Attendance drop in the parks... I wonder why

graphite1326

graphite1326

Well-Known Member
L.C. Clench said:
Hasnt the number of attractions actually reduced during the Iger era? I'd think that, the rising cost and unreal planning required now aren't exactly a combination for attendance growth.
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I would agree with that. We went in Oct. and with all the refurbs we decided we were not going to make our annual trip this year but wait until 2018. That could be another factor. Maybe others feel the same.
 
21stamps

21stamps

Well-Known Member
rct247 said:
Or...
The Olympics in Rio.
Increase in Ticket Prices.
Hurricane Mathew.
Rivers of Light Delay.
Gators.
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I almost came back to edit and add the Olympics and Hurricane Mathew. Definitely think those 2 are important ones.
I can't imagine that Rivers of Light could impact attendance numbers, I guess a few, but I think most people wouldn't cancel or hold off a trip because of it. Same thing with gators, maybe a few did though.
The price increases may be an impact, but they weren't that substantial. Not a 'make or break' for majority of travels, I would think, again not certain.
Someone above said that they decided to postpone a trip bc of lack of new offerings, but there actually were a lot of new offerings. Even from 2015 to 2016.

It's funny bc earlier tonight I was talking to a friend who just booked a trip. We were discussing our kid's ages and how we feel we're running out of time. Not to enjoy Disney..but for it to truly be "magical" to them.
An 8 or 9 year may say "Cool! Look at that Stormtrooper!" But a 3-4-5-6(maybe even 7) year old are absolutely amazed by them. Extreme Amazement, Magic, Wonderment, and thinking something is "Real" only lasts for so many years in childhood.. People with kids those ages aren't skipping trips because a new land, a new night time DAK show, or new coaster hasn't opened. They are going for their children, and they will pay to see that amazement.
* My limited observations and opinions anyway.
 
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copcarguyp71

copcarguyp71

Well-Known Member
Our money has gone elsewhere starting in 2013 for the following reasons:
- Closed and empty areas including dining venues, pavilions and rides
- Reduced quality in dining
- Fountains being shut off (yes I know it seems petty but, it was noticed)
- Crowd levels (adding rooms, rooms and more rooms without park expansion...which I know is underway)
- Special events reducing value of regular park tickets (it seems like we find ourselves in the world during these)
- Refusal to carry smart device to get "the best park experience"
- Longer Fastpass wait times
- Declining ride quality. Although queue quality was at an all time high too many audio glitches and ride element failures.
- Poor Mousekeeping. Seriously we saw a rather stark decline in how our room was cared for in five visits from 2006-2013.
- I guess all of the above can be summed up by saying diminished ROI for our vacation dollar.

I will say that I have been going to the world since 1977 and the decline noted was during the 2006-2013 five visit span. During that time however the one thing that was on the upswing in terms of "show quality" was cast members. Despite poor compensation by Disney management we noted a consistent (if not increased) quality of guest care by cast members from the resorts to the parks. I won't say we are done with Disney but we are done for quite a while I think. I continue to watch the forums and Facebook pages to keep tabs on progress of whatever it is they are trying to accomplish with MM+, park expansions and adding resort rooms. I am in hopes that it is something more in terms of added value rather than a lopsided cash grab for the stockholders because the former stands a better chance at sustainability than the latter in the long term game. I will say that if we do head back to the world in coming years that it will most likely be a split stay with time also spent at the park who's name shall not be spoken.
 
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BigRedDad

BigRedDad

Well-Known Member
Price. The simple fact is if you are not going during the school year, it will cost a fortune to go. A 7-day, 6 night Value resort with 6-day tickets during June for 2 adults and 2 children (3-9) will be just over $2,400. Factor in meals and other stuff, this is easily $3,500. This does not include airfare or driving. Add in airfare and this goes to $4,500.

For many people in the US, this is not a small amount of money. It takes some families 3 years to save that much and that would assume no emergency comes up. Yes, my family is fortunate to be a dual income family that allows us to save up to go every year if we wanted. Trust me, it takes only 1 unplanned emergency to wipe out everything you have saved and much more.
 
B

Bandini

Well-Known Member
drizgirl said:
When you seem to keep testing the boundaries of your price point, don't you eventually hit...... I don't know...... a boundary?
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There haven't been substantial salary increases for most workers in the US. However, the prices Disney chaarges have continued to increase at a significant rate. I do think people have been priced out of Disney. I also believe that some people have substantially reduced the frequency of their visits or length of stay.

Problem is when I compare a $5000 trip to WDW vs. a $5000 trip to other locales, WDW is the loser. I can get more bang for my buck virtually anywhere else. I just keep waiting for things to change so that I feel I'm not being ripped off when I visit WDW.
 
D

DisneyBall60

New Member
Bandini said:
There haven't been substantial salary increases for most workers in the US. However, the prices Disney chaarges have continued to increase at a significant rate. I do think people have been priced out of Disney. I also believe that some people have substantially reduced the frequency of their visits or length of stay.

Problem is when I compare a $5000 trip to WDW vs. a $5000 trip to other locales, WDW is the loser. I can get more bang for my buck virtually anywhere else. I just keep waiting for things to change so that I feel I'm not being ripped off when I visit WDW.
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A lot of people say to me that once you have been WDW, it is hard to holiday anywhere else (putting value to one side). I would be interested to know where else you have been and had just as good a time?

Thanks
 
Nemo14

Nemo14

Well-Known Member
We've been snowbirding for 4 years in the Kissimmee area.We still have 3 or 4 days left on our last 10 day non-expiration tickets but we have no real desire to use them anytime soon. We have 15 month AP's at Sea World which we use to go into the park, ride Manta, and maybe catch a show a few times a month or go to one of their weekend special events. Other than that, the only parks we go to are the State Parks, which are truly gorgeous.
 
B

Bandini

Well-Known Member
DisneyBall60 said:
A lot of people say to me that once you have been WDW, it is hard to holiday anywhere else (putting value to one side). I would be interested to know where else you have been and had just as good a time?

Thanks
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I understand what you are saying about WDW, and I would have agreed with you 10 years ago. But for us, it's become too much of a hassle. At this point the hassle and expense, no longer justify the a visit to WDW.

Washington DC and Colonial Williamsburg, Monument Valley and Mesa Verde ( less expensive WDW), Yosemite (Less expensive than WDW) and Vancouver and Victoria BC.

I don't think vacations are necessarily just about the destination. I also think it's the time you spend with your family away from life's daily routines.
 

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