Is attendance really down at WDW this or…

[JoeCamel]

I’ve told the story before about how my first trip to DL I watched a couple characters interact with a group of kids with Down syndrome for probably half an hour, it was one of the most “magical” things I’ve ever seen in my life

THIS ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

The people (CMs) that make Disney what Disney is. Magic to wide eyed kids, special consideration to infirm and elderly and general care for fellow humans paying to be in a park were the hallmark of a remarkable experience.
Some of the culture is still in the parks and resorts but is fading fast. The chopping of Traditions, the elimination of the "extra" positions like greeters at flagship resorts and restaurants, streetmosphere and even custodial that left characters around made out of common objects all contributed to the "Disney Experience" but sadly today's management can't understand how much they added value to the experience.
MY favorite memory comes from seeing the Tremains or Fairy Godmother meeting early morning in the corner of the castle where the path comes up from sleepy hollow. So many ways they amazed and touched kids first thing in the day and consequently set the tone for my day without even a wave of exchange.

 

[Lilofan]

This perfectly describes my middle brother, he went to DL once and hated it, too crowded, lines were all long, too expensive, etc… that was 15 years ago and he’s never stepped foot in a Disney park since, you only get one chance to make a first impression.


This describes my oldest brother, my sister, and myself… I’ve told the story before about how my first trip to DL I watched a couple characters interact with a group of kids with Down syndrome for probably half an hour, it was one of the most “magical” things I’ve ever seen in my life, my first trip to WDW Stitch nearly tackled me as I was walking to Space Mtn at rope drop, to this day I don’t know how he knew I was feeling uncomfortable (as a single middle aged guy) at WDW but he grabbed me out of the crowd and bear hugged me and it’s a moment I’ll never forget, it also defined the rest of my trip, from that moment on I no longer felt like a single old guy, I was just a big kid enjoying WDW.

Disney has always been expensive and a bit confusing but when they get it right it’s like no other place on earth.

We saw ex NFL QB Curt Warner and his team escort a few families and their kids at DHS one summer who were from the Give Kids the World program. Those kids and their families were smiling from ear to ear. Disney does truly provide magic to many.

 

[erasure fan1]

Disney has always been expensive and a bit confusing but when they get it right it’s like no other place on earth.

100% agreement. I don't know how many times myself and others can say it. It isn't the fact that Disney is too expensive. If it was that fantastic magical experience that most of us fell in love with, I'd be fine with paying more. Sure I'd love it to be cheaper. But if the product truly reflected the cost, I would be ok. I'd find a way a way to make it work.

 

[Rose&Crown]

Did a spontaneous trip to Hollywood studios yesterday. Very light crowds for summer travel season.

Saw a lot more families with food of their own rather than ordering food in the park.

Disney has brought this upon themselves

 

[SamusAranX]

Did a spontaneous trip to Hollywood studios yesterday. Very light crowds for summer travel season.

Saw a lot more families with food of their own rather than ordering food in the park.

Disney has brought this upon themselves

Hate to be that guy but you gotta wonder how long before WDW returns to no outside food or drink excluding water *ducks*

 

[erasure fan1]

Hate to be that guy but you gotta wonder how long before WDW returns to no outside food or drink excluding water *ducks*

I've thought for a while now, when are they going to try it. But even I don't think they'd be dumb enough to go through with it. I'm sure it's come up in their, how can we squeeze every last bit from our customers meetings. It would be a recipe for disaster with special diets and needs not to mention the horrible press.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Did a spontaneous trip to Hollywood studios yesterday. Very light crowds for summer travel season.

Saw a lot more families with food of their own rather than ordering food in the park.

Disney has brought this upon themselves

I've been thinking of late about whether the revenue from Genie+ has been enough to offset the decrease in spending on hotel rooms, food, merchandise, ticket sales, parking etc

Line skipping passes have a higher profit margin than all of the above, but I'm guessing Disney doesn't want increased spending on this alone.

 

[ConfettiCupcake]

I don’t know what no outside food would really accomplish. Move those families to already crowded and well utilized QS restaurants? Not gonna fill those plentiful TS spots. That’s a big jump from PB&J to upwards of $50 a head.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I don’t know what no outside food would really accomplish. Move those families to already crowded and well utilized QS restaurants? Not gonna fill those plentiful TS spots. That’s a big jump from PB&J to upwards of $50 a head.

It also encourages those guests to leave the park early to get something to eat. They aren’t going to change the budget - they are just going to leave early and buy less.

People seem to forget the reason Disney has the high-budget nighttime spectaculars is so people stay in the parks until closing time and spend more money!

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

It also encourages those guests to leave the park early to get something to eat. They aren’t going to change the budget - they are just going to leave early and buy less.

People seem to forget the reason Disney has the high-budget nighttime spectaculars is so people stay in the parks until closing time and spend more money!

Or they just stop going entirely. If people are already at the point they’re bringing their own lunch to avoid a $15 per person QS meal they are probably one more price increase away from not being able to afford to go anymore anyway.

 

[lewisc]

I don’t know what no outside food would really accomplish. Move those families to already crowded and well utilized QS restaurants? Not gonna fill those plentiful TS spots. That’s a big jump from PB&J to upwards of $50 a head.

Motivate "free loading" local AP holders to stay home. Guests who aren't willing, and financially able, to open their wallets are undesirable and unwanted.

I used to think the mouse had it's paws in my pockets. I know think I'm being held upside down and shaken. Got to grab my loose change.

 

[Lilofan]

Motivate "free loading" local AP holders to stay home. Guests who aren't willing, and financially able, to open their wallets are undesirable and unwanted.

I used to think the mouse had it's paws in my pockets. I know think I'm being held upside down and shaken. Got to grab my loose change.

One who comes 1x or 5x in their lifetime may open their wallets, local APs who come dozens or hundreds of times per year do open their wallets in the long run. They are valuable guests like all guests to support WDW. What a feeling after a 9-5 job then decide last minute lets have dinner in France see the Epcot fireworks then go home.

 

[celluloid]

One who comes 1x or 5x in their lifetime may open their wallets, local APs who come dozens or hundreds of times per year do open their wallets in the long run. They are valuable guests like all guests to support WDW. What a feeling after a 9-5 job then decide last minute lets have dinner in France see the Epcot fireworks then go home.

More than that. They also eat at the Resteraunts and shop around hotels that have low bookings and no reason or audience to have people dining there.

IF WDW did not rely on the immediate local/immediate area populace and repeat visitors, it would not have resident rates and pass tiers.

Brand Advocacy is 80 percent of any business' sales. Local and APs are a huge chunk of that.

 

[GladToBeHear]

100% agreement. I don't know how many times myself and others can say it. It isn't the fact that Disney is too expensive. If it was that fantastic magical experience that most of us fell in love with, I'd be fine with paying more. Sure I'd love it to be cheaper. But if the product truly reflected the cost, I would be ok. I'd find a way a way to make it work.

This. I would GLADLY pay top dollar if I could get the experience for my kids that I got in the 80's/early 90's at WDW.

 

[celluloid]

This. I would GLADLY pay top dollar if I could get the experience for my kids that I got in the 80's/early 90's at WDW.

Well stated!
It is the reason I went to parks in Tokyo and don't spend money at Disney domestic anymore. I went to get to get the feeling of those standards again.

 

[Nubs70]

I don’t know what no outside food would really accomplish. Move those families to already crowded and well utilized QS restaurants? Not gonna fill those plentiful TS spots. That’s a big jump from PB&J to upwards of $50 a head.

It would increase revenue from F&B and reduce admissions thereby making the experience even better.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Did a spontaneous trip to Hollywood studios yesterday. Very light crowds for summer travel season.

Saw a lot more families with food of their own rather than ordering food in the park.

Disney has brought this upon themselves

Who cares?

Besides, maybe they needed the money to by LL for the entire family?

The best one was a family had a barbecue at Disney Springs, they brought their own barbecue

 

[Lilofan]

Did a spontaneous trip to Hollywood studios yesterday. Very light crowds for summer travel season.

Saw a lot more families with food of their own rather than ordering food in the park.

Disney has brought this upon themselves

Everyone has a reason for what they do. I stand in line with my empty water bottle along with fellow guests with their empty bottles lining up at the water fountain to fill up or I ask a cast member for a cup of ice water at the dining location.

 

[GhostHost1000]

Everyone has a reason for what they do. I stand in line with my empty water bottle along with fellow guests with their empty bottles lining up at the water fountain to fill up or I ask a cast member for a cup of ice water at the dining location.

yeah but their reason for bringing food into the parks is to save $.

 

[Lilofan]

yeah but their reason for bringing food into the parks is to save $.

Like us too when we bring some snacks and water bottles to the parks. Nothing wrong with that. Saving $ is an impossible idea to grasp for a few.