Crowd Levels At Disneyland - Something NEEDS To Be Done - Thoughts of an AP Holder

[The International]

Originally Posted by techskip

If the crowds have an adverse affect on tourism dollars then they need to be brought under control.

Disney has this down to a science (seriously) and so I'm sure they'll bring the crowds under control when it starts hurting their bottom line. Which, you know, they haven't done yet, so maybe it's not such a huge problem.

[sediment]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

However, I do think they are smart enough to recognize that there have been some problems created by the current AP system and there are certainly many things that they can do which I think would actually make them more money.

No. ALL the problems of Disneyland are caused by it. (Hyperbole tradmarked.)

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

...
In regard to the over AP situation, it does seem like it is creating a number of problems that have to be dealt with in some more overall way. However, as a number of other posters have suggested, there are many solutions to these problems.

There is only one solution.

[sediment]

Originally Posted by Janell

I agree, they need more to do at night. They need more places to put people, give them something to do.

They need to increase the average cost of admission, so they can afford to give guests something to do.

[CinderellaStory]

Originally Posted by techskip

Ummm... more guests=more people... not necessarily more individuals spending money. It is entirely possible to generate more income with less people. That is known as catering to cash laden tourists who like to spend their vacation dollars... which is the target demographic of any resort destination. If the crowds have an adverse affect on tourism dollars then they need to be brought under control.

This is so true, and a big part of the reason I believe they will eventually find a solution. As their little "survey takers" (who are purposely instructed to avoid annual passholders because we supposedly don't spend as much money) gather more and more evidence that tourists will refuse to come back, they will make a change.

The family that buys a pass at a discounted rate and pays monthly is not spending any money in the park. The tourist who comes once a year or less is spending thousands of dollars at the hotels, restaurants, and shops. These are the people who pay $20 for a picture of themselves with a character. These are the people who pay primo bucks to stay at the Disney hotels. And for all that money they get to be treated like cattle. The experience isn't magical, and for some it's downright lousy. So they decide they are never doing this again. And they go home and tell their friends not to go to Disneyland.

While I was training for my job at Disneyland one of the things they DRILLED into our brains was making the experience magical for every guest. Because if a person has a good time, they are likely to tell one person about it. If they have a bad time, they are likely to tell at least four people. Word of mouth is the most powerful advertising tool at their disposal. In time, this will be the downfall of Disneyland if they don't wake up and do something about it soon.

[sediment]

Originally Posted by The International

Disney has this down to a science (seriously) and so I'm sure they'll bring the crowds under control when it starts hurting their bottom line. Which, you know, they haven't done yet, so maybe it's not such a huge problem.

Their solution has mostly been to cut costs. Eliminate attractions without replacement. Let frequent periodic maintenance slip to a point where only a massive refurb will fix an attraction. Switch to cheaper food. Charge for tomatoes. Etc.

[The International]

I love when threads like this turn super elitist

[AidensDaddy]

Originally Posted by DisneyIPresume

A guest already was killed in Disneyland due to another guest bringing in a concealed weapon.

It was back in the 80s that someone was stabbed to death inside the park. I guess it must have been really crowded that day.

I believe that was the "matterhorn incident" that is stated in Koenig's first Mouse Tales book, where a young man was killed nearby the matterhorn one night. My facts could be off. It has been a while since I have read the book.

Originally Posted by Janell

Maybe Disney should go back to have the firework show more up in the air and no right around the castle. So there would be no need to be at the hub to see the show.

I also think that Disney could help themselves, by make the walk way areas behind main street for guest and not have it as back stage. It would take some work sure. But it would help people move easier in and out of the park. Paris has something likes this and it works good.

As far as the fireworks not around the castle, as I stated recently on this thread, that wouldn't matter. Even with just Fantasy In The Sky fireworks, with no pyros around the castle, people still flock to the plaza and Main Street to see the fireworks because they want to see them "above" the castle, with Tinkerbell, and probably have a quick easy way out by just going through Town Square. Castle pyros or no castle pyros, guests will still flock to the plaza to view them.

Originally Posted by mrfantasmic

Tl;dr... but this part:

You still believe that?

Yes I still believe that, I have full confidence in my "source."

[The International]

Originally Posted by CinderellaStory

While I was training for my job at Disneyland one of the things they DRILLED into our brains was making the experience magical for every guest. Because if a person has a good time, they are likely to tell one person about it. If they have a bad time, they are likely to tell at least four people. Word of mouth is the most powerful advertising tool at their disposal. In time, this will be the downfall of Disneyland if they don't wake up and do something about it soon.

can someone explain how Disneyland can be simultaneously too crowded to be enjoyable and also at risk of a "downfall" because nobody will want to go there

[CinderellaStory]

Originally Posted by sediment

Their solution has mostly been to cut costs. Eliminate attractions without replacement. Let frequent periodic maintenance slip to a point where only a massive refurb will fix an attraction. Switch to cheaper food. Charge for tomatoes. Etc.

Yup, I agree. It's that circular reasoning again. The experience isn't as good, so people spend less money. To make up for the difference, they cut out the little things (and sometimes the not so little things), making the experience even worse...which makes people spend less money...and the cycle goes on and on.

[sediment]

Originally Posted by CinderellaStory

Yup, I agree. It's that circular reasoning again. The experience isn't as good, so people spend less money. To make up for the difference, they cut out the little things (and sometimes the not so little things), making the experience even worse...which makes people spend less money...and the cycle goes on and on.

Well, perhaps they should charge a fair, average price to enter. The best way to raise an average number is to replace low numbers in the data with higher numbers.
Now, to figure out who pays the least to enter the park....

[AidensDaddy]

Originally Posted by CinderellaStory

This is so true, and a big part of the reason I believe they will eventually find a solution. As their little "survey takers" (who are purposely instructed to avoid annual passholders because we supposedly don't spend as much money) gather more and more evidence that tourists will refuse to come back, they will make a change.

Yeah everytime they try to approach me, I always give them the same response:

"I'm an annual pass holder. You don't want MY feedback."



Personally, I think they NEED to talk to the AP's, because it is us that notice the small things and what needs to be fixed.

I would've told them don't repair a bottleneck walkway during the busy season.

[CinderellaStory]

Originally Posted by The International

can someone explain how Disneyland can be simultaneously too crowded to be enjoyable and also at risk of a "downfall" because nobody will want to go there

The people making up the crowds aren't spending any money. Some of them are paying less than $6 dollar a month for their pass and they go several times a week. They do not buy food or souveniers. Disney is actually taking a loss in this case.

[sediment]

Originally Posted by The International

can someone explain how Disneyland can be simultaneously too crowded to be enjoyable and also at risk of a "downfall" because nobody will want to go there

"Too crowded" with people who don't pay enough to enter. They're getting their money's worth. At least that day's. Well, their time might be worth something.
"Nobody" who has to pay a lot to enter will want to pay that much for an unenjoyable experience.

What. Could. Be. The. Solution. ???

[The International]

Originally Posted by sediment

Well, perhaps they should charge a fair, average price to enter. The best way to raise an average number is to replace low numbers in the data with higher numbers.
Now, to figure out who pays the least to enter the park....

"To all who come to this happy place; welcome. Disneyland is your land." - Walt Disney

[AidensDaddy]

Originally Posted by CinderellaStory

The people making up the crowds aren't spending any money. Some of them are paying less than $6 dollar a month for their pass and they go several times a week. They do not buy food or souveniers. Disney is actually taking a loss in this case.

They could be allowed an "x" amount of visits per month, and if they go over that amount, they're billed the overage, whatever that amount may be on their next bill or installment payment.