The guests that Disney does not want

[shmmrname]

I remember standing outside of the RNR gates that were blocked by bushes in the pouring rain bc we heard of soft-openings back before it was open. When they let us on those few nights (I rode it 6 times) they had a guy in the studio pretending to hear the guys in the video ask for him to grab his guitar and the audience would all in unison say "make it a STRETCH!" as we had already been there the night before. So I guess it is nostalgic.

I think the problem is that the show never got updated. They need to change up the video every few years I think.

I think it's the dated video and empty room. Just any animatronic or movement would help, otherwise it looks like a diorama I'd see at a run-of-the-mill museum.
Believe me, I get the nostalgia argument though. If something clicks for you once, it can get you everytime - there's no apologies needed for it.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

Anyone read The Dark Side of Disney? HORRIBLE read, but this made me think about it. It is, apparently, supposed to tell you all of the best places to party, do the nasty in obscure places in and around the parks and resorts, as well as do drugs in and around the parks, all without getting caught. Like I said, so terrible, it's laughable. Not to mention, I can't figure out what's going on with the girl on the cover (google it).

You know, sometimes I think I'm pretty much of a prude, especially for a young guy. But I enjoyed The Dark Side of Disney. It does not tell you where to do drugs, it tells you which attractions to ride and which to avoid if you're on drugs. Also, the author makes no promises you won't get caught making love or being under the influence in the parks. You are thoroughly warned.

The cover girl is turning heads, attracting attention, getting you to look inside.

 

[rufio]

You know, sometimes I think I'm pretty much of a prude, especially for a young guy. But I enjoyed The Dark Side of Disney. It does not tell you where to do drugs, it tells you which attractions to ride and which to avoid if you're on drugs. Also, the author makes no promises you won't get caught making love or being under the influence in the parks. You are thoroughly warned.

The cover girl is turning heads, attracting attention, getting you to look inside.

No matter how you read it, she's telling you the best way to do things you're not supposed to do, disclaimer or not. I read it too

 

[YoungNY]

Well count me in that group of people who were disappointed when pleasure island closed down. I get the OP's point, but I think it might also be profitable to attract new customers of all ages by changing Disney's outward view of being "a kids place". I don't think they are hurting for guests, but many people simply have no interest because of the way Disney is geared towards a much younger crowd. That's fine, Disney is a family place, but families consist of more than just parents with young children. I think huge roller coasters would ruin Disney's magic and all that makes it special. But I think they might do well, to advertise those aspects of Disney that appeal to an older crowd.

My idea would be to open a nightclub in DTD that's exclusively for guests staying at a Disney resort who are 21 and over. It might keep some of those "unwanted" out, but entice 20-30 somethings to come to Disney. I'll admit, I'm 27 and while Im not a big nightclub kind of girl, while I'm on vacation Id love to have a place I could go to hang out and grab a drink and/or dance and meet other people my age. That's what Disney is lacking for the 20-30 somethings crowd. It'd be great to drink knowing you have free transportation back to you hotel, as of now if you want to experience some nightlife, you have to rent a car and head over to City Walk.

There are still plenty of teens and 20-30 somethings who love Disney and will spend the money to go as much as possible and who will buy into the DVC and pass the obsession on to future generations, who would also love some more intense rides and nightlife geared towards an older crowd. A family place should have something that meets the needs of ALL members of the family.

I think Disney does a pretty good job of this, but it would be nice to see some nightlife.

 

[Tim_4]

Well count me in that group of people who were disappointed when pleasure island closed down. I get the OP's point, but I think it might also be profitable to attract new customers of all ages by changing Disney's outward view of being "a kids place". I don't think they are hurting for guests, but many people simply have no interest because of the way Disney is geared towards a much younger crowd. That's fine, Disney is a family place, but families consist of more than just parents with young children. I think huge roller coasters would ruin Disney's magic and all that makes it special. But I think they might do well, to advertise those aspects of Disney that appeal to an older crowd.

My idea would be to open a nightclub in DTD that's exclusively for guests staying at a Disney resort who are 21 and over. It might keep some of those "unwanted" out, but entice 20-30 somethings to come to Disney. I'll admit, I'm 27 and while Im not a big nightclub kind of girl, while I'm on vacation Id love to have a place I could go to hang out and grab a drink and/or dance and meet other people my age. That's what Disney is lacking for the 20-30 somethings crowd. It'd be great to drink knowing you have free transportation back to you hotel, as of now if you want to experience some nightlife, you have to rent a car and head over to City Walk.

There are still plenty of teens and 20-30 somethings who love Disney and will spend the money to go as much as possible and who will buy into the DVC and pass the obsession on to future generations, who would also love some more intense rides and nightlife geared towards an older crowd. A family place should have something that meets the needs of ALL members of the family.

I think Disney does a pretty good job of this, but it would be nice to see some nightlife.

As a guest, I agree with you 110%. I just don't know that there's a realistic way to put that "filter" in place to keep that kind of scene from degenerating.

 

[DCLcruiser]

There are still plenty of teens and 20-30 somethings who love Disney and will spend the money to go as much as possible and who will buy into the DVC and pass the obsession on to future generations, who would also love some more intense rides and nightlife geared towards an older crowd. A family place should have something that meets the needs of ALL members of the family.

I think Disney does a pretty good job of this, but it would be nice to see some nightlife.

Every time I've been to WDW since I was 21 I've gone to PI or Atlantic Dance Hall to dance and grab a drink. The 20-30 year olds are the next mom and dad bringing their kids. Can't lose them to USO.

 

[YoungNY]

As a guest, I agree with you 110%. I just don't know that there's a realistic way to put that "filter" in place to keep that kind of scene from degenerating.

How about your key to the world is your key to the club? No cover charge, just show your room key.

 

[Tim_4]

Every time I've been to WDW since I was 21 I've gone to PI or Atlantic Dance Hall to dance and grab a drink. The 20-30 year olds are the next mom and dad bringing their kids. Can't lose them to USO.

These 20-somethings

aren't the same as these 20-somethings.

The latter are not "the next mom and dad bringing their kids."

 

[I_heart_Tigger]

These 20-somethings

aren't the same as these 20-somethings.

The latter are not "the next mom and dad bringing their kids."

Why aren't they? My parents house was party central before they had kids. Actually there were a few parties after they had kids, too...I seem to recall a few Sunday's being "quiet day" where we played downstairs and my parents spent half the day in bed.

My group of friends went on booze cruises, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Carnival in Brazil and frequented bars enough downtown that we had standing reservations for 18 saturdays in a row downtown. Now they have settled down and they take their kids to Disney World.

The couples in both photos are absolutely the next mom and dad bringing their kids. You know, Moms and Dads had social lives before kids came along....some that their kids probably don't want (or need) to know about.

 

[Tim_4]

Why aren't they? My parents house was party central before they had kids. Actually there were a few parties after they had kids, too...I seem to recall a few Sunday's being "quiet day" where we played downstairs and my parents spent half the day in bed.

My group of friends went on booze cruises, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Carnival in Brazil and frequented bars enough downtown that we had standing reservations for 18 saturdays in a row downtown. Now they have settled down and they take their kids to Disney World.

The couples in both photos are absolutely the next mom and dad bringing their kids. You know, Moms and Dads had social lives before kids came along....some that their kids probably don't want (or need) to know about.

I bolded that sentence because it kind of made my point. I'm not dumping on people who like to party or drink or whatever else. But, as you said, WDW is the place people bring their kids "after they have settled down" (paraphrasing your words).

If their kids "don't want (or need) to know about" mom and dad's party past, then other people's kids don't need to be exposed to it when they're at Walt Disney World.

Again, this isn't necessarily MY personal opinion. I'm saying that Disney executives take the "beer bong crowd" into account when they make decisions about offerings like Pleasure Island and how that crowd will impact the target family-of-four guests.

(This thread is going to devolve into either A) Why there should be alcohol at MK, B) Why there shouldn't be alcohol anywhere on property, or C) Another Pleasure Island thread. My apologies.)

 

[Californian Elitist]

We have the Mad T Party out here at DCA, and it's definitely got that nightclub, edgy look and feel. There's even a rock band that plays and liquor is sold. The music is up to date for the most part, with a few classic songs played. The band also plays songs not only current but classic ones from bands like Queen. It attracts teens for the most part but there are families with small children there. This isn't the first time DCA has hosted something like this; everyone knows about ElecTRONica and Glow Fest. Not to mention the talks and plans of the third gate at Disneyland being Marvel themed. Maybe the nightclub scene is shunned in Orlando but it's encouraged here in Anaheim.

 

[Tim_4]

We have the Mad T Party out here at DCA, and it's definitely got that nightclub, edgy look and feel. There's even a rock band that plays and liquor is sold. The music is up to date for the most part, with a few classic songs played. The band also plays songs not only current but classic ones from bands like Queen. It attracts teens for the most part but there are families with small children there. This isn't the first time DCA has hosted something like this; everyone knows about ElecTRONica and Glow Fest. Not to mention the talks and plans of the third gate at Disneyland being Marvel themed. Maybe the nightclub scene is shunned in Orlando but it's encouraged here in Anaheim.

So the Mat T Party is actually legit? I haven't experienced it yet but I always imagined it was basically Club 626.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Teenagers are a lousy demographic to cater towards not because of attitudes or issues of guest comfort, but because, in general, they have no money to spend. That was he folly of Six Flags. They kept making it easier and easier to get in to attract people, not realizing that they still were hardly spending even after almost getting in for free.

Please Island was not at all aimed at an "undesirable" population. It was aimed at adults with no or older children. It was also very much aimed at the large convention business that continues to chug along at Walt Disney World. Thousands of adults charging up drinks on an expense account.

Being family friendly is very different than making small children your primary demographic. Families comes in all shapes and sizes. The family with "DD" 3 and "DS" 4 does eventually become the family with two preteens, then two teenagers, then two twenty somethings. Being family friendly does not mean alienating those traveling without small children. Walt Disney often referenced his daughters as inspiration for Disneyland and they were grown by the time Disneyland actually opened.

 

[Californian Elitist]

So the Mat T Party is actually legit? I haven't experienced it yet but I always imagined it was basically Club 626.

Oh yes indeed. Complete with dancing, music, arcade games, liquor and teens. And some performers. Some people call it a rave but it's nothing to the California raves I've seen. I'm actually surprised WDW doesn't have something like it.
Here's a video of the Mad T Party, soft opening:

 

[emcclay]

Maybe I am a lame 23 year-old. But, I could not see myself going out every night after a day in the parks. Jellyrolls is super fun, and you can usually score a ride back to your hotel from the lovely bus drivers.

Anyways, my parents had not been to WDW until I took them last October. I'm sure TDO cares about my demographic- a family. People are going to continue to visit for as long as WDW is open. We only represent a small percentage of visitors on these boards, don't forget

 

[Walt Disney1955]

It isn't that Disney doesn't want the 15-25 year olds. Its just that they sort of have to pick and choose. Look, I know people have complained on here about the commercials and the marketing and how it doesn't attract the teens. Yeah, that's why Disney is the most succesful park in the world. They target you when you're young. Castles, characters, Mickey, Snow White, etc. Kids see the commercial and then go running to their parents begging to go. One of two things happens. The parents went when they were young for the same reasons and they want to take their children...............or they've never gone, want to go for the "kids" and secretly enjoy the place just as much if not more.

Then you lather, rinse and repeat and those kids grow up and so on and so forth.

Disney is smart enough to know they can't compete with the Kardashians and the Justin Biebers of the world since teens are dumb enough to focus on that stuff. But they'll nail the kids down and the parents and everything will multiply from that including those kids turning into teenagers.

 

[DisDadEddie]

I wouldn't want Disney to have giant coasters, they just don't fit the parks. I can't stand Six Flags and parks like it, I enjoy the atmosphere Disney provides.

 

[doctornick]

My idea would be to open a nightclub in DTD that's exclusively for guests staying at a Disney resort who are 21 and over. It might keep some of those "unwanted" out, but entice 20-30 somethings to come to Disney. I'll admit, I'm 27 and while Im not a big nightclub kind of girl, while I'm on vacation Id love to have a place I could go to hang out and grab a drink and/or dance and meet other people my age. That's what Disney is lacking for the 20-30 somethings crowd. It'd be great to drink knowing you have free transportation back to you hotel, as of now if you want to experience some nightlife, you have to rent a car and head over to City Walk.

Serious question, but is City Walk really that different from DTD? I mean, the West Side might be smaller in scale than City Walk, but even without PI I would think you could get the experience you are describing here at DTD (or the Boardwalk).

I'm just asking, as I've never spend a whole lot of time "hanging out" at any of DTD/Boardwalk/City Walk even though I've visited each.

 

[chrissyw14]

I agree with this, I'd imagine they wouldn't want to attract the same crowd that goes to six flags for meaningless thrill rides- don't get me wrong I love roller coasters but after a while it gets old, Disney presents attractions

Don't you love how six flags painted a couple rides purple and presents them as whole new rides??

 

[wdwmomof3]

Bingo.

From a Disney Institute course I took, Disney has a declared company purpose, which is

"We create happiness by providing the finest in entertainment for people of all ages, everywhere"

And this is why we continue to go to Disney year after year. While my kids enjoy the big thrill rides, they love Disney more for the over all feel of the parks and resorts. We would take that over a park filled with thrill rides any day.