Is attendance really down at WDW this or…

Chi84

Premium Member
I think some of this is relative; what was a "long line" in the 80s and 90s was generally shorter than what's considered a long line now. A long line now can be 2+ hours (and sometimes at multiple attractions in the same park); back then a long line was more like 45 minutes. The longest line I ever remember seeing in the 1990s was Splash Mountain at an hour -- I'm sure lines occasionally got longer than that, especially at the busiest times, but it wasn't a regular occurrence.

It was also helped by the capacity levels. EPCOT in particular had more capacity then in multiple ways, and I think the Magic Kingdom probably had more as well due to currently shuttered spaces and a decrease in live entertainment etc., although opening TRON helped.
What you’re saying is true, but lines for the headliners like Splash and Space were routinely as long as 60 minutes and often longer, even at less busy times. A long line of 45 minutes was still a long line and people didn’t want to wait in them.

There absolutely was guest dissatisfaction with long lines in the ‘90s - and it wasn’t limited to the busiest times of the year. We visited nearly every year from 1984 until 2020 and avoided the busiest times. It’s silly to say people were not displeased with wait times to the extent that it was not a problem for Disney.
 

Lilofan

Well-Known Member
Wouldn’t that be unnecessary if the lines weren’t long?
We went back in the day after Labor Day to MGM, the CM stood by the chalk hand written Tip Board on a slow park day and we noticed a guest was usually asking them a question. At times we asked the CM to take a picture of us with our 35mm camera.
 

Sirwalterraleigh

Premium Member
There were long lines during the “busy seasons” in the 80s and 90s…but also much cheaper prices relative, better labor and operations practices to handle the crowds, and off seasons where you could actually enjoy the place.

Over the last 20…yes…you do the math…they have gone away from addressing all those things.

But it’s not a 1:1 to the challenges and stench of the genie now.

I’ve also been assured the WORST crowds ever were 1971-1973

And another thing about that: people are different and expectations are as well. It’s up to Disney to adjust. Tough gig.
 

Nubs70

Well-Known Member
220 minute wait for Rock and Roller Coaster

160 for Slinky
90 Soarin
110 Remy
125 Mission Space

What is going on today lol
1. 100% design throughput
2. Less than 100% design throughput
3. Inaccurate wait times
4. A combination of 1 or 2, and 3

If like any manufacturing facility, eliminate the possibility of 2 and 3, then you could.confidently report that the park is packed.
 

celluloid

Well-Known Member
Making charitable contributions increases revenue? That's a bold statement and I'd like a cite. (This article says it's possible, under some circumstances. "It's possible" doesn't mean it happens, or that it's the main reason a company does it.)

People do tax write offs all of the time.

Donations are great good will, and it does not take away the good that they do, but there is also often something to gain from it. Its not a bad thing. Also, it gets people talking. Particularly evident when major charitable donations are publicized and responded to by PR departments.
You saying a charitable donation has a main reason of profit is not at all what I said. That is obtuse and a different subject than what we are discussing here. Fastpass was not a charity. Even if you feel it is a service, it is to a paying guest. Don't conflate that. It is nonsense.

Back to the topic.

Why does one satisfy guests?

Let's sum it up this way.

Who spends more money and creates better revenue situations?

Dad and mom who spent money and time on this big theme park vacation only to see that the waits are all pretty long. And are frustrated to walk around in the heat.

Or.

Dad and mom see a five minute longer wait on a few other attractions they wait for until their window is ready as they are going to get to skip on average three lines of a ride or first show seating a day? That family is going to be psychologically satisficed, and buy more drinks, food and merch as the company is great in their minds.

Some of you are arguing the same thing I am saying. You just don't care to admit that a business satisifies guests for increased revenue.

You satisfy guests so that they spend more money. That gains your revenue.
 

Nubs70

Well-Known Member
People do tax write offs all of the time.

Donations are great good will, and it does not take away the good that they do, but there is also often something to gain from it. Its not a bad thing. Also, it gets people talking. Particularly evident when major charitable donations are publicized and responded to by PR departments.
You saying a charitable donation has a main reason of profit is not at all what I said. That is obtuse and a different subject than what we are discussing here. Fastpass was not a charity. Even if you feel it is a service, it is to a paying guest. Don't conflate that. It is nonsense.

Back to the topic.

Why does one satisfy guests?

Let's sum it up this way.

Who spends more money and creates better revenue situations?

Dad and mom who spent money and time on this big theme park vacation only to see that the waits are all pretty long. And are frustrated to walk around in the heat.

Or.

Dad and mom see a five minute longer wait on a few other attractions they wait for until their window is ready as they are going to get to skip on average three lines of a ride or first show seating a day? That family is going to be psychologically satisficed, and buy more drinks, food and merch as the company is great in their minds.

Some of you are arguing the same thing I am saying. You just don't care to admit that a business satisifies guests for increased revenue.

You satisfy guests so that they spend more money. That gains your revenue.
One satisfies customers to create a base level of customers that covers the fixed costs of operation. Then every additional customer above base level is incremental profit.

The Bob's have seemed to be hell bent on reducing the # of base customers needed by increasing prices needed to cover cost of operation. When prices rise and purchase power decreases, the foundation of base customer erodes.
 

lentesta

Premium Member
People do tax write offs all of the time.

Donations are great good will, and it does not take away the good that they do, but there is also often something to gain from it. Its not a bad thing. Also, it gets people talking. Particularly evident when major charitable donations are publicized and responded to by PR departments.
You saying a charitable donation has a main reason of profit is not at all what I said. That is obtuse and a different subject than what we are discussing here. Fastpass was not a charity. Even if you feel it is a service, it is to a paying guest. Don't conflate that. It is nonsense.

Back to the topic.

Why does one satisfy guests?

Let's sum it up this way.

Who spends more money and creates better revenue situations?

Dad and mom who spent money and time on this big theme park vacation only to see that the waits are all pretty long. And are frustrated to walk around in the heat.

Or.

Dad and mom see a five minute longer wait on a few other attractions they wait for until their window is ready as they are going to get to skip on average three lines of a ride or first show seating a day? That family is going to be psychologically satisficed, and buy more drinks, food and merch as the company is great in their minds.

Some of you are arguing the same thing I am saying. You just don't care to admit that a business satisifies guests for increased revenue.

You satisfy guests so that they spend more money. That gains your revenue.

Thank you for your input.
 

celluloid

Well-Known Member
One satisfies customers to create a base level of customers that covers the fixed costs of operation. Then every additional customer above base level is incremental profit.

The Bob's have seemed to be hell bent on reducing the # of base customers needed by increasing prices needed to cover cost of operation. When prices rise and purchase power decreases, the foundation of base customer erodes.

Indeed. But with attractions and experiences you also build a catalyst that has people returning. Happy people of course return when they felt value. There are not enough new people alone to support theme parks. They are having a rougher time giving people leaving with a value feeling.
Eroding customer base is certainly what has happened.

Short sighted grabs is the modern Bob Speciality for the theme parks.

They just can't frequently produce a great product anymore.
 

MisterPenguin

President of Animal Kingdom
Premium Member
I understand the reasoning. I'm saying specifically that no internal document I've ever seen, mentions revenue as the reason for FP+.

Do you have a document that says this? Or maybe an earnings call comment before they launched FP+ where they specifically said "we're doing this mostly for revenue?"

Because if they didn't tell the board it was for revenue, and they didn't tell stockholders it was for revenue, and they said it was for something else, we kinda have to believe it was for the something else, right?

Aw, you're sweet. You never heard of a thing called a "conspiracy theory."

It has the power to prove one is right without any evidence simply because it 'feels right.'

Advanced conspiracy theory is able to deal with countervailing evidence by simply calling it a lie. And those presenting countervailing evidence are in on the conspiracy or are hoodwinked into being agents of the conspiracy because of their faulty mental capacities.
 

SamusAranX

Well-Known Member
It is a common refrain that Disney has gotten more expensive to the point that "average families are being priced out".

There is a false notion that Disney was always accessible to everyone. It's not true, but it sounds good and helps paint Disney in a negative light.
I would have agreed with this up until the late 2010s.

It may have a @Sirwalterraleigh but someone posted before a line graph of over time how Disney has outpaced the standard rate of inflation and the some with their price increases. Disney used to be a bit more accessible financially AND came with more value that families no longer see and have to pay extra for on top of their ticket increases (no ME = transport or rental car costs, no free magic bands, no free fast pass etc)
 

Sirwalterraleigh

Premium Member
Aw, you're sweet. You never heard of a thing called a "conspiracy theory."

It has the power to prove one is right without any evidence simply because it 'feels right.'

Advanced conspiracy theory is able to deal with countervailing evidence by simply calling it a lie. And those presenting countervailing evidence are in on the conspiracy or are hoodwinked into being agents of the conspiracy because of their faulty mental capacities.
Now that we’ve covered conspiracy theories…

Can we cover apparent adults that have a level of naivety for their favorite product on a level that could be considered a public nuisance?
 

Sirwalterraleigh

Premium Member
I would have agreed with this up until the late 2010s.

It may have a @Sirwalterraleigh but someone posted before a line graph of over time how Disney has outpaced the standard rate of inflation and the some with their price increases. Disney used to be a bit more accessible financially AND came with more value that families no longer see and have to pay extra for on top of their ticket increases (no ME = transport or rental car costs, no free magic bands, no free fast pass etc)
It was not me…others far better at it do the numbers…

I just speak truth to magic rodent power based on those numbers
 

eliza61nyc

Well-Known Member
Literally no one has said that, but you keep doing you.
I apologize you are absolutely right no one said literally that Disney was affordable to everyone, I guess it was all the inferences ( something that is inferred;) ) about how all middle class folks could go if they wanted too.
🙄

Thank you, I plan on staying fabulous. 🤣
 
Last edited:

Wendy Pleakley

Well-Known Member
I would have agreed with this up until the late 2010s.

It may have a @Sirwalterraleigh but someone posted before a line graph of over time how Disney has outpaced the standard rate of inflation and the some with their price increases. Disney used to be a bit more accessible financially AND came with more value that families no longer see and have to pay extra for on top of their ticket increases (no ME = transport or rental car costs, no free magic bands, no free fast pass etc)

Of course Disney prices have outplaced inflation and priced more people out,

I simply object to the claim that Disney has always been accessible to everyone.

At its' cheapest, there were still people who could not go.

It sucks for people who have been subsequently priced out but a lot, probably most, of those people weren't concerned about the have nots at the time. It's only when they personally feel priced out that it's an issue.
 

TheMaxRebo

Well-Known Member
1. 100% design throughput
2. Less than 100% design throughput
3. Inaccurate wait times
4. A combination of 1 or 2, and 3

If like any manufacturing facility, eliminate the possibility of 2 and 3, then you could.confidently report that the park is packed.

Just checked the Lines app (which is reported not posted) and has the following (obviously a bit later in the day, but ....):

Slinky: 73 mins
Soarin': 42 mins
Remy: 54 mins
Mission Space: 10 mins


Mission Space definitely seems like something off, but others are legit decent waits
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom