Magic Kingdom set to break attendance records next week? 7am to 3am operating hours!

[wdwmagic]

I also agree with that, especially the last part.

I kinda' of agree with all sides of the issue because I generally don't have the wherewithal to argue about it. Hence why I end most every post with...

Just sayin'.

:lookaroun :lol:

LOL :wave:

 

[WDW1974]

I understand where you're coming from, but nah, it really IS even more crowded than ever down here right now just as the Threads have been saying. I know for certain it is at the Studios at least, last I heard right now Midway Mania is a 280 Min. wait.
:dazzle:

Before a scuffle, let me add I'm "Just Sayin", I agree that heavy crowds aren't proof positive everything is alright.

No scuffle. Playtime is almost over for me ... but it's the 'more crowded than ever' part that stops me from just nodding and moving on.

Very crowded? Absolutely. Busiest time in 2009? Without a doubt. Possibly 2008 as well. But 'than ever'? No.

As for TSMM, that wait means nothing to me ... other than those people are really crazy.

Since that thing opened, FPs disappear before afternoon (usually well before). When I was there in February, even on days I wouldn't even call 'moderately crowded' that thing had two hours plus wait times and no FP available.

I think that's a combo of the Studios in serious need of RIDES, the appeal of a family ride that anyone can go one and even sticking FP on it.

In two weeks the crowds will be all gone ... but TSMM will still have absurd waits ... maybe not 280 ... but 120 or 160 etc...

~You mean I can walk on at DCA's Single Rider line!~

 

[SirGoofy]

There is no reason for TSMM to have fastpass. A single rider line? Yes. Fastpass? NO.

 

[EpcotServo]

~You mean I can walk on at DCA's Single Rider line!~

There is no reason for TSMM to have fastpass. A single rider line? Yes. Fastpass? NO.

Yep, the only reason the line does not move (Even without Fastpass the line would still be long, that's not the problem.) is because of Fastpass.

FASTPASSSS!
*ShakesFistatAir*

Still, it was just 30 Mins. a few weeks ago. Today, just too many peoples...

 

[WDW1974]

I don't think many people are saying everything is alright. I think what a lot of people are saying, is that the parks are very very busy right now, and that goes directly against a LOT of opinion from 6 months ago that we would be looking at empty parks beginning Jan 2 and going forward. This has not happened, infact, it's been busier than almost any time in recent history. Now obviously, we know that there are incentives and other factors, but that still doesnt change the fact that WDW have managed to get the people into the parks in massive numbers. That is very much newsworthy and interesting.

I don't recall anyone anywhere (anyone I respect anyway) saying the parks would be empty at Spring Break. No one said that.

What's more newsworthy is all the folks losing their jobs ... or all of the nickel and diming cutbacks Disney is doing (like the temp game with resort rooms while pretending they're best pals with Al Gore or removing prime rib from buffets because guests suddenly didn't want it after 37 years but did want cheaper beef).

Let's see what crowds are like when the holidays are over and no one is on Spring Break ... let's see how they hold up when May turns to June turns to July. Let's see how much massive discounting is needed just to get healthy load levels at the resorts.

This may be great PR for the Mouse's social media unit, but things are far from OK in Mickey's World.

~May: DL or WDW?~

 

[SirGoofy]

~May: DL or WDW?~

WDW so you can ride my Jungle Cruise boat.:lookaroun

 

[wdwmagic]

What's more newsworthy is all the folks losing their jobs ... or all of the nickel and diming cutbacks Disney is doing (like the temp game with resort rooms while pretending they're best pals with Al Gore or removing prime rib from buffets because guests suddenly didn't want it after 37 years but did want cheaper beef).

I'd rather take cheaper Beef and have Disney come out of this largely intact than be in Universal's shoes. Did you see this http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-bk-universal-orlando-finances-040709,0,2569937.story ?
I'm sure one day we will be eating prime rib again, but not sure if Universal are going to get out of that one.

 

[TURKEY]

Yep, the only reason the line does not move (Even without Fastpass the line would still be long, that's not the problem.) is because of Fastpass.

FASTPASSSS!
*ShakesFistatAir*

Still, it was just 30 Mins. a few weeks ago. Today, just too many peoples...

Buzz Lightyear was at 90 minute waits today. It's not even as bad as TSMM as it is a constant loader (minus stops for special needs).


~What are you Celebrating? Burning down FP machines! ~

 

[TURKEY]

I'd rather take cheaper Beef and have Disney come out of this largely intact than be in Universal's shoes. Did you see this http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-bk-universal-orlando-finances-040709,0,2569937.story ?

I'm not super versed in all the spokes and details of UO business, but I don't think it's near as easy to compare to WDW.

What I can tell is that UO is part of NBC Universal which is part of GE. UO is also owned by other companies including the Blackstone Group and Universal City Development Partners, which also has more co-owners.

Getting into that many layers vs the ownership of WDW and it starts making my mind spin.


How many loans/bonds does Disney have out that are coming due within the next year? How easily are they going to be able to repay them?

 

[wdwmagic]

I'm not super versed in all the spokes and details of UO business, but I don't think it's near as easy to compare to WDW.

Right I certainly wouldn't try and compare their ownership and setup. Just trying to say that in these kind of times, Disney are obviously shuffling to be leaner and save money. Looking at that report, Universal Orlando is in a considerable amount of financial trouble.

 

[WDW1974]

Right I certainly wouldn't try and compare their ownership and setup. Just trying to say that in these kind of times, Disney are obviously shuffling to be leaner and save money. Looking at that report, Universal Orlando is in a considerable amount of financial trouble.

Disney has played the meaner and leaner game for over a decade and largely all it has done is diminished the quality of its products.

And while UNI isn't in great shape, they'll likely be fine in the end. ... One would guess they could always turn to GE Capital for help with the loans (didn't we give them taxpayer money too?)

Disney isn't in a great cash flow position itself right now.

And neither Disney nor UNI have run their operations very smartly for years. I'll at least give UNI credit for investing in its parks of late (although they went years without adding major attractions too).

But if Disney didn't shoot for absurd growth and ROI every year they wouldn't have built 30,000 timeshares and hotels and not overdeveloped to put them in the mess they're in now.

~Let's Bash UNI!~