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Once a highly sought-after travel destination, the thrill of a trip to Walt Disney World is not quite as strong according to the Walt Disney Company earnings report. Check out the current status of Walt Disney World and how this park measures up against the other Disney Parks.
Lower Attendance
The Walt Disney Company hosted an earnings call sharing the first fiscal quarter earnings for the 2024 fiscal year. Overall Disney Theme Parks posted made $6.3 billion in domestic revenue during the earning quarter.
Disney Parks both domestically and internationally increased by 7% from the last quarter. Overall Disney Parks & Experiences saw a decrease while the Disney Cruise Line generated higher revenue during the earning quarter.
Reasons for Decline
In particular, Walt Disney World saw a significant decline. The Walt Disney Company attributes this decline at Walt Disney World to several factors.
First, there are lower volumes of guests both attending and staying at the Walt Disney World Resort. Attendance is substantially lower when compared to the prior-year quarter with Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration.
Second, the higher costs are due to inflation. Third, increased guest spending. Although attendance is lower, the cost of spending increased. This is in large part due to the variable pricing of theme park tickets.
Many once-loyal Disney Parks guests have grown somewhat hardened to the current state of Disney Parks. With increased ticket prices, variable pricing for Genie+, and increased pricing for food and merchandise, a Disney vacation may not be as desirable as it once was.
Although attendance is lower, the cost of spending increased. This is in large part due to the variable pricing of theme park tickets.
It will be interesting to see if the decrease in Theme Park attendance continues and what steps The Walt Disney Company may take to correct this decline in attendance.
What do you think of the decline in Theme Park attendance? Do you think that the Walt Disney Company needs to make changes to increase attendance? Share your thoughts with us and share this news with your Disney pals.
NMD
Saturday 20th of April 2024
We were a once every couple years, stay at deluxe resort family. We spent a lot on these trips. Won’t go any longer for several reasons. Definitely a noticeable decrease in customer service. Examples - wrong room provided upon check-in, took away mini shampoos and conditioners and shower gels and didn’t fill the large in shower bottles, refusal to allow guests to decrease AC to a comfortable temp (offering only to provide a fan which does nothing but push warm air around) and claim they can’t make it any lower (lies), and their lost and found claiming they can’t find my item when they confiscated it upon arrival (scissors) even though it placed in a box with my room number on it. I am not spending thousands of dollars to sweat and not sleep at night.
Park maintenance- rides shut down for maintenance (ok that’s understandable but more and more often), rides break during (and took a long time for anyone to fix it or let us off). Bathrooms dirtier than I’ve ever seen.
Park experience - charge for individual rides, making us pay for genie express, having to plan out your vacation minute by minute, never enough food reservations available. No flexibility. Developing a class system within the park. Needing to pick your park ahead of time and then you are stuck there until midday.
Also not happy how Disney had to politicize their experience. Sorry spending my money elsewhere.
Mike Casselman
Friday 9th of February 2024
I was there December 1971. Have been back almost every year in the 52 years. Sisters and brother-in-law are cast members. Their discounts are the only way I'm able to come from northern Indiana. Now kids are grown, and visiting Disney is a joy. Not going to the parks, just enjoying the atmosphere. Prices are too high for the typical family
Walter Breucker
Friday 9th of February 2024
Prices out of control- ticket prices just crazy - who wants to stand in long lines all day in Fla heat- my time with Disney is over - and I live in Fla!! Good bye and good luck with your future Disney!!!
Heorge
Thursday 8th of February 2024
Prices are just crazy. Variable ticket pricing is crazy. We’ve been for a week each year for 12 years but have finally priced me out.
Dana
Thursday 8th of February 2024
Disney is sucking people dry with their prices. And….some of us keep going and some say ENOUGH! It’s always crowded, sometimes more than others.