Attendance Tracker

[Galaxy Defender]

Very interesting that some think the US is unsafe. Interesting information and perspective you have on this conversation.

Many years ago my grandmother stopped flying. She had flown many times over the years, but seeing one too many plane crashes on TV convinced her they weren't safe. No amount of statistics about how safe flying was would change her mind.

You are much more likely to die in a car crash in the US, but so many stories of mass shootings, police shootings and killings of police take their toll. No one sees stories of how safe a place is, only the dangers. Look at all the stories about the problems in Brazil.

I can easily see how others in the world view the US as unsafe right now. It could be having an impact on travel here.

 

[GAcoaster]

I can easily see how others in the world view the US as unsafe right now.

Ironically many people in the U.S. think all those guns are keeping them safer and that we are safer here than anywhere else in the world. Anywhere you go you are always in some kind of danger from something. Life is a series of calculated risks...

 

[Scott W.]

Wow, there are countries with so few gun deaths a year? That is crazy. I mean I always knew we were doing something wrong with our lax gun laws, but that is just really crazy.

You have to take these numbers in proportion to the population of a country. Not that I'm making excuses for the US.

 

[Disneyhead]

Wow, there are countries with so few gun deaths a year? That is crazy. I mean I always knew we were doing something wrong with our lax gun laws, but that is just really crazy.

Japan had 4 gun deaths last year. The U.S. had 35,342. Let me spell that out for you, that's Thirty Five Thousand, Three Hundred Forty Two.

This is appearantly the country we WANT to live in.

 

[Disneyhead]

You have to take these numbers in proportion to the population of a country. Not that I'm making excuses for the US.

Yeah, what he said, because Japan is one of the least populated places on....

Oh nevermind.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

While I understand the connection let's stay away from gun control and debate in here, this will quickly spiral out of control.

 

[Teebin]

Hand guns and assault weapons are illegal in many other countries. That probably helps them keep the numbers down.

 

[Galaxy Defender]

The initial shock to the British pound has worn off, helping UK travellers. Wonder if we might see tourism to there shift to other places. Neither of which would have much of an impact on Orlando theme parks, but in a perfect storm it all adds up.

 

[Galaxy Defender]

Could Frozen be winding down some, affecting WDW attendance?

How is convention business currently? I haven't seen that talked about and it certainly impacts theme park attendance. And what about corporate events in the theme parks? I have not heard anything on how that business is going? Does Sea World get much of that?

 

[MrRoamer]

Could Frozen be winding down some, affecting WDW attendance?

How is convention business currently? I haven't seen that talked about and it certainly impacts theme park attendance. And what about corporate events in the theme parks? I have not heard anything on how that business is going? Does Sea World get much of that?

The Telecom industry just had one of our major yearly conferences in June. It generally rotates between cities so that it goes Orlando somewhere else Orlando somewhere else etc. For the first time in probably 10 years it was on Disney property (Swan) normally it is at Gaylord Palms. It seemed to be about the same size as it normally is but I couldn't help but wonder why the location shift. I know that there were quite a few people that did bring family down for this one and spent time in the parks. The discounts that we got on the hotels was insane especially considering Yacht Club was on the list.

Had several coworkers from company come down, most of them went to Disney but I did convince all but one to make a trip to Universal. That did lead to some very interesting conversations and comparisons, some of them including "Wow the theming is unbelievable" to "Wow you can get free water from the Freestyle Machines?!?! That is great that they let you do that especially since they would never do that at Disney" ....:fist:

 

[sparky]

I think I've got a very skewed view of the US. I love the whole culture and the people but I spent 90%+ of my time in International Drive, Universal or Disney and I seldom leave the safety of these areas.

Travelling to Honolulu, Los Angeles and Vegas was a bit eye opening to the reality of some areas in the US.

Vegas is like a whole different world. It's a freaky town. I love it, but it is freaky even to people who live in US

 

[sparky]

Wow, there are countries with so few gun deaths a year? That is crazy. I mean I always knew we were doing something wrong with our lax gun laws, but that is just really crazy.

we have always had a fascination with guns. This is really nothing new. We love guns, and cars. Americana isn't apple pie it's a AR-15 and a Mustang convertible

 

[Galaxy Defender]

Vegas is like a whole different world. It's a freaky town. I love it, but it is freaky even to people who live in US

Las Vegas is so over the top it reminds me of a theme park. I used to attend a small trade show that switched cities. After an attendance disaster in Miami it moved to Vegas. It was so successful there it has been there ever since.

 

[sparky]

Las Vegas is so over the top it reminds me of a theme park. I used to attend a small trade show that switched cities. After an attendance disaster in Miami it moved to Vegas. It was so successful there it has been there ever since.

I love, love, love Vegas. The people watching alone is a hoot for me. I don't drink, I play penny slots, and smoke...My Vegas vice.. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

 

[Galaxy Defender]

I love, love, love Vegas. The people watching alone is a hoot for me. I don't drink, I play penny slots, and smoke...My Vegas vice.. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

The funny thing for me was I didn't want to go. I had no interest in gambling so no interest in Vegas. I found I loved the city, for many of the same reasons I like theme parks.

One list I looked at ranked Orlando as the biggest convention city in the US. The theme parks are the biggest draw, but kudos to Orlando for building so much convention space (Universal is working hard to catch up) . Beaches, warm weather, reasonable prices and so much more to do also help.

 

[Mad Dog]

The funny thing for me was I didn't want to go. I had no interest in gambling so no interest in Vegas. I found I loved the city, for many of the same reasons I like theme parks.

One list I looked at ranked Orlando as the biggest convention city in the US. The theme parks are the biggest draw, but kudos to Orlando for building so much convention space (Universal is working hard to catch up) . Beaches, warm weather, reasonable prices and so much more to do also help.

Went to Vegas on a long business trip once. Split my stay at the Hilton & Bellagio. I was lucky and was able to experience the Star Trek attraction, restaurant/bar & museum. But I was pretty much bored on the rest of the trip . I'm not into gambling or shopping. It was just OK, but I'd never vacation there.

 

[Galaxy Defender]

Went to Vegas on a long business trip once. Split my stay at the Hilton & Bellagio. I was lucky and was able to experience the Star Trek attraction, restaurant/bar & museum. But I was pretty much bored on the rest of the trip . I'm not into gambling or shopping. It was just OK, but I'd never vacation there.

Vegas is where I was introduced to Cirque do Soleil and Blue Man Group, both of which I have now seen in multiple cities and love.

And some really good buffets

 

[sparky]

Went to Vegas on a long business trip once. Split my stay at the Hilton & Bellagio. I was lucky and was able to experience the Star Trek attraction, restaurant/bar & museum. But I was pretty much bored on the rest of the trip . I'm not into gambling or shopping. It was just OK, but I'd never vacation there.

Penny slots. :dance:

 

[speckles]

Vegas is great and so is so many parts of the US, did not intend to start a debate on gun laws and well aware it polarises opinion. We all know the news is angled to drama and entertainment ...well the US provides it is spades in one department and the EU for refugees etc in another...it just does sway pubic opinion over time how people perceive a place...given it is all they start to see highlighted for a part of the world... again and again...

Personally where desperate people are then there is danger..desperate people do desperate things and they can be found all over the world...usually in parts of certain large cities and lets face it... most tourists would never be in those parts.

Disney will keep it certain demographic however there is only a stage daughters are into the princess thing. I was in LA in April and friends were not renewing their annual passes given the increased ticket prices and half the park is a construction zone. Also the cut backs from April to help D China annoyed a lot, taking nickel and dime to whole new level.

I do wonder if demographics will undermine Disney numbers at a point. People are use to an app world when new ideas come on tap so quickly..at Universal at least they do refresh quicker...as I walk through a park with Pokemon go all around me

 

[Galaxy Defender]

Disney will keep it certain demographic however there is only a stage daughters are into the princess thing. I was in LA in April and friends were not renewing their annual passes given the increased ticket prices and half the park is a construction zone. Also the cut backs from April to help D China annoyed a lot, taking nickel and dime to whole new level.

In addition to princesses Disney has the nostalgia of adults. What they don't have is much enthusiasm from boys after a young age. Boys I know who have been to both resorts want to go back to Universal. As Universal becomes better known and developed it will be more of a draw to boy and teens on general. At some point, maybe even now, that will impact Disney attendance.

I love MK. I like EPCOT. The other two Disney parks have some decent rides but the parks themselves don't do much for me. I am content to do Halloween at MK and the rest of the year at Universal. If the competition was between Universal and AK/DHS, Universal would be winning hands down.

Disney is working hard to make one day at MK very expensive but an extended visit to all parks more reasonable. That might just be backfiring.