joestein
TUG Member
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I couldn't have said it better myself.
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What Disney really needs to do is to build more high capacity, smaller footprint attractions, to “soak up” some of the extra people. Attendance has grown by 20% over the past 10 years. They’ve freshened things up by replacing and changing attractions, but they haven’t increased total ride capacity anywhere near as much as attendance.
Toy Story Land is a great example. On the surface, it looks like two brand new rides (additional capacity), but only one of those is high capacity (Slinky Dog Dash), the new land takes a TON of space, and they actually closed quite a few things (Back Lot Tour, Lights Motors Action and more) to make room for it. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was actually a net loss in total ride capacity.
I couldn't have said it better myself.
I've often wondered if there would be a way to add more capacity to existing rides. Add a second loop to Buzz, more theatres to Star Tours, etc. While that would cost money without adding any new rides, they are probably to the point where straight up capacity adds would pay off.
Just ran across this conversation in the weekly newsletter. I'm a huge fan of pretty much all things Disney, especially WDW since my first trip twenty years ago. We typically travel as a group of 5 or 6 these days with the kids, so on-site stays are pretty much out of the question for us (we love Wyndham Bonnet Creek). Even so, getting to the parks early to hit the high-demand attractions, taking a break at lunch or visiting the high-capacity rides, and then returning late in the evening is always a good strategy for reducing your chances of spending the day in lines. Typically, if the wait for an attraction is greater than 20 minutes, we won't go on it.
The measuring stick that I use for valuing WDW tickets is our local amusement park. It's about $55 for a day ticket that covers the water park and a few small coasters and other amusement rides. The highest priced day ticket to the Magic Kingdom at WDW is about $138. Considering the quality and quantity of attractions, I consider both of these tickets to be equal in value. And if your WDW trip is multi-day, your cost per day can easily drop to the $60-$70/day range depending on your ticket choices. That makes it a no-brainer for me.
Food for thought about how much worse things could get:
https://www.themeparktourist.com/features/20190113/36516/turning-point-age-paid-fastpass
All they really need to do is keep cashing checks. Attendance and per-guest spending is up.What Disney really needs to do
All they really need to do is keep cashing checks. Attendance and per-guest spending is up.
That is a pro move. Can you still cancel and keep the fast passes?
I do not expect a new gate in Orlando. The average US vacation is already too short to "do everything" at WDW, and is getting shorter. Adding a gate would only cannibalize what they have. Instead, I expect them to continue to follow the current strategy of increasing capacity of existing parks (New Fantasyland and the Tron coaster in MK, new restaurants and Ratatouille clone in EP, Star Wars and Toy Story in DS, and Pandora in AK).Many believe that another stand-alone theme park will be coming down the road
I would have built a espn sports park. Not just the wide world of sports but a sports theme park. Maybe they will. Could attract a different crowd then families with young children.
I have no problem believing that; that's why I qualified that I don't expect a new gate in Orlando. I've been to Shanghai Disneyland; it's a hit, and there is definitely appetite for more in that market, assuming they continue to develop and support a merchant class.Iger stated last year that a new park is inevitable. He indicated China is a good growth market for that.
Wait! Non-expiring tickets will expire in 2030??? I missed that announcement.
(Tried to quote Dee Cee)
It's called Capitalism. When people stop going, prices will come down. Why not raise prices if attendance doesn't go down. No one is forced to go to Disney.