Theme Park Attendance Report for 2017

[Nimbus]

Someone else mentioned this on another thread but I thought I'd raise it here in a separate post.

TEA have recently released their annual theme park attendance report, this time for 2017. See here for the PDF version:

teaconnect/images/fil...730_180517.pdf

You know when Universal opened the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the attendance at IOA significantly increased? Well, the opening of Pandora has done the same thing for Animal Kingdom. The attendance is up 15% and it is now the third most popular theme park in America (behind Magic Kingdom and Disneyland, of course). It's now more popular than Epcot. And people said no one would be interested in an land dedicated to Avatar.

Whilst the other Disney parks increased their attendance figures slightly, Hollywood Studios attendance dropped slightly (again!), probably due to a lack of attractions and the ongoing construction work. That's likely to pick up this year once Toy Story Land opens.

Universal's parks are up 2%, a small increase but at least it was an increase. Because poor old Seaworld sees yet another drop in attendance, this time by 10%. Busch Gardens also saw a drop of 5%. Things aren't looking too good for Seaworld.

On to waterparks, and Volcano Bay is now placed third in North America's ranks, behind Disney's two waterparks (TL and BB). Aquatica is fourth. All of them (except VB which is new) saw drops in attendance.

Finally, it's great news for DLP in Paris. For the first time in forever, DLP attendance has risen - and by 15%, no less. Walt Disney Studios' attendance hasn't increased by quite the same amount but it's still up by nearly 5%. Excellent!

[Eccle]

Interesting report. It's amazing how much difference Pandora has made.

Seaworld San Diego was down 13.9% as well as the drops for the Florida parks

[Gezzs]

Originally Posted by Nimbus

Whilst the other Disney parks increased their attendance figures slightly, Hollywood Studios attendance dropped slightly (again!), probably due to a lack of attractions and the ongoing construction work. That's likely to pick up this year once Toy Story Land opens.

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...and will probably rocket up (no pun intended) when Star Wars opens next year.

Thanks for sharing the report. I saw the other post you mention and was going to try and find it. You saved me the trouble

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by Gezzs

...and will probably rocket up (no pun intended) when Star Wars opens next year.

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Yes. Although as Star Wars Land at Hollywood Studios will only open towards the very end of next year, I expect it won't make a large difference to the annual attendance in 2019. It'll be 2020 when the attendance will really rocket. Which, of course, will be reported in 2021 - in 3 years time!

[Jaspercat10]

Interesting, I love things like this with facts and numbers thank you for sharing

[Moorlandman]

Sea World is trying to off load Busch Gardens but has had no success so far.

Sea World Orlando will slowly remove animals and concentrate on attractions and conservation

[Andybear]

Last year was DLP's silver anniversary which I suspect increased attendance. In fact I know a few people who specifically went for that reason. I went in September and thought the decorations and parade were great. I have been several other times too.

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by Moorlandman

Sea World Orlando will slowly remove animals and concentrate on attractions and conservation

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Keeping animals is part of conservation. But you’re right, I expect Seaworld will reduce the amount and type of animals they have and concentrate on rides. Let’s hope that helps stop the fall in attendance numbers.

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by Andybear

Last year was DLP's silver anniversary which I suspect increased attendance.

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Good point I forgot about that. It certainly looks like those celebrations helped attract visitors, which is a good thing for DLP. And hopefully this year’s Summer of Superheroes - and the other announced changes coming to the resort - will continue that trend.

[wez]

I hope Seaword do get rid of their animals & concentrate on attractions. I’d probably go then! They’re fighting a losing battle otherwise.