Originally Posted By englishboy This is a thread of ongoing discussion and observations on the latest terrorist plot to blow up nine planes (or ten planes, depending on the news source) over the Atlantic, en route from London to the U.S., primarily (or exclusively) on U.S. owned jets. After the attacks in 2001, attendance dipped at the parks to record lows for recent years. One of the largest sectors impacted was European tourism, which is huge deal for WDW (as opposed to DL), especially in terms of room sales. Does anyone have news on revised attendance forecasts? Or observations about attendance levels this week? Personally, I think that WDW must be kicking itself for raising ticket prices last week because in all probability now they're going to have to discount the hell out of hotel rooms, at least, to avoid shuttering entire wings of certain hotels. Personally I think US travel will be somewhat affected by the recent news. But I think that European/US travel will be effected greatly.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I really don't understand why people (and the security agencies) have gotten so worked up over this incident. Everytime, the pendulum swings far over (I am talking about the security measures) as to be insane.Yes, it was serious, but I really don't understand the hysteria. I guess my head is not wired like everyone else.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 If $4 a day at the top end is enough to change someones $5000 or more trip -- I would be stunned. As for this incident and attendance, I do not believe this will have an affect on US to WDW attendance, but yes I do believe that any international travel is going to take at least some hit for a period of time
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I was flying yesterday, and based on how croded my flights were, it won't be an issue. The security lines were very short (I think shorter than on an average day) and everybody was getting to the airports early, which (paired with the short lines for security) made the terminals very crowded, but it was still managable. So I really don't see this as being an issue for WDW.
Originally Posted By GalDisney I think maybe if these terrorist's had succeded in their terrible plan, I think that would have had the same affect as 9/11, but since they did not succeed, i don't think WDW will suffer.
Originally Posted By englishboy VBdad wrote: "If $4 a day at the top end is enough to change someones $5000 or more trip -- I would be stunned." No, that's not the issue at all. Of course, it'd be stupid to cancel a $5k vacation over $4 price hike. Here's the issue: if WDW loses 500 or 1000 or 2000 or so family vacations per month--from European travelers, not US travelers--how much will WDW have to discount rooms/tickets/packages in order to entice US families to book those now-empty rooms. Families vacationing on-site are big money for WDW, as that means meals, tickets, rooms, souvenirs, etc. I would expect to see some slowdown in European vacations in Florida in the coming months. Like most people here, I'm not really sure how this will affect the domestic airtravel market within the US.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Well we are definately p[lanning on making our trek to WDW from the UK, but with a baby and toddler, it is going to be an even bigger pain now! I hope we come up with a solution to allow some hand luggage.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>Here's the issue: if WDW loses 500 or 1000 or 2000 or so family vacations per month--from European travelers, not US travelers--how much will WDW have to discount rooms/tickets/packages in order to entice US families to book those now-empty rooms. Families vacationing on-site are big money for WDW, as that means meals, tickets, rooms, souvenirs, etc. I would expect to see some slowdown in European vacations in Florida in the coming months. Like most people here, I'm not really sure how this will affect the domestic airtravel market within the US.<< But on the flipside, it's good that they at least raised the admission price if that is to be true. Hotel rates are a whole different can of worms, and they certainly could be further discounted if occupancy becomes an issue. But it is good that admission costs more if Disney is going to have to cut their margins on the hotel rooms and/or receive less park attendance.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORGOCH: I just wish some of ya's could come live in Morva fer a spell--like us Cauldron gals has ta do. Then ya'd know what it's like ta be terrorized ev'ry dang day--by the Horny King an' all his zombi-type army. We gits raided without warnin' all the time! Dang gwythaint birds flyin' all over the place, actin' like they's gonna swoop down 'n carry a poor ol' witch off somewhere's she don't wanna' go! Then they goes 'n steals yer brew from right outta yer own cauldron and drinks it dry befer I gits a chance ta take a single, sorry sip!! It ain't no way ta live but, hey; it's the best a gal can do 'til she learns how ta meet Donny Trump!
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORGOCH: Come ta think 'bout it, ya might just be right, RoadTrip, ducklin'! Better git on the stick 'n check it out!
Originally Posted By dshyates I was there last week and the place was pretty darned empty. And this was before the plot. The longest line we saw was 50 min for Space. ToT was literally a walk on. I think between US gas prices and now the British terror plot, WDW needs more than another "celebration". And they just added 4 new attractions right on the heels af Mission Space. My guess is people aren't seeing Disney as a good value in family travel anymore. The $4 increase (the second price hike this year) may hurt peoples perception of value more than it will help Disneys bottom line.
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy >> I was there last week and the place was pretty darned empty. << When and where did you observe this emptiness? I work the parks every day, and it's felt pretty darned crowded to me for months.
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys ^^ If the parks were less crowded it should be noted that many schools, including Orlando are back in session, which may have cut attendance.
Originally Posted By CMM1 I was just there at WDW this past weekend and the front desk at the All-Star Sports made a point of calling to all guests leaving the park in the next couple of days to make sure they cleared out of their rooms on time as the resort had a large number of guests arriving. I believe Disney is running a promotion right now to provide free food vouchers for guests staying some specified number of days during the end of August (which is traditionally a slower period as schooltime approaches for many kids). So while world events might affect some folks in terms of their willingness to travel (although Orlando airport on Monday sure appeared to be doing business as normal without any apparent extra time needed for domestic security checks), my belief would be that Disney was expecting to get a surge of guests over the next couple of weeks taking advantage of their promotion.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^Bingo. Free food. That's the reason why the parks have been crowded. It was designed to fill rooms and is obviously doing that. Although WDW, by having to discount year round, has lost the premium edge it commanded in the marketplace.
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys ^Not to mention that the food quality now, for the most part, stinks.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Except for TDR of course... Dem.. you *need* to go to Tokyo. Anyways.. the terrorist threads (either real or made up as may be this liquidy case) won't affect the numbers at WDW or anywhere else. Besides, we already have terrorists at WDW: parents with strollers.