Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney "Frankly, I'd rather see a Discovery Bay type thing in Disneyland, than a Woody's Roundup attraction any day of the week. Especially in Frontierland." I would too. I just wonder how something like DB would please the masses today. People have been condtioned to expect that Disney parks are all about the characters, which I find troubling. "I really enjoy the areas of the park that aren't inundated with character references. New Orleans Square, pre-Splash Mountain Bear Country, Tomorrowland circa: 1976 -- alas, it's becoming more and more of a distant memory." More so at the MK, I'd say.
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney "It is actually likely to get approved this summer but the point is why bother? Attendance numbers for MK are so huge and without a significant new attraction since Splash (arguably). From a business POV it doesn't make sense to do so until attendance flatlines. However there is a strong movement in WDI to get a new E-ticket into the MK soon." I can give two reasons. One because Disney parks have always been about 'plussing' ... giving guests more to see and do when they come and more reasons to want to come. Two, because in the theme park business, reinvestment is needed or your product can get stale quickly. The MK has been way behind the past decade-plus as far as getting new reasons for people to visit. Stitch's Great Escape won't pull them in. PhillharMagic may be wonderful, but I don't see people planning vacations just to see it anymore than they're doing so to see Wishes (both of which are in their third years anyway and hardly new). The current WDW business model seems to not believe you need to reinvest in your product UNLESS attendance falls. That's why so much has been spent at DAK and Epcot of late, to pump numbers up. I'm no businessman, but I do understand economics. It really does make sense to invest in your parks before you have no other choice and are forced to go for quick fixes (see DCA).
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "I'm no businessman, but I do understand economics. It really does make sense to invest in your parks before you have no other choice and are forced to go for quick fixes (see DCA)." The quick fixes at DCA were an unthinking reaction by TDA management at the time who apparently had little or no understanding of the market or how to promote the place. Furthermore, it has rare for a new attraction to have an affect on long term attendance gains. In the past 15 years, Indiana Jones is the only theme park attraction in Southern California to give a park any significant attendance boost. Therefore, it stands to reason that other, more cost effective; measures (such as the 50th Anniversary) can actually be more successful. Obviously, as a consumer I want more rides, shows, and attractions, however the financial reality is that spending millions on new attractions on a regular basis is not always the best (or only) way to drive attendance.
Originally Posted By indysoarin19 "Obviously, as a consumer I want more rides, shows, and attractions, however the financial reality is that spending millions on new attractions on a regular basis is not always the best (or only) way to drive attendance." To add to your point Hans, Magic Mountain has been having a sort of "coaster war" with Ohio's Cedar Point for the past decade or so and added a coaster almost yearly. Attendance has not lifted or sagged and Six Flags now has a ton of debt from all the capital they spent. On the flip side, the DLR has been less consistent on new attractions, but far more profitable in the long run.
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney "Therefore, it stands to reason that other, more cost effective; measures (such as the 50th Anniversary) can actually be more successful." You're right Hans. But Disney did invest in DL (and DCA) for the 50th. Buzz, Space Mountain, Monster Inc., Jungle Cruise enhancements, Remember fireworks, new parades at both parks ... not to mention reversing 7-8 years of neglect with painting and rehabbing structures. Plenty of money was spent. And the subs are on the way back, along with a brand new monorail fleet and likely a few more major attractions, so clearly Disney isn't sitting back. In Florida, Disney has invested hundred of millions in past 2-3 years, but almost all of it went to Epcot (Mission Space and Soarin) and DAK (Everest).
