Shoud Disney enter the Mississippi River market?

[OKW Lover]

I was trying to say that Disney definitely keeps kids in mind.

That's a different point than the original statement.

Disney is not geared towards adults.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Did I by any chance offend you? Or any other adult cruisers? ... I was trying to say that Disney definitely keeps kids in mind. I feel like is a cruise line is perfect for kids. It good for adults and maybe one of the best for adults. Adults can have fun to but maybe it just go in my head adults hate the characters but they can have fun with them to. Maybe it's that word Disney, I'm not sure. I'm actually pretty confused why I said that considering there are many memebers on this site that go on atleast one cruise per year with families or solo. Sorry if I offended you in any way.

But, what you said was:

No, I believe Disney should stay Disney. It would be too big of a transition. Disney is not geared towards adults. Kids would be bored out of their mind on a river cruise. River cruises are geared towards adults, Disney is geared towards kids. Now this is just my opinion, looking forward to see what others have to say!

That's different than:

...It good for adults and maybe one of the best for adults. ...

 

[chaseg03]

That's a different point than the original statement.

But, what you said was:



That's different than:

Yes it is. That's what I was saying after I thought about it and did about an hours worth of research. I looked at Carnival and RCCL and say Disney has the same, if not more of adult only things. Disney service has both of those lines beat. Now, of course you can't judge a cruise line on adult only places because there is other things to do. I was just trying to say what I though after I did research.

 

[Dug720]

Did I by any chance offend you? Or any other adult cruisers? Although your answer "As would this one. As would my parents. As would mnay other adults I know. " I was trying to say that Disney definitely keeps kids in mind. I feel like is a cruise line is perfect for kids. It good for adults and maybe one of the best for adults. Adults can have fun to but maybe it just go in my head adults hate the characters but they can have fun with them to. Maybe it's that word Disney, I'm not sure. I'm actually pretty confused why I said that considering there are many memebers on this site that go on atleast one cruise per year with families or solo. Sorry if I offended you in any way.

Not offended, but Disney is in no way, shape, or form only for kids.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Yes it is. That's what I was saying after I thought about it and did about an hours worth of research. I looked at Carnival and RCCL and say Disney has the same, if not more of adult only things. Disney service has both of those lines beat. Now, of course you can't judge a cruise line on adult only places because there is other things to do. I was just trying to say what I though after I did research.

Well, maybe, if you don't know, research first before posting.

You'll find that, on occasion, people will only read the early posts on a thread, skipping later ones that might correct an opinion. It's best to be clear in your opinions before posting.

 

[chaseg03]

Not offended, but Disney is in no way, shape, or form only for kids.

Very, very true.

 

[chaseg03]

Well, maybe, if you don't know, research first before posting.

You'll find that, on occasion, people will only read the early posts on a thread, skipping later ones that might correct an opinion. It's best to be clear in your opinions before posting.

Sorry for causing trouble. I'll make sure to do my research

 

[mmouse37]

No, I believe Disney should stay Disney. It would be too big of a transition. Disney is not geared towards adults. Kids would be bored out of their mind on a river cruise. River cruises are geared towards adults, Disney is geared towards kids. Now this is just my opinion, looking forward to see what others have to say!

I have to disagree. Disney already does river cruises in Europe. Granted the river ships are not Disney themed but they are definitely geared to adults (and kids).

I am going on one in June with Adventures By Disney from Budapest to Munich with stops in Slovakia and Austria. I can't wait!!! The ship doing the Danube River cruise is called the AmaViola. Here is a link.

https://www.adventuresbydisney.com/europe/danube-river-cruise/

I could see them doing something like OP suggested. I think it would be a great idea!!!

MJ

 

[WaywardMemphian]

The economics of river cruises are quite different, because of the ship build, registry andstaff. That is part of why river cruises are so expensive.

I would suggest a partnership with one of the two big river cruise operators to build a Disney specific boat.

I'm a St. Louis native. I guess I find this idea sort of intriguing, confusing, and a bit unlikely all at once. River cruises are about cruising past scenic locales. I think people are in for a bit of a shock when they float past barges and see all the rather industrial shoreside "scenery" in the St. Louis area. I'm not sure chemical companies, etc, are what people have in mind for their view. Maybe upriver or downriver, there is nicer scenery. On the other hand, people who miss casinos on Disney cruises could hop onto a casino boat when their cruise is in port.

You think there's no industry along Europe's main waterways?

Memphis has no casinos but plenty of the stops do, New Orleans and Tunica would be the best.

Memphis is looking to redevelop Mud Island. It has a good river museum but it is dated. I've pitched a Soarin' style ride as part of a revamp that flys you down the Mississippi(smell the bbq as you fly over Memphis in May BBQ Championship , linen over a field full of cotton, zoom over a Cardinals game) The Island could also be home to that River Country inspired water park and Disney could use the Amp to entertain passengers with Disney entertainers.

Lots of cities have pumped 100s of millions into their riverfronts, look at St. Louis around the Arch for example. Geez, an excursion to City Museum trip up the Arch is a no brainer for kids.

Here's Memphis' new Riverboat Terminal

The splash pad

Eric Clapton at mud Island

 

[kid-at-heart]

No, I believe Disney should stay Disney. It would be too big of a transition. Disney is not geared towards adults. Kids would be bored out of their mind on a river cruise. River cruises are geared towards adults, Disney is geared towards kids. Now this is just my opinion, looking forward to see what others have to say!

My daughter would have loved a river boat cruise down the Mississippi as a child and as an teen (she is now 19). I think Disney does a great job of making all ages happy.

 

[mathgeek]

I have to disagree. Disney already does river cruises in Europe. Granted the river ships are not Disney themed but they are definitely geared to adults (and kids).

I am going on one in June with Adventures By Disney from Budapest to Munich with stops in Slovakia and Austria. I can't wait!!! The ship doing the Danube River cruise is called the AmaViola. Here is a link.

https://www.adventuresbydisney.com/europe/danube-river-cruise/

I could see them doing something like OP suggested. I think it would be a great idea!!!

MJ

My answer to the original question as to whether Disney should enter the Mississippi River market is sure, why not.

But my question is this...should it be through DCL or ABD? As mmouse37 said, ABD is already doing river cruises in Europe, so to me it would make more sense for ABD to do river cruises in the US instead of DCL if Disney got into that market.

 

[2BusyPlanning]

Would love to see something Disney on the MS river, since I live in Memphis, too! Even if it is Tiana themed, that would be fitting.

 

[WaywardMemphian]

I've always thought the Adventures by Disney is a precursor to an actual fleet. When the two new cruise ships come online, I'd love one the stay put in the Met for a prolonged summer season

 

[cmph]

You think there's no industry along Europe's main waterways?

Definitely not looking for an argument here. I'm not familiar with industry along the cruise routes for European river cruises. I'm only saying that the St. Louis area waterfront isn't that scenic, aside from the (really rather small) downtown area waterfront. There are certainly things to do there for a day; I'm only talking about the cruise to/from the area being less-than-desirable from a native's perspective.

And re: casinos - you can find one right there.

 

[WaywardMemphian]

This is the American Queen. She's the biggest out there on American Rivers

She hold 436 passengers and 160 crew. She's a sternwheeler. She is 418ft. long Like I said, I think a Disney boat should be a side wheeler so as the use the stern for a pool area. I think a Disney boat should go for 500 to 550 with a crew of about 190 to 200. It all depends on just how many locks they'd want to get through. It's not an issue on the Lower Ms. from St. Louis down to New Orleans. I've seen huge barges 6 wide and well over 500 ft. long on the Lower MS.

This is the SS Greater Buffalo that sailed the Great Lakes. You can tell she was designed for big water. But she was a 500ft. side wheeler like I'd like to see and she was capable to hold 6,000 with overnight accomodations for a 1,000. modify this boat for the shallow draft and lose the high walls and this about the ballpark I'd be looking for.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This is the American Queen. She's the biggest out there on American Rivers

She hold 436 passengers and 160 crew. She's a sternwheeler. She is 418ft. long Like I said, I think a Disney boat should be a side wheeler so as the use the stern for a pool area. I think a Disney boat should go for 500 to 550 with a crew of about 190 to 200. It all depends on just how many locks they'd want to get through. It's not an issue on the Lower Ms. from St. Louis down to New Orleans. I've seen huge barges 6 wide and well over 500 ft. long on the Lower MS.

One issue with a side wheeler - you'll cut down on the view rooms. Seems to me they could put a pool on an upper deck either forward or aft, even with a sternwheeler.

 

[lklgoodman]

I know this thread is about river cruising, but all I can think about now is Memphis BBQ, Yummy!!!! We were going to relocate to Memphis for dh's job many years ago, at the last minute the company decided to move us to Detroit, !!! Ok, back to river cruises, I'd love to go on one. I'm sure Disney would come up with some really cool features if they ever did one.

 

[MunFam]

They could always try it out...ABD style and rent/lease an entire boat for a few trips and see if the market was there. Honestly though, with the rates DCL is charging, we would probably be priced out on a value basis. Not that we could not afford it, but we would be unwilling to pay for what they are offering.