Is Toy Story Land underperforming?

[DizFanFamily]

SDMT opened before the advent of FP+.

So you didn't know for sure that you had a fastpass until you got to the park.

I KNOW I have a FP+ for SDD. I won't be spending half my day on that line... not that I personally would choose to wait that long for any ride.

But people now have the option of choosing to go to DHS on a day when they can get a FP+, as opposed to showing up, and deciding that if they want the ride they need to spend the time on lines.

Actually 7DMT opened about the same time as FP+, we happened to be there when it opened and managed to book a fast pass for the last day of our visit (60 days out).
I think the biggest difference is that 7DMT opened in a park that is a full day park for young children - heck - you could spend the full day in old/new FL with them. at DHS - there are now a few rides for the young ones, but it is more a draw for families with older kids that want to ride the thrill rides - and will pop over to check out the new rides. Families aren't going to spend a whole day in TSL like they will in NFL.

 

[ELLH]

I do agree there was an expectation of SDD having higher wait times simply based on it being new. And therefore possibly making the conclusion that TSL isn't quite the hit I expected. However, what matters is what Disney expected.

Using other rides/lands as a comparison has too many variables. If someone could figure out the number of guests that ride (not wait in line for) SDD and then compare that to an average of SDMT and Goofy's Rollercoaster at MK (and account for crowd levels at the park as well as ride throughput capability) then we might be able to better determine just how "well" TSL is doing right now, in its "new" state. But even then it's still conjecture. And like I said above, the only ones who can really determine, at this point, if it's a pass/fail is Disney.

 

[mrcase77]

Seems like it would be more fair to compare after Galaxy's Edge opens and there's more people in the park. As has been mentioned, if you're not REALLY into Star Wars or Toy Story and you don't have a park hopper, DHS is a spotty park pick for the day (especially if you've got younger kids or people who don't like thrill rides) which is probably holding it back. That'll change when Galaxy's Edge because it looks like it'll be worth seeing even if you're not a huge Star Wars fan.

 

[ChipnDale79]

I think the extending of free dining booking and addition of a ticket option are telling that attendance is a bit soft for the upcoming months. That said I wonder if DHS has seen any increases.

is the thought here that people are waiting for next year to plan a trip to Disney? Has star wars made people decide not to go this year, or are there other issues?

 

[rteetz]

is the thought here that people are waiting for next year to plan a trip to Disney? Has star wars made people decide not to go this year, or are there other issues?

I think that is a big part of it.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I’m sure there are a lot of factors involved in the lower than some expected attendance at TSL, but I will add that we’ve been many times in the last several years and by far, July has been, in our experience, the least crowded month of any (we have never been in January or August, though).

It will be interesting to see what this fall brings.

 

[saskdw]

Was anyone expecting TSL to be a big draw?

I thought it was just another legitimate area for families with kids to move some of the existing crowds from MK to somewhere else on property. I don't think they were expecting too many people to plan a vacation specifically because TSL is there. I figured it was more about spreading out the crowds.

 

[ChipnDale79]

Was anyone expecting TSL to be a big draw?

I thought it was just another legitimate area for families with kids to move some of the existing crowds from MK to somewhere else on property. I don't think they were expecting too many people to plan a vacation specifically because TSL is there. I figured it was more about spreading out the crowds.

ehhh i wouldn't say expecting people to plan a vacation around it, i'll say i was surprised by the wait times this week though. We go in 3 weeks, we want to do all 3 rides and were concerned we'd have to go 3 days to DHS and use fast passes..or go twice and wait in a really long line for a ride. I'm not worried about that now.

We have a 5 and 7 year old..so this will be a must do for us while we're there.

 

[rteetz]

Was anyone expecting TSL to be a big draw?

I thought it was just another legitimate area for families with kids to move some of the existing crowds from MK to somewhere else on property. I don't think they were expecting too many people to plan a vacation specifically because TSL is there. I figured it was more about spreading out the crowds.

I think it was expected to boost attendance at DHS at the very least.

 

[nkosiek]

I think it was expected to boost attendance at DHS at the very least.

And it probably will, but it's also possible that people who park hop may do it as the second park and therefore won't count. Quick anecdote; was there with almost 4 yr old the 2 weeks before it opened, while TSMM was closed. After seeing 2 shows and being part of a street performance, he looks at us and said, "Mama, Dada, I wanna ride something." It broke our heart, but there was literally nothing for him to ride. I can honestly say TSL being open would help get families like mine there, but even still, I'm not sure another day in MK or even AK (he loved Dino-land with a spinner, the characters, and the huge play area) wouldn't be a better choice, especially if they didn't have park-hoppers.

 

[OSUZorba]

And it probably will, but it's also possible that people who park hop may do it as the second park and therefore won't count. Quick anecdote; was there with almost 4 yr old the 2 weeks before it opened, while TSMM was closed. After seeing 2 shows and being part of a street performance, he looks at us and said, "Mama, Dada, I wanna ride something." It broke our heart, but there was literally nothing for him to ride. I can honestly say TSL being open would help get families like mine there, but even still, I'm not sure another day in MK or even AK (he loved Dino-land with a spinner, the characters, and the huge play area) wouldn't be a better choice, especially if they didn't have park-hoppers.

I agree, without a PH I wouldn't go to DHS with my toddler even with TSL, unless we just wanted a slow day. AK has a lot to offer a Toddler.

 

[saskdw]

I think it was expected to boost attendance at DHS at the very least.

Yes, but is it expected that this is extra attendance or just people spending some of their WDW time at DHS instead of MK?

I think they were just hoping to spread the crowds out. TSL isn't significant enough for them to actually think it would boost the actual amount of vacationers to WDW. That's my option anyway. As long as it does that I think they'll consider it mission accomplished.

 

[rteetz]

Yes, but is it expected that this is extra attendance or just people spending some of their WDW time at DHS instead of MK?

I think they were just hoping to spread the crowds out. TSL isn't significant enough for them to actually think it would boost the actual amount of vacationers to WDW. That's my option anyway. As long as it does that I think they'll consider it mission accomplished.

I think they were hoping it to do both. DHS lost attendance in 2017. Summer at WDW has also been soft in terms of attendance compared to some previous times.

 

[mshanson3121]

I think the extending of free dining booking and addition of a ticket option are telling that attendance is a bit soft for the upcoming months. That said I wonder if DHS has seen any increases.

Not to derail but I hadn't heard this? What has it been extended to? And what is the ticket option?

 

[mshanson3121]

I don't know what other's expectations were for TSL - mine weren't off the chart, but I did think there'd be more initial demand.

I didn't think it would be Pandora, but I admit, I definitely expected more. A) Disney marketed it as though it was bigger than it is which I thought would generate interest B) one of the biggest complaints about HS (on this board anyway) is that there isn't enough to do, so thought this would help C) People are calling it a "kiddie land", and yes, it is. And given how many children, from a couple different generations now, LOVE the Toy Story characters, I honestly expected higher attendance. I don't buy the "weather" bit some are saying - they're experiencing very normal summer weather for Florida.

I do wonder, reading about the extension of free dining, and now this, if summer crowds are down overall, throughout the parks. I could see that, for many foreign visitors the exchange rates are crap and there are many who are now refusing to visit the US because of Trump (especially Canadians). I've met a surprising amount of people who are actually scared to visit the US. I also wonder how many are just waiting to visit until SWGE opens.

I was discussing this with my wife last night. She said that she thinks that the people that have a sentimental connection to the Toy Story movies are at a time in their lives where they are paying for college, buying houses, starting careers, etc and they do not have the time or money to visit TSL.

Perhaps. Though considering the movie is already 23 years old, there are a lot of us who have already finished college, gotten a job, bought the house, gotten married and have the kids that would enjoy TSL. I found that Toy Story had a fairly broad age range for those who appreciated it.

 

[jsbowl16]

Perhaps. Though considering the movie is already 23 years old, there are a lot of us who have already finished college, gotten a job, bought the house, gotten married and have the kids that would enjoy TSL. I found that Toy Story had a fairly broad age range for those who appreciated it.

I guess it depends on each individual. I just know that the generation in their late twenties have more college debt, fewer home buyers and less families or children by that age than any other generation. 23 years also represents the first film. The other two which are just as popular, came out much later so some people growing up with them are still in college or maybe even teenagers now.

 

[tlmadden73]

Perhaps. Though considering the movie is already 23 years old, there are a lot of us who have already finished college, gotten a job, bought the house, gotten married and have the kids that would enjoy TSL. I found that Toy Story had a fairly broad age range for those who appreciated it.

It does. Toy Story is probably one of Disney's longest running "animation" IPs that has several GREAT sequels to keep it alive for other generations. Toy Story Land is refreshing it yet again for an even newer generation.

It just depends when you saw it.

I enjoyed Toy Story (and ALL Pixar movies) as an adult .. and NOW I am at the wife, house, little kids that enjoy Toy Story now (though, admittingly I had children later in life than most).

Toy Story has appeal to kids of all ages . .that is why it is so popular.
Kids love it .. because .. well .. TOYS
Adults, like me, love it .. because .. well . .it brings you nostalgically back in time when you were a kid and played with toys -- a lot of them like the ones depicted.

Now .. how well the "land" captures those feelings remains to be seen (in person) . .and my family can't wait! TSMM was already the favorite ride at that park .. simply having that ride inserted into a land and themed better on the outside will just make it that much better.

So, for us, Toy Story Land is THE reason that we are going this fall since it appeals to us a whole family. Pandora will be looked forward to by the adults, but my son won't have seen the movies and my daughter will be way too little to go on FOP.

 

[rteetz]

Not to derail but I hadn't heard this? What has it been extended to? And what is the ticket option?

I believe it was just an extension of the booking window not any additional dates. The ticket option is a new annual pass.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

And it probably will, but it's also possible that people who park hop may do it as the second park and therefore won't count. Quick anecdote; was there with almost 4 yr old the 2 weeks before it opened, while TSMM was closed. After seeing 2 shows and being part of a street performance, he looks at us and said, "Mama, Dada, I wanna ride something." It broke our heart, but there was literally nothing for him to ride. I can honestly say TSL being open would help get families like mine there, but even still, I'm not sure another day in MK or even AK (he loved Dino-land with a spinner, the characters, and the huge play area) wouldn't be a better choice, especially if they didn't have park-hoppers.

well, "won't count" by the third party statistics, but I would think Disney had their own internal metrics and can track park hopping as well, so even if not in the official count Disney would know if this increased "hops" to DHS as well

Our last trip (before Toy Story Land, but also before Great Movie Ride closed) my family (which has 3 young ones) spend an entire day at DHS and didn't even get to everything we want (didn't get to BatB or to RnRC) - I know we might be the exception but there is still stuff do to there and now with Toy Story Land I think more people will at least give it part of a day or a full day if they had been skipping it

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Not to derail but I hadn't heard this? What has it been extended to? And what is the ticket option?

I believe it was just an extension of the booking window not any additional dates. The ticket option is a new annual pass.

yeah, i think I had posted about this to start and should have been more clear - it isn't a change at all to the Free Dining offer, just that originally you had to book a free dining vacation by July 7th (I believe) and they have extended that booking through August 1st

As for the ticket option - I assume it is the one where Silver Pass holders can pay $89 to remove (some?) of the black out dates they had - that is the one offer I have seen recently