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Is attendance really down at WDW this or…
- Thread starter coachb
- Start date
TheMaxRebo
Well-Known Member
Saw Peter Pan and People Mover were down as well, though they and Space seem to be up now
Other parks impacted as well as RNRC and Dinosaur are down too
Going to an all u can eat breakfast at H&V and then walking in 100 degree humidity afterwards and riding motion rides is not my idea of fun.
JustLikeMe
Active Member
Apologies. Most of my online posting is related to pinball, so I tend to reflexively type 'he' instead of 'they' due to the demographics you'd probably expect to find on pinball forums.
We live in the UK, and depending on how long you're spending at Universal an AP can be worth it for just a single trip even with the recent price increases. The UK has different ticket options for both WDW and UOR, predicated on the fact that people from the UK tend to do longer trips - due both to the distance we need to travel and the larger amount of statutory annual leave we get. Therefore tickets tend to be for either seven day or fourteen days.
Looking at just Universal, the only tickets on offer here are for 14 consecutive days of park to park access from first activation. For reasons I can't understand, the 2 park ticket is the exact same price as the 3 park ticket, for a total of £309 which at the current exchange rate is $396 per person.
If you're visiting in the off season, looking to stay on site for at least a few nights and AP rates are available, buying at least one seasonal pass for $425 or $525 + tax (depending on if you plan on visiting VB) can easily be worth it - especially if there's any chance you can make it back within 12 months.
Because my wife and I tend to stay at UOR for 10-14 days at a time, we have one seasonal pass and one preferred pass because the discounts offered by the latter on food alone more than make up for the cost difference between the two.
My take is that Universal has followed Disney's lead with the price increases due to the insane demand post pandemic giving a degree of false confidence in what the market is willing to accept. I'd be surprised if they aren't more reactive now that it seems to be driving business away.
I think this sums it up. If the price was substantially lower, more people would be more willing to overlook the lower quality product, benefits being stripped away, constant upcharges and all the planning, Conversely, if the quality of the product was substantially higher - say the equivalent of Tokyo Disney standards - and it came with benefits, no upcharges and no planning difficulties, then I think more would still find value, even at the higher price point.
From my perspective, the crux of the issue at WDW is simply the value proposition equation of price going up, and everything else going down.
1) I didnt mention anything about the beliefs of people on here, i specifically said "Connected to Disney"...so those who run the company, so called experts and staff.
2) Out of every 100 people deciding not to go to Disney, I'd put it as less than 1 who is not going because of a Pop concert ....probably more like 1 in 1000 at best, and that's pushing it..its such a small number that its not even worth bringing it up as a reason why numbers are down at Disney. Its quite frankly clutching at Straws.
The overall majority not going, I'm thinking 99% of them... are going to be because of the cost and/or the way Disney has conducted itself with its parks the last few years - Less benefits but more cost...and silly extra costs, which are perceived as just a money grab.
People have quite literally had enough of being treated like mugs and have decided enoughs enough. They are looking elsewhere for holidays where they aren't treated poorly and for an extortionate cost.
There is still magic at Disney for sure...but its just so much more effort now to have a great day in their parks..that it takes the edge of things. And the inane cash grabs of G+ LL and the removal of a lot of Resort benefits, has been the final straw for many.
I mean, I'm quite thick skinned when it comes to holidaying in Orlando, constantly booking 3 holidays to the sunshine state- and (up till recently) the cash grab tactics Disney uses ive just sucked it up and gone on with it the best I can....jumped through hoops to get a decent day at the parks and paid every increasing prices, while getting worse returns....but even I have finally broke - and between me and the wife we decided that September will be our last.
We will have a great couple of weeks, throw money around to enable us to have a good time and bid it farewell. I'm sure many others , especially from the UK who have to pay for expensive flights to get to the US, are thinking the same.
Maybe I'll buy some Taylor Swift tickets instead
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ABQ
Well-Known Member
Did an EMP go off over WDW, what the heck?
Attractions may be down but I would guess the merchandise locations attached to the attractions are ringing up the sales.
We did a week stay at Portifino Club level in April and just returned from a week stay at YC Club Level in June.
Portifino was a beautiful resort and we enjoyed our stay but the overall experience for club level compared to YC Club Level was night and day (in favor of YC).
Upon arriving at yacht club, we were greeted out front by a cast member and escorted directly to Club level. The moment I stepped out of the elevator I was greeted by friendly Cast members who offered me a drink as they escorted me directly to my room amd gave me a tour of the lounge.
Upon arriving at portofino Bay, it took approximately 30 minutes to get checked in As we had to go to the front desk and there was no early check in if you don't book directly through portofino. No Team Member to expedite check in for club level. We were given a xerox copy of the hotel map that was clearly printed on a machine with very low ink. The Team Member explained they were out of the standard hotel maps.
Portifino is a large and beautiful resort but it's lacking the energy and soul of a resort like YC (or even BW).
Another factor was that Portifino consisted primarily of college age kids that were running the resort. We seriously didn't see any adults from check in to club lounge to even the concierge desk. It was odd.
YC Club Lounge absolutely destroys Portifino from the food and.beverage offerings to the CM service. The lounge at YC is open pretty much all day with the exception of a short close between services. Poritifinos was open for only certain times of the day and onky allowed adult beverages for a 3 hour window. At YC, you could get or request a drink any time.of day. Both rooms were nearly the same price. We used AP discount for both.
We had a great stay at Portifino and will return but compared to YC, there was no contest, IMO. The one benefit of Portifino was the express pass.
JD80
Well-Known Member
True it's never one thing. Nothing in life is so simple most of the time.
Schmidt
Well-Known Member
To be fair consumer spend is down across the industry. Also, DeSantis certainly hasn't done them any favors with the conservative crowd and yes Disney's product hasn't been consistent or great either. It really does feel like a perfect storm situation for them right now. It will be interesting to see if they can survive this long term.
I'm rooting for them but they need a win. Whether it's against DeSantis or a blockbuster movie! They need positive news.
Also, Im going to Disney in 2 weeks. Super excited to hear that crowds are light!!!
Check for 4 people and book that. You’ll then usually get to modify down to three but if you can’t just tell them day of one person couldn’t come. Disney likes to fill tables as much as possible and blocks odd parties, signed frequent solo visitor.
DocAlan02
Active Member
Yeah, I had checked for 4 also and no luck.
Are they OK doing that? For one of my reservations there was nothing for 2 people so I put 3 and a table popped up so i took it - was hoping to just say it was an error and only meant to book for 2
It’d be kinda ironic if out of nowhere and for no particular reason - YETI just started to work.
I haven’t had an issue with 2 to 1, but 3 to 2 is traditionally a different sized table.Are they OK doing that? For one of my reservations there was nothing for 2 people so I put 3 and a table popped up so i took it - was hoping to just say it was an error and only meant to book for 2
networkpro
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- Yes
I do have to admit that the seasonal costumed Fab 5 were better than Handy Manny and Doc McStuffins
Arent there several companies now that book dining reservations and hold them to sell to people? Or they just are paid to constantly check for reservations and book them right away if it pops up? I would think this may play a role in hard to get reservations perhaps?
TheMaxRebo
Well-Known Member
Are they OK doing that? For one of my reservations there was nothing for 2 people so I put 3 and a table popped up so i took it - was hoping to just say it was an error and only meant to book for 2
Should be fine - as long as someone from your group shows up it will be ok