Disney's magical earnings

[PhilharMagician]

This is 100% true and more than likely the #1 reason we are seeing such huge park attendance right now. For most Europeans it is much cheaper right now to go to Disney World than it is Disneyland Paris

I don't think I would go that far.

The cheap US dollar has helped contribute a few percent, but can you say DVC. With the continued expansion and growth of DVC has made a large differance. More people are visiting more often and many are visiting muliple time per year because of their DVC ownership. As we all have noticed that the only resorts getting any expansion are DVC and there are three projects underway right now and the DLH is looking at converting rooms for DVC. Also the economy here in the states has been growing which makes people comfortable and willing to spend more money and go on a vacation to WDW.

I would expect continued growth for the parks division and this is probably only the begining of the refurbs and new attractions for WDW. As attendance over the past few years has increased the flood gates have opened for ride updates, refubs, restaurant updates and new attractions. Currently every park has multiple projects going which is fantastic.

 

[Epcotian]

I don't think I would go that far.

The cheap US dollar has helped contribute a few percent, but can you say DVC. With the continued expansion and growth of DVC has made a large differance. More people are visiting more often and many are visiting muliple time per year because of their DVC ownership. As we all have noticed that the only resorts getting any expansion are DVC and there are three projects underway right now and the DLH is looking at converting rooms for DVC. Also the economy here in the states has been growing which makes people comfortable and willing to spend more money and go on a vacation to WDW.

I would expect continued growth for the parks division and this is probably only the begining of the refurbs and new attractions for WDW. As attendance over the past few years has increased the flood gates have opened for ride updates, refubs, restaurant updates and new attractions. Currently every park has multiple projects going which is fantastic.

It's true DVC ownership is booming, but this would have nothing to do with the current high occupancy rates at all WDW resorts. Using DVC points for non-DVC resorts is generally a horrible deal for the owner due to the high point cost. What percentage of rooms at WDW are actually DVC rooms? I think that's a small number. It gets even smaller when you take into consideration all those who stay offsite.

DVC is popular, but I think the increased addition of DVC units by WDW is driven more by the cash a DVC sale generates today ($15,000 for a unit v. $2,000 for a weekly rental of a deluxe in summer). So Disney's locked in the cash on that unit it sold, and laughs all the way to the bank knowing a very solid percentage of those units will be under-utilized by the owner (meaning there are people out there who won't be visiting Disney that often, but they've paid for their room anyway). Those rooms can then be rented out by CRO to a non-DVC owner and Disney gets those dollars as well.

So, I agree that DVC is increasing profits for the parks/resorts segment, but I disagree with the idea that they're driving higher attendance by anything more than a small percentage.

 

[wedway71]

Jumping for Joy.....

I for one am happy TWDC is doing sooooo well. its been a rollercoaster for the company.....

Walt Dies then before Eisner comes almost gets eaten alive by corporate raiders........

Eisner comes with Wells and turns the company from Walt Disney Productions to TWDC.......

Things looking great in the Disney Decade........

Things start to sour late 90s -new century we have Comcast takeove bids,talks of selling the parks with that,Eisner geting no confidence vote with a a pretty ugly shareholder mutiny with the "Save Disney" campaign and of course cant forget 9/11........

Things all over are starting to look alot MAGICAL to me...