plus side to that happeing is that it makes it a bit easier to find a suitable site for a future replacement water park should demand ever pick up again, and would then give them a fighting chance against Volcano Bay.

 

[Agent H]

I don’t recall attempting to make a point otherwise?

You literally said

I love both their Parks…because they were ingenious had consistent themes when built. Very well done

But the case can be made they lag behind aquatica and volcano bay now…for sure

here you said they were ingenious and had consistent themes when built. Then you said the case can be made they lag behind volcano bay and aquatica. Why? If you simply prefer volcano bay then way bring up the themes? You bringing up the themes would suggest that you think the themes have been downgraded but in terms of thematic integrity apart from the frozen addition they haven’t.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

You literally said

here you said they were ingenious and had consistent themes when built. Then you said the case can be made they lag behind volcano bay and aquatica. Why? If you simply prefer volcano bay then way bring up the themes? You bringing up the themes would suggest that you think the themes have been downgraded but in terms of thematic integrity apart from the frozen addition they haven’t.

I was speaking as to how they were revolutionary when they opened in 1989 and 1995…historical context

I still like them a lot

It’s a shame they can’t be bothered to run them both…even though everyone who buys a multi day pass is paying for just that

 

[bmr1591]

Unpopular opinion: close Typhoon Lagoon, invest into a better Blizzard Beach, build a hotel next to Blizzard Beach in theme with Winter Summer Land or whatever it is, then use the land of TL to build something people want to go to. Most visitors to WDW have a water park near their home. While it may not be to the same theme as BB or TL, water slides are water slides. Build something different people will want to go to.

 

[monothingie]

Honestly wouldn't be at all surprised if they go completely seasonal within a couple of years on the water parks. It can't be cheap to keep them operational over winter, never been during that period myself but presume the costs of heating go up a fair bit.

As much as I'd hate for it to happen I honestly struggle to see both parks surviving for another 3-5 years and wouldn't be at all surprised if one was permanently closed and the other becomes a seasonal location.

I guess the only plus side to that happeing is that it makes it a bit easier to find a suitable site for a future replacement water park should demand ever pick up again, and would then give them a fighting chance against Volcano Bay.

It seems like at this point regardless of season, one water park in operation allows them to cover their expenses, but two do not.

They've reached to upper pricing limit, so they can't raise prices anymore, and they have further compounded to revenue issue with the "free" waterpark day for resort guests.

This is the TDO MO.

It's more profitable to shutter entire sections of resorts than leave them open or adjust pricing to match demand.

It's more profitable to leave a QS or TS shuttered than deal with he operational costs.

It's more profitable to keep an attraction or pavilion shuttered than have the added operational costs.

It's more profitable to replace existing attractions than build new because of the added operational costs.


This is the result of the unsustainable cycle of focusing only on YOY quarterly growth.

 

[KDM31091]

Next to nothing has been done to compromise those themes bar the frozen retheme of tikes peak which was unnecessary but that’s it.

That’s why I love BB. It’s a mostly untouched 90s Disney time capsule. You just show up and have fun. No fuss no apps no nothing. The frozen theme was unnecessary but at least it is only in one area. The rest of the park has the theming and detail of “old Disney” that I’m afraid we will never see again.

 

[Agent H]

That’s why I love BB. It’s a mostly untouched 90s Disney time capsule. You just show up and have fun. No fuss no apps no nothing. The frozen theme was unnecessary but at least it is only in one area. The rest of the park has the theming and detail of “old Disney” that I’m afraid we will never see again.

I wish they would embrace the ice gator more which is why I dislike the frozen retheme but removing that it’s fine I guess .

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I don't believe VB is doing all that great either. It was pretty close but the last year we have numbers for, TL had more visitors than VB despite not being opened as much.

I think water parks in general are just very limited in their appeal since the early 2000s. Not that there isn't a very supportive group, it just isn't that big or growing.

Doesn't help that there's more water parks around in general, including Great Wolf Lodge.

I like Volcano Bay best and the Disney ones are well themed, but people only have so many days to do things in WDW. That said, it would be nice to be able to choose between BB and TL like you could for so many years.

I think people like water parks best when they're part of their hotel complex (increasingly common) vs having to go out of their way to visit. It's why people pay a premium to stay at Yacht/Beach Club or get those rooms at Cabana Bay.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

If everything is so great at the world's largest themed resort, why can't Disney operate both of their award-winning waterparks during the peak waterpark season?

From 1995-2001 they had 3 water parks open every summer.

 

[WorldExplorer]

Unpopular opinion: close Typhoon Lagoon, invest into a better Blizzard Beach, build a hotel next to Blizzard Beach in theme with Winter Summer Land or whatever it is, then use the land of TL to build something people want to go to. Most visitors to WDW have a water park near their home. While it may not be to the same theme as BB or TL, water slides are water slides. Build something different people will want to go to.

I would happily pay to stay at an actual Lottawotta Lodge hotel that's themed to a cozy ski resort.

That’s why I love BB. It’s a mostly untouched 90s Disney time capsule. You just show up and have fun. No fuss no apps no nothing. The frozen theme was unnecessary but at least it is only in one area. The rest of the park has the theming and detail of “old Disney” that I’m afraid we will never see again.

Almost every time I go I get a survey asking (among other things) what I enjoy about Blizzard Beach. One of the options is always "Disney theming". I always select "Other" and write that I enjoy the fun, detailed theme that isn't just slapping a character on something.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Don't forget that Disney is giving every guest staying at one of their hotels a free water park day on check-in day this year. Because $74 for a one-day water park ticket when they can only be bothered to keep one open at a time is so, so reasonable. But then they can claim, "See?? We're GIVING YOU $74 of value for each person in your party!!! MAGIC!!!"