The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[Amused to Death]

The park hasn't been the same since the Brady Bunch left...

I do not recall the King's Dominion episode.

There wasn't one. The Bradys (and the Partridges before them) visited King's Island in Mason, OH. King's Dominion, in Doswell, VA, didn't open until May of 1975, well after The Partridge Family and The Brady Bunch had both been cancelled.

The Partridge Family visited King's Island in "I Left My Heart in Cincinnati," which aired on January 26, 1973. The Brady Bunch episode, titled "The Cincinnati Kids," aired on November 23, 1973.

 

[LondonGopher]

But sooner or later, don't you think the perceived value vs. the actual cost in hard-earned money will tip the balance to the point where people will flock to the Wonderful World of Offsite Accommodations? I know it did for us and we've never looked back.

Yes. Absolutely. And to me this all ties in with Disney's recent-ish decision to gear so many in-park offerings to families with very young children. For many, if kids still need that mid-day break it IS DEFINITELY worth it to stay on property (especially at a monorail/Epcot resort). And when a rogue wave like the Frozen M&G pops up...for more than a few parents the on-property premium is worth it - make that FP+ 60 days in advance and avoid standing in a 3, 4, 6+ hour queue (the horror...the horror).

But when your kids get past a certain age, off-site begins to look like a FAR BETTER option. Rent a villa, book a big suite somewhere - everybody gets their own room for WAY less money. And how many of us have remarked on the modern and VERY REAL phenomenon of kids - especially boys - "aging out" of the offerings at WDW. My kid is 7 and he is mad keen to go back to Florida - to see Harry P and ride the Hulk coaster!

When families with toddlers/pre-schoolers are the target demographic, that can't help but make the on-site hotels LESS TEMPTING to families with older children and the childless. I love my kid, I love kids in general - but if I'm shelling out big money to stay at a Deluxe, I don't want the lobby/lounges/restaurants to look like indoor playgrounds or Kids Eat Free night at Golden Corral....

And I'll refrain from mentioning the stroller armada......oh, sorry.

 

[ScoutN]

Kings Dominion Still has all that beautiful greenery! Sure, some parts of the park are not as nice but here are a few pictures from a trip I took to the Dominion a few weeks ago around international street and the hub area
View attachment 56289 View attachment 56290 View attachment 56291 View attachment 56292

I have to respond to this as a ringleader of KD bashing. They got their funds hacked for park beautification for this season to start stepping their game back up. But they did everything in the pre hacked plans with a much smaller budget and they did it WELL. Their X year plan (I don't know if I can put certain things out there) is pretty outstanding. They have started pulling BGW market share and fully intend on continuing to do so. The turnaround from last year to this year is flat-out UNREAL. They want to step game back up and are turning their wants into reality. Carowinds will be following suit very shortly. If regionals can start pulling their games up then the desire to travel for quality offerings will begin to dwindle even if in a small amount.

 

[ParentsOf4]

This will come off as greedy an really tourqe people off....but..

1. Go modified island strategy. Stay to play.
2. Increase single day non resort stay park ticket to $367/day. You in effect pay for a room.
3. Since non resort stay volume will plummet, existing acreage of day visitor parking can be repourposed for new hotel sites.
4. Eliminate non DVC owner AP programs.

Disney should focus on new strategies to reward 'good behavior' (i.e. staying onsite), not punish 'bad behavior' (i.e. staying offsite).

Disney's Magical Express, Extra Magic Hours, onsite stay ticket discounts, extra FP+ selections, and frequent buyer programs ("stay with us and get your next stay 50% off") are examples of 'good behavior' perks that promote increased sales.

The goal should be to get additional paying customers to willingly fork over more because Disney has added perceived value to staying onsite, not to punish others if they don't.

 

[asianway]

This will come off as greedy an really tourqe people off....but..

1. Go modified island strategy. Stay to play.
2. Increase single day non resort stay park ticket to $367/day. You in effect pay for a room.
3. Since non resort stay volume will plummet, existing acreage of day visitor parking can be repourposed for new hotel sites.
4. Eliminate non DVC owner AP programs.

So long as you price the AP at $2000 to cut down on the lifestyler riff raff I support

 

[Amused to Death]

So long as you price the AP at $2000 to cut down on the lifestyler riff raff I support

Not enough. $25,000 initiation fee plus $10,000 yearly fee. Toss in an exclusive restaurant to go with it.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

Hello all. I know I've been quiet but I've been extremely busy with Diagon. Looking forward to the next project to fight the battle again.

Wow! You edited that one pretty fast. Luckily I caught it before you did Sounds great, can't wait to see what you're...you've talked about!

Thanks for sharing

 

[bhg469]

Disney should focus on new strategies to reward 'good behavior' (i.e. staying onsite), not punish 'bad behavior' (i.e. staying offsite).

Disney's Magical Express, Extra Magic Hours, onsite stay ticket discounts, extra FP+ selections, and frequent buyer programs ("stay with us and get your next stay 50% off") are examples of 'good behavior' perks that promote increased sales.

The goal should be to get additional paying customers to willingly fork over more because Disney has added perceived value to staying onsite, not to punish others if they don't.

Even if I was going to Universal I won gladly stay in disney if the rooms were reasonable, and I would definitely buy multi day passes if it was discounted.

 

[71jason]

But the better question...in fact more what you were probably getting at...is why is it popular HERE? Because its disney. The only media conglomerate that breeds fanboyism in and of the name itself.

I think you're right, but why is that? Not being snarky, or looking for snark--genuinely curious why this brand and not others.

 

[whylightbulb]

Wow! You edited that one pretty fast. Luckily I caught it before you did Sounds great, can't wait to see what you're...you've talked about!

Thanks for sharing

Yes I'm pretty bold about posting while writing it then I get nervous after reading it. I guess that means anyone that is interested in reading my posts need to monitor the boards 24 hours a day 7 days a week

 

[71jason]

May be so, but it certainly seems tacky when nearly every ad is touting a "sale" price. "Now Stay and Play for up to 30% off!" and "Last chance for a 35% off rooms this summer"! certainly doesn't sound like the branding or image of a supposed world-class resort destination.

Have you walked through Emporium or WoD lately? Sales everywhere. All kinds of "two for $X" signage. Discounting is the Disney brand now.

 

[dupac]

Yes I'm pretty bold about posting while writing it then I get nervous after reading it. I guess that means anyone that is interested in reading my posts need to monitor the boards 24 hours a day 7 days a week

The one time I decide to read a book during my lunch break, I miss something good.

 

[71jason]

So long as you price the AP at $2000 to cut down on the lifestyler riff raff I support

You think lifestylers can't afford that? They're called lifestylers because they have no other life but going to Disney.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

Yes I'm pretty bold about posting while writing it then I get nervous after reading it. I guess that means anyone that is interested in reading my posts need to monitor the boards 24 hours a day 7 days a week

But really, I didn't see anything in your original post that would incriminate you specifically regarding what was said. I thought you gave an upfront, honest opinion on what you've seen and what could/should have been.

Regardless, that was some interesting stuff. Is your next assignment in Universal?

 

[asianway]

You think lifestylers can't afford that? They're called lifestylers because they have no other life but going to Disney.

A few could but you would see a fall off at that price. Cap admits at 60 as well

 

[COProgressFan]

Have you walked through Emporium or WoD lately? Sales everywhere. All kinds of "two for $X" signage. Discounting is the Disney brand now.

Sad, isn't it? Certainly does seem like Walt Discount World.

 

[DocMcHulk]

Any truth to the ITM rumor that CMs were told American Idol Experience is closing in 6 months?

 

[justavoice]

Anyone see Nikki Finke article that Iger has made decision on successor between Staggs and Rasulo? Love the descriptions that she gives "Pretty boy and Troll like"

http://nikkifinke.com/ second story down.

 

[doctornick]

Any truth to the ITM rumor that CMs were told American Idol Experience is closing in 6 months?

And does it mean that Star Wars land is actually going to proceed in the near future?

 

[sshindel]

And does it mean that Star Wars land is actually going to proceed in the near future?

Sure. We just have to wait as long as we did for them to use the 20k leagues area. Or Wonders of Life! Maybe DHS needs some good convention space for the Star Wars Weekends / Villians parties.