This is a huge part of it. Disneyland has now been around for 70 years — 70 years for competitors to watch and learn and develop. Original attractions had a much lower opportunity cost when the competition wasn’t even close.
Recognizing the fact that other parks don’t draw as many people from as wide an area is not “looking down on them”.
You can recognize that without the "Meh" remark.
It not being one of the most visited in the world doesn’t mean it isn’t a vacation destination. Something does have to be the #1 to be valid. 3.5 million annual visitors for a park that’s only open 8.5 months a year sounds like a pretty big draw to me. They’re also filling their hotel rooms at their two resorts during peak season which is something even Disney and Universal aren’t doing.
Trying to discredit the idea of them being destinations by comparing attendance numbers to the parks in the resort bubbles to imply that they have no seat at the table kind of is though.
It was revived in 2022 for two seasons, then got renewed for another two after that. It's going to air until at least 2026 now, so I think that opens the door for a potential parks presence. Last year there was a Futurama photo up set up in Disney Springs for a while, so there's some kind of precedent for promo at WDW
Dollywood’s sister park, Silver Dollar City, is similarly well-regarded and is also building an on-site hotel
It is beautiful, and there was a period during which it was moving to become a major theme park. Then it gave up and has been in steep decline ever since. It’s very sad.
SDC may be great, but it lacks the “Dolly” branding that gives Dollywood its global exposure and best hook for becoming a vacation destination - she’s one of the most universally beloved people alive. It helps that the park is wonderful, of course.
It hasn't been in a steep decline at all. It's still well loved by many. The ones that seem to feel it's in a decline want it to go back to the days of it being Disney lite. Meaning less coasters and more themed dark rides.
You mis-spelled “bring back big bad wolf!”
Attendance is a decent reflection of how far and wide people are being drawn. Dollywood isn’t bringing a major chunk of visitors from the west coast or abroad. That’s okay. It doesn’t operate or build at the same scale as Disney or Universal. That too is okay.
You're right they are drawing visitors from the West or abroad but they are drawing visitors from outside of the area. Locals aren't filling the resorts
Where did I say I looked down on it?
Its up there, too. Along with a few other obvious ones.
Its 2 hotels compared to...... how many?
I think theres a misconception that I dont like parks like Dollywood. I literally said at the bottom of my post that its a great park. In fact, as someone who lives just a couple of hours from dollywood, I'd like everyone to stay away so it can keep its off season times nice and slow for me.
Like I said earlier, nobody is saying they are on the same level as the Orlando parks. What is being said is that these parks are as far apart as many make them out to be. There's a reason Dollywood and other parks are in top lists with Disney and Universal now. IMO a lot is to many being priced out of Disney and have found these parks are a good alternative.Its 2 hotels compared to...... how many?
I think theres a misconception that I dont like parks like Dollywood. I literally said at the bottom of my post that its a great park. In fact, as someone who lives just a couple of hours from dollywood, I'd like everyone to stay away so it can keep its off season times nice and slow for me.
Looking back at my post, I responded to the wrong person. I meant to quote someone who said otherwise. All is moot.
