Will Everest hurt MGM?

[speck76]

So Everest will open in 2006, and by then, if all things continue as they are going now, the parks should be in pretty good shape. Not only in good shape due to the current wave of expansion and refurbishment, but also in good shape in terms of visitors. Not only are crowds already on the increase, but with the new attractions opening, the "Happiest Celebration on Earth" starting in May 2005, and finally the improving economy, the parks should be seeing better attendance in the upcoming few years.

My thought though is this...with all of the expansion going on, MGM is only getting an attraction which could be viewed by the general public as "just another show". With that being said, MGM has always been more of a teen-oriented park, with probably 2 of the more thrilling rides at WDW.

With DAK opening what would be viewed as a "cool looking roller-coaster", I think many guests that would have gone to MGM would visit DAK instead. Remember, when DAK opened, it took major attendance from both Epcot and MGM. Epcot has recently added Mission Space, and is adding Soarin, both which will get the general public's attention more so than the new show at MGM......this is why I feel the park might get "left behind".

any thoughts?

 

[dxwwf3]

You make some good points, but it's hard for me to see MGM seeing any type of major attendence reduction. They still have one of the best attractions in Orlando (Tower of Terror) and probably the best nighttime show in Fantasmic!

But MGM is alot more than just a teen park. Acutally I would say it's the most complete park in all of WDW. But that's just my opinion. Maybe MGM would take a little hit, but there are still alot of popular attractions there.

Actually with all these new additions, I don't see how you could skip any of the parks. Good to see all of these improvements coming.

 

[Lynx04]

Well here is a few thoughts to throw in real quick. One of the rumors out there point at the Indy stunt show being replaced once the LMA opens up in 2005 and a new attraction will sit in its place. I think that rumor makes a lot a sense, being that it is just a rumor that is. If you look at satelite maps of MGM it seems to me that the only real direction to expand is out towards the parking lot by the Indy stunt show. Like you said the new stunt show is just a stunt show. While they are cool I don't think that they are a real crowd puller.

My conspiracy theroy is that MGM wanted to add a new big attraction. After looking at all the concepts to add the one they wanted to add could only go where the Indy stunt show is now. The stunt show, being a high capacity attraction in a small park with long lines at other major attractions, would have been a headache if it was demolished and construction was being done on a new attraction. After all the idea is to add an attraction to help reduce the lines at other major attractions while boosting attendencs. So they came up with the idea to construct a new stunt show to replace the Indy show so there won't be one less attraction. Also, the stunt show being new is marketable and will attract people to come and visit it, specially park regulars. Then once the new show is up and running, they will remove the old stunt show for a new attraction.

So, back to the question, I don't think MGM is being left out, just think that there is an expansion in place which is taking longer then 5 years to complete because of the space available in MGM. Than of course I could be completely wrong, after all this is only my theory.

 

[speck76]

I agree....it is great to see all of the new construction, it does seem like MGM is getting the short end of the stick with the expansion, and, since most guests seem to only visit 3 parks during their stay, I think MGM has the most to lose.

 

[dxwwf3]

I agree....it is great to see all of the new construction, it does seem like MGM is getting the short end of the stick with the expansion, and, since most guests seem to only visit 3 parks during their stay, I think MGM has the most to lose.

That certainly makes sense. I just think that alot of the people that don't visit all that often still might not have seen Fantasmic or Rock N Roller Coaster. And any park that has an attraction the caliber of ToT is always going to pack them in. If people still do their homework, they will still probably leave out the AK if they only have 3 days. Sure Everest might end up being one of the best attractions in "The World", but I still think that if you have limited time, you have to skip AK over MGM or Epcot.

 

[CaptainMichael]

A very nice, brain-stimulating thread. With that being said, it can be perceived that the Disney Studios is getting the short end of the stick, but for the past ten years, it has gotten the two most thrilling attractions in all of Walt Disney World. The other parks are finally getting "caught up." I agree with Lynx's theory about the stunt shows. The Disney Studios has something great in its future

 

[speck76]

I think something else to consider is that DAK has never had great attendance....that is, never the attendance of MGM or Epcot. This being the case, that would mean there are a lot of people that have never been to DAK, possibly on a trip in the last few years, skipped it due to its limited selection of attractions. Perhaps with the addition of Everest, these guests would choose to skip it, since they went to MGM on the last trip.

 

[dxwwf3]

I think something else to consider is that DAK has never had great attendance....that is, never the attendance of MGM or Epcot. This being the case, that would mean there are a lot of people that have never been to DAK, possibly on a trip in the last few years, skipped it due to its limited selection of attractions. Perhaps with the addition of Everest, these guests would choose to skip it, since they went to MGM on the last trip.

Excellent point. That right there could be something I totally forgot about. People waiting for that first real big addition to the park. Sure Kali was added later, but it was still open fairly soon after the park opening. And Everest should be ALOT bigger of an attraction.

I STILL don't seeing MGM being hurt that much because I think the park is still loaded. Maybe the biggest effect on attendence EE will have is that it makes people spend another day on Disney property (maybe cut out Sea World or Universal). Or it might just make them extend their vacation one day, no matter if they were going off property or not.

 

[Lynx04]

I think even with the addition of EE, AK is still a half day park. You can visit both MGM and AK in the same day and hit the major attractions. That being if it is not their busy season of course.

 

[speck76]

Now DAK just needs a night show.......Noah's Ark anyone?

 

[dxwwf3]

Now DAK just needs a night show.......Noah's Ark anyone?

I would be happy with just being able to be in the park at night :lol:

Seriously I would absolutely love to just walk around the park at night. That is usually my favorite time in the parks anyways. It would be great to see the Tree of Life with the lights. It would also be awesome to see Kali then. I can dream can't I?

 

[speck76]

With the addition of Everest, the park is headed in that direction. Everest itself could add 1-2 hours to the average guest's stay (due to the line and whatnot), which, if the park did not clear out by 4:15 everyday, they may choose to keep it open longer.

I think, with some shore modifications, the Noah's Ark show that Andrew Lloyd Webber scored for the "Disney Decade" would fit nicely into the lake in the middle of DAK, and would also give people a reason to stay later.

 

[dxwwf3]

With the addition of Everest, the park is headed in that direction. Everest itself could add 1-2 hours to the average guest's stay (due to the line and whatnot), which, if the park did not clear out by 4:15 everyday, they may choose to keep it open longer.

I think, with some shore modifications, the Noah's Ark show that Andrew Lloyd Webber scored for the "Disney Decade" would fit nicely into the lake in the middle of DAK, and would also give people a reason to stay later.

In the PC world we live in, do you think that Disney could get away with having a Noah's Ark show? Some people will complain about anything and everything and Disney had to try and please everyone. The show might not have the smallest about religious material in it, but it might not matter to some.

Hey I'd love to see it though. And hopefully you are right about the park HOPEFULLY going in the direction of staying open later. I'll be more excited about that first night in the AK than I would for most new attractions.

 

[speck76]

In the PC world we live in, do you think that Disney could get away with having a Noah's Ark show? Some people will complain about anything and everything and Disney had to try and please everyone. The show might not have the smallest about religious material in it, but it might not matter to some.

Hey I'd love to see it though. And hopefully you are right about the park HOPEFULLY going in the direction of staying open later. I'll be more excited about that first night in the AK than I would for most new attractions.

It is possible, but they included a Noah's Ark segment in Fantastia 2000....so, who knows.

I also think PC is fallling out of favor with most people, and, if anything, WDC has always been accused by religious groups of being too anti-their values.

 

[CaptainMichael]

Could anyone elaborate more on this Noah's Arc show?

 

[speck76]

Could anyone elaborate more on this Noah's Arc show?

Noah's Arc was a show that was to play on Crescent Lake (The lake at the high-end Epcot Resorts view). The score was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and featured large floating stages, which were to be lighted. The show was written, then shelved. WDC also had ALW write a horse show, EQ, that has also never seen the light of day.

 

[GenerationX]

To answer the question of whether or not Everest will affect the Studios, I will look at it from the perspective of four different visitors:

1. WDW First Timer. Does some research to see what is of most interest to them. Everest provides another compelling reason to go to DAK, the Studios already has many attractions warranting a stop there. End result: Non-thrill seekers hit all four parks (as they would before), thrill seekers now think twice before skipping DAK.

2. WDW Occasional Visitor. This visitor hits the world every five years or so. If they're staying on property, they probably hit all four parks. If they're not and with nothing (on a grand scale) new at the Studios, they may opt for DAK over the Studios.

3. WDW Regular Visitor. This visitor knows the ins and outs of WDW and has established favorites and routines. If really pressed for time, this visitor may hit DAK and skip the Studios. However, most likely this visitor hits all four parks.

4. WDW Local. Locals have the freedom to come and go as they please (lucky them!) Those that are thrill-seekers will probably find themselves picking DAK over the Studios more than before. Others probably won't see a major change to their touring habits.

Final analysis: I believe attendance at all of WDW will rise over the next couple of years. I also believe there are plausible arguments for Everest cutting into the Studios' attendance. Therefore, I expect to see both DAK's and the Studios' attendance increase over the coming years, but for DAK's bump to be of a higher percentage.

 

[cherrynegra]

Well, maybe it's time to start a whole new "What should go in the space occupied by the Indy stunt show" thread. But I agree with you Brad. MGM has so much potential there. Definitely a diamond in the rough.

However, I'm sure that the powers that be, the bean counters, would say that MGM can coast on the attractions she has with the new added stunt show, and that will keep people coming through the turnstiles for the forseeable future.

 

[speck76]

To answer the question of whether or not Everest will affect the Studios, I will look at it from the perspective of four different visitors:

1. WDW First Timer. Does some research to see what is of most interest to them. Everest provides another compelling reason to go to DAK, the Studios already has many attractions warranting a stop there. End result: Non-thrill seekers hit all four parks (as they would before), thrill seekers now think twice before skipping DAK.

2. WDW Occasional Visitor. This visitor hits the world every five years or so. If they're staying on property, they probably hit all four parks. If they're not and with nothing (on a grand scale) new at the Studios, they may opt for DAK over the Studios.

3. WDW Regular Visitor. This visitor knows the ins and outs of WDW and has established favorites and routines. If really pressed for time, this visitor may hit DAK and skip the Studios. However, most likely this visitor hits all four parks.

4. WDW Local. Locals have the freedom to come and go as they please (lucky them!) Those that are thrill-seekers will probably find themselves picking DAK over the Studios more than before. Others probably won't see a major change to their touring habits.

Final analysis: I believe attendance at all of WDW will rise over the next couple of years. I also believe there are plausible arguments for Everest cutting into the Studios' attendance. Therefore, I expect to see both DAK's and the Studios' attendance increase over the coming years, but for DAK's bump to be of a higher percentage.

You make some good points, but historical attendance numbers flaw your logic. Most guests do not visit all 4 parks, for one reason or another. (The average length of stay in Orlando is about 3.3 nights).

I think all parks will see higher attendance than they see now, but when all is said and done, MGM may be #4, the position held by DAK since it opened.

 

[Tinkerbell1220]

As to the question of whether or not Everest hurts mgm I doubt it, The studios is indeed the most complete park at WDW behind the Magic Kingdom and is 2nd in attendance. As to whether or not the park could expand more it is extremely unlikely. The parking lot at MGM is, I believe the smallest of all 4 parks, and they dont really have a lot of area to move out to. Most of the backlot area that was used for cast parking is gone thanks to Motor! If any change is to happen it will be most likely replacing current shows and attractions, Hopefully the Great Muppet Movie Ride becomes a reality and I cant imagine a better place for it then taking up the Sounds Dangerous show and the huge Superstar TV theater. What could be better than having your big E ride attraction next to a parody of your big E ride attraction!