According to figures published by the Themed Entertainment Association, attendance at Disneyland Resort Paris has dropped in the year between 2013/14.
Parc Disneyland Paris welcomed 9,940,000 and WDS welcomed 4,260,000 in 2014, a drop of 4.7% at both parks.
These were the only two parks in the European top 20 to have a drop in attendance. With Madrid's Parque Warner (+25.9%), France's Parc Asterix (+11.1%) and Futurescope (+13.7%) making the biggest gains.
To be honest that considering the prices DLP charges I'm not surprised.
My husband rightfully remarked that for the price of a two day stay at Disney we could have gone on a 5 day holiday to several other spots in Europe.
I'm pretty sure a lot of people also feel that way.
Bear in mind that these are for 2013-14 so it is quite old data. My impression from ED's releases, my visit last week and what I see on social media is that things have been busier recently.
When I was at work the other week, I found myself chatting to a guest as I checked him in. He was staying at the hotel where I work with his wife and two kids for the night before travelling down to DLP in the morning. It was nice to see how excited the kids were and brought back good memories of when my brother and I were younger and used to visit with our mum.
The man asked me if I'd ever been before and I explained how Disneyland Paris was like a second home when I was younger, but how I hadn't been for a few years and that my fiancee and I are going back in November. He seemed rather taken aback that we were going in November this year. I asked him why, to which he replied - and I quote (my response in bold):
"You really don't want to visit Disney after August this year, least not till they've finished all that work. Oh, how come? Well, the atmosphere isn't very Disney, what with all the work going on. Half the park will be shut that time of year and the prices don't reflect those closures. It's not like they're offering anything else in the meantime.
Aside from the initial thought in the back of my head that he may have a point about there being some closures when my fiancee and I visit, I wondered how many other people were thinking this way. I'm not going to try and guess a percentage, however if enough people are of this opinion, I wonder how many people will spend the next 12, 18 or even 24 months + not going to Disney and instead going elsewhere? If enough people did that, how would that affect DLP?
I guess that these people would come back after the anniversary, but in the meantime... well, who knows.
Very, very interesting point of view, TappyFish!
You made me thoughtful about people's ways of accepting and passing on news and rumors.
I personally - when deciding on booking or nor for Christmas - had read a lot about all this work done there at that time and had concerns a little bit. But after that (and maybe because if have previous experiencies) I realised there is always something to be done there at that "awful" place. And because always something is closed (prior visits some painful attractions as Peter Pan, Molly Brown, Lancelot), it's understandable (for me at least) there must be a refurbishment after all these people and crowds. And I am sure new things are coming, so there is a lot of movement, change, which brings uncentain feeling in some of us.
Hope that not so many people "ride" this negative feeling and visit.
Sorry! Think I've changed the point of the thread a little bit, maybe it's connected somehow.
Regular guests are not put off by all the green fences, they still enjoy the magical atmosphere! I've read several reports by people who said that they didn't even notice the fences, they had the most wonderful time and the magic was present all around. Now, as for the first timers, I'd understand their frustration but Disney isn't only about rides.
I will agree, though, on the high prices. Especially with the financial situation in Europe the past few years, it's getting harder for some people to save up for a Disney holiday. But boy, is it worth it every single penny! ;D
I think people also don't tak into account that the majority of theme parks in the UK close for the winter, therefore allowing them to do refurb/renovation work, and have a nice period before they reopen to get everything looking fresh again. As Disney is open 365 a year, of course they have to close things periodically to keep them in good working order. And their standard is amazingly high, unlike some uk parks where I wouldn't feel safe letting my kids on certain rides, manned by teenagers who are too busy playing on the phones and only respond with a grunt
The hotel prices are pretty mental, especially if you have a family of 5. We are staying at the adagio for 2 weeks for less than it would cost for 3 days in any of the hotels.
This is with the annual pass discount taken into account.
Which is completely different to 2008 when i stayed in the Sequioa Lodge and the cost wasnt unreasonably more expensive.
Quote from: macca1476 on June 04, 2015, 03:53:28 PM
The hotel prices are pretty mental, especially if you have a family of 5. We are staying at the adagio for 2 weeks for less than it would cost for 3 days in any of the hotels.
This is with the annual pass discount taken into account.
Which is completely different to 2008 when i stayed in the Sequioa Lodge and the cost wasnt unreasonably more expensive.
EXACTLY! Back in 2008 my best friend and I could go for 3 days and 2 nights for barely more (actually the cost of the Soirée Halloween more) in peak season for what my husband and I are paying for 2 days and 1 night in low season! It's getting ridiculous.
I have to be honest, this is probably the last trip I'm taking for the forseeable future, not because I don't like DLP, not because of the refurbs, but simply because of the cost. And you know, there is more to the world than DLP and I'd like to be able to see other places too, so DLP trips will have to be cut back for a good while.
Not saying it's not expensive, but including ferry, and petrol, we stay at davy crcokett ranch for 1500 for eight days in September, including the half board standard meal plan, and there are seven of us. Two weeks earlier (late august, if we were to go to centre parcs it would cost us around 900 for the lodge alone, no activities, not including fuel, no meals out, and that's just 5 days. even looking for a cottage to rent in the lake district in September, for a family of our size, prices are about 800+, again, not including days out or meals, so I may be in the minority but I don't think DLP is so comparatively expensive. Yeah, it would be more if we stayed at one of the on-site hotels, but I think it would cost us an equal amount, if not more to do any other holiday abroad
Quote from: HildeKitten on June 04, 2015, 10:23:01 PM
I have to be honest, this is probably the last trip I'm taking for the forseeable future, not because I don't like DLP, not because of the refurbs, but simply because of the cost. And you know, there is more to the world than DLP and I'd like to be able to see other places too, so DLP trips will have to be cut back for a good while.
For me it also have all to do with the cost. Last week I did price a couple of nights at Kyriad, and and the cost with tickets etc are way to pricey for us also. I think it's sad that it's so expensive now. If they cut the price with 30% or more, I think DLP could get more visitors. Even though I haven't been to DLP since 2009, and I want to go back, the price is stopping me.
We usually go to Cyprus during August, but this year we thought we'd go to DLP for something different. I don't think we will again as it is so expensive! We can go to Cyprus for over 3 weeks including car hire, spending, flights for what it costs us for 5 nights at DLP! Next time we do Disney will be Orlando for sure!
The cost is certainly a big factor, staying at DLP is very costly. Currently my next visit is planned for 2017, and I'll certainly try and book when there's an offer that gives you days for free.
Those are generally a massive saving, and make it worth going for me at least, though with a family that may well be different. I'm usually going alone, and you certainly don't get the advertised pricing per night, as that's based on 2 adults and 2 kids, rather than a single adult. :P
Oddly enough, WDW is a little more straightforward in that respect, it's more expensive to get there, but the price per night is generally a bit lower than what you'd pay for a similar level hotel at DLP. And I will say, you get a lot more Disney for that price. At DLP breakfast is included though, which is not the case at WDW.
I tend to go when they have the "extra nights free" offers on.
& i don't think its that bad priced then but in the height of summer it is stupidly over priced!
So i can see why attendance may have dropped.
In terms of pricing DLP is actually relatively cheap compared to DLHK and DRT. The Disney hotels in Asia are madness. And no extra hours at all. DLHK was like Euro 200 per night for their cheaper hotel, and Tokyo is just madness. Euro 400 per night for the hotel furthest from the entrance. Despite my love for DRT (I try to go every other year), I have not stayed at their hotels because frankly I don't have that much money to spare, and I also don't like to move from hotel to hotel ( I usually stay in Tokyo for at least a week on each visit). Although WDW is much cheaper than DLP.
I think the biggest drawback for me is the "magic". It's somewhat less magical at DLP than the other parks. Granted DLHK has lots of mainland China tourist who seek to continually ruin the "magic" (rudeness and poor public hygiene), but it's staff really try to keep it magical. DRT, despite being the most crowded of the Disney parks I've been to (park opens at 9am, fastpass for the Journey to the Center of the Earth at 10am is for 7pm, 4 hour wait otherwise, no single riders) and the language barrier, is one of the most magical for me. My wife and I (before we were married) participated in a Disney Obon where we danced and all that. We even had Gepetto tell my wife her shirt is too short and she had to pull it down (this was pre-babies of course) in a very Disney way.
Its a bit of a catch-22 for them when it comes to pricing. Lower the prices and whatever small profits are diminished even more. However, you'd hope that the lower prices would attract more custom and therefore negate whatever losses incurred.
But its not just the ridiculously high prices that are the sole reason for putting people off. Few new additions and visible aesthetic issues all play their part.
I appreciate that its not easy for EuroDisney, they've not got the luxury of the budget free worries of Tokyo, Anaheim and Orlando.
Hopefully the more recent attendance figures will show that Remyland was a worth while addition and the announced refurbs are also well received.
Probably not going to see the Rat make a big dent attendance wise. The data just doesn't show it :/
^Guess they need to roll out the heavy hitters. Marvel and Star Wars both need a bigger presence, and they need to promote the heck out of it.
And (as I've only just discovered) TWDC now owns 78% surely they can have a bigger influence on the future of the resort?
TWDC always had the kind of final say, if WDI didn't design it, DLP basically couldn't have it...
2017 will probably be a turn around year. Wouldn't hold out for much 2015/2016.
Frozen is this years addition
Does anyone have a breakdown on attendance figures by country if so it would be interesting to see which countries have declined the most. Very interesting topic with different views on pricing with DLP, I find that DLP seem to give better offers to other European countries except for the UK and IRELAND, I have also noticed that there seems to be a lot of FLASH SALES for the FRENCH. I would also say that the offers for the FRENCH seem to give children under 12 free most of the time, as for most of the other European countries its kids under 7 and very little kids under 12 free and when it is on offer, its very selected dates usually when its term time. { I know you can ask for crossover deals but I feel some people would be unsure on this and the messing around and having to pay outright there and then for that crossover deal as when we have rang up and booked a holiday directly you can pay 15% deposit then normally pay it off every month until finished. as we have done before getting are passes } My family and I love DLP and after serious thoughts about how often we could visit DLP we decided to purchase annual passes, and if you intend to visit more than once in a year its well worth purchasing one. We now stay off site staying in apartment only minutes away from the magic. Don't get me wrong its great staying on site, but we decided more visits and with all the benefits as if we were staying on site. If you intend to visit more than once a year it is well worth getting an annual pass, see all the benefits you get from being a pass holder its well worth it. Since we purchased are annual passes we have been 4 times since October and all being well by the time we will have to renew are passes in October it will be 6 times, for a fraction of what DLP would of charged staying on site.
You know, I keep on hearing about how ridiculous the prices are at Tokyo Disney, but the last time I checked, I could get an arrangement in the cheapest hotel for LESS than what I'm paying for my September trip in DLP. So I do think it depends on when you are going.
That still wasn't cheap of course, but it was surprising to me because I always heard about how pricy the hotels there are.
That aside, I remember back in 2006, my husband, his brother and his brother's gf and I booked a room at the Sequoia Lodge the week before leaving, and we paid € 86 a night per person, because back in the day, they did last minutes. Surely bringing those back would not only raise attendance rates, but get more people in the parks that otherwise wouldn't come, which means those people come and spend money at the parks, so again: more income during the low season.
I really wonder why they stopped doing that.
Quote from: Trekkie101 on June 07, 2015, 06:56:54 PM
TWDC always had the kind of final say, if WDI didn't design it, DLP basically couldn't have it...
2017 will probably be a turn around year. Wouldn't hold out for much 2015/2016.
Sure, but I was thinking back when the percentage of share was less. I'm not overly familiar with how the relationship between ED and TWDC works, but I assume that major additions had to be approved by the board, who represent the shareholders. To which something could have been vetoed for being to expensive or such like.
I appreciate though, that while the Mouse can suggest some fancy new E-Ticket for Adventureland, its still EuroDisney that has to pick up the tab. And a blank cheque is something that they don't have.
That being said, Burbank can surely see what's needed and can move the resort in the direction it needs, without having to negotiate too much.
Disneyland Park is in desperate need of a brand new ride, and I'm not talking about Star Tours 2. Although I'm quite excited with all the efforts being made for the 25th anniversary, there's nothing like a new ride would beat. I'd love to see a Beauty and the Beast dark ride, but any other would do too!
I 100% agree that prices play a big factor. 2013-2014 season was especially expensive - we went in both 2011 and 2012 and fully intended to go in 2013 bug could not get a deal that was worth our while - every time we just thought "we could got to Florida for just a little more". Eventually I got a fantastic deal and we went for Christmas 2014 to January 2015, and I was very glad to go again, but it still took a lot of persuading of the wife that it was a good idea - cheaper was still not as afforable as it used to be.
In my opinion, after the (practical) buyout by Disney Corp, by 2017 everything will have turned around. The parks were starting to look a bit run down in 2012 (even with the 20th anniversary refurbs) but there has been major work done already, and with the overdue complete overhauls of big rides like Space Mountain and IASW, along with hotel refurbs etc I think that by the 25th anniversay they will be doing a huge "relaunch" of the whole brand, with suitable marketing push. We know about new additions and improvements for both the parks, and I can forsee a large Marvel and Star Wars themed push from Disney as well. I think the prices will stay the same, if not become a little cheaper, and the parks will seem far better value with all the new polish that will be afforded by the extra money. Another thing we noticed on our last vist is a vast improvement in "exclusive" DLP and even seasonal merchandise in the shops, and an improvement in the prices of merchandise - we definitely bought more stuff than we ever have been tempted to in the past.
I'd hazard a guess that the last quarter of 2014 and 2015 so far have seen a marked improvement in attendance, hotel figures, and especially food, drink and merchandise sales over the previous 2 years. Disney know how to present and market themselves best, DLRP by themeselves were floundering a little from 2012 to 2014. As a big fan on DLRP, and also as a shareholder, I am genuinely optimistic that the resort will have a big turnaround in the next few years :D
I went in Dec 2012 & Dec 2014 & thought it was soo much busier in 2014!
So maybe that means its a step in the right direction for getting busier.
The thing with DLP is that it's either overpriced/expensive, or just bad value. This goes for merchandise and food.
There is no good alternative. The best example for me is Casey's. For me a Hot-Dog is lunch/snack food. Not dinner. Still they charge €7,39 for a cheddar hot-dog. A family of 4 pays almost €30 for a bun and a sausage. Mind you, this is without drinks.
"Expensive" is #1 complaint/presupposition I hear about DLP.
True, but comparing prices with somewhere like Legoland Windsor, meals and snacks are very much simolar in price
I definitely concur that 2014 in general (every day that we were there) was busier than 2012. There also seemed to be more people buying food, snacks, drinks and using the shops.
I completely agree that DLP is often overpriced, but as I said I did notice that in general, prices had wither stayed the same, or gone down. For example, the average price of a t-shirt, hoodie, hat or bag had reduced, pin badge grades were the same, merch in the Star Wars shop had reduced. Prices in Annettes & Billybobs had stayed the same, and the prices i the station shop had sig ificantly dropped (I know this isn't run by Disney, but it sure helped with drinks and snacks!).
I know that it varies a lot from week to week, but as of right now in early 2015, looking at prices for this year & early 2016, prices of Santa Fe, Cheyenne, Explorer's and Adagio all seem to be cheaper than they were in 2013-2014 (though still higher than 2010-2011).
Don't get me wrong, prices need to keep getting lower, but it seems to be getting better - or at least not getting worse - and the value for moeny is increassing - more rides, attractions and shows, better standard of repair, more variety in decoration, themeing, items in shops etc.
On a personal note: if we as a family of four could get a 4 night, 5 day holiday for less than £750 (which was easy to find in 2010-2011) we'd happily go at least once a year, and probably spend a decent amount on food and souveniers when we were out there. When prices are £1500 for the exact same holiday (which they were whenever we tried to book for 2013-early 2014), it means we'll only go once every 2 to 3 years, and infact will consider saving up and going to Florida instead. Which is a shame, as I personally love DLRP and want it to prosper. We can't be the only family having similar feelings...
Oh, and yes I concur that Legoland winsor is ridiculously overpriced. Whenever we've looked into it we've thought "but we could go to Disney for that!"...
From reading the previous posts about the prices seeming a little cheaper, could this be down to the better exchange rate at the moment? if so then prices would seem better but in reality could have risen slightly..... Just a thought
Actually that is an excellent point, as far as package prices I was thinking in terms of GBP, and hash't factored in exchange rates. But my comments about price of food & merchandise being the same or cheaper were comparing euros for euros :)