Attendance Tracker

[Nick]

I think they've finally realized the way forward for their survival is as a local/regional presence rather than competing with UOR/WDW for big vacation dollars

Once Potter happened to UOR (and the abomination that is Antarctica happened to SW), it didn't take a genius to figure out that this was their only way to survive. They have embraced being a high-end regional park and it's working.

 

[JungleSkip]

Once Potter happened to UOR (and the abomination that is Antarctica happened to SW), it didn't take a genius to figure out that this was their only way to survive. They have embraced being a high-end regional park and it's working.

Yup, and personally I think it's a good thing. The more SeaWorld pushes for local/AP business, it should hopefully make UOR/WDW realize they can't completely neglect that consumer base without losing them completely.

 

[Nick]

And the new strategy of a new attraction for every park every year should keep the ball rolling.

I'm rooting for them that the Sesame Street area is a success. At least aesthetically, if they can recreate what's seen in the show, that would be cool. Other than rethemes, is there going to be a dark ride in Sesame or no (can't remember)?

 

[JungleSkip]

I'm rooting for them that the Sesame Street area is a success. At least aesthetically, if they can recreate what's seen in the show, that would be cool. Other than rethemes, is there going to be a dark ride in Sesame or no (can't remember)?

Doesn't seem like there's a big new ride addition coming.

 

[Scott W.]

I think they've finally realized the way forward for their survival is as a local/regional presence rather than competing with UOR/WDW for big vacation dollars

I think they've also found themselves in a weird niche market. Not everybody wants to do just Disney or Universal and for a lot of people, it's too expensive to do both. Disney and SeaWorld or Unviersal and SeaWorld is a better option for a lot of people while still offering something different for a modest price.

 

[Nick]

I think they've also found themselves in a weird niche market. Not everybody wants to do just Disney or Universal and for a lot of people, it's too expensive to do both. Disney and SeaWorld or Unviersal and SeaWorld is a better option for a lot of people while still offering something different for a modest price.

Also, for some people, they may decide to do one less day at Disney and skip DAK for a day at SeaWorld.

Although I think the days of that being something that happens in large numbers are starting to come to an end as Pandora/FoP (along with RoL, despite sucking) have really given people a reason to go to DAK again.

 

[SeventyOne]

Sea World's base has always been locals (particularly less affluent locals) and international guests (you don't need strong English skills or an American sense of humor to appreciate animal shows and coasters). People joke about free beer being the main draw, but in my experience, absolutely was a huge factor.

The return of free beer and more reasonably priced EPCOT festivals may stem the bleeding from locals for a while--tho no doubt helps that neither of the big boys did anything justifying an AP this year--but Star Wars and Epic Universe mean any gain in international guests is a dead cat bounce.

 

[Mad Dog]

Sea World's base has always been locals (particularly less affluent locals) and international guests (you don't need strong English skills or an American sense of humor to appreciate animal shows and coasters). People joke about free beer being the main draw, but in my experience, absolutely was a huge factor.

The return of free beer and more reasonably priced EPCOT festivals may stem the bleeding from locals for a while--tho no doubt helps that neither of the big boys did anything justifying an AP this year--but Star Wars and Epic Universe mean any gain in international guests is a dead cat bounce.

A few years back, when things were healthy, SW Executives publicly said that 0ne third of their attendance was International visitors. I would guess the big loss in that percentage has substantially affected their base revenue since those are big spenders for the most part. All attendance is not created equal.

 

[UNIrd]

Also, for some people, they may decide to do one less day at Disney and skip DAK for a day at SeaWorld.

Although I think the days of that being something that happens in large numbers are starting to come to an end as Pandora/FoP (along with RoL, despite sucking) have really given people a reason to go to DAK again.

Lol. It doesn't suck! It's underwhelming.

 

[Scott W.]

I can see Brexit having a huge negative impact on Orlando next year. The whole thing is a disaster. Travelling abroad could be a nightmare and even if you decide to travel, the exchange rate would be a killer.

 

[Ridgepole]

And the euro has crapped v the dollar. My son is currently reaping the benefits of that right now

 

[Nick]

Lol. It doesn't suck! It's underwhelming.

Same difference. It’s just so... blah. I know they were going for pageantry, but there was no discernible story besides “NATURE!” and the finale leaves you expecting there to be more to follow, making it awkward when you realize that’s it.

 

[Bobharlem]

Crystal Ball gazing for 2019.

I think Disney will be running a lot of specials before Star Wars opens up next year, after that I think all the Orlando parks will see a boost because of it -- particularly the Magic Your Way fl resident promotion. After SWGE opens, forget it. Although the AP blackout dates and timing of AP price increases this fall will be telling for WDW. They may do special things for Epcot above and beyond that since that's going to see the largest attendance hit by far next year.


Universal will do better early on because of the new HP Coaster (new T2:3D replacement show will also help), and will see rising tide benefits from Star Wars when it opens (So will Sea World). If Star Wars opens in October of next year, HHN will be stupid crowded.

 

[Coasted]

I can see Brexit having a huge negative impact on Orlando next year. The whole thing is a disaster. Travelling abroad could be a nightmare and even if you decide to travel, the exchange rate would be a killer.

Another drop today $1.26:£1 foreign exchange!

 

[Scott W.]

Another drop today $1.26:£1 foreign exchange!View attachment 7432

In hindsight, getting my dollars at 1.43 a few months back would have saved me a small fortune.

 

[SeventyOne]

Crystal Ball gazing for 2019.

I think Disney will be running a lot of specials before Star Wars opens up next year, after that I think all the Orlando parks will see a boost because of it -- particularly the Magic Your Way fl resident promotion. After SWGE opens, forget it. Although the AP blackout dates and timing of AP price increases this fall will be telling for WDW. They may do special things for Epcot above and beyond that since that's going to see the largest attendance hit by far next year.


Universal will do better early on because of the new HP Coaster (new T2:3D replacement show will also help), and will see rising tide benefits from Star Wars when it opens (So will Sea World). If Star Wars opens in October of next year, HHN will be stupid crowded.

I don't see SWL as the rising tide everyone else seems to. Yes, it will excite the Disney fanbase--at the cost of EPCOT and likely DAK--but even Pandora managed to do that. SWL is just not new and different or iconic in the way Hogsmeade was. I think this shuffles guests around Disney, and maybe delays a car rental and trip up I-4 until Nintendo opens, but I don't buy this being the key to an Orlando renaissance. I think most days spent in DHS after SW opens are days that would already have been spent in Orlando, just somewhere else.

 

[shiekra38]

I don't see SWL as the rising tide everyone else seems to. Yes, it will excite the Disney fanbase--at the cost of EPCOT and likely DAK--but even Pandora managed to do that. SWL is just not new and different or iconic in the way Hogsmeade was. I think this shuffles guests around Disney, and maybe delays a car rental and trip up I-4 until Nintendo opens, but I don't buy this being the key to an Orlando renaissance. I think most days spent in DHS after SW opens are days that would already have been spent in Orlando, just somewhere else.

I'm curious to see if hardcore SW fans eat it up or if families are the only ones that connect to it

HP was a phenomenon...The series was about to end, nothing had ever been done like it

 

[UniversalRBLX]

While the Star Wars fan base is already seen in the parks... it's still something new that will see Hogsmeade/Cars Land lines. It's gonna be mayhem

 

[shiekra38]

While the Star Wars fan base is already seen in the parks... it's still something new that will see Hogsmeade/Cars Land lines. It's gonna be mayhem

Certainly, but are those people going to be pulled from MK, Epcot and Pandora?

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Certainly, but are those people going to be pulled from MK, Epcot and Pandora?

Yes. Anything with the tagline NEW is going to draw guests in, at least for a day. Not too mention that the offerings inside the land seem to be awesome experiences. And once Disney starts its marketing campaigns with the "Drive the Millenium Falcon" phrase, people will go nuts.