Will a war effect park attendence?

[jlcbshaw]

Just got to thinking about the possibilty of a war with Iraq and was wondering if we went to war would that effect attendence at WDW?

The news is on and there are more stories about troops moving out?

Anyone go to WDW during the last war with Iraq in 1991? We are planning a trip and we'll still go, war or no war, what about any of you?

 

[Tim G]

Originally posted by jmarc63
well the question was aboput the war with iraq not the terrorisim of sadam or bin ladden. there is a big diffrence ones here and ones not here

It's ALL about Sadam..... That man is war....


But it will be bad for the economy, and will certainly bring
the park attendence down...
but to what point.... that's for all of us to guess...

 

[pheneix]

>>>the burning birdman<<<

Good one...

>>>he may find out that air travel is increasing much quicker than expected and especially to destinations like Orlando<<<

Anyone can publicly release any kind of "expectations" and try to claim that things are getting better. It is true that air travel is recovering, but a shift in travel has already occured. Let's be honest here, how many people are really gonna jump on an airplane unless they ABSOLUTELY have to? How many people here are driving to WDW now instead of flying? The numbers are pretty drastic, as both Disney and Universal were kind of surprised at the number of guests that drove to their parks this holiday season over previous years.

 

[KathyG/poohbear]

Well, I for one did not let 9/11 affect my airplane trips. I did not cancel any of my trips for the year that followed. I took 3 vacation trips and one business and they were all by airplane.

I plan to go to Disney on 2/5, war or no war. I admit there is a little thought in my mind when the plane takes off but I have promised myself to keep on fighting that feeling. I believe statistics show my family is safer on a plane than driving the almost 600 miles on the interstate.

I refuse to succomb to fear. But that is just my 2 cents.

 

[MKCustodial]

Originally posted by happy snapper
Perhaps if he studied news from this side of the water he may find out that air travel is increasing much quicker than expected and especially to destinations like Orlando.

I agree with the Snapper. There's been talk that people down here are starting to head to WDW again. The new president helped push the dollar rates down a bit, and apparently it's been enough (not ideal, but enough). I don't know about the US, but this whole war thing is making gas prices go through the roof. If it breaks out, I know for a fact people'll have to forget their cars if they wanna have any money left by the end of the month, and I'm sure there won't be any people spending on vacations by then... Also, air tickets are likely to go up if gas becomes scarce.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Originally posted by pheneix
>>>the burning birdman<<<

Good one...

>>>he may find out that air travel is increasing much quicker than expected and especially to destinations like Orlando<<<

Anyone can publicly release any kind of "expectations" and try to claim that things are getting better. It is true that air travel is recovering, but a shift in travel has already occured. Let's be honest here, how many people are really gonna jump on an airplane unless they ABSOLUTELY have to? How many people here are driving to WDW now instead of flying? The numbers are pretty drastic, as both Disney and Universal were kind of surprised at the number of guests that drove to their parks this holiday season over previous years.

Ok dobber man perhaps my use of the word has allowed you the chance to spin your doom propaganda. Again I was only passing on passenger rates as published in the UK media, but what does the travel media know compared to your expert knowledge, ( by the way do you know what expert stands for?

Ex---- as in has been
spert-- as in drip under pressure.
Perhaps if you extracted your head from your rear orifice you may have seen that I was trying to make the point that peoples fear is being heightened by sensationalist journalism. or has Uncle Sam just got soft?
Keep up the good fight:animwink:

 

[nascar65]

War or no war my family of 5 are off to the MK the last week in February. Yes we are driving from NJ.
Not because of terror but the price & service of the airlines.
Losing my luggage would be a bigger concern then a Bomb.

We have a habbit of forgetting that the USA is the Most powerful Country in the world & the chance of another 9-11 happening should about the same as Pearl Harbor, in took 50 years or so in between.
The war will start Around the middle of FEB but my only worries are the lines at Disney!
I'm looking foward to seeing the all the attractions during the day & at night the footage of Iraq's & Iran's soldiers surrendering to the News reporters on there hands & knees just like the time before.

Ps..To be perfectly honest...I hope all the chicken little crowds stay home.

:fork:

 

[ToTBellHop]

War does make people spend more. Why? Because it creates jobs, giving people more money, therefore increasing spending in general. As an example, World War II (and not FDR) is what ended The Great Depression, as it created jobs. This, however, will probably not be to that extent--doesn't strike me as a major war effort or anything...kind of along the lines of our "war in Afghanistan", which didn't affect most people at all...they just showed footage on the news every couple days of stuff blowing up and that was supposed to impress us or something...regardless, war is good for economies--don't know how it will help or hurt tourism, but spending, in general, increases.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

Sorry, I decided to delete my post.

 

[KathyG/poohbear]

With all due respect, I will continue to travel. I live near Greensboro, NC near one of the biggest tank farms with tanks full of gas on the east coast. I could just as easily die here as die in a plane or at Disney. I truly believe things like our deaths are not in our hands anyway.

When I travel I will have my small family with me and the important thing is we will be together. I believe that all the pending conflict is even more reason to travel and on my trip I plan to keep the tv off news stations.

I refuse to let the terrorists or any other country take away my freedom and the right to travel and enjoy my life. If I die at Disney at least I died with my family and I was happy in a free America.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

What you say is true. I live near an Army development and research base that is loaded with explosives. I am just a big chicken and I don't begrudge anyone for wanting to go no matter what.

Pam

 

[Woody13]

There are currently 150,000 troops deployed in the Gulf region for a possible attack against Iraq. That number climbs daily and will reach 250,000 within the next several weeks. Those of you that have active duty or reserve military family, friends or co-workers all ready know about these huge deployments. WDW does not have to wait to see a drop in attendance. The attendance drop is occurring right now. When you take 250,000 bread winners out of the total US population (290 million) travel to WDW and all other "destination" sites suffers first. Let's pray for a peaceful solution.

 

[KathyG/poohbear]

Pam, I would never feel badly towards you or anyone. We all have a right to our own opinion (that is what makes our country so great) and to be where we are comfortable if we think there will be a problem. I understand that...totally.

9/11 I was at work near the tank farm and my employer did not want us to leave work....my employer is a major health insurer and wanted work to continue. I wanted to be home so bad that day. I was also near the airport ...but my husband works the same place I do so we make sure my son got home and was with my mom and then we stayed. Things like that are very individual and you have every right to your feelings.

I apologize if I was mean!!! Please forgive me.

 

[niteobsrvr]

This is an interesting topic with a lot of snippets of information. I would suggest however, that before launching predictions and conclusions we all should gather more facts. If you want a true picture of what is going on in the world you have to read all of the news, read between the lines, and then put together the big picture before drawing blanket conclusions.

Will a war hurt attendance at WDW?

Yes, one of the main points Disney made after 9/11 is how it was similar to the Gulf War in effects on the parks.

Will people continue to travel to Disney?

Yes, (supply your own personal reason here).

Will the war affect the price of fuel?

Yes, recently experts have pointed to the price per gallon rising to anywhere between $2.00 per gallon and $5.00 per gallon depending on duration of the conflict and other political situations. Even without war many experts are predicting fuel prices will reach higher this spring/summer than last. THis will put the price of gas in some locations at near $2.00 /gallon without a conflict.

Will people spend more? and is war good for the economy?

The answer is yes to both of these in the short term. Due to increased fuel prices everything the average consumer purchases will be slightly higher in price to reflect hihger transportation costs. As to the second part of the question, War has a positive effect on the economy for a short time. Then as the war machine winds down, so does the influx of this money into the economy. Typically, if my memory serves me correctly, following each major war was a recession while the economy readjusted.

To meet the demands of this unstable political and economic climate, a prudent company would already have begun implementing plans to limit exposure to the tides of the war machine. Disney, I believe is a prudent company these days.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

Originally posted by KathyG/poohbear
Pam, I would never feel badly towards you or anyone. We all have a right to our own opinion (that is what makes our country so great) and to be where we are comfortable if we think there will be a problem. I understand that...totally.

9/11 I was at work near the tank farm and my employer did not want us to leave work....my employer is a major health insurer and wanted work to continue. I wanted to be home so bad that day. I was also near the airport ...but my husband works the same place I do so we make sure my son got home and was with my mom and then we stayed. Things like that are very individual and you have every right to your feelings.

I apologize if I was mean!!! Please forgive me.

Oh no, I didn't think that you were being mean at all! No absolutely not. I would never, ever think that. I deleted my post because I thought that it had too much in it that might scare one of the younger members. I have a little too much insight on "war" and it all scares me a lot. I know what you mean about being with your kids and home on 9/11. I live an hour from the World trade Center site and all I wanted to do was get my kids and my husband and go home where we would feel safe. I apologize for making you think that I thought you were mean.

Pam

 

[Dwarful]

Well, I have a very close loved one that is a Marine & has recently been sent over.

Will this effect our desire and abilitly to go to WDW? I seriously doubt it.

When we went in May of 2002 there were all sorts of "terrorist threats" directly aimed at WDW's water supply. Our television stations were warning people against travel to WDW for fear of germ warfare. This topic was even discussed on this site. People everywhere wondered if anyone would go to Disney. Well, we went, we flew actually because we got such cheap tickets, we drank the water, took showers, brushed our teeth, swam in the pools etc...doing everything every news program, newspaper and magazine had warned against! We didn't sucumb to that threat, but it was just a threat. I am sure if and when an actual war breaks out some people will be forced to cancel travel arrangements or make financial cutbacks.

Still if we are engaged in a war when we are schedueled to travel...travel we will! pump up that economy.

 

[KathyG/poohbear]

Pam, thank God you aren't upset with me. I don't know how to PM or I would.

I can't believe you live in or near my favorite place, next to Disney of course. New York City. My mom and I visited the site of the WTC in August. I didn't feel the way I thought I would. At first I was taken back because it looks so much worse in person and after that emotion I was angry.

You are a very nice person and I hope I have the chance to meet you sometime. You are always helping people and I really admire that Take care of yourself.

 

[nascar65]

Every morning I sit and sipp my coffee looking at the NYC skyline.
Some mornings I still see the WTC before the coffee kicks in..

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

I will be in WDW in May, June and Dec. so far this year. :lol:

I took Mitzer and her husband to the site with my family last May. It gives you such an eerie feeling, doesn't it? Mitzer and I cried. It was so horrible. We didn't see all of the rubble, but the memorials to all of those poor people who lost their lives was just so touching..... The feeling is mutual. You are extremely nice and helpful too. If you wnt to get in touch with me, you can always e-mail me at pam@kingdomkonsultant.com

Pam

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

Originally posted by nascar65
Every morning I sit and sipp my coffee looking at the NYC skyline.
Some mornings I still see the WTC before the coffee kicks in..

My husband is from LI. When we go to visit his family, he always makes a point of reminding the girls where they stood and how empty it looks without them there anymore.

Pam

 

[wannabeBelle]

That is awesome Pam!! Tell your DH that I said so. Coming from a NYC girl that should mean a whole lot!!!! Belle