The trendiness of Disney

[Trackmaster]

I think that Disney is going pretty strong. The only threat that it has is really other theme parks popping up around it that steal its thunder, and the regulatory climate that could change and make it harder to operate profitably. But as more theme parks pop up (if they do) it could also help Disney's popularity, as they were there first and the interest in theme parks will be increased.

 

[ppete1975]

With the way the world is now I don't even think a major recession would hurt much. We are a debt based society now, so we will just put it on credit. Before we were a cash based society, if you didn't have it you didn't buy it.
BTW yes I know that's oversimplification, there have been credit cards for 50 years and people took out loans, but people were more fiscally responsible and it wasn't used as frequently as it is now.

 

[jloucks]

This is something I've been thinking about for awhile and wanted to get your thoughts on. Apologies in advance for any errors or typos, I'm writing this on my phone.

Does anybody remember how big Portland, Oregon was a few years back? When I was younger and really into traveling (not that I could actually go anywhere, I was like 13 and poor as dirt.) I remember Portland, Oregon was one of THE places to go to in the US, partly because of the foodies and food tourism thing that was big around that time. Now as far as I know Portland is still a popular place to go, but it's not near as big as it once once. I used to see articles all the time advertising their restaurants, food truck, artists, and unique shops. Now those are a lot more rare. So the point with all of this is- how much of DW's current popularity do you think is just a part of a trend?

In my opinion, I think that a solid bit of the current Disney Mania a lot of people seem to be feeling is a trend. It was popular before it, it will certainly be a popular place after it, but a lot of people are xoming to DW because it's the "it" place to go right now. So a few questions for you guys:
1. Do you think the current popularity of Disney World is just a trend?
2. If so, when do you think the trend will die off? (I'm thinking after SWE opens).
3. What effect do you think DW losing it's mega popularity will have on the parks, other than the obvious smaller crowds?

1) No
2) NA
3) One can hope, but price is the main dictator of demand with WDW, so it is up to them. At least, without a huge global recession.

 

[SteveAZee]

This is something I've been thinking about for awhile and wanted to get your thoughts on. Apologies in advance for any errors or typos, I'm writing this on my phone.

Does anybody remember how big Portland, Oregon was a few years back? When I was younger and really into traveling (not that I could actually go anywhere, I was like 13 and poor as dirt.) I remember Portland, Oregon was one of THE places to go to in the US, partly because of the foodies and food tourism thing that was big around that time. Now as far as I know Portland is still a popular place to go, but it's not near as big as it once once. I used to see articles all the time advertising their restaurants, food truck, artists, and unique shops. Now those are a lot more rare. So the point with all of this is- how much of DW's current popularity do you think is just a part of a trend?

In my opinion, I think that a solid bit of the current Disney Mania a lot of people seem to be feeling is a trend. It was popular before it, it will certainly be a popular place after it, but a lot of people are xoming to DW because it's the "it" place to go right now. So a few questions for you guys:
1. Do you think the current popularity of Disney World is just a trend?
2. If so, when do you think the trend will die off? (I'm thinking after SWE opens).
3. What effect do you think DW losing it's mega popularity will have on the parks, other than the obvious smaller crowds?

I live just outside Portland, and have been here for about 30 years. There's still hype about Portland (and Oregon) regarding food, beer, wine, environmental awareness, eccentricities, etc, but it's also being offset by radically higher home and rental costs along with a major issue with homeless camping out on the streets, in the parks, and just about anywhere they can find space.

The reason I mention it is, other than a recession, it's certainly POSSIBLE people will begin turning away from WDW due to the expense and the crowds (though probably not too many homeless people strewn about). If enough people come back from their vacations warning their friends and neighbors about the sky high prices and overly crowded parks, it may have an affect on things. MAYBE. More likely there will be some equilibrium reached... and we may be close to getting there.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

People have dreamed of going to a Disney park since 1955..............and still do. The Super Bowl MVP to this day is part of the parade at Disney World. That has been happening for, what, 30 years? No, I don't think it is a trend. Trends don't last 6 decades. This isn't Pokémon Go, the Ice Bucket challenge or Man buns (please tell me this is a trend)

 

[cdeev8690]

I think the only visible trend is the influx of Disney fashion lines popping up which I think has a lot to do with Mickey's 90th Celebration. Instagram has also proved that there is a viable market right now Disney fashion in the 18-30 year old age group, especially. You're seeing a lot of brands, like Zara, Vans, Forever 21, Gap, releasing Disney designs and they're doing quite well. I don't think that translates in an influx of Millennials, other than WDW locals, visiting the parks, but I could be wrong.

Disney will always be a popular vacation destination for people of all lifestyles and ages but I wouldn't categorize its popularity as a 'trend'. It's just the other marketing that Disney does for its brand which goes through trend cycles, from movies to fashion to merchandise.

 

[gobstoper27]

This is a tricky one because there are those who know that Disney has always been popular so how on earth can it now be trendy.. I definitely agree that at the moment Disney is trendy. While Disneyworld has been one of the top vacation destinations in the for decades and there are the fans and die-hards that have loved Disney for years, there is a segment who embark on Disney vacations recently because it's the cool place to be. I feel like there was always a perception that Disney was the place that you took your kids. Talking to some of my friends when I was in my twenties,(I'm 32 now) they would laugh at me because of my excitement of going to the World. They'd say; who goes there for vacation, why aren't you going to Cancun..etc and it was kind of dorky (to some). I think with with the ever growing popularity of social media and and all the bloggers and vloggers that have amassed large followings with their daily posts and pictures of random walls, fun treats and different Mickey ears from various etsy shops, that has definitely had some impact on the larger crowds that we've come to expect lately. I know there are other factors to, but I do feel this is one of them. TWDC has definitely taken advantage of Disney being so big on social media lately. I feel like every week there is a new Instagram-able treat (like the Tinkerbell Ice cream treat or the purple potion churro). Even the new special edition color "trends" Rose gold and purple potion to be exact. Then you have the walls; purple, blueberry and bubblegum walls to name a few., To most they were just random wall, a few people posted about it on Instagram, then that exploded and then the cool, must do thing was to get that trendy photo in front of those walls!! We cant forget the Disney fashion trend. Before you'd have your everyday Disney character t-shirts that you could purchase in your local department store. In 2017/2018 Disney fashion has exploded. There are so many new companies as well as smaller Etsy shops that design some of the coolest garments that would not have been considered "trendy 5-10 years ago. An over the top fashion design team (The Blonds) premiered a Disney Villain Inspired runway show at New York Fashion week last September that Disney live streamed. It was over the top and amazing I must say. https://style.disney.com/fashion/2018/09/08/disney-villains-the-blonds-new-york-fashion-week/ Make-up companies, "fast" retail chains like Forever 21 and shoe companies like Vans all hopped on the Disney train in 2018 with huge campaigns. Yes Disney is and has always been very popular and will probably continue to be for the foreseeable future; but with the all-consuming social media habits a lot of us have Disney has just gotten a bit more hip.

 

[Sneezy62]

Trendy generally leads to a bubble. What WDW in particular has been very good at is maximizing those bubbles. They have also, with a few exceptions, been very good at picking up the pieces when the bubble bursts. The thing about a bubble is you never know how big it will get or how long it will last. Same with trendiness. It doesn’t take long for today’s trendy to become yesterday’s embarrassment. Tide pods anyone?

 

[flynnibus]

Portland was a trend?

Disney’s popularity is from marketing....

 

[Damon7777]

it's certainly POSSIBLE people will begin turning away from WDW due to the expense and the crowds

Sure thing "Yogi"







~~~No one goes there nowadays, it’s too crowded.~~~ Yogi Berra