Hong Kong Disneyland disappointing attendance.

Hong Kong Disneyland celebrated its second anniversary Wednesday amid disappointing attendance and alleged labor problems. The park, which opened on Sept. 12, 2005, drew 5.2 million guests in its first year, 400,000 short of its target of 5.6 million. Disney park officials have been secretive about attendance figures, they have not announced second-year numbers, but the Walt Disney Co. revealed disappointing earnings results for Hong Kong Disneyland in its quarterly reports this year.

I do not find this suprising at all.

Single Theme Parks are a day destination for many people, WDW is a vacation destination. Many people do want to spend time at WDW, be it a weekend, or week or longer. There is quite a bit to do and while it certainly is not cheap, people flock to WDW.

Also I do consider pricing for the theme parks $72.00+ a single day admission, add food & beverages and in most cases parking and for a family of four this is a budget breaking decision. I wonder if Disney (and other Theme Parks) are pricing themselves out of may families reach. What do you think?

Comments: 11

Teresa W. Sep 15, 2007, 9:42am EDT

Yes, I don't know how we will take the kids to Disneyland at the price because there are 5 of us that would have to pay to get in, plus a motel, parkings, food. We're looking at a whopping $360.00 just to get in and motels are quite pricey so, this won't be a trip we get to make for quite a long time and by then it will cost even more to get in!! Which is too bad because we'd love to take the boys to Disneyland!!

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Sue * Sep 15, 2007, 11:12am EDT

I have never had any desire to go to the out of country parks...in fact, I've never been to Disneyland. I think there is so much to offer in Orlando, that you really never get bored. (Although I'm pushing it right now with all these trips) The ticket prices are high, but you do get so much for your money. I only wish they had offered the meal plans when my kids were young. I really think the new meal plan is the way to go if you can.

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Elaine A. Sep 15, 2007, 11:15am EDT

Teresa I feel that that Disneyland & WDW will soon be a thing only a few people can afford.

And that is what Walt would not have wanted.

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Elaine A. Sep 15, 2007, 11:16am EDT

I agree Sue, you can never really get bored at WDW, and in Orlando.

I have never taken advantage of a meal plan, is it worth it do you think?

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Nana to Seven Cutiepies Sep 15, 2007, 12:19pm EDT

Elaine, I often wonder how families today can afford any of the theme parks. I guess credit cards, because they are always packed. It's a shame. We have Sesame Place in our neck of the woods and the prices are unbelievable in my opinion. This is a one day park and even adults have to pay a huge price to get in and almost everything is kid sized. The prices don't seem to hurt the attendance though.

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Elaine A. Sep 15, 2007, 12:42pm EDT

Nana You are right, attendance is not affected. But I do wonder when it will actually be affecte? I agree with you, credit cards are how many people afford everything. I guess they do not realize they are over-paying for the trip with all the intrest.

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Sue * Sep 15, 2007, 2:36pm EDT

My friends that still have kids at home swear by the meal plans. When we first started going the meal package was not only too expensive, it was too much food. Now, I believe you get one sit down meal, one counter meal and a snack...which is about perfect. You can combine 2 full service meal tickets for a character meal etc. My friends are all younger, and they say that it truly pays for itself. We now thankfully don't have to buy our tickets, so packages don't work for us. Of course, there are blackout dates for employee passes, and my daughter only gets a limited number with her position (I think it gets better as you climb the ladder). I would look into it if I was still buying tickets for each trip.

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