News Disneyland Park Attendance Increases - Revenue decreases

[sir clinksalot]

Thanks to our friends at Around Disney ...

http://micechat.com/forums/news/127137-disneyland-park-attendance-increases.html#post1055660630

Of course, we all know why attendance is up but revenue is down.

[fluffatu]

Re: Disneyland Park Attendance Increases - Revenue decreases

Personally, I am looking to spend more money in the parks but can't because of the increased attendance.

With the Birthday/2Fer/Payment Plan/Halloweentime promotions, I cannot stay long enough in the parks to enjoy myself and buy meals and snacks because of the crowds! Even more so, sometimes I do not make it into the parks because of the parking situation! I am patient, but not a fan of inefficency.

[Mac Daddy]

Re: Disneyland Park Attendance Increases - Revenue decreases

Thanks to our friends at Around Disney ...

http://micechat.com/forums/news/127137-disneyland-park-attendance-increases.html#post1055660630

Of course, we all know why attendance is up but revenue is down.

It's hard to believe that with the multitudes of AP holders roaming about the parks that revenue would be DOWN 7 percent from last year. Personally, we made a few less trips as a family last year, and consequently spent less on food, etc. What we DID end up spending was directly related to the in park gift cards that we got for the birthdays.

I wonder if the birthday cash is subtracted from the revenues or if it is included somehow. Something tells me that was one heck of an expensive promotion for the company. Effective...but expensive.

[WestsideCM99]

Re: Disneyland Park Attendance Increases - Revenue decreases

Disney is taking away more stable income in the form of the 1 - 5 day ticket package sales and gambling that if the customer gets a break at the booth then that will translate to more in-park sales. The thing is that if you reversed this, nobody would come to the parks and spend ANY money.

Considering the economy I get the feeling that Disney is under the impression that they are winning by stopping the bleeding, somewhat, caused by the large wound that the economy has left.

[sir clinksalot]

Re: Disneyland Park Attendance Increases - Revenue decreases

It's hard to believe that with the multitudes of AP holders roaming about the parks that revenue would be DOWN 7 percent from last year. Personally, we made a few less trips as a family last year, and consequently spent less on food, etc. What we DID end up spending was directly related to the in park gift cards that we got for the birthdays.

I wonder if the birthday cash is subtracted from the revenues or if it is included somehow. Something tells me that was one heck of an expensive promotion for the company. Effective...but expensive.

Honestly, compared to years past, I see a LOT less people carrying around merchandise bags, etc. Even at park closing, it's generally pretty easy to go into the Emporium and buy something as most everybody is heading right for the gates.

I'm very hard-pressed to think of any merchandise we bought at the parks this year that wasn't purchased on the birthday (or other) gift-card.

[HighLeveller]

Re: Disneyland Park Attendance Increases - Revenue decreases

I wonder if the birthday cash is subtracted from the revenues or if it is included somehow. Something tells me that was one heck of an expensive promotion for the company. Effective...but expensive.

This, and maybe payment-plan APs that haven't yet been paid off. (But that would just be delayed revenue, "defaulted" ones notwithstanding.)

It's probably safe to assume that part of the increased attendance at DLR is from the "staycation" concept that proliferated in 2008 when gas was suddenly expensive and stuff.

[aashee]

Re: Disneyland Park Attendance Increases - Revenue decreases

Lower quality food, smaller portions and higher prices? I can't fathom why I rarely eat at the DLR anymore.

[EmeralineDragon]

Re: Disneyland Park Attendance Increases - Revenue decreases

To be honest, last time I was there I just couldn't find anything I really wanted to buy, so I don't think the entire problem is the economy or APs; I think some of the problem may be the merchandise.

[h2opolodad]

Re: Disneyland Park Attendance Increases - Revenue decreases

Not only is there not a lot of great merchandise to buy, but they have raised their price on meals so high at a time when many are struggling, that I would bet more people are eating offsite than ever before.

And that is if you can even get to the park in the first place! Like Darkbeer said in today's column - 90 MINUTES FROM FREEWAY TO ENTRANCE - that is ridiculous, and it is not even the busiest season yet. I wish I could turn my AP in and get my money back at this point...

[WestsideCM99]

Re: Disneyland Park Attendance Increases - Revenue decreases

And that is if you can even get to the park in the first place! Like Darkbeer said in today's column - 90 MINUTES FROM FREEWAY TO ENTRANCE - that is ridiculous, and it is not even the busiest season yet. I wish I could turn my AP in and get my money back at this point...

It goes to show how much of a rush decision that increasing the park attendance was for Disney. The parking situation is an embarassment.

[HiddenMickeyBook]

Re: Disneyland Park Attendance Increases - Revenue decreases

To be honest, last time I was there I just couldn't find anything I really wanted to buy, so I don't think the entire problem is the economy or APs; I think some of the problem may be the merchandise.

I tend to agree with the merchandise idea. I am a huge collector - my packed-out home office testifies to that. However, there seems to be the exact same items in every store throughout both Parks. There used to be specialty shops on Main Street and in New Orleans Square - like the candle shop, the One-Of-A-Kind Shop, etc. I know there are some exceptions like the custom-design watches and the fine glassware from the Chech Rep. But, for the most part, it is just the same stuff - and one trip to the World of Disney would take care of most shopping needs.

Last trip I bought the 2010 wall calendar and two mouse ear top hats for a Dickens Fair we will be attending to sell our book. That was it. We were there for 3 days.

[Seawolf]

Re: Disneyland Park Attendance Increases - Revenue decreases

When you have to pay close to 10 dollars for a clam chowder bowl I'm not eating more than 1 or 2 times at the resort. If quality were to increase and prices to decrease I would reconsider. Merchandise is also a joke and for that reason I have no incentive to buy it.

[disneyfann121]

Re: Disneyland Park Attendance Increases - Revenue decreases

It's not at all surprising that revenue would be down while attendance up. With nearly one million AP holders, combined with the blizzard of promotions, they've jammed the park full of people who are paying pennies on the dollar. So we have a lose-lose situation; the fans lose because of the diminished quality of the experience, fighting throngs of people instead of relaxing and enjoying the park. Disney loses because they manage to alienate some people and increase maintenance expenses while actually making less money!

Here's a radical idea for them: how about actually caring about quality, instead of treating DLR like a cash cow, and not giving a damn if Disneyland has become the world's best themed sardine can?

[GummiBears_Rock]

Re: Disneyland Park Attendance Increases - Revenue decreases

well i'm thinking that maybe they're using the money to come up with all these promotions
when really, Disneyland doesn't need a promotion.
maybe a commercial that says "come to Disneyland" once a week or so
but still, i think you get what i'm saying

[Eagleman]

Re: Disneyland Park Attendance Increases - Revenue decreases

It's not at all surprising that revenue would be down while attendance up. With nearly one million AP holders, combined with the blizzard of promotions, they've jammed the park full of people who are paying pennies on the dollar. So we have a lose-lose situation; the fans lose because of the diminished quality of the experience, fighting throngs of people instead of relaxing and enjoying the park. Disney loses because they manage to alienate some people and increase maintenance expenses while actually making less money!

Here's a radical idea for them: how about actually caring about quality, instead of treating DLR like a cash cow, and not giving a damn if Disneyland has become the world's best themed sardine can?

I would add the payment plain for AP holders was very stupic that
Disney ever came up with it.....
also for Food you paying more for smaller portions ..........
I would eat on the outside than giving Disney my hard earn money!

[CinderellaStory]

Re: Disneyland Park Attendance Increases - Revenue decreases

I think many of us KNEW this was happening, and that it is a problem.

Nice to see a newspaper article confirming it, though.

My only surprise was that the numbers weren't larger. But anyone that has been to Disneyland on a crowded summer day in the past years knows that a 15% increase in the amount of people in there could easily turn an uncomfortable crowd into an unbearable one.

Perhaps now that the numbers have been officially "crunched" and made public, the necessary steps will be taken to prevent this problem from getting worse. The circular reasoning that is in place at the moment is only going to force a DOWNWARD spiral.

[Minnie Momma]

Re: Disneyland Park Attendance Increases - Revenue decreases

Last year in October we went at least 3 times and spent money on meals, shirts, little things. This year we got over there once and left after 2 hours because the crowds were so unbelievable. We didn't spend a dime. I'm just not sure if we're going to renew in January or not. We're going over today for 2 nights at PPH and a part of me is dreading it. I'm determined to enjoy myself, but lets see. This might be the last time for a while for our annual holiday trip.

[aashee]

Re: Disneyland Park Attendance Increases - Revenue decreases

I would add the payment plain for AP holders was very stupic that
Disney ever came up with it.....
also for Food you paying more for smaller portions ..........
I would eat on the outside than giving Disney my hard earn money!

With the grim news of the economy at the time it made sense, there were just TOO many ways to get a pass. free birthday and then upgrade. 3-day park hopper towards the price of a AP.

Now those of us that paid for our APs years before this mess will have to bear the higher prices where if they just elimnated the "upgrade" feature and the payment plan they would drop signifcantly.

[Eternal Disney]

Re: Disneyland Park Attendance Increases - Revenue decreases

I really missed out of the deals they had, I didn't go for my birthday this year which was in March. I ended up buying a Premium pass in cash (no payments) at the end of August, bought a few shirts and a few expensive souvenirs. I undoubtedly spent over $1000 on Disney this year, not including movies. Compared to $140 bucks last year.

[Eagleman]

Re: Disneyland Park Attendance Increases - Revenue decreases

With the grim news of the economy at the time it made sense, there were just TOO many ways to get a pass. free birthday and then upgrade. 3-day park hopper towards the price of a AP.

Now those of us that paid for our APs years before this mess will have to bear the higher prices where if they just elimnated the "upgrade" feature and the payment plan they would drop signifcantly.

I so with YOU !.....
I hope ther Revenue droup more ,
maybe then ,Disney would understand as well !