TEA 2017 theme park attendance report released

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

Sounds pretty much like my experiences.

The older I get the less interest I have in theme parks in general, but I remain intrigued by what Disney does. Even that is starting to wane though. It's been 3 years since I've been to a Disney park!

*gasp* Hans!!! No!

But yeah, if I'm going to spend money and time in a themed experience, I want it to be of the highest quality. Disney offers that in spades above its competitors.

Universal feels like it was designed by people who simply make movies, not actual creative engineers.

 

[Disney Irish]

It's been 3 years since I've been to a Disney park!

We may have to get a Kickstarter or Indiegogo campaign going so you can go back.

 

[Rich T]

I have a confession. I'm a native Californian who has visited Knott's Berry Farm exactly one time back in the early 80s. From what I can tell it's changed a great deal since then, and I mean not in a good way. Looks like any old theme park with some leftovers from my only visit 30 some-odd years ago. I have never understood what's so fascinating to locals about Knott's.

Cedar Fair has brought great coasters to Knott;s, but at the expense of a lot of the park's original charm. There is, however, enough charm there to still set Knott's apart. I don't think any other major theme park contains as much genuine state history (in the form of actual artifacts and structures) as Knott's.

I'll say it again, Timber Mountain isn't just the best log ride ever (not just in great theming, but the way the logs flow with minimal bumping or "scraping the bottom"), but it gets my vote for the most perfect theme park attraction on Earth. And the Calico Mine is one of the world's best dark rides. Add to that all the history, a lot of beautiful landscaping and what's become a great collection of coasters and family thrill rides, and I'd definitely but Knott's ahead of any other theme park in California not named Disneyland.

 

[Rich T]

I've been a CA resident since '94. Only a few months ago did I step foot inside Universal Hollywood's actual theme park. Still have never been to Knotts.

If you're a theme park fan, you need to ride Timber Mtn. and Calico Mine, two of the best rides on Earth. Keeping in mind that Timber Mtn. opened waaaaaay before Splash Mtn, it's clear that the Imagineers adapted a LOT of ideas from Timber Mtn. And, honestly, Timber Mtn. is the better overall ride.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

If you're a theme park fan, you need to ride Timber Mtn. and Calico Mine, two of the best rides on Earth. Keeping in mind that Timber Mtn. opened waaaaaay before Splash Mtn, it's clear that the Imagineers adapted a LOT of ideas from Timber Mtn. And, honestly, Timber Mtn. is the better overall ride.

I remember riding both attractions and being underwhelmed. The quaintness may have been too much for me.

 

[Phroobar]

Sounds pretty much like my experiences.

The older I get the less interest I have in theme parks in general, but I remain intrigued by what Disney does. Even that is starting to wane though. It's been 3 years since I've been to a Disney park!

Basically if I were you, I would stay away from anything that does have a giant rat as it's mascot. Your way too jaded to appreciate simpler things. If you find yourself walking into a non-Disney park and start to complain about "flow" or "theme quality" or "it's so unDisney" and not have fun while there, you should stay home. You need to get out of the "Disney" mindset.

I'm kind of on the opposite side of that attitude. I totally appreciate the history behind Knotts and enjoy all kinds of coasters and rides regardless of how they are "decorated". I find myself having just as much fun at Magic Mountain or Knotts or Sea World or Legoland or even Adventure City as I do at Disneyland. Personally I can't stand the crowds at Disneyland. It's like an endurance test. It takes away from the overall fun.

I love going to parks that are not Disney owned. This summer, we are taking a day to do Lagoon in Utah on our way to Yellowstone. I'm looking at special trips to Dollywood, Silver Dollar City and Cider Point in the future. Bush Gardens would be fun on the east cost.

 

[Rich T]

I remember riding both attractions and being underwhelmed. The quaintness may have been too much for me.

Both rides have been completely redone with new AAs from Garner Holt, new sound, lighting, etc. since you rode them (and no video can really do them justice). The rides could be seen as "quaint" I guess because they don't use screens or turn you upside down 10 times or feature interactive guns???? I personally prefer the historic equipment and actual logging setting to a chorus of chickens dancing the cancan and singing Zip-a-dee-doo-dah on my log flume ride. But that's just me. I love Splash, too, but Timber Mtn. is elegant and smooth in the areas where Splash has never really worked properly (mainly DL's version's problem).

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Basically if I were you, I would stay away from anything that does have a giant rat as it's mascot. Your way too jaded to appreciate simpler things. If you find yourself walking into a non-Disney park and start to complain about "flow" or "theme quality" or "it's so unDisney" and not have fun while there, you should stay home. You need to get out of the "Disney" mindset.

Theme parks generally aren't something I enjoy or think about. I'm just not interested in spending my day in a hot theme park full of unruly teens and sticky little kids waiting in line for a 90 second thrill on some screetching off-the-shelf ride. In my younger days I couldn't get enough of it, but my interests have changed.

 

[Curious Constance]

Theme parks generally aren't something I enjoy or think about. I'm just not interested in spending my day in a hot theme park full of unruly teens and sticky little kids waiting in line for a 90 second thrill on some screetching off-the-shelf ride. In my younger days I couldn't get enough of it, but my interests have changed.

You know, Hans, some kids actually hate being sticky. My kid will make me pull over on a rode trip so he can wash his hands.

 

[Phroobar]

You know, Hans, some kids actually hate being sticky. My kid will make me pull over on a rode trip so he can wash his hands.

My youngest is always sticky. I'm not sure how he does it.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Both rides have been completely redone with new AAs from Garner Holt, new sound, lighting, etc. since you rode them (and no video can really do them justice). The rides could be seen as "quaint" I guess because they don't use screens or turn you upside down 10 times or feature interactive guns???? I personally prefer the historic equipment and actual logging setting to a chorus of chickens dancing the cancan and singing Zip-a-dee-doo-dah on my log flume ride. But that's just me. I love Splash, too, but Timber Mtn. is elegant and smooth in the areas where Splash has never really worked properly (mainly DL's version's problem).

Hey, I'm not arguing that it isn't a good ride, or that your admiration isn't justified. Like any film, musical composition, book, or artwork it's all your personal viewpoint. You go enjoy Knott's. It isn't a place that appeals to me. Sorry.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

You know, Hans, some kids actually hate being sticky. My kid will make me pull over on a rode trip so he can wash his hands.

But your kid is a genius.

 

[TP2000]

While these numbers are as official as we can get, they're not exact. DL and MK both benefit from using hard-ticket events (Halloween and Christmas parties) to boost their attendance, essentially adding months to the number of operational days in the year for those parks. And going by my gut, DCA's numbers seem a little low, while DHS's are grossly inflated (and have been for a few years).

The comparison between DCA and DHS has seemed extremely suspicious for several years now, ever since the DCA rebuild was completed in 2012. They basically have the same attendance?!? I call BS on that. That seems logistically impossible when you consider that for this 2017 data DHS has five rides; ToT, RnRC, Star Tours, Midway Mania, Great Movie Ride.

That would be like DCA operating daily with only Guardians, Screamin', Soarin' with an extra theater, Midway Mania with an extra track, and Little Mermaid. You'd have to close down DCA's 16 other rides, including E Tickets Racers and Grizzly, and stop doing the DCA parade. You would then need to rely on DCA's remaining theater shows and walk-thru exhibits to soak up the crowds. Even if you cut that attendance by several million per year (which is what I think the real difference is between DCA and DHS attendance), it would kind of explain why DHS has held on to tired old shows like 1989's MuppetVision 3D.

Even the DAK numbers seem a tad suspicious and off, but not quite to the extent of DHS. I'm thinking the reality is something like DCA's numbers here are under-reported and DHS numbers are grossly over-reported. There's even some suspicion in the Magic Kingdom Park vs. Disneyland numbers, with so many rides missing at Magic Kingdom compared to Disneyland's monster roster.

 

[TROR]

Not letting Disney buy Knott's in the 90's was a mistake.

 

[Curious Constance]

Is Legoland as bad in person as it seems? I want to go there sometime. I gave birth to a Lego enthusiast, and I think he'd love it.

 

[Curious Constance]

But your kid is a genius.

That's true. I keep forgetting and comparing him to run of the mill kids.

 

[TROR]

Is Legoland as bad in person as it seems? I want to go there sometime. I gave birth to a Lego enthusiast, and I think he'd love it.

Never gone myself but they have animatronics made out of LEGO which is pretty cool. I think the LEGO statues around the park are more interesting than most of the rides tbh.

 

[TP2000]

Is Legoland as bad in person as it seems? I want to go there sometime. I gave birth to a Lego enthusiast and I think he'd love it.

It's cute if you are a Lego fan, or bring one along. The food isn't too bad. But the rides are mostly hokey and extremely low capacity and/or operated by kids that are slow as molasses. You can also tell it was designed by the Danes, as it has a Euro sensibility about it which can sometimes seem very odd to Americans. I've only been once, when my nieces and nephews were young, and have no need to return.

But I will forever remember sitting on the patio of a restaurant that overlooked the Volvo Driving School, where kindergartners drive little battery operated Lego cars around a mock up cityscape and try their hardest to follow basic traffic laws. A little boy blew right through a Lego stop sign at an intersection, and the teenage Legoland employee running the ride got on his bullhorn and bellowed "Hey, Number 15, you went right through that stop! Are you drunk?!?" I laughed hysterically, and I hope the mom of driver #15 also laughed, but it was a stark reminder that you weren't at Disneyland.

I doubt the Legal Department at corporate sponsor Volvo would probably laugh though.

 

[Rich T]

Not letting Disney buy Knott's in the 90's was a mistake.

I'm not thrilled about every change Cedar Fair's made to Knott's, but I'm almost afraid to think what today's Disney would do with the property. It's nice to have a park full of real California history and no Disney characters, Star Wars or Superheroes in sight for a change of pace.

 

[Phroobar]

Is Legoland as bad in person as it seems? I want to go there sometime. I gave birth to a Lego enthusiast, and I think he'd love it.

He would love it. You would absolutely hate it.