WDW Surveys Guests: Gambling!

[Merlin]

On my visit to Vegas I saw many families...the market is there...it just hasn't been tapped correctly. Each resort has many activities aimed at children and young adults...just not enough. If Disney were to build a resort with a moderate sized themepark with actual good, innovative ride, ala Disney...then perhaps the concept would work...

Perhaps this survey question has nothing to do with WDW, or DL, rather the true purpose is to see how Disney guest and fans feel about gambling and Disney. Maybe the powers that be at Disney are looking into other ventures the company may pursue directly dealing with gambling, away from the resort areas...

I travel to Vegas twice a month for my job. In addition, my wife and I make several visits for pleasure throughout the year. I'm not trying to discredit what you personally assessed to be the case on your visit, but I'm basing my points on the facts, not simply on seeing a few families walking through the hotel on my one visit. And I can tell you that if you were to suggest your "family" idea to anyone employed by a casino in Vegas, you would likely see an emotional reaction. Trust me when I say it is a hot button for businesses there. Do an Internet search and you will probably find tons of articles on how Vegas regrets ever targeting families as a market. It was an economic disaster for the city. Now they are trying to recover from it (hence the "what happens here, stays here" advertising) and re-establish themselves as an adult playground. If Disney were to ever build a hotel/casino in Vegas, the smart thing to do would be to not associate it with the Disney brand.

 

[Captain Hank]

I was thinking the same thing although she hasn't been around a lot lately.

I sent her a PM about this thread, so whenever she comes back she'll be sure to read it.

 

[Shaman]

I travel to Vegas twice a month for my job. In addition, my wife and I make several visits for pleasure throughout the year. I'm not trying to discredit what you personally assessed to be the case on your visit, but I'm basing my points on the facts, not simply on seeing a few families walking through the hotel on my one visit. And I can tell you that if you were to suggest your "family" idea to anyone employed by a casino in Vegas, you would likely see an emotional reaction. Trust me when I say it is a hot button for businesses there. Do an Internet search and you will probably find tons of articles on how Vegas regrets ever targeting families as a market. It was an economic disaster for the city. Now they are trying to recover from it (hence the "what happens here, stays here" advertising) and re-establish themselves as an adult playground. If Disney were to ever build a hotel/casino in Vegas, the smart thing to do would be to not associate it with the Disney brand.

I don't doubt what you're saying, in any way...

I guess what I've been trying to say, is that all because it didn't work doesn't mean it wasn't the route to go...perhaps they went about it the wrong way...I'm not too familiar with the issue so I can't say....While families may not be the target of the new Vegas...there are still some that travel to Vegas for a family vacation...it may be the exception to the rule, but it still happens.

But I digress, Vegas isn't the primary topic of this discussion...but it sure is an example of what WDW should not become.

 

[Shaman]

Again, you are making the assumption that everyone that visits WDW has children, which is not true.

Young and Old?.....what is young....2? 12? 22?....what is old...20? 40? 60?

Why should WDW continue to lose visitors to Vegas, when they could easlity target that market.

How many people like to play casino games, but maybe only for a short period of time? Wouldn't this be perfect, that chance to have a Disney vacation and still go to a casino.

Exactly.

I think Pleasure Island is one of the ideal places for a casino(s)...hike up the prices for PI tickets...plus all the money people would spend at the casino(s)...and that equals a lot of $$ for Disney...money which could be put to good use...

 

[Merlin]

I don't doubt what you're saying, in any way...

I guess what I've been trying to say, is that all because it didn't work doesn't mean it wasn't the route to go...perhaps they went about it the wrong way...I'm not too familiar with the issue so I can't say....While families may not be the target of the new Vegas...there are still some that travel to Vegas for a family vacation...it may be the exception to the rule, but it still happens.

But I digress, Vegas isn't the primary topic of this discussion...but it sure is an example of what WDW should not become.

I agree that it is the exception to the rule. And that is my point. You don't market to the "exception to the rule" demographic. It's just not smart business. Also, I'm sure that if Disney were to build a themed hotel/casino in Vegas, it would probably blow everything else away. But it would not be smart thinking on their part. It's kind of like the first rule of real estate...."location, location, location". It wouldn't matter how awesome the Disney themed resort would be. People would be turned off by the Vegas image. The only way to transform Vegas into a family destination would be to get rid of Vegas' already successful main draw. And then what would be the point?

 

[SirNim]

Again, you are making the assumption that everyone that visits WDW has children, which is not true.

No, I'm merely saying that if an adult goes to Disney without children, they are obviously going for reasons other than to gamble. If an adult sans children wants to go to Disney, the reasons are probably sentimental in nature, or based on the good fun Disney offers. To put it simply, a gaming facility is NOT going to draw additional Guests. Gaming draws guests in Vegas, not Disney. People who go to Disney have entirely different reasons for going.

Setting up a gambling facility would only serve to further compound people's perception that Disney is a money-hungry, greedy, extortionary corporation.

 

[kennyj29]

Parenting should be done whether there is a casino or not. I don't find that statement funny at all as I have two grown children who turned out darn good!!! Why, if gambling is fine, didn't Disney put casino's on the cruise ships? I stated that I go to Atlantic City all the time, I have no problem with gambling but why put it in the heads of little ones at such early ages? If you want to gamble, go to a place that has gambling, Disney wasn't built for that and if you think Walt would like that idea, I have a very hard time believing that! I still go to Disney with my Adult kids. Right now we are all adults but I don't need Casino's to find something to do there. It was stated that it hasn't worked in Vegas combining Family vacations with gambling. I don't think it would work here either. And as always, that's just my own opinion!~

 

[Shaman]

Parenting should be done whether there is a casino or not. I don't find that statement funny at all as I have two grown children who turned out darn good!!! Why, if gambling is fine, didn't Disney put casino's on the cruise ships? I stated that I go to Atlantic City all the time, I have no problem with gambling but why put it in the heads of little ones at such early ages? If you want to gamble, go to a place that has gambling, Disney wasn't built for that and if you think Walt would like that idea, I have a very hard time believing that! I still go to Disney with my Adult kids. Right now we are all adults but I don't need Casino's to find something to do there. It was stated that it hasn't worked in Vegas combining Family vacations with gambling. I don't think it would work here either. And as always, that's just my own opinion!~

I respectfully disagree I think Disney should have a little bit for everybody...for this reason I think a casino(s) in PI would be a nice compromise, as I have already stated...kids wouldn't be exposed to that type of atmosphere and people who want to gamble the night away can have a good time too...the best plus is that the atmosphere of the parks and resorts as a whole would stay the same. Its win win I think...

 

[PurpleDragon]

However this in kind of a moot point. Casino style gambling is illegal in FL except for Indian reservations.

Well this may not be true at the rate they are going.

The state just voted week before last, on legalizing slot machines in the state of Florida, and it passed. However there are commities looking to sue because they don't like the outcome, claiming that it was so many thousand absentee ballots that tipped the scales, but from what I have heard it has already passed.

This is already in addition to the multiple dog tracks, horse tracks, Jai-Ali, state lottery, and gambling cruises they already have in the state. So don't be surprised if they legalize casino gambling it the next few years.

 

[speck76]

No, I'm merely saying that if an adult goes to Disney without children, they are obviously going for reasons other than to gamble. If an adult sans children wants to go to Disney, the reasons are probably sentimental in nature, or based on the good fun Disney offers. To put it simply, a gaming facility is NOT going to draw additional Guests. Gaming draws guests in Vegas, not Disney. People who go to Disney have entirely different reasons for going.

Setting up a gambling facility would only serve to further compound people's perception that Disney is a money-hungry, greedy, extortionary corporation.

Casinos would further broaden the appeal of the WDW resort, it would enable them to capture a large amount of people. While people don't visit now looking for a casino, they may visit more often if a casino was offered, instead of taking a trip to Vegas, Biloxi, or Atlantic City. Also, a great number of people take the day cruise casino boats in Port Canaveral, but if WDW offered the casino, this money would be spent on property, instead of 40 miles away.

Done properly, there is no drawback to opening casinos at WDW. I know the religious freaks like to lay claim to things like drugs and prostitution always following on the heals of a casino, but these claims have never been proven. Done properly, casinos could be built, and have no impact on current operations. A casino hall on the Empress Lilly would not hurt the overall effect of Downtown Disney. It would be confined, and would have limited access. A casino hall built at the Boardwalk (like replacing the Atlantic Dance hall) would have no negative impact on the Boardwalk.

 

[Shaman]

You don't market to the "exception to the rule" demographic. It's just not smart business.

Perhaps...

But if lets say Walt Disney would have followed what you're saying, then maybe Disneyland would never have come to be built...maybe themeparks would never have reached the popularity they have now in the US and the world.

A successful business sometimes creates the market too.

 

[FigmentJedi]

Well, this is a really bad idea. If done, then I fear that little lantern will go out...

 

[speck76]

Well, this is a really bad idea. If done, then I fear that little lantern will go out...

yes....and then the earth will stop spinning, the ice caps will melt, and Florida will sink

 

[Computer Magic]

drugs and prostitution always following on the heals of a casino, but these claims have never been proven.

But has it been disproven?

A casino hall on the Empress Lilly would not hurt the overall effect of Downtown Disney. It would be confined, and would have limited access. A casino hall built at the Boardwalk (like replacing the Atlantic Dance hall) would have no negative impact on the Boardwalk.

I think it would need to be a little more confined then that. I would not want to walk past it at Boardwalk if that is where I choose to stay. maybe somewhere in PI. or again another resort on property. Don't mix the two.

Casino Boats are legal in my state off Lake MI. I know the good things it can do for a city like helped reduce unemployment and the tax helped our schools and improved our streets. I also know some people became addicted to gambling. More security will be needed and I will leave it at that.

 

[speck76]

But has it been disproven?

I think it would need to be a little more confined then that. I would not want to walk past it at Boardwalk if that is where I choose to stay. maybe somewhere in PI. or again another resort on property. Don't mix the two.

Casino Boats are legal in my state off Lake MI. I know the good things it can do for a city like helped reduce unemployment and the tax helped our schools and improved our streets. I also know some people became addicted to gambling. More security will be needed and I will leave it at that.

People can be addicted to gambling whether they have access to a casino or not....just as people can be alcoholics and never visit a bar.

There are ways to keep out the trash.....dress codes and minimum bets are one way. If you make the rules strict enough, you can filter out the undesirables.

And what are you walking past....a building? Are buildings now something we should fear?

 

[Rosso11]

Wow, I have always wondered if Disney would ever add gambling. When I worked at Disney they always stressed that their biggest competitor is Vegas not Universal. Universal only brings more people to the area, but if they go to Vegas they loose out 100%. This is why Disney began to add more elements of Vegas into Disney World such as La Nouba. I think gambling is a great Idea if it is done similar to PI and in my opinion Discover Island is the perfect place for it. Think about it, if it is put on Discover Island you would have to take a boat there and only adults could go. Kids would never see it, and adults could get there gambling experience if that is what they are looking for. In my opinion this would be a hudge blow to Vegas and could help Disney World tremendously.

 

[Computer Magic]

you can filter out the undesirables.

Are buildings now something we should fear?

maybe, depends on what going on in there :lookaroun

What Happens in Disney stays in Disney.

 

[FigmentJedi]

yes....and then the earth will stop spinning, the ice caps will melt, and Florida will sink

No what I meant was that the spirit of Walt would finally leave the company. Gambling is the ultimate way Disney could sell out and the parks become Eisnerland.

 

[Merlin]

Perhaps...

But if lets say Walt Disney would have followed what you're saying, then maybe Disneyland would never have come to be built...maybe themeparks would never have reached the popularity they have now in the US and the world.

A successful business sometimes creates the market too.

So you're suggesting that "done right", Disney can "create a new market" in Vegas? Sorry, but I don't think you're being realistic, unless I'm misunderstanding the point you're making.

When Walt built Disneyland, Anaheim was essentially desert. The land it was on was primarily orange groves. Tourists didn't flock there. Since it was a clean slate, Disney was able to "create a new market". Likewise, the Florida property was essentially swamp land and scrub brush. Again, it was not already established as a tourist destination. Disney once again "created a new market" from that clean slate as well. By contrast, Vegas already has a market that is the main draw. In addition, it happens to be one which is controversial to some...to the extent that families (as a rule, rather than the exception) tend to avoid it. Some avoid it because of religious or moral beliefs and others avoid it because it's not an environment they want their kids exposed to. That same demographic that would be avoiding it (families) is the demographic that Disney targets. Why would that market want to go to a city they find so unappealing just to visit a Disney resort? If the plan is that Disney would make it so spectacular that no one would want to see anything else in Vegas, then what would be the point of putting it in Vegas in the first place? It just doesn't make sense. Am I missing something here in what you're trying to convey?

 

[SirNim]

Well put, Merlin. There are entirely different reasons for someone to, say, go to Disney rather than Vegas, or "vice" versa. I just don't think a gaming facility in Disney is necessary or appropriate. Likewise, the market in Vegas is already tapped, so an extraordinary Disney property there would do nothing but detract from attendance at Disney's other U.S. destinations.