IamTrike
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2010
One of the first MBA projects I worked on was helping a body glide type competitor. This would have been in 2016. At the time looking at the data available we could already point to a decline in the curve in total runners. Other areas of fitness were starting to pick up including Lacrosse and Crossfit. I'd say the global decline in runners definitely has an impact but I don't know that it's impacted races like NY, Chicago or Boston that much. With Disney being a destination Race I would have expected the decline in runners to impact it, but I was taken back at the drop off for this years marathon weekend.
I think the total cost for Disney Races could have an impact, particularly with the increase in tickets and room charges, but I think I would have expected to see a dip in park attendance too if total cost was having an impact.
I do think at least for Marathon weekend a decent portion of the drop is tied to the fact that last year was a big anniversary year and this year doesn't really have anything like that as a draw. Because last year was the 10th anniversary for the Princess a slower sell out for it could also be attributed to lack of anniversary years. Looking at Wine and Dine its half marathon attendance has been 2016 12658 2017 13181 2018 12477. So while there was a dip in 2018 its not huge.
Based on this info I think the drop in runners coupled, with this being an off year for Princess and Marathon Weekend are likely the biggest drivers.
Cost is probably a factor, but I'd guess its a smaller factor than other things. In general Disney as a company has been really good at optimizing cost to the cent to extract the maximum amount of revenue possible. I'd be willing to bet that they've got a pretty good handle on prices in order for them to maximize revenue. It doesn't matter most of the population says it's too expensive they just need enough people to say yes to hit a certain capacity utilization.
I think the total cost for Disney Races could have an impact, particularly with the increase in tickets and room charges, but I think I would have expected to see a dip in park attendance too if total cost was having an impact.
I do think at least for Marathon weekend a decent portion of the drop is tied to the fact that last year was a big anniversary year and this year doesn't really have anything like that as a draw. Because last year was the 10th anniversary for the Princess a slower sell out for it could also be attributed to lack of anniversary years. Looking at Wine and Dine its half marathon attendance has been 2016 12658 2017 13181 2018 12477. So while there was a dip in 2018 its not huge.
Based on this info I think the drop in runners coupled, with this being an off year for Princess and Marathon Weekend are likely the biggest drivers.
Cost is probably a factor, but I'd guess its a smaller factor than other things. In general Disney as a company has been really good at optimizing cost to the cent to extract the maximum amount of revenue possible. I'd be willing to bet that they've got a pretty good handle on prices in order for them to maximize revenue. It doesn't matter most of the population says it's too expensive they just need enough people to say yes to hit a certain capacity utilization.