What is going on with Disney parks?

[bakerworld]

I re-read the initial post to this thread no matter how it's spun the parks are busy, the special events sell out and people keep coming even with the ticket increases and the reduction of previously included package items. We vacation in WDW 3 to 4 times annually and while we have never have spent tons of times in the parks - even when the kids were along - we spend even less time there now so the crowds don't bother us and obviously the cost doesn't either.

 

[grossmansr]

Thru the early 2000's the parks closed at 9p with the exception being HS because it closed at 7p ... sometimes 6p. AK didn't exist. So I don't get the parks were designed to be night experiences - when did that happen?

Toy Story Land literally has lights strung up. The sidewalks at Epcot have sparkling lights in them. Pandora apparently has plants that glow or something. (I've never been). The parks are gorgeous at night. Even the Dumbo ride is transformed by the lights in the water. It is the best time to go, IMO.

I totally get that it saves money to close earlier, but to me that feels like a cop out. I stand by my comment that the parks were designed to be experienced at night. If you haven't tried it yet, please do. It's truly magical.

 

[Q-man]

They tore down a chunk of CBR and built Riviera (DVC). Poly, Copper Creek and Grand Fla all re-purposed existing rooms from cash side to DVC. When was the last all cash hotel built? Somewhere in this thread (I tried to find it) a person showed how there is less hotel room nights available than 5 or 10 yrs ago (sorry dont recall exactly). So, Disney has constrained the supply of cash rooms by focusing on DVC.

He/she also showed that attendance is mostly flat over last few years. (Based on Disney's 2018 annual report WDW seen ~4% increase in attendance so I am not sure the long term trend). Leads me to believe cash room demand is constant or even up a little, while cash room supply is down. This is what is causing prices to go up at the higher end resorts like Poly, Grand Fla etc. As the higher end resorts 'price people out', this increases demand for the mods and values, pushing their prices higher.

DVC has always had higher occupancy rates than cash. Instead of lowering cash room prices to increase occupancy they have chosen to remove supply instead. They are leaning on the DVC side to continue filling the rooms.

They are close to 25% of on property rooms now being DVC.

 

[tink2424]

To build on that, that kind of deceptive posting is exactly what Josh was accused of saying “no FP”, which is how this conversation started. That is not what no refreshing looks like at any time throughout the day except 3 at absolute best.

Im kind of bothered by that post TBH. You will never just open the app and see nearly all the DHS headliners at close times with your pick of times without coincidentally hitting a drop. That is very misleading.

I agree it is deceptive and by their own admission (the posters) not known or done by the majority of people going to DisneyWorld. Also, what happens when everyone learns this trick or Disney does something that makes this much harder or not work any longer?

I want to get back to the main part of this thread which is what is wrong with Disney... In my opinion and from what I have read the main issue is that Disney has been cutting features/extras that used to be included in the park experience and either eliminating them all together or replacing them with paid events.

Now, they are a business so they can do what they want but if they want to keep the loyal fan-base then they really should consider how the guest experience is being diminished. These are the types of things that will drive guests away from Disney and they already have started.

I also get we have a choice to go or not go. It doesn't mean that we can't try to hold Disney to the standard that they themselves set over the years.

 

[hertamaniac]

I said for months and months I won't buy an AP for a few years due to needing new experiences as a local.

Today in front of MK at the guest relations window re-caught the WDW magic and purchased my AP. I didn't lie, but realized it still offers something for everyone. Onward.

 

[Remy is Up]

I agree it is deceptive and by their own admission (the posters) not known or done by the majority of people going to DisneyWorld. Also, what happens when everyone learns this trick or Disney does something that makes this much harder or not work any longer?

I want to get back to the main part of this thread which is what is wrong with Disney... In my opinion and from what I have read the main issue is that Disney has been cutting features/extras that used to be included in the park experience and either eliminating them all together or replacing them with paid events.

Now, they are a business so they can do what they want but if they want to keep the loyal fan-base then they really should consider how the guest experience is being diminished. These are the types of things that will drive guests away from Disney and they already have started.

I also get we have a choice to go or not go. It doesn't mean that we can't try to hold Disney to the standard that they themselves set over the years.

Average guests dont care about refresh. Again dont overestimate the knowledge level of 90% of the guests. Its worked for 3 years and disney has no reason to make it harder. Its they system they put in place. Lack of knowledge on the majority of guests part isnt Disney's problem.
It isnt deceptive. Fact is anyone can do it. There are plenty of people who do it daily or everytime they go.
And to the crux of things. It is a determine value for you and go or dont go. We can all wax poetic about what things were, not use the system, complainand be miserable. Or we can adapt. We chose the latter.

 

[Searc]

It's been a rough couple weeks at Disney.

 

[ChipnDale79]

Even the Dumbo ride is transformed by the lights in the water. It is the best time to go, IMO.

I'll see if i can find it, but one of my favorite pictures from Disney is of my oldest son when he was about 3 riding Dumbo at night. The way the lights lit everything up in the picture, the colors, the look on my kids face. It just turned out amazing.

 

[KayMichigan]

Does anyone know why Haunted Mansion has been closed for the past few days?

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Does anyone know why Haunted Mansion has been closed for the past few days?

Mechanical issues.

https://blogmickey.com/2020/03/haun...ter-doom-buggies-malfunction-at-magic-kingdom
https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...cussion-thread.3713652/page-274#post-61632976 (goes to post where they describe the issue the guest had. That doesn't mean that's the only thing that happened/is wrong).

 

[Tink-osophy]

...Now, they are a business so they can do what they want but if they want to keep the loyal fan-base then they really should consider how the guest experience is being diminished. These are the types of things that will drive guests away from Disney and they already have started.

I also get we have a choice to go or not go. It doesn't mean that we can't try to hold Disney to the standard that they themselves set over the years.

Well said!

 

[KayMichigan]

OK, thanks! Wow, wonder what happened. Have the Doom Buggies ever been replaced or upgraded?

 

[Brianstl]

Does anyone know why Haunted Mansion has been closed for the past few days?

They are all self quarantining until the groundskeeper’s test results come back from the CDC.

 

[Jrb1979]

I agree taking away things doesn't help. I know this isn't going to be a popular opinion but IMO the lack of thrilling rides hurts. The 2 new rides, while very impressive with their theming, don't seem very thrilling. Disney needs more rides like Tower of Terror and Rockin Roller coaster. A coaster like Iron Gwazi would do wonders for Disney.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

OK, thanks! Wow, wonder what happened. Have the Doom Buggies ever been replaced or upgraded?

Honestly not sure on your answer. I'm sure that ride gets a lot of wear and tear constantly moving like that. I don't know if it's been identified that the issue was the ride vehicle itself that has the issue or more the track its on or just the connection point needed to move the ride vehicle from one direction to the other.

Either way I love that ride so I hope it gets some good TLC and the kinks worked out

 

[Remy is Up]

I agree taking away things doesn't help. I know this isn't going to be a popular opinion but IMO the lack of thrilling rides hurts. The 2 new rides, while very impressive with their theming, don't seem very thrilling. Disney needs more rides like Tower of Terror and Rockin Roller coaster. A coaster like Iron Gwazi would do wonders for Disney.

Disney is not a thrill park. It is a theme park. They rely on sightlines and such to tell stories. And while I am an avid coaster fan. We live in tampa and are salivating over gwazi. I go to parks who do that well for that. Bg and sea world have great coasters. Universal eh. The new hagrid and rip ride rocket are good. But that is not Disney's thing and I hope it never becomes nothing but thrill rides. Nor do I think it will.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

Bg and sea world have great coasters.

But it’s the Antarctica ride at Sea World which has the longest wait time. I think Sea World and Busch Gardens need more family rides. They have plenty of coasters now. Disney has a few thrill rides coming but shouldn’t forsake family rides.

 

[Remy is Up]

But it’s the Antarctica ride at Sea World which has the longest wait time. I think Sea World and Busch Gardens need more family rides. They have plenty of coasters now. Disney has a few thrill rides coming but shouldn’t forsake family rides.

Bg and sea world mainly bg, are thrill parks when it comes to rides. They have limited family rides but both have sesame street, animal attractions etc. They will both continue to open thrill coasters and such. Know who you are as a business and embrace it

 

[The Pho]

But it’s the Antarctica ride at Sea World which has the longest wait time. I think Sea World and Busch Gardens need more family rides. They have plenty of coasters now. Disney has a few thrill rides coming but shouldn’t forsake family rides.

I think SeaWorld is aware that they can’t really compete with Disney directly, so they’ve gone for a market that is nonexistent in Orlando, the thrill park. Right now they’re outbuilding every other park company in regards to coasters, and seem to be aiming to continue that for the next few years. High thrill coasters paired with their animal shows provide enough of a balance to draw a spectrum of crowds.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

Bg and sea world mainly bg, are thrill parks when it comes to rides. They have limited family rides but both have sesame street, animal attractions etc. They will both continue to open thrill coasters and such. Know who you are as a business and embrace it

I don’t think thrill coasters are as popular as some believe.