Attendance at theme parks increases, reversing 2 years of decline

[speck76]

Attendance at North America's 50 most popular theme and amusement parks jumped almost 4 percent in 2004, the first overall increase since the 2001 terrorist attacks slowed the U.S. travel and tourism industry.

An estimated 169.1 million visitors rode thrill rides and romped around with costumed characters at the North American parks, according to an annual survey released today by the trade magazine Amusement Business and the research firm Economic Research Associates.

The increase was helped by a jump in international visitors spurred on by a weakening U.S. dollar, improved weather over last year and a rebound in U.S. travel and tourism.

Worldwide attendance at parks increased by 2.2 percent to 252.4 million visitors.

The hurricanes in Florida, which shut down the state's parks for several days, didn't have much affect on attendance since the most attended park in the world in 2004 was the Magic Kingdom at Orlando's Walt Disney World with 15.1 million visitors.

The Florida park was followed by Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., with 13.3 million visitors and Tokyo Disneyland with 13.2 million visitors.

 

[Tim G]

Attendance at North America's 50 most popular theme and amusement parks jumped almost 4 percent in 2004, the first overall increase since the 2001 terrorist attacks slowed the U.S. travel and tourism industry.

An estimated 169.1 million visitors rode thrill rides and romped around with costumed characters at the North American parks, according to an annual survey released today by the trade magazine Amusement Business and the research firm Economic Research Associates.

The increase was helped by a jump in international visitors spurred on by a weakening U.S. dollar, improved weather over last year and a rebound in U.S. travel and tourism.

Worldwide attendance at parks increased by 2.2 percent to 252.4 million visitors.

The hurricanes in Florida, which shut down the state's parks for several days, didn't have much affect on attendance since the most attended park in the world in 2004 was the Magic Kingdom at Orlando's Walt Disney World with 15.1 million visitors.

The Florida park was followed by Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., with 13.3 million visitors and Tokyo Disneyland with 13.2 million visitors.

...

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Ive done my bit braving the risks of International terrorism, mcDonalds fat saturated food and Eisners pocket emptying methods. Its a realbilly bonus that the exchange rate is having a good effect on my holiday plans. just hope it holds till next summer.

 

[speck76]

Ive done my bit braving the risks of International terrorism, mcDonalds fat saturated food and Eisners pocket emptying methods. Its a realbilly bonus that the exchange rate is having a good effect on my holiday plans. just hope it holds till next summer.

We in Orlando are very thankful for the weak dollar. Our UK bookings have been up dramatically for about the last 6 months, and bookings for next year have already topped this years record numbers......

 

[PhotoDave219]

Im amazed that the hurricanes didnt even leave a mark on attendance.... Thats impressive. Do we know where Epcot, DAK or MGM fell on the lists?

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

OMG!! MK is the most visited theme park of 2004!!! Amazing! :sohappy:

 

[speck76]

Im amazed that the hurricanes didnt even leave a mark on attendance.... Thats impressive. Do we know where Epcot, DAK or MGM fell on the lists?

WDW was earlier reporting that property-wide attendance was up 18%. I think the MK, Epcot, and DAK probably saw large gains (with Epcot seeing the largest gain), I do not think the gains at MGM were as impressive.

MK had about 14 million in 2003, so 2004 is up about 7.8%

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

Where can I view the full list?

 

[speck76]

Where can I view the full list?

YOU can't :lol:

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I do not think the gains at MGM were as impressive

Proof that "if you dont build it , they wont come" :hammer:

 

[speck76]

Proof that "if you dont build it , they wont come" :hammer:

It lends to my theory that MGM is the most "broken" of the 4 theme parks.

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

YOU can't :lol:

Isn't the list released every year?

 

[speck76]

Isn't the list released every year?

Yes...I have not seen it yet....many parks are still open and reporting. WDC operates on a fiscal year that does not match the calendar year, so their numbers are "done"...others are not.

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

Oh.... Cool.

I have to disagree about MGM. Although it's far from being a full experience it still packs enough rides and shows for a day of entertainment. My day there passed real quick because all the rides and shows took up a lot of my time.

I just can't see why everyone is so disappointed with that park...

 

[speck76]

Oh.... Cool.

I have to disagree about MGM. Although it's far from being a full experience it still packs enough rides and shows for a day of entertainment. My day there passed real quick because all the rides and shows took up a lot of my time.

I just can't see why everyone is so disappointed with that park...

Not to go too far off-topic but....

MGM is broken. The original concept was good, but the park was too popular, and the infrastructure could not accomodate the demand. The park expanded in ways not originally intended to keep up with the demand, but this has lead to less than great results.

#1 Sunset Blvd...it has too many high profile attractions (ToT, RnRC, B&tB, Fantasmic) and it is a dead end...one way in, one way out.

#2 The large amount of shows. From B&tB, VotLM, WWtbaMPI, IJSS, LMA, PD....the park is show intensive, and could use more diversity in the attractions.

#3 Star Tours....one of the highest profile attractions when it opened, it now very dated technology wise....such an attraction should not have a 5 minute wait in peak season, which ST often does.

#4 The Broken theme.....MGM is a studio, but does that mean that the qualification for being an attraction at MGM is that the subject was studio produced.....is that all that it takes? Could any movie find its home at MGM? Is this really a great strategy?

#5 Resting on successful shows for too long.....B&tB and VotLM have been at the park since 1992 or 1993...they need to go.

Speaking of the above two shows, correct me if I am wrong, but the whole purpose of "The Vault" was to make films disappear for a while, only to reintroduce and reinfactuate the next generation 10 years down the road. Doesn't having these shows still around kind of kill this whole strategy?

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

You make some good points. I agree with all of them. I was just saying this park is still a lot of fun despite it's weaknesses... :wave:

 

[speck76]

You make some good points. I agree with all of them. I was just saying this park is still a lot of fun despite it's weaknesses... :wave:

Sure, it is fun.

I am predicting it now though, after EE opens, MGM will become #4 in attendance.

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

Unless they pull out the IJA plans... :animwink:

 

[speck76]

Unless they pull out the IJA plans... :animwink:

If they started building that TODAY, it would not be open until at the earliest late 2006, prob 2007.

I know of two new attractions being looked at for MGM, IJA is not one of them.

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

Anything original in the works? It's about time some attention went to MGM. RnR imo isn't enough.