Disney World leads "massacre" of entertainment cutbacks in Theme Park Land
Filed under: Debt, Extracurriculars, Kids and Money, Travel
That cushion is not expected to last. Dwindling airline seats and high gas prices are cutting into the parks' ability to draw crowds as big as they once were, even as shareholders demand more profit each year. Even once you pass through the gates, there's less bang for the buck. Once upon a time, you could buy your ticket and get a full day of entertainment, including shows, rides, parades, and fireworks. Less so now.
Some of the country's most major parks, even ones we thought were doing well, are wasting no time in hoarding their pixie dust. Your amusement park dollar just doesn't get you as much as it did a few months ago. Among the casualties:
- September 27, the last day of Disney Parks' fiscal year, is shaping up to be Black Saturday at Florida's Walt Disney World resort, which, for starters, shutters Pleasure Island, its major nightlife district, for good. Six nightclubs will go and so far, no replacement has been announced for the six-acre area, although it's expected that Disney will rent the space to outside companies to cut back on expenses.
- Also around Sept. 27 (It's an "entertainment massacre," opines one commenter at the Orlando Sentinel's blog.), Disney World is axing a spate of shows that have been fixtures in its parks, including Magic Kingdom's Woody's Cowboy Camp performance and the Main Street Family Fun Day parade, Hollywood Studios' 4 for a Dollar, and Animal Kingdom's long-running Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends show, which runs in a dedicated theater. These added-value diversions used to fill out a day at the park, but now they're kaput.
- Even the fireworks aren't immune. Starting in January, Hollywood Studios' pyrotechnic spectacular Fantasmic!, which plays at capacity at nearly every performance nearly every evening, will be cut back to just two nights a week.
Many Six Flags parks have cut admission rates, but they bleed patrons once they're inside by forcing them to use lockers for even the smallest purse or camera -- at around $1 a pop for each big ride. Myrtle Beach's Hard Rock Park opened in May and already its investors have written off millions of dollars, likely spelling doom for the fledgling music-themed amusement park. And on Sunday, New York City's ghetto-tastic Astroland is finally going to make good on its long-threatened closure, to make way for development.
Not all parks can even afford to cut back. Disneyland's California Adventure has underperformed ever since its 2001 opening, so its current $1.1 billion makeover (new rides, new concepts) is crucial for its very survival. The parks are finding other places to trim though. In August, costumed Disneyland employees protested contract cutbacks resulting in some very ugly press. Sample headline: Tinker Bell arrested at Disneyland.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
9-05-2008 @ 11:12PM
j said...
What I thought would have been a good year to find a deal at WDW ended up not being one- why weak US Dollar means alot of foreigners came to visit the park. I can't complain about that we all need to make money- still it's strange that after a strong summer Disney would make these changes as the US dollar gets stronger. I've never been to Pleasure Island (not something the kids wanted or could do) and Pocahontas is dated. But Fantasmic- that's the reason to go to Hollywood Studios. It just means that Hollywood Studios will get really crowded on those two day. I've done Disney more then once when it was super crowded (New Year's eve) and it's no fun- nice to see and do but not as much fun or value for the money.
Look for Hollywood Studios to be that way.
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9-05-2008 @ 11:11PM
j said...
I looked at going to Hard Rock Park this summer but I couldn't find any deals. What ever bonehead was in charge of pricing for this park missed the boat. Every park (including Disney) offers deals one way or another. Either special promo pricing or multi day discounts etc. Yes, I don't live in Carolina but still thru the internet and other sources I found nothing so I, like probably many other possible visitors, did decided I'd wait it out this year let the rides and attractions settle down and try it some other time (not like it's going anywhere). Maybe this is a sign of the new management and they need to hire someone with hospitality knowhow. (I was also very dissapointed with my service I received at their Baltimore restaraunt this summer).
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9-09-2008 @ 10:08PM
Nikki said...
I went to the Hard Rock Park this summer and they did offer deals. If you went before July 4 it was cheaper and they also offered you an additional day if used within 5 days for only 10.00. You had to buy before leaving the park. So we went 2 times for 45.oo Not bad. The park is a lot smaller then Disney but had great rides, plus being newly opened there were not a lot of people so it was easy to ride the rides more then once. The shows they had were great! The fireworks show at the end of the night was fantastic to Bohemien Rhapsody by Queen!!!!!!! I would go back.
9-05-2008 @ 10:57PM
j said...
Six Flags has been fighting an uphill battle since before Dan Snyder took them over- I wish them good luck. Unfortunetly so much damage was done with their reputation that they still have not gotten families to go back. (I have one less then 30 min from my house and will still drive 2 hours or more to go to another park) I would love to see that they have gotten better but you need more then just pricing. You have to convince us that you have a good product for the family. Unfortunetly Dan Snyder's practice of trying to get all the money he can out of his team the Redskins (remember when he charged for training camp) makes me wonder if he understands what parents want for their children. A good time, a safe environment, and a good value.
Here's a free idea for you Dan- why not make Six Flags the summer home for the NFL. You could have the NFL game day events like those giant blowup toys for kids to play on, Mascots to get pics with and maybe even players signing autographs or doing clinics. Since a family can't afford to go to a game anymore it would be nice way to get in touch with the fans and maybe bring more people to your parks. (You could always start with the Redskins).
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9-05-2008 @ 11:10PM
j said...
Why does Disney want you to pay so much more to go to their waterparks and Disneyquest. They make you add on to their basic ticket to use these other parks- which if you are a cost conscious consumer makes you ask why bother. It's like the multipark ticket- yes, others may love it- but with young children one parks enough for a day and between waiting for rides and traveling back and forth on their tram system what do you really gain (but a ride on the monorail or on a bus?). You have to wonder when other parks have learned that it's more cost efficient and brings in more repeat business to add water parks that Disney would keep it's at a premium.
For all of you who want deals though and have gone thru my rants I will give you this- on Disney's ticket plan w/ the other park options you do not have to use the water park on the same day as the amusement parks. This means that with a 4 day ticket with this option you get 4 days at the parks and 4 days at the waterpark or Disney quest a total of 8 days. The only catch is you have to use them all within 14 days of your 1st visit. Ask the Disney people to explain this all to you when you buy your tickets.
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9-08-2008 @ 10:13PM
D.B. said...
Disney generally changes their entertainment in October. I think it is premature to say that none of these cuts will be replaced with other entertainment options. Obviously, if there are fewer guests, Disney will have to reduce expenses; however, Disney has a history of developing new attractions during economic downturns to make maximum profits on the upswing. There is still much to enjoy at Disney parks and if there is reduced attendance, then a less crowded park makes for a more enjoyable experience. We'll be making our annual visit to Walt Disney World in November and making plans for our 2009 visit -- if we can manage it in our budget. Hopefully the politicians don't tax the economy into a depression!
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9-09-2008 @ 9:01PM
KARIN said...
I personally love to go in October. Sure, there are fewer entertainment options, but there are much fewer people, so you have more time to do things. It doesn't matter if you have more things to do, when the lines are so long that you don't have enough hours in the day to do everything you want. I love being able to go on my favorite rides more than once, and being done and doing other things and having time to spare.
9-09-2008 @ 9:41PM
Traveler said...
I hear you on that taxation issue. We are holding off planing several trips. If Obama makes it in we are one of those who will be taxed for sure. What they dont realize is that if you tax us more we skip our yearly trek to Disney or the lake and people end up not having a job. It is such a simple equation yet many people do not understand the concept.
We love Disney and hope we can visit again. We will wait and see.
9-06-2008 @ 12:41PM
Kevin said...
Regarding the closure of Downtown Disney. This area based on a release from disney is to be closed for refurbishment. This area is to be reopened (if memory serves) November 2009 with new clubs and new shops. With regards to less entertainment, we just returned from our annual trip in July. At that time parks had a full slate of entertainment. As always with the summer time frame, Magic Kingdom was open till midnight with 2 evening paradas and nightly fireworks. Effective August 3rd, Magic Kingdom hours reverted back to a 7pm closure which is always the case once crowds begin to dwindle due to families getting ready to go back to school. Disney seems to base there hours and entertainment schedule on historical data to keep there profits maximized at all times. (I am not a stock holder). Any smart amusement park business would also use historical data to set hours and best times to do refurbishments, and look to change entertainment.
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9-09-2008 @ 8:18PM
Judy said...
Disney World and Disneyland "used" to be an affordable place for family enjoyment. But, like everyone else, they got GREEDY!
Personally, I'll be damned if I'm going to spend that kind of money on an amusement park when I could take the money and have a vacation in Cancun for the same price.
Adios, Disney!
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9-09-2008 @ 10:05PM
laura said...
very well said and we do love cancun!!, honestly i have never found disney to be affordable, with a family of five i went there two times and that is it for us. they are greedy and unlike other parks who offer twilight admission that is not something that disney offers i think the greedy ones need to feel it in their pocketbook like we feel it in ours!!
9-10-2008 @ 1:49AM
TikiTommy said...
Talk about comparing apples to oranges, your comparing CanCun to Disney ? Thats a stretch if I ever heard one. You must not have kids. There are great beaches and stiff drinks all over America and you can keep your money on this side of the border. " Vegas Baby! " thats where you need to be
9-09-2008 @ 8:21PM
picksd said...
A lot of those attractions aren't the main ideas of Disney World
and probably won't be missed all that much. As for hiking prices-
ever seen the insurance bills for these kinds of parks?, the
bills for utilities, food, medical insurance for employees,
employee wages, etc??? These kinds of places are expensive
to run and maintain- maintaining the rides and other attractions
must cost a fortune- if anyone gets even slightly injured at
the park- no matter why-even if the injury was the person's fault-
the lawsuits lawyers leap into action. Most people save up
all year for a vacation at places like this- there isn't anything
wrong with that- if you can't afford the prices, go somewhere else!
Disney World and other amusement parks aren't non-profit.
If they can't make a decent profit, they will close altogether.
Whatever happened to the idea that if you can afford something
you go, if not go someplace else? The same thing applies at
the nation's schools- the idea that if there is a trip planned-
say for foreign language students- this is NOT required but
entirely voluntary and during the summer months- that the
district must pay the entire bill for anyone who wants to
go but can't afford it- the same deal for school supplies in
the state of Utah. At some point the idiots in the state legislature-
years ago- decided that because some kids can't afford
crayola brand crayons,or other name brand supplies and
so might be upset that they have a K'Mart crayon box, etc.
instead, the schools must provide all supplies. Also, someone
thought that if the schools provide supplies, the parents and
kids would take better care of things. That's the most
idiotic thought ever- parents are inclined to get really upset
if they are paying for pencils that are broken for the fun of it,
and must be replaced- crayons that are broken or lost and
must be replaced,e tc
Leave Disney World alone. Go if you want to and can, otherwise
butt out!
for all grade school students.
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9-12-2008 @ 12:07PM
Rodney said...
I agree with. As a Florida resident, buying the season pass and Disney Dinning Experience card is the best thing, I go about six times a year and get my money worth. I also watch for deals on the hotels and pay on avarge, $70.00 a night. I love Disney!
9-09-2008 @ 8:33PM
jack said...
you said it about bleeding patrons. The "fast pass" is one of the worse things ever invented. How would a typical middle class family afford to buy park tickets and then buy a line cutting ticket. Even greedy Busch Gardens has jumped on the band wagon .It is for the rich or people who dont know how to spend their money.
Hershey is opening a new water area with private cabanas to rent with seperate baths and guest services. what are we going back in time with class segration ,but now at amusement parks.
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9-09-2008 @ 8:51PM
Heather said...
You don't have to pay extra for a fast pass, that I know of. You just take your regular ticket and insert it into a fast pass machine that gives you a time stamped ticket to come back to the ride.
9-09-2008 @ 9:23PM
Rachel said...
About the fastpass, Heather, in Six Flags Great Adventure the fastpass costs an ADDITIONAL $33 - $37. That's after paying $50 for admission, $25 to rent a locker for your stuff and parking fee. We used to go a few times each summer and cut it back to just once a season because it got way too expensive for a family of 6!
9-09-2008 @ 11:04PM
Niki said...
It costs extra for a fast pass at either Six Flags or Busch Gardens, but not yet for Disney
9-09-2008 @ 11:03PM
NEFarmgirl said...
Heather, you're correct about Fast Passes when it comes to Disney parks- no extra charge....
9-09-2008 @ 11:52PM
Belle said...
My husband and I just returned from Disney a week ago and it was wonderful. It was a gift for our honeymoon. As far as the fast pass, I think it's the best thing ever! You don't have to stand in line and have time to go and enjoy other things. We are by no means rich, as we just got married and would not have had the $$ to go to Disney had we not received the gift as a present. I don't understand how a fast pass is for rich people? Basically, it is a pass that allows you to come back during an allotted time so you don't have to spend an hour or more waiting in line? I don't know how that has anything to do with being rich, as it was free. I can tell you one thing it was great and we will be using it again once we are able to save the money to go back. Also, we stayed in one of the Disney resorts and Magic Kingdom closed for the general public at midnight over Labor Day weekend. They were open til 3am for those of us who stayed in one of the resorts, it was great!