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

[Nikki M]

I'm no expert on attendance, but in my opinion (and in our case), the four for three actually initiates additional spending. For example, we usually stay at the Swan b/c we can get a government rate. We are now staying at the Polynesian and spending slightly more than we would at the swan, but can upgrade our stay. We are still budgeting for our normal yearly trip with our normal spending, food, etc.

People are spending money they normally would not spend because it is more affordable. Not to sound insensitive, ( and I do feel so thankful! and horrible for those who have) but in our area we have not seen a negative economic impact, and people are making vacation plans as normal.

I know this is just in certain areas of the US, but that may be some of the attendance increase.

 

[Uncle Lupe]

If traffic flow is going to be up and spending down then Disney could put a donations welcome box near the entrance. To help offset the losses to free hotel nights and food.

 

[jt04]

...which raised some interesting points, about which some interesting conversation is happening here: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=424486

OK, I read Kevin Yee today and he has crafted a well written and thoughtful article. When he is on he is on. Told you I'm not a TDO apologist. :king:

If Disney losses it's core principles it will be a long slow decline. I'm not convinced that is where Iger is taking the company. In fact I believe he is at the helm and he is turning the ship around as quickly as possible. But it is not an easy job and will take time. I trust him with the Disney legacy.


Who is Eisner :veryconfu

 

[Susan Savia]

I wonder how many will just slap it on the old credit card and worry about it later and go. Sure the 4/3 deal is good for room savings but what about all the other expenses that enter into a WDW trip. Our trips are saved for well before we leave each year.

Not sure I'd want to be in the anticipated crowds that week, nor any holiday in the parks. Perhaps a good portion of Easter Week visitors will be locals. Have fun those of you going. Send us some 'crowd' pictures back.

 

[epcotfan]

As much as it would be neat to be at the parks that late, I wouldn't want to deal with the crowds.

I agree. Give me shorter hours and fewer crowds.

 

[wdwmagic]

Again, my reaction is just so what? Disney has done crazy long hours like that since installing EMHs at night during Easter and Christmas among other times.

On the one hand you seem to really want to give TDO kudos for the long hours at ONE park during Spring Break at the same time they are laying off CMs as fast as they can.

And you -- and not one other poster -- has responded to my point about what the OLC is doing with their Disney Resort in these tough times ... something that adds quality and value to a visit for ALL guests, while keeping their CM ranks constant (and they're much higher to begin with since they've not gone thru the years of cutting that WDW has).

You have a lot of "so what's" in there. Remember this is a WDW news site, so I think it's pretty relevent, which is why I am mentioning it.

Can't comment on Tokyo as it isnt a park I follow closely enough.

 

[Gucci65]

This news is making me not feel so good.......................I will be there next week.:hurl:

 

[ClemsonTigger]

May God bless all the CM's.

That is one long day. But how crowded is it at 1am?

I say amen to that....I can't imagine the state of the CM's during this week and Christmas week....more like Fraternity "hell weeks". Plenty of OT, but ya gotta just collapse when you finally get a day off.

Don't know that anyone answered bgraham34's questions moving on to the economic debate...but 1:00 is plenty crowded...probably starts thinning out around 1:30 (not that I participate any longer), and amazingly as Steve had said, the number of small children being dragged around at that hour is incredible!

I take advantage of all these late nighters sleeping in to do EMH in the mornings. Even on these busiest days, you have a window of EMH+2 hours where the parks are sane.

 

[WDWLOVER1957]

I know of someone from Jungle Cruise got let go today due to attendance and another Adventureland manager was just let go this week. This will really start to take its toll on people's schedules.

how come someone was let go becuase of attendance, when nearly every report says how insanely crowded it is now??

 

[peter11435]

how come someone was let go becuase of attendance, when nearly every report says how insanely crowded it is now??

The CM was let go because of their own poor attendance record.

 

[ClemsonTigger]

The CM was let go because of their own poor attendance record.

Why are you introducing facts....
The doom, gloom, incompetence and conspiracy theory are much more fun! :shrug: :animwink:

 

[bgraham34]

how come someone was let go becuase of attendance, when nearly every report says how insanely crowded it is now??

Also as someone else has stated before, crowds maybe up but profits are down because of the massive discounts Disney is giving at the moment. More people paying less money per vacation does not mean more money overall.

 

[WDWLOVER1957]

if Disney losses it's core principles it will be a long slow decline. I'm not convinced that is where Iger is taking the company. In fact I believe he is at the helm and he is turning the ship around as quickly as possible. But it is not an easy job and will take time. I trust him with the Disney legacy.


Who is Eisner :veryconfu

A poll on that would be interesting

 

[alecshawn]

Why are you introducing facts....
The doom, gloom, incompetence and conspiracy theory are much more fun! :shrug: :animwink:

LOL, so true.
And, we have been to D.L. and WDW when more than one atrraction was closed....we went when Space, H.M. and The Matterhorn was all closed at D.L. but crowds were fine and we had a GREAT time.
Everything is gonna be just fine when S.M. goes down and the world will keep on turning, the sun will come up.
And, in the end....we will have a much improved S.M. Im VERY happy about all the excellent refubs happening lately. Kudos to Disney, I cant remember a time when so many big refurbs took place. The future is certainly looking bright, we cant wait untill 2011 for our next trip.

 

[SirGoofy]

Kudos to Disney, I cant remember a time when so many big refurbs took place. The future is certainly looking bright, we cant wait untill 2011 for our next trip.

Um...there is one big refurb happening. And said refurb is about half as big as it could/should have been. And it's about six years late. I have no idea where you come up with the "so many" comment.

 

[Master Yoda]

LOL, so true.
And, we have been to D.L. and WDW when more than one atrraction was closed....we went when Space, H.M. and The Matterhorn was all closed at D.L. but crowds were fine and we had a GREAT time.
Everything is gonna be just fine when S.M. goes down and the world will keep on turning, the sun will come up.
And, in the end....we will have a much improved S.M. Im VERY happy about all the excellent refubs happening lately. Kudos to Disney, I cant remember a time when so many big refurbs took place. The future is certainly looking bright, we cant wait untill 2011 for our next trip.

NO! NO! NO!

The day after Space mountain Closes this will happen in the 7 seas lagoon!

:lol:

 

[CaptainMichael]

Um...there is one big refurb happening. And said refurb is about half as big as it could/should have been. And it's about six years late. I have no idea where you come up with the "so many" comment.

To be fair, they are refurbing HoP pretty substantially, but that was to be exected considering we just elected a new president.

 

[SirGoofy]

To be fair, they are refurbing HoP pretty substantially, but that was to be exected considering we just elected a new president.

You're right. My bad. But in all honesty, HoP was in good shape. As much as I think it's cool that the new Pres will be added, I wish the money would have gone to an attraction that needed it.

 

[CaptainMichael]

You're right. My bad. But in all honesty, HoP was in good shape. As much as I think it's cool that the new Pres will be added, I wish the money would have gone to an attraction that needed it.

HoP is a great place to take a nap!:king:

 

[Chezman1399]

Park attendance at least for MK has been much higher than anticipated so far this year, at least that's the vibe I get from friends who work in MK ticketing. It almost makes me think all the layoffs were part of some planned restructuring, and with the economy having some issues, it was just perfect timing to execute the plan or it was a knee jerk reaction in anticipation of something that may or may not ever happen.