Crowds are down? Curious about the claims . . .

21stamps

21stamps

Well-Known Member
pcaudill said:
Big Thunder MRR, Space Mountain from the old days as well as the Western Expansion ride (or whatever it was called). Exp Everest, Test Track, Tower of Terror, Rock-N-Roller Coaster, California Screamin', and some others more current. These aren't major thrill rides but neither are they addressed at five year olds. Again, the parks gave all members of the family something to do and were aimed all levels. I don't expect Disney to build major thrill rides (although I wouldn't complain). I am just saying that not every ride needs to have the thrill quotient of "It's A Small World".

I agree completely that it is nice for the younger set to be able to do a lot of the rides but they shouldn't have to be able to do every ride. I also agree that IOA is and should be different than Magic Kingdom. I always go to MK but not always to IOA on vacations. However, my point was more that IOA and UNI have both experienced a great deal of crowd growth and it is because of new rides (some of which are more thrilling). I just hear people saying that they take young kids to WDW and then go to IOA as the kids get older.

Bear in mind that I am not trying to generate an argument but just presenting some ideas. I really don't like the fact that people want to use these forums as a bully pulpit where they can behave like jerks or spoiled children without care for what others say.
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I know that all kids are different. But I loved those rides at 5/6 (the ones that existed then anyway) and my 5 year old loved them as well.

He still can't ride everything at IoA, so at this age it makes more sense to spend more time at Disney...especially since I don't have to hear him complain about not being able to do something. The "Slingshot" that is at several parks around the country, including Old Town Orlando, was his absolute favorite at age 5. It makes sense for us to spend more time at IoA in a few years..not only bc of rides, but the theme in general. I think both are great, for different reasons.
 
admiral-ari-x

admiral-ari-x

Well-Known Member
Despite it all, I would give my left kidney to be at Disney right now, look how empty and laidback it is :cry: But the company has been in a real period of transition lately, lots of new schemes behind the scenes to consider. Not to say that this excuses them from their gross mistreatment of the parks (I really can't believe the bathrooms are in such a state!!). Riddle me this, is basic maintenance being ignored as the result of cuts, or is it really just the decay of good customer service?
 
ryguy

ryguy

Well-Known Member
Based on my experience for the last 35 years, Disney World has become a truly world wide vacation destination. This is especially true over the last 10 years or so. If United Kingdom and South American economies are struggling that will surely negatively affect the Orlando economy. The events in June that happened surely didn't help much either. After the night club attack, the general conversation amongst my friends is Disney is due to get popped by a nut job. Most agreed is was surprising it hasn't been attacked yet. So maybe that is weighing on American travelers this summer too.

The good news for those of us who frequent the parks will hopefully be better deals on hotels and less crowds at the parks. Truthfully, the Disney consumer have been taking it on the chin the last few years between price gauging, lack of quality projects, skimpy discounts, erosion of benefits for Passholders (and cast members too) etc... So I am all for Disney begging for my hard earn dollars. I like to reward companies that want my business and since I moved to Florida two years ago I have been frequenting Universal more than Disney. I used to hate Universal, but at least they are trying to win my business, so I will reward them for their efforts.
 
SorcererMC

SorcererMC

Well-Known Member
For some context beyond anecdotal evidence.

Orlando has had a tourist boom since at least 2011, with increases mainly driven by domestic demand. However, re: intl tourism:
In 2011, Orlando had 3.8 mln intl visitors.
In 2013, Orlando surpassed NYC as an intl tourist destination, with 59 mln visitors overall (now 66 mln Orlando visitors).
(can't find more current Orlando intl numbers).

In 2015, Florida's overall intl tourist numbers at 11.2 mln show: 1. Canada - 3.9 mln ; 2. UK - 1.7 mln; 3. Brazil - 1.47 mln (down 10% from 2014). [VisitFL]

Orlando Sentinel is saying that hotel occupancy rates are down 2% in May year-over-year.

So the softening attendance from earlier this year is going to continue (as will discounts to draw tourists)...more numbers likely out in Aug-Sept. Tourism as an industry is subject to the latest trends, so it is questionable what impact recent events will have in the medium-term 2017-18, and how solidified Orlando is a both a domestic and international tourist destination, as tourists sometimes skip years between Orlando/ WDW visits.

Edit: Keep in mind recent yearly attendance correlates to the opening of MK New Fantasyland and UO Diagon Alley. Whatever decrease in attendance that occurs in the next two years is likely to rebound due to new Star Wars, AK, etc.
 
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PhotoDave219

PhotoDave219

Well-Known Member
SorcererMC said:
For some context beyond anecdotal evidence.

Orlando has had a tourist boom since at least 2011, with increases mainly driven by domestic demand. However, re: intl tourism:
In 2011, Orlando had 3.8 mln intl visitors.
In 2013, Orlando surpassed NYC as an intl tourist destination, with 59 mln visitors overall (now 66 mln Orlando visitors).
(can't find more current Orlando intl numbers).

In 2015, Florida's overall intl tourist numbers at 11.2 mln show: 1. Canada - 3.9 mln ; 2. UK - 1.7 mln; 3. Brazil - 1.47 mln (down 10% from 2014). [VisitFL]

Orlando Sentinel is saying that hotel occupancy rates are down 2% in May year-over-year.

So the softening attendance from earlier this year is going to continue (as will discounts to draw tourists)...more numbers likely out in Aug-Sept. Tourism as an industry is subject to the latest trends, so it is questionable what impact recent events will have in the medium-term 2017-18, and how solidified Orlando is a both a domestic and international tourist destination, as tourists sometimes skip years between Orlando/ WDW visits.
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Did you check here? -> http://media.visitorlando.com/research/
 
21stamps

21stamps

Well-Known Member
JassiSidhu2000 said:
It's only going to get worst with the UK visitors going to be massively down from a few months on. The British currency is taking a massive beating on the count of racists back at home voting to leave the EU.

Hopefully things will balance out a little if Trump comes into power. But with Brazil and the UK economies taking a battering (two of the biggest toursits to Orlando) then it's going to hurt Orlando, along with little in the way anything majorly new in Orlando (like a Harry Potter or Star Wars Land).
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Also, to widen the scope a little.. It's more than Orlando. This isn't a "Disney raised prices so foreigners aren't traveling" thing.
In the end it will all be fine. The dollar rises and falls, economy's go thru ups and downs. I would actually prefer for the dollar to remain relatively strong. People will still travel.
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Phantom Mickey

Phantom Mickey

Active Member
admiral-ari-x said:
Despite it all, I would give my left kidney to be at Disney right now, look how empty and laidback it is :cry: But the company has been in a real period of transition lately, lots of new schemes behind the scenes to consider. Not to say that this excuses them from their gross mistreatment of the parks (I really can't believe the bathrooms are in such a state!!). Riddle me this, is basic maintenance being ignored as the result of cuts, or is it really just the decay of good customer service?
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With the guest numbers down, I wish I were in Orlando NOW... What a fun time the parks would be with minimal wait times WITHOUT that silly FastPass system...
... Someone I know had planned a trip to Disney about a month ago. This was before the Club attack and the Gator news. They took time out from work to go down and spend a week. But before they left, they said they were looking forward to the trip but have a nagging thought of what IF: someone were to go into the park and have a gun or a bomb.
... That has to be bothersome when you just want to go down and have a good time but unfortunately it is the world we live in today.
 
21stamps

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Corey P said:
Overpriced??? They price like Disney, what the market will bare and food/drink etc. aren't really over priced on HHI. In fact rooms are cheaper then most of Disney's properties. 2 bedroom condo on the beach can be had for $1,000 a week, parking included. You can also spend $30,000 a week on certain properties. Everything in between based on what you need or want.

Hilton Head gets many foreigners but it is a different crowd then WDW. No Brazil tour groups, I can tell you that for sure but we do get many people from the UK and all over the world. There's much more going on on Hilton Head then you probably know since much of it is private or invite only type of things to do. Big amusement parks is not what we do. Doesn't matter HHI has to deal with the same world wide pressures on tourist travel.
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I think he meant that it's just different. Hilton Head/Myrtle Beach/even Daytona Beach have a much lower percentage of international travelers than Orlando or South Florida does.
Flights have a lot to do with it, as well as the culture- which is very different down south.
There are business that heavily rely on and cater to the different nationalities and also the snowbirds-Canadians take over part of SoFla..as well as the spring & summertime central/South American tourists, and the Europeans. It's a melting pot of both residents and tourists most times of the year.
 
Cmdr_Crimson

Cmdr_Crimson

Well-Known Member
MuteSuperstar

MuteSuperstar

Well-Known Member
Sonconato said:
We were there earlier this evening and it was actually really nice with minimal crowds especially for a July 4th weekend. Most of the rides were walk-ons with no wait. Here are some images from around the park.
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Wow...pretty shocking for this time of year. Heck there's almost NEVER a time it's that slow anymore regardless of month.

I realize the economy still has the appearance of being good on the coasts, but I think a lot of people still just don't realize how badly people have been squeezed and fleeced over the past several years in middle America. That has to be at least a contributing factor, among many.
 
draybook

draybook

Well-Known Member
Rider said:
April 2, 2007 Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
February 22, 2012 Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom
June 15, 2012 Casey Jr. Splash 'N' Soak Station
December 6, 2012 Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
December 6, 2012 Enchanted Tales with Belle
March 9, 2014 Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
May 28, 2014 Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

November 27, 2006 The Seas with Nemo & Friends
April 2, 2007 Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
October 14, 2009 Sum of All Thrills (in Innoventions East)
June 23, 2012 Agent P's World Showcase Adventure
December 6, 2012 New Test Track
June 17, 2016 New Soarin'
June 21, 2016 Frozen Ever After

October 9, 2007 Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple
May 31, 2008 Toy Story Midway Mania!
March 27, 2011 Disney Junior - Live on Stage!
July 4, 2014 Star Wars: Path of the Jedi
July 5, 2014 For the First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
December 1, 2015 Star Wars Launch Bay
June 17, 2016 Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular

April 7, 2006 Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
January 24, 2007 Finding Nemo - The Musical
May 27, 2016 Sunset Safari
May 27, 2016 Harambe Wildlife Parti
May 27, 2016 Discovery Island Carnivale
May 27, 2016 Harambe Village Acrobats
May 28, 2016 The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic


Not to mention all the millions of dollars being invested in new attractions currently under construction.
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Lol @ some of those you listed....
 
Sonconato

Sonconato

Well-Known Member
MuteSuperstar said:
Wow...pretty shocking for this time of year. Heck there's almost NEVER a time it's that slow anymore regardless of month.

I realize the economy still has the appearance of being good on the coasts, but I think a lot of people still just don't realize how badly people have been squeezed and fleeced over the past several years in middle America. That has to be at least a contributing factor, among many.
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We just came back from Animal Kingdom in which we thought there wouldn't be all that many people since they have no fireworks, but there were more than expected. However, Kilimanjaro had only a 20 minute wait at around 7:00 pm, so that still isn't too bad. It may have been because many were heading to one of the other parks. I do agree though that the economy has been tougher on people than many are making it out to be and as you mentioned, this might be a contributing factor on crowds.
 
The Mom

The Mom

Moderator
Premium Member
AJH219 said:
At MK currently, questioning that decision because it's sweltering btw, and it feels like a typical summer day crowd wise. Between 60-70 minutes for the major attentions and 25 to 45 for the others. Crowds aren't unmanageable by any means as of 7:30. That may change as it gets closer to fireworks time though. Overall, it's not a bad pre- 4th of July evening
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Just curious - was there a longer than usual afternoon storm? In my experience, if it rains for more than 20 minutes, many people go back to their hotels until it stops. Then, when it's over, they head on back to the parks. Or even if they stay, they linger in restaurants and stores. I always had rain gear (including a cover for the stroller when my children were tiny) so continued walking around unless there was lightning close by.

I had the park to myself for a while, until people started coming back outside.
 
deanaandrich

deanaandrich

Well-Known Member
I was at Blizzard Beach yesterday and I can tell you it was very busy. The parking lot was completely filled- they were starting to get creative with spots.
Also there was a dreaded Brazilian your group of approximately 50 teenage girls. Let's just say there wasn't a lot of relaxing in the lazy river.
 

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