Is attendance really down at WDW this or…

[Tha Realest]

We need @Sirwalterraleigh to help us come up with a DEFCON like chart to know how much TWDC management is freaking out. Like, the level of crisis is reflected by certain levers. The discounts to FL residents. Then the resumption of APs. Then the “bonus” days for APs. Then the room discounts. Than the DDP. Then the removal of park reservations. Then the 4-day pass @ $99/day.

What’s the next lever? Free G+ with a package? Free day with a package?

Widespread discounts extended across the board (FL, AP, D+, miscellaneous undesirables) through the rest of the year. Clearly intended to juice attendance. What’s the next lever?

 

[Disstevefan1]

We need “boots on the ground”. Folks, please post pics and show us how it really is at the parks.

I know, I know, anyone can take a pic that can show mobbed or empty, so please try to take representative pics please.

 

[GhostHost1000]

I know disneys IT isn't the best, but there is currently a queue to book rooms.

Probably some people already booked just trying to rebook

 

[Andrew25]

Widespread discounts extended across the board (FL, AP, D+, miscellaneous undesirables) through the rest of the year. Clearly intended to juice attendance. What’s the next lever?

Actual short-term entertainment offerings while they can work on larger projects for a few years... if we're hopeful.

 

[GhostHost1000]

We need “boots on the ground”. Folks, please post pics and show us how it really is at the parks.

I know, I know, anyone can take a pic that can show mobbed or empty, so please try to take representative pics please.

I just recently returned from 12 day trip. Memorial Day weekend was low in my opinion but the crowds did pickup some that week (after the holiday). I think spring break crowds were higher though and all in all other than Disney springs on the weekend evenings it was more manageable than expected

 

[el_super]

Widespread discounts extended across the board (FL, AP, D+, miscellaneous undesirables) through the rest of the year. Clearly intended to juice attendance. What’s the next lever?

More admission discounts, dining discounts, special promotions. If those don't work to bring in more people, they can always start to reduce park hours and entertainment. They've been through recessions before and know how to handle them pretty well.

 

[Lilofan]

What I also noticed yesterday was the appalling lack of basic maintenance, at least at Hollywood Studios. Chipping paint on the rails at TSL. At Woodys Lunchbox, the cashier stand with themed paint and decals looked so bad like it was built 15 years ago, not 4. Slinky Dog’s track was faded and showing empty paint spots. Stained carpets in Mickey’s Railway queue. I could go on

When attendance is down no surprise expenses and cut to the bare bones / impacted including upkeep and cleanliness.

 

[GhostHost1000]

More admission discounts, dining discounts, special promotions. If those don't work to bring in more people, they can always start to reduce park hours and entertainment. They've been through recessions before and know how to handle them pretty well.

Or they could just go back to what worked better before all the price hikes, nickel and diming, and offering reductions

 

[GhostHost1000]

What concerns me is we all want and they desperately need park expansions (plural), but if attendance slows, the company isn’t doing the best financially, then this may not occur like we hoped

 

[el_super]

Or they could just go back to what worked better before all the price hikes, nickel and diming, and offering reductions

Really? What changed in the last 6 to 12mos with their operations that somehow triggered the need for discounts now?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

We need “boots on the ground”. Folks, please post pics and show us how it really is at the parks.

I know, I know, anyone can take a pic that can show mobbed or empty, so please try to take representative pics please.

Pictures of the pathways tell the take…give ‘em to me and I’ll show you a magic trick

 

[GhostHost1000]

Really? What changed in the last 6 to 12mos with their operations that somehow triggered the need for discounts now?

Not a lot but now that people have returned since being stuck with Covid and see how things have changed in many areas over the last several years, they aren’t coming back as often or at all in some cases like they might had with the pre-Covid Disney

 

[el_super]

Not a lot but now that people have returned since being stuck with Covid and see how things have changed in many areas over the last several years, they aren’t coming back as often or at all in some cases like they might had with the pre-Covid Disney

That's a huge assumption. Probably not a true one. Travel is slowing down everywhere, not just Disney so why assume that there are any Disney-specific causes related to soft bookings?

It's also way too early to tell if their discounting ends up having a positive impact on bookings. If they get to where they want to be with a targeted 30-40% discount, and no further reductions are necessary, then your statement above would be meaningless.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

The Disney Difference

A year ago, Universal was looking pretty bad in some areas and Disney was making them look silly... now with all the refurb at the parks being completed they've switched places.

Islands of adventure is so tacky though the comic portions look so awful and 6 flags worthy

 

[TheMaxRebo]

If they can't get people to come for the holidays, I can't see how this DHS after hours is going to sell well.

Be interesting how the DHS event sells. Only 10 not ghts and seems to have some fan favorite elements - have th Muppets, a tease that seems to be for Nightmare Before Christmas, using the ToT courtyard, etc

I can see it appealing to locals (already see some of my friends who are local express strong interest for it), but not sure it will get people out of town to book a trip they weren't planning to ... Maybe this with the resort discounts?

 

[GhostHost1000]

That's a huge assumption. Probably not a true one. Travel is slowing down everywhere, not just Disney so why assume that there are any Disney-specific causes related to soft bookings?

It's also way too early to tell if their discounting ends up having a positive impact on bookings. If they get to where they want to be with a targeted 30-40% discount, and no further reductions are necessary, then your statement above would be meaningless.

You’re kidding right? Yea travel is slowing other places as well but there has been a lot of conversation about people being more frustrated with Disney now post Covid and even some diehard Disney fans exploring Universal now as well.

I know many who have experienced Disney the last 2 years and dealt with G+, park reservations, less offerings, no magical express, no dining plans, higher prices, etc etc and are just over it

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Really? What changed in the last 6 to 12mos with their operations that somehow triggered the need for discounts now?

Their customers are out of money…

I watched the financial networks scratch their head/spin their wheels all day yesterday trying to figure out why the banks keep predicting a recession…incapable of reading the terrain

1. Prices stabilize
2. Unemployment low
3. People STILL out of money

Disregard 1 & 2

 

[GhostHost1000]

Their customers are out of money…

I watched the financial networks scratch their head/spin their wheels all day yesterday trying to figure out why the banks keep predicting a recession…incapable of reading the terrain

1. Prices stabilize
2. Unemployment low
3. People STILL out of money

Disregard 1 & 2

Prices go up (everywhere)
Paychecks aren’t keeping up with it

Disney becomes more “just not worth it” right now to some

 

[TheMaxRebo]

What I also noticed yesterday was the appalling lack of basic maintenance, at least at Hollywood Studios. Chipping paint on the rails at TSL. At Woodys Lunchbox, the cashier stand with themed paint and decals looked so bad like it was built 15 years ago, not 4. Slinky Dog’s track was faded and showing empty paint spots. Stained carpets in Mickey’s Railway queue. I could go on

Toy Story Land has been an issue since it first opened. Seems they way they did things (with the decals, etc) was done in the cheap or just how it is done that was flaking off and guests messed with them early on.

No excuse for not fixing it and it of course isn't just that area but seems they initial construction of that land leaves it more susceptible to having issues

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Be interesting how the DHS event sells. Only 10 not ghts and seems to have some fan favorite elements - have th Muppets, a tease that seems to be for Nightmare Before Christmas, using the ToT courtyard, etc

I can see it appealing to locals (already see some of my friends who are local express strong interest for it), but not sure it will get people out of town to book a trip they weren't planning to ... Maybe this with the resort discounts?

You expecting the koolaid Krowd to not drink?

The main excuse for buying those for 8 years is gone…for now