21stamps
Well-Known Member
It really was!!! Technology was changing..people were pushing things we never thought possible..and---Steel Coaster Mania!!! Things have only gotten better since.
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Express Transportation starting Dec 7th
- Thread starter imkrazy182
- Start date
You do realize that this was mostly because of the immediate after effects of 9/11 which utterly destroyed Disney P+R right?
Even with that, the most recents spikes in Capex are for what? Hollywood Studios, Pandora, NFL. Still only a fraction of what it was pre 9/11 under Eisner.
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PorterRedkey
Well-Known Member
TTC has the advantage at MK (bypass monorail or ferry), but not at Epcot, DHS or AK.
I could see how bypassing security line could be a plus!
I wish AP holder could get the 7 day price, instead of the $15 per day.
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21stamps
Well-Known Member
The industry as a whole was booming during the late 90s. There are so many outside factors to consider. Like you said, problems after 911 in early 2000s.. but if you look at WDW compared to the rest of the market it's a better representation of what and why of the overall growth and stagnant times.. more than just comparing Disney to itself without backstory.
Graphs show data, they don't show the reasons that influenced the data.
http://www.encyclopedia.com/economics/economics-magazines/industry-profiles-amusement-parks-0
"After stagnant years in the early 1990s because of the country's recession, the amusement park industry entered a period of renewed growth that began in the mid-1990s and continued into the early 2000s. During this period, amusement park attendance continued to rise along with amusement park revenues. Furthermore, amusement park operators took advantage of this renaissance to upgrade their parks, adding new rides and amenities and opening up new parks. In 2001 a record 319 million people visited major U.S. theme parks, and industry revenues were approximately $9.6 billion, according to conservative estimates from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). That year, industry leader Walt Disney Parks & Resorts posted revenues of $7 billion."...
TimeTrip
Well-Known Member
I feel like I haven't had much luck at Epcot regardless of time of day... Could be just bad timing every time though.
The_Jobu
Well-Known Member
No kidding? Huh. You'd think if there's one park to get lucky at, it'd be Epcot during F&W.
Disney is sort of a unicorn in their field in that it is tough to find an equivalent to compare it too. There are no direct equivalents to Disney P+R. The best comparison vessel would probably by Comcast (NBCUniversal). Unfortunatly I couldn't find any charts that are a well put together as the ones that @ParentsOf4 created, but just throwing out numbers that I found, the numbers for them are in the $800 million dollar range for the past couple of years (Which has exceeded Disney). While both entities had significantly ramped up their capital spending prior to 9/11 and in its immediate aftermath both companies took a different approach. Disney killed everything, you can do a search of the board to find everything that was just gutted. NBCU/GE/Comcast got back on the horse a lot quicker and started their development engine back up again a lot quicker. Disney didn't start turning things around until 2008, and only then I believe because they were forced by their competitors to act.
In terms of looking at why things happened, you can pretty much overlay economic/political/etc worldwide or domestic events which correlate into how people are spending their money. The 90's was a Disney decade because of the economy and dot com bubble. The 2000's were a disaster thanks to 9/11. My point with my post is that @jt04 would rather blindly heap praise on Bob Iger without looking as to how his response the post 9/11 envioornment was purely a too little, too late response to what Disney's competitors were doing. In doing so Iger's leadership allowed Disney missed an entire development cycle, one which you got tremendous growth at USO for example.
21stamps
Well-Known Member
Universal's growth was definitely a lot quicker and broader than Disney's was in those years. There's the whole separate debate of if Universal was catching up... or not. I stay out of those debates because I love both parks, for different reasons. I haven't even been to Universal since Harry Potter was built..and I know it will be amazing when we do go..once my kid is a little taller.lol.
I was just pointing out that the 90s were a time of humongous growth in amusement and theme parks in general. It was a great time, and we're still reaping the rewards today. I think we're starting to see a return of that in the past couple of years as well. The amusement park that we frequent has built some wonderful coasters recently, and we're getting another one opening this Spring. It looks like the dark days are behind us...for all parks.
According to the information I've seen and heard, Harry Potter was Universal's game changer. However, it seems to me that most of Disney's recent WDW investments have been geared to non-attraction type improvements:
NFL was about accommodating bigger crowds and feeding those guests. MDE and FP+ are about managing the crowds and right sizing their staffing. Disney Springs is aimed at attracting locals and visitors into the retail and restaurant venues. It just seems that the cash infusions are aimed at generating immediate revenue. It seems that Disney has forgotten that the best way to attract more guests and positive guest responses is by offering new great attractions, like RSR.
According to what I've heard, ROL and Pandora will not open until Summer 2017. Who knows about the DHS improvements?
21stamps
Well-Known Member
Pandora. Star Wars. Toy Story. I think those 3 things might just give a clue that they haven't forgotten.
I'd also consider them an investment in the parks...a large one.
That's how I felt on our last trip to DLR. Every time I hit security there was a huge back up, but then I'd look when I was in the esplanade later and there were no lines.
The_Jobu
Well-Known Member
What do the negative parts in the 2000s mean? They cut operating budget?
Creathir
Well-Known Member
I think the key difference is Universal was operating from a position of behind.
They had motivation to not only stay alive in the post 9/11 market, but they had to attempt to compete with WDW.
As underdog, this forced innovation and more importantly, capital expenditures.
Hopefully Disney will continue to expand and grow their parks and experience as they appear to be doing (or at least promising) as of late.
Depreciation cost of assests exceeding capital expenditures.
Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
I'd like to get all excited but all it will take is a significant economic downturn to put the brakes on instantly. I feel we have some rough times to get through coming up and if it all holds together most of what is planned will happen, if not... they will probably finish what is already started, but, won't go any further until things improve. My hope is that it all goes smoothly.
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I think it's safe to say that this is what we all hope, but I'm tired of hearing vague promises without any action. I'll be excited when a new attraction opens, not when a new attraction ifs announced.
DisneyDaver
Well-Known Member
Not more convenient than in park transportation to another park. Plus, I prefer not to drive when I'm on vacation.
PorterRedkey
Well-Known Member
To each his own.
21stamps
Well-Known Member
I personally don't care so much about Pandora..but Star Wars- I think that's going to be one of the most highest points in attendance for WDW in quite some time.. even more so than Harry Potter was for Universal. As much as I would love to go on opening day I think we will stay far away for a bit and avoid the insane crowds.
No insider info, just a wild guess.
DisneyDaver
Well-Known Member
That I certainly agree with!