According to a Wall Street Journal report, Walt Disney theme parks are seeing a dip in attendance despite shorter wait times and more discounts. Folks are choosing cruise ships and European vacations over the House of Mouse.
From The Wall Street Journal:
Travel advisers and industry analysts say the slowdown is the latest sign that Disney’s recent price hikes and changes to park operations have soured some families on visiting the Most Magical Place on Earth.
Disney faces a unique set of challenges right now, from streaming losses to executive succession to a political and legal fight with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Revenue from its parks division has long been a bright spot for the company, buoying overall earnings. Disney declined to comment on recent attendance.
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“People might be a little bit fatigued with price increases based on the economy at the moment,” Oprea says, noting that some clients have considered cruise or beach vacations rather than returning to Disney’s parks due to recent price increases.
At Disneyland, the company increased the cost of multiday tickets by 9% or more in October, with the price of a two-day ticket rising from $255 per adult to $285.
To attract more visitors to Main Street U.S.A., Disney has rolled out promotions, including discounts for return visits and savings of up to 40% on rooms at some Disney World hotels for annual passholders on certain days in December near Christmas, which is typically one of the busiest and most expensive times to visit. (Disney has offered discounts to passholders during that time period in the past.)
Meanwhile, Disney isn’t faring much better at the box office, with recent bombs like Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and Elemental.
Disney lost $200,000,000 on Elemental alone.
Fox News contributor and OutKick founder Clay Travis shared the story on Twitter.
“Disney World hit a ten year low in July 4th guests & company is now discounting Christmas hotel rooms as attendance collapses at parks. Combine this with ESPN disaster & movies losing money like crazy & it’s now clear Disney is getting Bud Light’d.”
Disney World hit a ten year low in July 4th guests & company is now discounting Christmas hotel rooms as attendance collapses at parks. Combine this with ESPN disaster & movies losing money like crazy & it’s now clear Disney is getting Bud Light’d. https://t.co/mavIdOVqAU
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) July 10, 2023
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