DisneyFan 2000
Well-Known Member
Thank you! IoA is built out of thrills but it doesn't make it like any amusement park!
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Attendance Figures 2003
- Thread starter MonorailGreen
- Start date
Thank you! IoA is built out of thrills but it doesn't make it like any amusement park!
CTXRover
Well-Known Member
Here are some interesting facts that I think show Disney isn't really feeling the threat from Universal that so many claimed after the release of last year's numbers (2002 attendance).
Last year, IOA's attendance rose 10% from 2001 (an increase of 0.5 million people). A lot claimed that it showed how IOA was fast becoming the new king in town as all other parks showed a decline while downplaying the real reason for its increase: the movement of Halloween Horror Nights to IOA. I think this year's numbers prove that. This year, almost all Orlando area theme parks remained the same attendance-wise as last year, including IOA, which may indicate "the ranking" of parks will probably stay the same for a while. IOA's jump last year was not a sign of anything more than a move of a well attended event (Disney fans can let go a sigh of relief
)
Meanwhile, a park that many last year had written off as fast becoming the "loser" in town, Epcot, got a good boost this year. Which by the way was the ONLY area theme park I might add to see a significant rise (Seaworld also saw a small bump), no doubt due to Mission:Space. While Universal Studios which opened two new attractions, including the highly publicized Shrek 4D, did not show any such increase. However, I would bet that US could see a decent rise next year depending on when in this year they open Mummy. It probably won't be enough though to push it over AK, unless AK drops badly in 2004.
What I think is most impressive in the top 10 is the 13% INCREASE for California Adventure and a move up a spot on the list giving the park its highest attendance since opening. Still, the numbers are bad compared to its sister park, but the addition of TOT this year should only keep DCA's numbers rising.
Last year, IOA's attendance rose 10% from 2001 (an increase of 0.5 million people). A lot claimed that it showed how IOA was fast becoming the new king in town as all other parks showed a decline while downplaying the real reason for its increase: the movement of Halloween Horror Nights to IOA. I think this year's numbers prove that. This year, almost all Orlando area theme parks remained the same attendance-wise as last year, including IOA, which may indicate "the ranking" of parks will probably stay the same for a while. IOA's jump last year was not a sign of anything more than a move of a well attended event (Disney fans can let go a sigh of relief
)Meanwhile, a park that many last year had written off as fast becoming the "loser" in town, Epcot, got a good boost this year. Which by the way was the ONLY area theme park I might add to see a significant rise (Seaworld also saw a small bump), no doubt due to Mission:Space. While Universal Studios which opened two new attractions, including the highly publicized Shrek 4D, did not show any such increase. However, I would bet that US could see a decent rise next year depending on when in this year they open Mummy. It probably won't be enough though to push it over AK, unless AK drops badly in 2004.
What I think is most impressive in the top 10 is the 13% INCREASE for California Adventure and a move up a spot on the list giving the park its highest attendance since opening. Still, the numbers are bad compared to its sister park, but the addition of TOT this year should only keep DCA's numbers rising.
CTXRover
Well-Known Member
Originally posted by Pixie Duster
*sigh* I wish more people could understand Animal Kingdom, but it seems all people want are rides
AK rules!
And if the holiday season indicates anything, AK is in good hands. According to the news in Orlando when I was down there, MK and AK closed on several days due to full capacity while the other area theme parks did not, but were pretty close I imagine. I experienced a full capacity day myself at AK and it was an absolute madhouse. Then again, I haven't seen the parks that busy over the holidays since 2000 so it was a good sight for Disney (but not me :lol: ). It was nuts at all the parks!Michael72688
New Member
Originally posted by CTXRover
Here are some interesting facts that I think show Disney isn't really feeling the threat from Universal that so many claimed after the release of last year's numbers (2002 attendance).
Last year, IOA's attendance rose 10% from 2001 (an increase of 0.5 million people). A lot claimed that it showed how IOA was fast becoming the new king in town as all other parks showed a decline while downplaying the real reason for its increase: the movement of Halloween Horror Nights to IOA. I think this year's numbers prove that. This year, almost all Orlando area theme parks remained the same attendance-wise as last year, including IOA, which may indicate "the ranking" of parks will probably stay the same for a while. IOA's jump last year was not a sign of anything more than a move of a well attended event (Disney fans can let go a sigh of relief
Meanwhile, a park that many last year had written off as fast becoming the "loser" in town, Epcot, got a good boost this year. Which by the way was the ONLY area theme park I might add to see a significant rise (Seaworld also saw a small bump), no doubt due to Mission:Space. While Universal Studios which opened two new attractions, including the highly publicized Shrek 4D, did not show any such increase. However, I would bet that US could see a decent rise next year depending on when in this year they open Mummy. It probably won't be enough though to push it over AK, unless AK drops badly in 2004.
What I think is most impressive in the top 10 is the 13% INCREASE for California Adventure and a move up a spot on the list giving the park its highest attendance since opening. Still, the numbers are bad compared to its sister park, but the addition of TOT this year should only keep DCA's numbers rising.
Yes, most of this is true, but you do notice the reason the people are coming to Epcot is cause of a thrill, hmm, isn't that interesting! It'll probably do the same in 2005 when Soarin' opens, it also gonna happen to AK when it's new Thrill Ride, Expedition: Everest opens! I just find it interesting how the majority of this board has such a problem with building large thrill rides, yet obviously people want it cause the numbers rise when big thrills are added! When Islands of Adventure opens a new attraction, which is rumored to be a big thrill that will open in 2006 will help raise that parks attendance too. Attendance doesnt jump when you add dull and boring attractions, that might be a little educational!
Michael72688
New Member
Have you really ever been to Islands of Adventure? I've never heard anyone say they had a "poor experience" there! It is an awesome park and obviously people dont mind waiting an hour or two for a great rollercoaster or thrill ride
General Grizz
New Member
I've had plenty a poor experience at Islands of Adventure.
Been twice, not going back.
(So did Magic Kingdom go up any?? I wonder because of all of the thrill rides put in there. Or was it a family 3-D show? :lookaroun )
Been twice, not going back.
(So did Magic Kingdom go up any?? I wonder because of all of the thrill rides put in there. Or was it a family 3-D show? :lookaroun )
PixyDust
Member
We live near Carowinds too. Had season passes there a few years ago, and then dropped them. There's no shade, and the wait for a ride is unreal. And the shows...the shows are jokes. They don't hold a light to Disney's shows (and the admission price equals Disney if I'm not mistaken). And so little for young kids to do. They don't have anything like baby pass there...
I did organize our employee picnic at Carowinds this past year because ALL of the employees wanted it there. When I did the survey on how they liked it, all I had were complaints. Bad food, long lines, too hot, too crowded, the list went on and on.
I equate Carowinds with Universal, hence we have not visited Universal since 1997.
Michael72688
New Member
actually I dont think Magic Kingdom went up to much if it did at all, and tell me if Islands of Adventure is such a bad park why was it voted best theme park in the world for the past two years?
Michael72688
New Member
The voting was done by the people, people who visit all different theme parks around the world including Disney's
Michael72688
New Member
Djali999
Active Member
I don't like thrill rides, and thus avoid Universal. IoA is a neat park, but it offers nothing for me. Universal Studios I got miffed at after they pulled Alfred Hitchcock and Ghostbusters. the several times I've been there I way always thinking how much I'd rather be at MK... haven't been back to see the new GB show or anything, and I just don't care.
comparativley, I took several hours to take a long, leisurely stroll around World Showcase a few weeks before Christmas. it's one of the most rewarding things I've ever done at Disney.
comparativley, I took several hours to take a long, leisurely stroll around World Showcase a few weeks before Christmas. it's one of the most rewarding things I've ever done at Disney.
CTXRover
Well-Known Member
The poll is both "unfair" and unreliable and I'm surprised a news show would even mention it. The ranking is based on an average of the votes given to each park's attractions. They use the mentality that minor attractions, which are often bound to get lower scores than major attractions, are kept minor in a park's overall score since in their computing they take into account the number of people that vote for each attraction since less people would vote on a minor ride than a major ride, if that makes sense. I have read many people who have questioned this method as there is no real poll ever done on that site that flat out asks you what is your favorite park. The listings for the attractions that one can vote on are incomplete and in most cases do not include non-ride oriented entertainment. Its a nice site, but I wouldn't use it for reliable data.
Michael72688
New Member
A poll was actually done! I was talking to a CM the other day and he even said IoA was his favorite park, IoA is a very popular park, I know all you Disney "fans" dont want to believe that someone can actually like a park that isnt Disney's, but a lot of people like IoA a lot
General Grizz
New Member
We *know* people like IoA. We just don't like IOA. :lol:
Michael72688
New Member
I know more people that like IoA then any other park, I'm just going by what I know and have heard
CTXRover
Well-Known Member
The current listing for park rankings on the site indicates that "Ratings are the result of the average of all votes cast for a park's attractions and restaurants".
I don't know of any poll being done at themeparkinsider that asked straight out what your favorite park was, which really just means I never voted in one :lol: But, I can remember when last year's poll came out that people in the comment boards questioned the site's creator on how the poll was done (no it wasn't me, I just read the boards) and he said what I mentioned above, about the weighting of attractions based on the score and the number of people that voted.
I don't question there are people who really love IOA. Its a really good park and there are sites out there (which I visit on occasion :lookaroun ) with people just as fanatical about it as we are here about Disney and I too have fun at IOA. Its just not my favorite park that's all and there are a lot more people that I know who prefer any of Disney's parks to Universal or IOA. A real poll to determine "the" favorite park would require polling millions of people, not just a few thousand who stumble onto a website.
kurros
New Member
Well, once has to remember M:S has only been open 3 months, and (up until the holidays) a slower time of the year. M:S helped visitor satisfaction no doubt, but I don't think it was really a surge after M:S opened, and that it was a steady improvement throughout the year.
Though maybe I underestimate Disney World fans.