News Park attendance showing significant softness heading into the Fall 2018

[jbolen2]

Attendance is down. We’ve seen the results this week (and more today) and there’s more to come. Hopefully they won’t last too far into next year.

Have they looked in to the loss/ gains from the extra income for paid parking at resorts vs loss of attendance directly from it?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

You know perfectly well 74 isn't hiding under some other name. He isn't the only person willing to take the company to task for lowering their standards over the years. You used to be better than that.

Oh...that’s one of those mythic former posters?

I thought he was saying he was 74...lol.

No, I have no alter ego here...but fully admit SWR was persecuted in another kingdom

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Have they looked in to the loss/ gains from the extra income for paid parking at resorts vs loss of attendance directly from it?

There wouldn’t really be a way to quantify that...

And a fun fact I heard is that all wholesale (travel agents...in layman’s terms) did not have the parking fees apply until 10/19 If I recall...

Which means the parking fees haven’t really descended in earnest yet.

 

[jbolen2]

There wouldn’t really be a way to quantify that...

And a fun fact I heard is that all wholesale (travel agents...in layman’s terms) did not have the parking fees apply until 10/19 If I recall...

Which means the parking fees haven’t really descended in earnest yet.

I know I have 2 different friends that reduced there stay/ park days by 1 to compensate for the parking cost. They can’t be the only family’s doing this.

 

[monothingie]

I know I have 2 different friends that reduced there stay/ park days by 1 to compensate for the parking cost. They can’t be the only family’s doing this.

Unfortunately I think most guests don’t know even know they’re subject to the fee until they get their end of stay folio.

 

[marni1971]

June 30th. Parks and Resorts up 6% from previous year globally. Not sure about WDW specifics. Next report is Nov 8th for quarter ending next week.

Ahh...

 

[wannabeBelle]

There wouldn’t really be a way to quantify that...

And a fun fact I heard is that all wholesale (travel agents...in layman’s terms) did not have the parking fees apply until 10/19 If I recall...

Which means the parking fees haven’t really descended in earnest yet.

Not so much for us. Any reservations made before a certain date do not have parking fees. I want to say I think it was 3/21/2018. Anything after that was subject to the parking fees. I cant speak for wholesalers who may have had a different agreement though. Marie

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

From now through the new year HEA is part time due to the parties. After New Years it doesn’t show when the park closes at 8, which is several dates in January and February. I could see them closing DHS and AK much earlier during these months to eliminate the need for ROL and F! Make them “indirect” cuts.

Sure. I could see that as well if the forecasts remain soft. But not a cut of fireworks at MK. I’d be really surprised since they didn’t even do this during Great Recession. Again, unless the economy takes a nosedive, then all bets are off.

 

[peter11435]

Sure. I could see that as well if the forecasts remain soft. But not a cut of fireworks at MK. I’d be really surprised since they didn’t even do this during Great Recession. Again, unless the economy takes a nosedive, then all bets are off.

They did it in the early 2000’s

They would absolutely do it again.

 

[John park hopper]

I sent a email to Disney in regards to the added parking fee informing them

I know I have 2 different friends that reduced there stay/ park days by 1 to compensate for the parking cost. They can’t be the only family’s doing this.

We will be going in May 2019 and rather than cut our stay by a day (parking fee) we will spend less in the parks. Since we drive bring stuff to eat for breakfast as we have in the past but now we will bring stuff for lunch ( plan on a mid day break anyway) Sent Disney an email telling them they may charge me for parking now but in reality they will make less money off of me as I will spend less. As consumers we can control what we spend to a certain degree. Never heard back from Disney

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

They did it in the early 2000’s

They would absolutely do it again.

If the economy is bad enough they should. We’re not there at all right now. That’s my point.

 

[peter11435]

If the economy is bad enough they should. We’re not there at all right now. That’s my point.

It’s not about the economy. It’s about attendance and profit goals.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

It’s not about the economy. It’s about attendance and profit goals.

A glance at a GDP growth graph or other indicators would tell you it makes sense that the early 2000’s is probably the last time they cut more drastically, a la MK fireworks.

They always have profit goals. There’s constant complaining on forums every time they cut anything to reach them — even printed napkins. My only, simple point is that I do not believe we are anywhere close to them cutting MK fireworks. Unless a major downturn happens or something really blows up at TWDC.

I’ll stop belaboring... I’m sure most get what I’m saying, and it’s always ok to disagree!

 

[peter11435]

A glance at a GDP growth graph or other indicators would tell you it makes sense that the early 2000’s is probably the last time they cut more drastically, a la MK fireworks.

They always have profit goals. There’s constant complaining on forums every time they cut anything to reach them — even printed napkins. My only, simple point is that I do not believe we are anywhere close to them cutting MK fireworks. Unless a major downturn happens or something really blows up at TWDC.

I’ll stop belaboring... I’m sure most get what I’m saying, and it’s always ok to disagree!

I get what you’re saying. I just unfortunately know that it is a thin line Disney is not afraid to cross.

I’m sure many on here never dreamed they would allow Magic Kingdom to operate for years with no night parade either

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The thing that’s being lost here in “cuts” is that they don’t play the “wait and see” game.

People don’t book trips to Orlando for a week 2 weeks or 2 months in advance for the majority...

So “soft” attendance was known along time ago...and the attendance for 2019 is known within a realitively small margin of error.

Florida residents and sycophants will show up on short notice...but generally speaking people don’t use their time off and disposable cash to throw it around for last minute trips much.

So...the die is cast on what we’re talking about...we need to see the responses.

I’ve said it a few times...so one more: closely watch 2019.

There is a hole in their schedule for this year...the place is wrecked in construction and Star Wars is effectively a 2020 addition. Too late for people to plan for this year if by some miracle it does get done early.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I’m sure many on here never dreamed they would allow Magic Kingdom to operate for years with no night parade either

I do miss that crazy music... and the crowds it took away from the things I want to do...

I hope they bring it back... I haven’t followed that much... no announcements, I believe... maybe by the anniversary??

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I get what you’re saying. I just unfortunately know that it is a thin line Disney is not afraid to cross.

I’m sure many on here never dreamed they would allow Magic Kingdom to operate for years with no night parade either

It’s not even up for debate...the parks are run completely with quarterlies in mind. They’re not bothering to watch and see what the “guests” are gonna do.

 

[monothingie]

The thing that’s being lost here in “cuts” is that they don’t play the “wait and see” game.

People don’t book trips to Orlando for a week 2 weeks or 2 months in advance for the majority...

So “soft” attendance was known along time ago...and the attendance for 2019 is known within a realitively small margin of error.

Florida residents and sycophants will show up on short notice...but generally speaking people don’t use their time off and disposable cash to throw it around for last minute trips much.

So...the die is cast on what we’re talking about...we need to see the responses.

I’ve said it a few times...so one more: closely watch 2019.

There is a hole in their schedule for this year...the place is wrecked in construction and Star Wars is effectively a 2020 addition. Too late for people to plan for this year if by some miracle it does get done early.

The next shoe to drop will be how much ticket prices go up, and the long awaited tiered multi day tickets.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

The next shoe to drop will be how much ticket prices go up, and the long awaited tiered multi day tickets.

It will be interesting to see %increase and when they roll this out. Could speak to how much they really are or aren’t worried about attendance / net profit between now and SWGE...

 

[jbolen2]

The thing that’s being lost here in “cuts” is that they don’t play the “wait and see” game.

People don’t book trips to Orlando for a week 2 weeks or 2 months in advance for the majority...

So “soft” attendance was known along time ago...and the attendance for 2019 is known within a realitively small margin of error.

Florida residents and sycophants will show up on short notice...but generally speaking people don’t use their time off and disposable cash to throw it around for last minute trips much.

So...the die is cast on what we’re talking about...we need to see the responses.

I’ve said it a few times...so one more: closely watch 2019.

There is a hole in their schedule for this year...the place is wrecked in construction and Star Wars is effectively a 2020 addition. Too late for people to plan for this year if by some miracle it does get done early.

This is spot on. The way you have to plan so far in advance they saw this coming from a mile away. We have camp sites already booked for Christmas 19’ and have to do so early or it’s booked solid.

I sent a email to Disney in regards to the added parking fee informing them

We will be going in May 2019 and rather than cut our stay by a day (parking fee) we will spend less in the parks. Since we drive bring stuff to eat for breakfast as we have in the past but now we will bring stuff for lunch ( plan on a mid day break anyway) Sent Disney an email telling them they may charge me for parking now but in reality they will make less money off of me as I will spend less. As consumers we can control what we spend to a certain degree. Never heard back from Disney

With my friends each has x amount to spend and it’s a choice to do it the way you describe or keep to the normal routine with an entire day trimmed off. Disney is affected more by your way because you still were there longer but spent less per day than my friends.