The Disney Parks are struggling to get guests through the gates, according to Deutsche Bank analysts Bryan Kraft and Benjamin Soff (via Orlando Sentinel). The report collects proprietary geolocation data to make estimates as it relates to attendance. The data shows that attendance is down 80% at Disney Parks, but failed to specify if that data meant all parks worldwide, or just domestic parks. Either way, the figure paints a picture very similar to the lack of demand that we noted in our own article that was later confirmed by Disney CEO Bob Chapek.
That said, the research conclusions that “EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom are outperforming Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios” could be drawn into question. Of the four Disney World theme parks, EPCOT has been the easiest theme park for Annual Passholders to secure, signaling not only a lack of demand from the average parkgoer, but also the most loyal of fans.
A variety of factors certainly come into play when discussing the low attendance figures at Disney World, the least of which is the ongoing nature of the pandemic. Florida COVID-19 case numbers have been improving in recent weeks from a peak back in mid-July when Disney reopened their theme parks. As the case numbers improve, so should attendance figures, according to the report. That claim is backed up by Chapek, who noted that their own internal data shows that attendance figures will improve once consumer confidence in travel improves. Other factors to consider when discussing attendance figures include quarantine orders, travel bans, and a scaled back entertainment lineup at the parks.
The Deutsche Bank report said that Universal Orlando was experiencing an “uplift in admissions”, especially on the weekends where they are only seeing a roughly 64% slide in attendance figures when compared to 2019.
Back at Walt Disney World, there are still tens of thousands of Cast Members who remain on furlough as Disney looks to cut the operating hours of the park by 28% when compared to the same time period last year.
Disney continues to adjust their operations and rules to create as safe of an environment as possible. From physical distancing to mandatory mask wearing, the Disney Parks are certainly some of the safest entertainment venues that you can attend anywhere in the United States right now.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
Not that complicated in my opinion. Disney is a family park. What family wants to wear masks all day, OUTSIDE!? Sure, maayybe if everything was the same as before I’d do it, but it’s not even close. Missing characters is bad enough. Add in the lack of entertainment and reservation system WITHOUT price cuts – what are they thinking?
I mean, yeah, we know how the ‘rona loves the sun and open air spreading like wildfire, right? It’s nearly as deadly as the seasonal flu for those under 60, so I understand precautions. But at some point soon, we’ve gotta just live life (as we do with all the other things that have a slight chance of killing us).
Discount you entry price and lead the world in coming to terms with reality!
Well. As much money we spend there. They can suffer 8p% loss in customers. Tell them to open fully and no masks and see what happens the place will be packed like it was. No fool is going to walk around in the heat wearing a mask and can’t have drinks at all times get for real. We’re pass holders and live 5 minutes away but won’t come back tell restrictions are gone. And live in housing division where 60+ people here work for Disney and most everyone’s saying the same thing. No one is saying covid is not bad but it’s turning out to be a bunch of bullying and political. And a big co like Disney should not join the sheep and step up and do what’s right for the people who make it even possible for them to operate. Us the general public. Just my opinion and opinions of hundreds of people I talk to.
No way Epcot and AK outperforming the other two. So these numbers are suspect especially if they include California which is closed
Its rough in florida right now. It has to calm down and it takes days, months, and probably a year or two. Hopefully next year family, disney fans will visit the disney parks. Right now it’s not a good thing to do. For me it I rather be safe than sorry. It’s up to the individual to make their choice. Be safe everyone!
Agree with the two posts. Full price for less than full value. Then to add insult to the paying guest with unrealistic rules takes way all the magic. From everything I am seeing from guest experiances to the lackluster maintenance why is there anyone going. At this point I doubt my family will ever return to Disney parks ever and we were planning on going to Disney Paris next year and WDW. But not now. We will go to other places that are better maintained and priced appropriately for the service and entertainment being provided. Probably equals 15 to 20 thousand in lost revenue for disney.
I love Disney. My family tries to go every year. Had a trip booked in June. I get ppl are afraid of the virus. But we spend THOUSANDS of dollars and travel half way across the country. There is no way we’re coming back with no fireworks, no meet and greets, no parade, limited dining (a lot of or fave restaurants aren’t even open) not to mention mask in the hot Flordia sun. And they still expect us to pay full price. No thank you
They’ve reversed the executive pay cuts.
Take that for whatever it means.
I would be there often if Disney would sell me an annual pass. As a new resident of Orlando, I cannot get a pass. And I’m not paying $100 a day for a few hours in one park. For now, Universal gets my money.
Aren’t they limiting attendance to 25% of normal capacity. So 75% fewer people? Adjusted for scale, the attendance is only down aout 20ish% for the new rules. You certainly can’t compare your numbers to last year, pre corona
They need to let more ap’s in the parks. We spend money every month and every time I go to the parks I spend money! But I can only go 3 times a month because all the dates get taken so fast. It’s not fair.
Get rid of the masks and we will renew our Disney pass we cancelled in June.
We yearly travel to florida do the parks etc but last Sept we decided no more Disney has become a rip off machine to expensive and lower quality in all respects universal better but next year tickets have increased unbelievable if we can fly 2021 universal only Disney gets what it deserves
We recently moved here to central Florida and were so excited about getting the annual pass to Disney. As soon as they drop the mask rule, we are there! I know we can’t get annual passes right now, but the resident day pass is a good enough deal for us… as soon as the mask requirement is lifted. Many people I talk to feel the same way.
This seems so obvious, as Epcot and Animal Kingdom generate more adult visitors than the other two parks. It’s more likely the individuals who have children and are simultaneously social distancing aren’t attending until it’s actually safe to do so. Realistically Disney should have remained closed or opened/operated specifically for special events like small group weddings. The production value is notably lower with less staff, and the guests fall into either the category of not believing it’s safe to open, concerned of the lack of responsibility of a family based franchise, or the other group believing that with the ability to go to parks they should be doing it on “their terms”. Disney is polarizing both groups. We absolutely love Disney and it is our only vacation destination, but we can’t be bothered to go somewhere that can’t operate safely.
I have a hight confidence of disney doing the max but thats does not protect us for plane, airport, transportation, restaurants, etc…and even if that would be garanty the full price is just ridiculus but that is not suprising from thw new CEO, He is the one responsible for all the new perk taxes and value resort price.
So tired of seeing these articles with Disney whining about low attendance and revenue loss. News flash…..we’re not coming back to wear masks all day with extremely limited entertainment and the same ticket prices to boot. When Disney quits peddling the “fear”, we’ll return. Our family has always entered the parks at our own risk knowing they are the Petri dishes of the world.
Disney must be stopping people from entering magic and mgm. I’ve been trying to reserve those parks with no luck. They are the only ones full if you can’t reserve them right?
I love going to Disney, but like many others I have read and talked to, if the attractions, entertainment, and etc are less so should the price be.
As for the virus, I am done with it. Tired of the fear controlling everyone. I will wait till things are back to normal, not the new normal, the old normal. No masks everything up and running, people and families having fun and not worrying about every little thing, before I and family and friends make the trip back. I agree, vacation and being outside at Disney or Florida is too hot to have to wear a mask the whole time.
As for price, and I hope Disney sees this…… it would do them good to bring prices down, for a while and reboot the park. Guests would appreciate it, Disney will be looked on as taking care of the people who support the parks and bringing the family back to Disney Parks.
Even before covid, I felt Disney was getting too pricey. They are pricing themselves out of range for the average family to be able to come visit once, moreless repeat visits as many families would do throughout the lives of kids and even into adulthood. I know of several family members and friends, who would go once a year or at least every other year. Now they have been going about every 4-5 years because of the price for the family (5 members) this includes the park tickets, meals and snacks, and souvenirs. They wear themselves out to make the most of the parks by staying all day without stop, to get their monies worth after what they shelled out.
If Disney wants to get the attendance back up; then make it more family friendly like it use to be. The way Walt Disney imagined/ envisioned it to be, when HE created it. Thanks for letting me get on my soapbox and vent.
I live in Orlando. I used to be able to see the fireworks from my bedroom window. I will not do Disney for full price with nothing that made me want to go there in the first place. Universal is my destination.
I am Disney Vacation Club. We go frequently to Disney World. We had a trip planned in October but postponed to January. I have a child on a medication that lowers her immune system. I am very glad that Disney has the restrictions it does. I am also a health care worker and have seen the damage caused by covid19. I would not go to Disney if the restrictions were lifted. I do agree that they should not charge full price for less entertainments. I believe continually cutting hours in the park is a mistake. It is only going to keep more people away. Why pay the same for less hours of fun? It made me think twice about going.
I believe that Disney would be a safe place to go at the moment as Disney is always so good on safety.
We do not fall into either of the 2 groups that one of the messages indicated. It is not that we wouldn’t feel safe, it is not that we don’t want to be told what to do to keep us safe (that’s just plain stupidity), it’s not that we won’t get the full Disney experience.
It is because we can’t get there. Trump won’t allow flights in from Uk & our govt won’t let us fly there as florida has far higher figures of COVID then we do here. People have just had December flights cancelled already so not sure what will happen to our February flights…..
I was an annual passholders for years until last week. It was such a pain to get a park reservation for a day I wanted. I would have to plan out weeks in advanced and hope I could get into the park I wanted. I went in to make reservations for august and basically couldn’t get into MK or HS. Not worth paying the regular passholder price when I don’t receive the same benefits.
When they restrict the entrance of passholders what do they expect? Try to get a passholders reservation & it says they are full but you can still buy a ticket for that same day! I understand that there is more money made on one day tickets but passholders spend money on food drinks & articles in store. If they keep on with treating passholders like crap they may end up with just what they seem to want:: No Passholders. When locals kept them going during the early days so would they now if the park would let them in! Next time there is no travelers Disney may find itself with no guests
Masks are one thing-I might MIGHT be able to survive in the heat with ducking into air conditioning frequently (although I’m an off-season attender anyway). But the bulk of the problem really is the prices with lower quality and quantity. I also don’t do character things but if I had young kids I would. I don’t often stay the full amount of time for fireworks because the crowds are outrageous and sometimes really rude. But I want the option. For me, I see a lot of restaurants not open and that diminishes experiences. Combine all of that together and some of us traveling too many hours are not going to put out the money and effort. Universal is keeping its crowd levels because you don’t have to make reservations and they haven’t canceled too many things. Unfortunately for Disney, people expect a lot more…
@ Svott Pepperman-good point! Another alarming thing I heard is that the reservations will get booked up but then people don’t show. I think if people miss their resort stays those spaces should get reopened immediately, AP’s would grab them up.
If they would allow APHs to save more than 3 dates at a time, the parks would be filling up. They are still limiting the hands that feed the mouse. Sure, we might not spend as much as an out of state visitor, but we still spend money in the park when we’re “allowed” to enter!!!
#FreeThePassholders
People aren’t going bc the restrictions are ridiculous. No way would I pay that much money to wear a mask all day, not have shows or fireworks and have to worry about social distancing. The virus has less than 1% mortality according to recent CDC reports and we’re still living with draconian measures. If the park operated as usual, People who aren’t afraid to live life as usual would flock to the parks. Just because cases rise does not mean mortality rises, it only means herd immunity which Is actually a good thing.
Disney is running itself into the ground by following these measures.
Dawn August 20, 2020 At 9:39 pm
Its rough in florida right now. It has to calm down and it takes days, months, and probably a year or two. Hopefully next year family, disney fans will visit the disney parks. Right now it’s not a good thing to do. For me it I rather be safe than sorry. It’s up to the individual to make their choice. Be safe everyone!
This person is full of it. We too live in Florida (Tampa), Most of the covid testing done in Florida has already been proven incorrect by fraudulent testing companies here and reported as such by local media.
All other theme parks are having higher attendance because they have a better system to visit and most have not cut the experience to crappy like disney. This whole mess will end after the election one way or the other, watch and see. I’m not saying the virus is not dangerous, but take a serious look at the death rate, less than 1% which is lower than the flu. Disney needs to wake up. They will not have a positive attendance until they start acting like Universal.
I’d love to design a lighweight Mouse Mask like a Starwars helmet? Air conditioned and maybe a solar power panel with a side or back air filter rather than a stupid on my face mask in 100F muggy heat….Bluetooth to chat with my family and nightlight LED’s for safety….Walt would have me this happen …
As long as there’s a mask policy in place, I will not be returning to Disney.