Is attendance really down at WDW this or…

[Vegas Disney Fan]

One of my coworkers was showing me their new augmented reality glasses the other day and, although very awkward and clunky, I couldn’t help but wonder what the future holds for things like movies and possibly even theme parks.

They weren’t like previous VR glasses I’d seen where you cant see through them and only see the video, you see the real world through them but with screens “floating” in front of you. They put on a movie and it was like staring at a 200’ screen.

It’s not something I’d want now but after a couple more revisions and streamlining they’d be really cool. My friend brought them to work and was watching a movie on them while working.

 

[CastAStone]

I would rather have the 2019 rack rates with 35% off.

Hope you took advantage of it when they offered than back then!

Disney World Annual Passholder Summer 2019 Room Offer Now Booking | the disney food blog

Disney World Annual Passholders may save up to 35% on rooms at select Disney World Resort hotels this summer!

www.disneyfoodblog.com

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I’m afraid all they think about right now is how can I get the stock price up and make shareholders happy tomorrow. Not the park guests tomorrow or long term

Oh how can I position the company optimally to be sold

 

[Nubs70]

Oh how can I position the company optimally to be sold

Watch for significant layoffs at underperforming assets

 

[flynnibus]

No I’m referring to the fall and winter discounts - the 35% levels keep expanding and they keep adding room types/resorts based on my monitoring of the week we are going in November.

Yeah, but in the context of this thread, that's kinda tangental... since everyone is talking about the attendance now and past. I assume you are talking about the D+ promo.. which is pretty targeted for the high percentages.

What everyone should see from how they discount now (and you mention expanding) is Disney dynamically controls the price without having to really lower their published rates. Loop people in with a promo.. steer demand based on latest numbers... keep adapting as needed. I expect you'll see more and more of this as Disney seems to wants to optimize demand control as much as they can.

 

[Lilofan]

Oh how can I position the company optimally to be sold

Recent Iger interview on CNBC - "looking at cost structure "
That's means update your resume

 

[Lilofan]

I believe someone noted that 35% off current rates puts you at 2019 price points.

But it’s the weather…

Should know better no to be in a sweater vest in July in FL.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I would rather have the 2019 rack rates with 35% off.

Been staying most often at The Cabins since maybe a year before covid.

Just booked last week for my bday next month. Paying the same $282ish price all these years. It was a little higher when we just went in May, because that’s not August.

This is not a fire sale. This is not post-9/11. They are not desperate. Attendance and discounts fluctuate. The sky is not falling.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

But can’t we even talk about issues other than “Disney itself” without being accused of defending Disney? It’s possible that other factors are contributing even if they are relatively minor.

I kind of get it though. There’s no question that people are moving away from Disney and that Disney is the reason. For some it’s the prices; for others like me it’s loss of that all-inclusive feeling; some see a significant loss of quality in the parks. And for the record I have always blamed Disney for altering their offerings and not the guests for adjusting to them.

Still it seems almost to anger and upset some posters if people even mention the possibility of other factors.

Yes…you can certainly blame other things…

…but sometimes is just disney messing up

That’s what we got here

 

[Chi84]

Yes…you can certainly blame other things…

…but sometimes is just disney messing up

That’s what we got here

I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what I said.

 

[DisneyCane]

One of my coworkers was showing me their new augmented reality glasses the other day and, although very awkward and clunky, I couldn’t help but wonder what the future holds for things like movies and possibly even theme parks.

They weren’t like previous VR glasses I’d seen where you cant see through them and only see the video, you see the real world through them but with screens “floating” in front of you. They put on a movie and it was like staring at a 200’ screen.

It’s not something I’d want now but after a couple more revisions and streamlining they’d be really cool. My friend brought them to work and was watching a movie on them while working.

With respect to theme parks I don't think AR or VR will have much effect on them. Unless you have some kind of suspended full body suite that also simulates touch and free movement, AR/VR does not replicate an experience like a theme park. Plus you would need smells and fans and a motion simulator base. To experience it with other people would require multiple setups that will have to cost tens of thousands of dollars each.

I could possibly see some applications for AR as part of an attraction at a theme park.

 

[Editor516]

To me, it’s pretty obvious that Disney as a whole does not put out a quality product anymore. While it’s most evident in their recent movies (and the “reimagined” live-action Snow White seems like the next big polarizing flop on the horizon), it’s true in the parks. What were the last big projects that actually made you want to go? Tron? Created years ago and imported. Ratatouille? Ditto. RotR? Sure, when it works consistently… which is when? GotG? I’ll give them that. What else? HarmoniUS? The 50th fireworks? I’m old enough to remember when I:RoE was introduced for the millennium and was good so they kept it for 20 years. The 100th? Is that drawing you in?

Quality is down. Prices are way up. Perks are gone. Like it or not, politics, whether real or imagined, have popped the Disney bubble for many.

And Disney has itself to blame. For example, axing DME made some guests drive themselves or rent cars. They’re no longer confined to the bubble. Even if they’re staying on property, they’re venturing off it to visit Universal, Sea World, KSC, etc. It’s only going to get worse when the new Universal gate opens - unless Disney does some serious soul-searching and backtracking.

Or it might be too late. Visitor patterns might be altered for at least years, if not permanently.

 

[MisterPenguin]

To me, it’s pretty obvious that Disney as a whole does not put out a quality product anymore. While it’s most evident in their recent movies (and the “reimagined” live-action Snow White seems like the next big polarizing flop on the horizon), it’s true in the parks. What were the last big projects that actually made you want to go? Tron? Created years ago and imported. Ratatouille? Ditto. RotR? Sure, when it works consistently… which is when? GotG? I’ll give them that. What else? HarmoniUS? The 50th fireworks? I’m old enough to remember when I:RoE was introduced for the millennium and was good so they kept it for 20 years. The 100th? Is that drawing you in?

Quality is down. Prices are way up. Perks are gone. Like it or not, politics, whether real or imagined, have popped the Disney bubble for many.

And Disney has itself to blame. For example, axing DME made some guests drive themselves or rent cars. They’re no longer confined to the bubble. Even if they’re staying on property, they’re venturing off it to visit Universal, Sea World, KSC, etc. It’s only going to get worse when the new Universal gate opens - unless Disney does some serious soul-searching and backtracking.

Or it might be too late. Visitor patterns might be altered for at least years, if not permanently.

Over 90% of what was in WDW is still there. There are also new attractions, many of which I like and seem to have no shortage of creating a line for them. Certainly no duds like F&F.

The overwhelming number of movies put out by Disney still get good to excellent reviews from critics and audiences.

Among things that don't get really good reviews are things that still get really good reviews. Among movies that don't make a profit in the theatrical window are movies that do indeed turn a profit in the theatrical window.

I'm sorry the few new things you don't like makes it seem like to you that nothing's going right. But there is clear evidence that there are indeed some things still going right.

 

[Hawkeye_2018]

I think it's really the ebbs and flows more than anything. But as mentioned, Disney needs more hits on the TV/Movie side of things to get people excited again about Disney IP's. The brand has taken a hit with all these lackluster projects recently.

 

[wdwfan22]

I'm sorry but there is no way this is true, unless you're European, in which case of course it's true.

For me to take my family to Germany, the flights alone would $9,000.

We didn’t pay anywhere near that for 3 adults so not sure where you are looking. You can get decent flights to Europe right now if you plan ahead and shop around.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

We didn’t pay anywhere near that for 3 adults so not sure where you are looking. You can get decent flights to Europe right now if you plan ahead and shop around.

So what airline? I look around and the best I can do for just the 2 of us is almost $7,000 - and that's not even flying first class. We refuse to sit in a cattle car for several hours so I guess that's just us.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

What were the last big projects that actually made you want to go

None. Ever. That was never the point. Not even on my first trip.

I went in with no expectations, and no one attraction drawing me there. No one attraction won me over. The whole was greater than the sum of its parts. Believe it or not (sarcasm) Snow White’s Scary Adventures was no more impressive than the Jersey Boardwalk. None of the coasters were impressive. But walking from dark ride to show to dining to Pirates - and all the attention to detail along the way- was, as an overall experience.

After the first trip, I never even tried to visit every attraction, so why do I care if they switch some out now and then? I enjoyed the great movie ride, but I also enjoy the runaway railway. I enjoyed the Ellen ride and will probably never go on guardians because of motion sickness. So for me, that’s a net loss, but Disney doesn’t exist just for me. There are other people who prefer guardians, so let them have their fun.

I cannot get all worked up over little things. Some of you seem to do that endlessly.

 

[bcoachable]

So what airline? I look around and the best I can do for just the 2 of us is almost $7,000 - and that's not even flying first class. We refuse to sit in a cattle car for several hours so I guess that's just us.

Mooo moo mo mmooooo mooooo moo mooo….

 

[bcoachable]

America likes to keep up with the Joneses… and the Joneses are currently not going to Disney for MANY of the reasons above….
Disney has to get the Joneses to start coming back - but question: Why are we (Disney nerds) acting as if lower attendence is a bad thing again???? Seems like we of all peeps would be thrilled with this turn of events!

 

[Lilofan]

So what airline? I look around and the best I can do for just the 2 of us is almost $7,000 - and that's not even flying first class. We refuse to sit in a cattle car for several hours so I guess that's just us.

Save your money , get an aisle seat in coach, 5 mg Melatonin then wake up shortly before landing.