Theme-park attendance growth stalled

Report: Theme-park attendance growth stalled in 2008

Estimates find that attendance was flat at Walt Disney World, fell slightly at Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando in 2008

By Jason Garcia | Sentinel Staff Writer

Attendance growth at Central Florida%26#39;s theme parks stalled in 2008, according to a new report released today, as the spreading recession caught up to everyone.

The combined gate for Walt Disney World%26#39;s four theme parks was essentially flat, while attendance dipped slightly at Universal Orlando and slightly more at SeaWorld Orlando, according to the report, which was prepared by Economic Research Associates and the Themed Entertainment Association.

The annual ERA/TEA attendance report is widely used as the best gauge of attendance at the world%26#39;s major theme parks. But it is completely unofficial -- most major parks, including all of Orlando%26#39;s, refuse to reveal actual attendance figures -- and sometimes controversial: Busch Entertainment Corp. execs last year publicly renounced the report, saying the 2007 edition underreported attendance at both SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

The Magic Kingdom kept its title as the busiest theme park in the world, drawing just nearly 17.1 million visitors, the same as it did in 2007. It was well ahead of No. 2 Disneyland, which drew about 14.7 million people, down 1 percent for the year.

The biggest slide among Central Florida%26#39;s parks, according to the report, was at SeaWorld, were attendance dropped 2.9 percent to about 5.9 million people. But it%26#39;s worth noting that SeaWorld%26#39;s attendance actually rose slightly from the 5.8 million that ERA/TEA initially estimated it drew in 2007 before Busch officials revealed that the true figure was closer to 6.2 million.

The biggest gainer was Disney%26#39;s Hollywood Studios, where attendance grew 1 percent to 9.6 million. Disney opened Toy Story Mania! at the park in 2008, its biggest new attraction of the year

Theme-park attendance growth stalled

I think, with the addition of Manta at Seaworld, they will give the other parks a run for their money this year.

Theme-park attendance growth stalled

I think Disney responded to this by offering the free dining plan.

We are going at the begining of May which is usually quite quiet, but this year crwod levels are prdicted to be at level 8.

Regards,

Deaconblue

Hi.My point that Dis were losing money was ridiculed on the forum by some Dis fanatics. If one takes the above story as true then couple that with the %26#39;buy 4, get 3 free%26#39; and the fact already written about that people are spending less money per head, then Disney must be losing a fortune!One wonders how long they can keep it up?.J.

Jason I wonder what will happen if people like me are unhappy with the 30% plus price hike in the brochure prices for summer 2010? Will people always stump up, will there be enough punters who have not been affected by the reccession? Not that Uk companies can run as charities, but it sure isnt going to help the attendance at these parks if people balk at these hikes!

Im just hoping the exchange continues to improve and then perhaps by booking it all seperately for the 2 weeks next August we%26#39;d hoped for we might still be able to go. Just cant justify forking out the 拢5 thousand plus that Virgin/ Thomas Cook are asking at the mo.

Depends on how you look at it, is Disney losing money or just not making as much as they normally do?

I must disagree with chinners as I think Seaworld attendance will drop with the loss of the Hospitality Centre. That free beer was a good crowd puller.

I think Disney is maintaining and I think staying flat is a increase right now with the economic situation.

I think people more then ever need to go to the happiest place in the world.

What would be interesting would be to see how the magical express numbers are. My guess is a lot higher then in the past.

My neighbor was in Orlanda week before Easter. She said Disney was so crowded they were limited the amount of people they let in! Never heard that before.

More room for us - am I the only one that thinks this is good!

Disney often has to close the gates during busy periods. It isn%26#39;t that unusual. That it is happening now, is surprising.