Is attendance really down at WDW this or…

[Sirwalterraleigh]

What a load of nonsense. I've gone every September 16th for 15 years, and it looked busier this year than ever before. That's way more evidence than whatever his "data" is.

Tongue in cheek?

 

[TeriofTerror]

Just saw 2 pictures of the “crowds” today…the posted wait times are a joke

Can't speak to today, but I was there last week and the wait times were pretty accurate. If anything, waits were often 5-10 minutes longer than posted. The number of people using G+ for everything from IASW to Figment was nuts.

 

[LSLS]

Tongue in cheek?

Just a tad.

 

[LSLS]

Not totally sure if serious, so excuse me if not, but I think that’s more a function of vacation habits of the general public having shifted. Periods that were previously slower are now heavier, and periods that were previously heavier (minus certain holidays) are now slower. A greater proportion of the attendance mix is now “Disney adults” who have more or less complete freedom in terms of when they can travel, and even for families with children, fewer have qualms about taking them out of school (or some have schools with nontraditional schedules). Additionally, perceived attendance can definitely be affected by virtual queuing and throttling of attraction capacity.

No its not serious. There were a few on these boards that said their single day opinions based on what they saw (and not even numbers) meant the evidence of attendance down was wrong.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

No its not serious. There were a few on these boards that said their single day opinions based on what they saw (and not even numbers) meant the evidence of attendance down was wrong.

It’s baffling…
Why on earth would they keep telling Wall Street that attendance is down if there was anyway to spin it otherwise?
People do understand that it’s a confidence game, right?

Yesterday’s comment by the sweater about “demand softening” is jaw dropping. In the past during recessions they’d admit things were “challenging”…but after the fact.
They NEVER say “things aren’t looking good…” in advance

 

[GhostHost1000]

It’s baffling…
Why on earth would they keep telling Wall Street that attendance is down if there was anyway to spin it otherwise?
People do understand that it’s a confidence game, right?

Yesterday’s comment by the sweater about “demand softening” is jaw dropping. In the past during recessions they’d admit things were “challenging”…but after the fact.
They NEVER say “things aren’t looking good…” in advance

I read that as foreshadowing and a pre-explanation for what’s to come in the next investor call which might not be all magical

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I read that as foreshadowing and a pre-explanation for what’s to come in the next investor call which might not be all magical

Yeah but it’s Wall Street 101 to never admit anything

 

[GhostHost1000]

Yeah but it’s Wall Street 101 to never admit anything

Yeah I was pretty shocked he said that as well…

…and forgot to blame the sun

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Not totally sure if serious, so excuse me if not, but I think that’s more a function of vacation habits of the general public having shifted. Periods that were previously slower are now heavier, and periods that were previously heavier (minus certain holidays) are now slower. A greater proportion of the attendance mix is now “Disney adults” who have more or less complete freedom in terms of when they can travel, and even for families with children, fewer have qualms about taking them out of school (or some have schools with nontraditional schedules). Additionally, perceived attendance can definitely be affected by virtual queuing and throttling of attraction capacity.

…but that doesn’t explain attendance being down in aggregate when overall travel numbers are way up.

Regionals and cruise lines are packing them in.

The only “downs” in 2023 where WDW and URO…
Now there are indications Disneyland is losing steam as well.

It’s the price. Not hard math to do here.

 

[Lilofan]

It’s baffling…
Why on earth would they keep telling Wall Street that attendance is down if there was anyway to spin it otherwise?
People do understand that it’s a confidence game, right?

Yesterday’s comment by the sweater about “demand softening” is jaw dropping. In the past during recessions they’d admit things were “challenging”…but after the fact.
They NEVER say “things aren’t looking good…” in advance

So with “ demand softening “, looking like tighter controls in spending so the resorts and parks upkeep and maintenance going to go further downhill ?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Yeah I was pretty shocked he said that as well…

…and forgot to blame the sun

…he had a free shot at Taylor and didn’t take it…
…amateur

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

So with “ demand softening “, looking like tighter controls in spending so the resorts and parks upkeep and maintenance going to go further downhill ?

That’s how they keep “spending per guest” up in the first place…coupled with damn near weekly price increases.

It’s a paradox…the more you cut and charge, the more people you lose…and the more people you lose…the more you cut and charge

 

[Andrew25]

Bob is preparing for those Q3/Q4 numbers from summer travel.

Disney has been pushing lots of deals that may convince locals to visit... we shall see

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Bob is preparing for those Q3/Q4 numbers from summer travel.

Disney has been pushing lots of deals that may convince locals to visit... we shall see

Bob tipped his hand that SPRING travel wasn’t very good…which jives 100% with the comments from people round here that know what they’re looking at…not the “I think it’s super crowded…genie says so” group

It should NOT…be slow in spring…like ever

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Disney has been pushing lots of deals that may convince locals to visit... we shall see

That will help some…but locals don’t drive spending. It’s ultimate a BB gun at an elephant

They have only one “lever” left to pull that they are resisting…all the other gimmicks aren’t really working…including the old “free dining” gag.

I’d be curious to hear what @PREMiERdrum thinks?

 

[Tha Realest]

…he had a free shot at Taylor and didn’t take it…
…amateur

Because women of all ages paid thousands to see her in person but apparently aren’t rewatching in any discernible way on D+

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Because women of all ages paid thousands to see her in person but apparently aren’t rewatching in any discernible way on D+

Nobody wants to sit through ad tiers

 

[GhostHost1000]

Nobody wants to sit through ad tiers

I have Hulu and Hulu live and pay for the no ads and have started getting more of them on the things I watch. Thanks Bob

 

[Disstevefan1]

I have Hulu and Hulu live and pay for the no ads and have started getting more of them on the things I watch. Thanks Bob

Before they merged, I paid for D+, for the year up front and pay for Hulu.

I need to re think after these expire as I as I also have Spectrum cable.

Its a strong possibility I can stop paying for both, get D+/Hulu through Spectrum.

I can live with the commercials.

I strongly agree with the free subscription, Ad driven model.

It forces creators to make content folks actually like.

 

[PREMiERdrum]

That will help some…but locals don’t drive spending. It’s ultimate a BB gun at an elephant

They have only one “lever” left to pull that they are resisting…all the other gimmicks aren’t really working…including the old “free dining” gag.

I’d be curious to hear what @PREMiERdrum thinks?

I would be shocked if we see any strategy shifts this year. They'll keep peddling out new discounts in hopes of getting a few tire-kickers to convert, but it's going to be a soft summer and fall across the resort... there will be some decent deals for out-of-state travelers if they aren't too picky. And perhaps some great deals for locals.

Extrapolating, it seems like they've tied their hopes to an overall uptick for Orlando next year due to EU.

Force Majeure.