Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
This is incorrect…but has been an oft tossed about excuse for 5-10 years
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WSJ: Even Disney Is Worried About The High Cost Of A Disney Vacation (gift link)
- Thread starter lentesta
- Start date
Stripes
Premium Member
Uhh…if it’s been used as a so-called “excuse” for 10 years, what does that tell you?
Jrb1979
Well-Known Member
Some weeks they are higher but for the most part it's similar prices to last summer.
Regardless of that, it's obvious that Epic isn't rising all boats like Disney thought it would.
Stripes
Premium Member
Disney’s CFO is on the record saying that they projected Epic would have a small negative impact on WDW. Contrary to fan speculation, Disney isn’t counting on Epic increasing WDW attendance.
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Jrb1979
Well-Known Member
Disney hotel rates are the lowest since COVID. That's not a small negative impact.
Jrb1979
Well-Known Member
It's shocking really to see prices this low and this much availability a month after a new park opens in the area. It's Disney too.
Stripes
Premium Member
1) That’s great news for guests, if true.
2) If the lower prices attract more guests than would come otherwise, it offsets the lost revenue from potentially lower per room guest spending.
3) Even though room rates may be lower, it doesn’t necessarily mean per room guest spending will be impacted as much as some families will spend more on other things.
In the end, these combine to create a small impact to WDW’s financial performance. Meanwhile, the rest of the Experiences business is chugging along quite well.
Laketravis
Well-Known Member
But we aren't supposed to be talking about Universal in a price comparison, right?
Laketravis
Well-Known Member
Regardless, for what I enjoy doing WDW has become more expensive while alternative options are less expensive.
I honestly wish that weren't the case, but it is.
Chi84
Premium Member
If less expensive makes more sense for you, I would go for it with no regrets.
flynnibus
Premium Member
You are supposed to be using intelligence to stay on topic — but keep playing coy… just shows your true colors
Jrb1979
Well-Known Member
Shocker that they are going to raise prices on that too. At this point it's hilarious seeing their thinking. They are having issues filling rooms for the summer and looking like a slower summer than normal. The only answer they have is raise prices.
Disstevefan1
Well-Known Member
Attendance will continue to drop. The only thing they can do is increase prices to compensate. Disney knows there is still brand loyalty and they will use it as there is no alternative.
This is pure speculation on my part, but I think the attendance they are losing are the long time guests that see the changes over time and don’t like what they see, or are now, after many years, priced out. They don’t want or need these guests.
Disney knows there are plenty of first timers; new guests who don’t know any better along with more recent return guests who are far from being priced out. It’s these guests that will keep Disneyparks alive and well, no matter the costs or offerings.
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Disney Analyst
Well-Known Member
I’ve searched a bit, and based on 2019 numbers, Canadians makeup around 18% of international tourism to Orlando. The largest international demographic.
Based on a 25% reduction, I asked GPT, and this is what it came up with:
“If 25% of Canadian visitors stopped traveling to the U.S., it would likely have a noticeable impact on Orlando”s tourism industry. Let’s break it down:
1. Canadian Tourism in Orlando
In 2019, 1.22 million Canadians visited Orlando.
If 25% of them stopped coming, that’s about 305,000 fewer Canadian tourists per year.
2. Financial Impact
Canadians spend an average of $1,600 per trip to Florida (including flights, hotels, park tickets, dining, and shopping).
A 25% drop in visitors would result in about $488 million in lost tourism revenue annually.
3. Effect on Disney & Other Attractions
Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and other theme parks rely heavily on international visitors.
A drop of 305,000 visitors might not drastically affect Disney’s total annual attendance (which is in the tens of millions), but it could impact hotels, restaurants, and smaller attractions that depend more on foreign travelers.
4. Broader Economic Impact
The hospitality and tourism sectors (hotels, rental cars, restaurants) would feel the biggest hit.
Orlando’s economy is deeply tied to tourism, fewer visitors mean potential job losses in service industries.
Conclusion
While Disney and Universal wouldn’t collapse, Orlando’s economy (especially smaller businesses) would definitely feel the loss. A major Canadian travel boycott would also send a strong message, as Canada is Florida’s #1 international tourism market.”
Jrb1979
Well-Known Member
I hope that this boycott lasts awhile. Maybe then they will get the message that nickel and diming and pricing people out is the answer.
Agent H
Well-Known Member
Oh I think they already learned that
Jrb1979
Well-Known Member
Have they? They continue to do it and look at this summer. It's the lowest hotel rates since COVID. This is with a major new theme park opening. People are staying away.
Disney Analyst
Well-Known Member
"Regarding Epic, we did model that into our expectations for the Experiences outlook. As mentioned earlier, the early bookings that we have next summer are actually positive, so that’s certainly a positive indicator. We also looked at the history of other attractions and other parks opening up in Florida, and it’s been beneficial for us. That is very much captured in the guide we provided." - Hugh Johnston, Disney CFO, December 2024