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

[jakeman]

Go to downtown Orlando. Get on the elevator of the Bank of America Center building. It's 409 feet tall, and won't cost you $16.

That's a fairly cynical view of it. I could roll my windows down on I-4 and never have to go on Test Track.

Or I could just go to the Disney Store and bypass DTD all together.

 

[WDW1974]

That's a fairly cynical view of it. I could roll my windows down on I-4 and never have to go on Test Track.

Or I could just go to the Disney Store and bypass DTD all together.

Now you get it!!!

I know you would eventually!

~What Will YOU Celebrate? Heading to Universal Singapore next year!~

 

[jakeman]

It also may make you wonder how 'real' the numbers are that show annually the MK is the most-visited theme park in the world.

You seem to be crossing into paranoia.

I'm not going to argue about the quality of TDR. I've never been there and from the pictures I've seen you may have a valid argument. However, I think you are neglecting key cultural differences to make your point.

 

[CBOMB]

That's a fairly cynical view of it. I could roll my windows down on I-4 and never have to go on Test Track.

Or I could just go to the Disney Store and bypass DTD all together.

Not being cynical just realistic. The balloon ride is just like all the balloon rides around the country. I was merely offering you an alternative to paying $16 for a Carnival type ride, while accomplishing the same effect.

I thought you would be grateful to me.

 

[jakeman]

Not being cynical just realistic. The balloon ride is just like all the balloon rides around the country. I was merely offering you an alternative to paying $16 for a Carnival type ride, while accomplishing the same effect.

I thought you would be grateful to me.

I wouldn't mind spending the money. I've never been in a balloon and would enjoy the opportunity to view Disney property from some where closer than 10 miles away in downtown Orlando (which I am uncertain you can even see at that distance).

 

[CBOMB]

You seem to be crossing into paranoia.

I'm not going to argue about the quality of TDR. I've never been there and from the pictures I've seen you may have a valid argument. However, I think you are neglecting key cultural differences to make your point.

Personally I don't think it's paranoia to question attendance numbers if you feel there is a motivation behind inflating the numbers. I really don't see how the MK keeps the top rating that it seems to year to year.

I'm curious, what are the key cultural differences being ignored. I really don't understand that.

 

[CBOMB]

I wouldn't mind spending the money. I've never been in a balloon and would enjoy the opportunity to view Disney property from some where closer than 10 miles away in downtown Orlando (which I am uncertain you can even see at that distance).

Then $16 will do the trick. I'm also curious if you can see the balloon from inside the Parks.

 

[jakeman]

Personally I don't think it's paranoia to question attendance numbers if you feel there is a motivation behind inflating the numbers. I really don't see how the MK keeps the top rating that it seems to year to year.

I'm curious, what are the key cultural differences being ignored. I really don't understand that.

Why would an independent company that provides estimates inflate the numbers? If you can just pick and choose what facts to believe and what not to (from reputable sources) then how can someone ever converse?

With regard to the other point, I'll be the first to admit that I am not a sociology expert and this only comes from what I have read and observed. Japanese are not American. They expect different things and react differently, not in a bad way at all. That's why I said that I agree mostly with WDW1974 on this point. However, I think that the fact that TDR is geared towards the Japanese culture plays a great deal more in the argument than just TDR > WDW.

Then $16 will do the trick. I'm also curious if you can see the balloon from inside the Parks.

Yeah that would be interesting to me too. I can see your point though. If you have no interest in an aerial view of property and have hot air balloons at your fair (we don't), then the attraction will hold no interest. I don't like Test Track because my A/C was broken when I worked at Disney the summer it opened and "Test Track" was basically how I got to work every day.

 

[Captain Chaos]

That's a fairly cynical view of it. I could roll my windows down on I-4 and never have to go on Test Track.

Or I could just go to the Disney Store and bypass DTD all together.

May have more fun rolling down your windows and speed down I4.. At least you won't break down 6 times a day..

 

[SirGoofy]

With regard to the other point, I'll be the first to admit that I am not a sociology expert and this only comes from what I have read and observed. Japanese are not American. They expect different things and react differently, not in a bad way at all. That's why I said that I agree mostly with WDW1974 on this point. However, I think that the fact that TDR is geared towards the Japanese culture plays a great deal more in the argument than just TDR > WDW.

And unfortunately Americans are more inclined to accept mediocre to bad products as "good enough."

:brick:

 

[Hrudey3032]

And unfortunately Americans are more inclined to accept mediocre to bad products as "good enough."

:brick:

While some say its a mediocre product I just love being there and enjoying the Disney experience.Are there things I miss there?Absolutely(20,000 Leagues,Horizons,WoM,1994 SSE) however new things have come about that I love that I didnt think I would(TT,Mickeys Philharmagic,and dare I say it Canada :lookaroun ) so while we may be in a time of downturn at WDW I think in time we will be blown away again and I guess I am patient and look forward to when that happens.With that said I will still go and enjoy myself because above all else WDW as a whole makes me forget all the stress I feel of daily life andd just enjoy the things there I do still love.

 

[jakeman]

And unfortunately Americans are more inclined to accept mediocre to bad products as "good enough."

:brick:

Yeah, that's a society problem though. Again, before someone picks apart my post, I think we could use a little TDR over here (not all of it though).

 

[CBOMB]

Why would an independent company that provides estimates inflate the numbers? If you can just pick and choose what facts to believe and what not to (from reputable sources) then how can someone ever converse?

/quote]
I understand your point, but how does this independent company come up with these figures. I would just feel much more comfortable if I could see an analysis of their counting procedure. I'm sure someone here has that.

I also question how difficult it is to persuade this company to inflate the figures. After all, it's not unheard of in the industry.

Now I sound like I border on paranoia.

And unfortunately Americans are more inclined to accept mediocre to bad products as "good enough."

:brick:

Unfortunately I feel you are correct.

 

[SirGoofy]

While some say its a mediocre product I just love being there and enjoying the Disney experience.Are there things I miss there?Absolutely(20,000 Leagues,Horizons,WoM,1994 SSE) however new things have come about that I love that I didnt think I would(TT,Mickeys Philharmagic,and dare I say it Canada :lookaroun ) so while we may be in a time of downturn at WDW I think in time we will be blown away again and I guess I am patient and look forward to when that happens.With that said I will still go and enjoy myself because above all else WDW as a whole makes me forget all the stress I feel of daily life andd just enjoy the things there I do still love.

Oh, don't get me wrong. I still love going to Disney(obviously I work for them:lol. But the quality has been steadily dropping for quite sometime now, and I'm worried they may never get back to where it should be.

Disney was always the company to go out on a limb with attractions and shows, to pus the envelope and wow everyone. That hasn't bee the case at Disney World since...wow I honestly don't even know. I guess Tower of Terror. Which is sad. 15 years since the last ground breaking attraction at the "flagship" vacation destination in Disney's fleet.

 

[Hrudey3032]

Oh, don't get me wrong. I still love going to Disney(obviously I work for them:lol. But the quality has been steadily dropping for quite sometime now, and I'm worried they may never get back to where it should be.

Disney was always the company to go out on a limb with attractions and shows, to pus the envelope and wow everyone. That hasn't bee the case at Disney World since...wow I honestly don't even know. I guess Tower of Terror. Which is sad. 15 years since the last ground breaking attraction at the "flagship" vacation destination in Disney's fleet.

I guess to me it is still so much better than anything I have seen I do not see the bad but I do see where things could be better.I will say that I think other parks are being more aggresive(Sea World and Universal) and that Disney needs to take note and not get behind the times.While I still believe in time TWDC will get back to wowing us with new rides and attractions I do not see it happening anytime soon while the economy is in the toilet.

 

[alecshawn]

Oh, don't get me wrong. I still love going to Disney(obviously I work for them:lol. But the quality has been steadily dropping for quite sometime now, and I'm worried they may never get back to where it should be.

Disney was always the company to go out on a limb with attractions and shows, to pus the envelope and wow everyone. That hasn't bee the case at Disney World since...wow I honestly don't even know. I guess Tower of Terror. Which is sad. 15 years since the last ground breaking attraction at the "flagship" vacation destination in Disney's fleet.

110% disagree.
I have been going to one of Disneys destinations as an adult since 1989.
Went many times before with my family w/the first being in 1973 (age 3)
Considering all the expanding that has occured both at WDW and DLR, i consider the level of satisfaction to better than ever.
Some may disagree and it is all in the eye of the beholder.
To ME and millions, Disney is as good or better than ever.
I dont need a part time cm, or a so anyone else to tell me how good or bad WDW is.
I know how my kids/wife love our trips. NEVER disappointed.
I actually prefer D.L. over the Magic Kingdom simply due to nastalgic reasons, and it has GREAT attractions...BUT,WDW wins hands down as a destination for an entire vacation.
So, call me whatever one wants too, I love WDW and think its offerings are better now than before.
From refurbs, to new attraction (E.E.) and more, We will continue to enjoy ourselves. Like i stated, some will have the opinion that WDW isnt as good as before, well, good for you. Thats your right.
But, it doesnt make it (right).
Looking forward to 2011, our next trip.
And, if the economy is still slow, we can take advantage of a good deal, like Disney is offering now.

 

[wesTcoastY]

I am surprised that Disney didn't anticipate people spending less on souvenirs and dining (or perhaps they did), and instead offer free dining and maybe some gift cards with a full price hotel stay. Basically, keep the overall discount roughly the same, but shift the discount to items people otherwise wouldn't be buying (or spending as much on) given the economy. Maybe they did consider this plan, but calculated that it wouldn't bring in as high of attendance numbers. I wonder about that, though, because it seems people see "discount" and are likely to spend regardless of how that discount really benefits them. Any thoughts on this?

Very good point. But i think they are managing perception with the discount on the hotel room vs the dining/gift cards. The hotel stay is a fixed cost. Airfare, hotel, ground transportation are fixed costs of the trip. Budgeting for food is not an exact science, so i think they felt that guests would perceive a better value if their fixed costs like the hotel stay was a bargain instead of considering money they may or may not save on food.

Offering free food or greatly discounted food could result in folks consuming much more than they normally would making it harder for Disney to manage their inventory and therefore drive up their costs. Whereas witht he free hotel nights, disney can absolutely quantify what they are "giving away"

 

[kimmychad]

And unfortunately Americans are more inclined to accept mediocre to bad products as "good enough."

:brick:

I also agree with you, as is evident with the cars the big 3 detroit automakers have put out in recent years.

 

[jt04]

110% disagree.
I have been going to one of Disneys destinations as an adult since 1989.
Went many times before with my family w/the first being in 1973 (age 3)
Considering all the expanding that has occured both at WDW and DLR, i consider the level of satisfaction to better than ever.
Some may disagree and it is all in the eye of the beholder.
To ME and millions, Disney is as good or better than ever.
I dont need a part time cm, or a so anyone else to tell me how good or bad WDW is.
I know how my kids/wife love our trips. NEVER disappointed.
I actually prefer D.L. over the Magic Kingdom simply due to nastalgic reasons, and it has GREAT attractions...BUT,WDW wins hands down as a destination for an entire vacation.
So, call me whatever one wants too, I love WDW and think its offerings are better now than before.
From refurbs, to new attraction (E.E.) and more, We will continue to enjoy ourselves. Like i stated, some will have the opinion that WDW isnt as good as before, well, good for you. Thats your right.
But, it doesnt make it (right).
Looking forward to 2011, our next trip.
And, if the economy is still slow, we can take advantage of a good deal, like Disney is offering now.

I agree completely. Well said. I think some people can visit so many times it does lose it's impact and that is the reason they can't feel the same about it.



All things in moderation

 

[maggiegrace1]

So, apparently it will be pretty crowded next week huh?

Thanks Steve..I let my friend know who is going for the first time tommorow know..