2017 TEA Theme Park Attendance report

[rteetz]

That's the truth. Unless we see a downturn in the economy.

And even then people will still try to get to Star Wars.

 

[PuppyJonathan]

I know a lot of people were predicting universal studios Florida to overtake one of the Disney parks, surprised and kind of relieved it didn’t happen. That fan site I read that with always makes the boldest predictions...
And damn that animal kingdom increase

 

[rteetz]

Some great graphs and charts from Donsullivan on WDWMagic.

 

[disneyseniors]

I'm Not surprised about Epcot behind HS at all. We have always loved HS and continue to go at least twice while at WDW. It is unique and has a lot to do and see and explore. I guess we have never viewed it as a half day park, while we always view Epcot as a half day park. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I'm Not surprised about Epcot behind HS at all. We have always loved HS and continue to go at least twice while at WDW. It is unique and has a lot to do and see and explore. I guess we have never viewed it as a half day park, while we always view Epcot as a half day park. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

EPCOT is still 1.5m ahead of HS - it is now behind AK

 

[iamfathom]

Pleased to see DLP got a large bump, it's deserved as they have done a great job bringing it back to a great level again. I went about 5 years ago and it was in a sorry state, but we went again last year and it was all like new again. So this hopefully shows the execs that if you look after the park people will come.

 

[hertamaniac]

I do wonder if there will be a mandated attendance cap on SWGE for some period of time that will limit overall gate attendance at HS. I guess I would be surprised if they didn't cap it for some period of time.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I do wonder if there will be a mandated attendance cap on SWGE for some period of time that will limit overall gate attendance at HS. I guess I would be surprised if they didn't cap it for some period of time.

Well, I am sure there is a cap on the attendance overall to the park and I suspect they will do something like what they did for Pandora where there is a line to get in to the land (though if you had a FP you could "cut" the line) ... wonder if they might do something more formal with return times or something for people - or only let you in to the land if you have a FP or ADR

 

[rteetz]

I do wonder if there will be a mandated attendance cap on SWGE for some period of time that will limit overall gate attendance at HS. I guess I would be surprised if they didn't cap it for some period of time.

All the parks have an attendance cap for fire code. The land itself will likely have a cap like Pandora did when it opened.

 

[hertamaniac]

Well, I am sure there is a cap on the attendance overall to the park and I suspect they will do something like what they did for Pandora where there is a line to get in to the land (though if you had a FP you could "cut" the line) ... wonder if they might do something more formal with return times or something for people - or only let you in to the land if you have a FP or ADR

I think the original Potter used a similar strategy....or at least I remember getting into IOA and then a ticket with the return time window to enter. If this strategy is used, I can easily see the HS eateries, outside of SWGE, seeing a huge bump in attendance due to the dwellers.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I think the original Potter used a similar strategy....or at least I remember getting into IOA and then a ticket with the return time window to enter. If this strategy is used, I can easily see the HS eateries, outside of SWGE, seeing a huge bump in attendance due to the dwellers.

I am sure it is no coincidence they added that Baseline Taphouse in that general area

 

[hertamaniac]

Also see both Disney Water parks went down a bit - I assume some (at least) shifting to checking out Volcano Bay. Both Disney water parks still had nearly double that of Volcano Bay, though Volcano Bay only opened in May, so extrapolating that out would put it pretty even with the others

Both Disney water parks have been trending lower since 2015 (I am referencing the above graph).

The graph posted above leads me to believe that Volcano Bay will further eat into Disney's water park attendance (I know I am stating the obvious, but the rate of acceleration might not be linear). A question I would consider:

• At what (or is there a) gap # or % does Disney decide to invest heavily into their water parks? I think this is quite obvious too, but given project lead times, when do we think we'll see this investment (immediately after SWGE? 2020/1/2/3)?

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Both Disney water parks have been trending lower since 2015 (I am referencing the above graph).

The graph posted above leads me to believe that Volcano Bay will further eat into Disney's water park attendance (I know I am stating the obvious, but the rate of acceleration might not be linear). A question I would consider:

• At what (or is there a) gap # or % does Disney decide to invest heavily into their water parks? I think this is quite obvious too, but given project lead times, when do we think we'll see this investment (immediately after SWGE? 2020/1/2/3)?

Or do they go the other way and not see them as a bit money maker and not invest in them? I mean, they seem to keep making it harder and harder for onsite guests to just get to the Water Parks

 

[rteetz]

Or do they go the other way and not see them as a bit money maker and not invest in them? I mean, they seem to keep making it harder and harder for onsite guests to just get to the Water Parks

Yeah Disney hasn't exactly focused on the water parks in a long time. They added Miss Adventure Falls but then closed the shark reef. Volcano Bay has been a hit for Universal too and certainly is eating into Disneys water parks.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I still prefer Typhoon Lagoon over any other water park just for it's theming and total immersion alone.

 

[hertamaniac]

Or do they go the other way and not see them as a bit money maker and not invest in them? I mean, they seem to keep making it harder and harder for onsite guests to just get to the Water Parks

And let them die a slow death? I'm not sure conceding is in Disney's vocabulary. Of course, if it isn't projected to be profitable with a budget/forecast, then what you're saying is a distinct possibility.

 

[rteetz]

And let them die a slow death? I'm not sure conceding is in Disney's vocabulary. Of course, if it isn't projected to be profitable with a budget/forecast, then what you're saying is a distinct possibility.

I think they might just maintain them and leave them stagnant. The focus is surely on the theme parks now.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

And let them die a slow death? I'm not sure conceding is in Disney's vocabulary. Of course, if it isn't projected to be profitable with a budget/forecast, then what you're saying is a distinct possibility.

I'm not saying they let them die ... just not make a big investment to try to make them more than they are. Maybe some day but doesn't seem to be a priority for Disney

 

[hertamaniac]

I think they might just maintain them and leave them stagnant. The focus is surely on the theme parks now.

No doubt. I can also see that they "ride that financial pony" for as long as possible.

 

[Hoodie]

The numbers on the water parks shouldn't surprise me but does explain something. We booked a trip through a travel agent and got the base 1 park per day ticket. When they sent them, 1 day at 1 of the water parks was included for free. Makes me think they are trying just to get bodies in the gate.