Lets give the suits some ideas, what would you do to increase SDC attendance #'s

mhguy77 · July 03, 2010, 07:38:03 PM

I was up at the city for a few hours on the 3rd of July and there were not many people there, understanding it was a day before a big weekend I am still concerned.
Enjoying the slower days (selfishly so) for the short lines I know this hurts the chances of expansion and added E ticket rides.

What do you think the city can do to draw in more customers and gain repeat visits?
WE all love the city but lets face it they need lots more visitors to warrant expansion.
I will get some argument out there from a few but the facts are if there were more visitors we would be looking at a new ride on lake Silver, not some cheaply planted trees.

What would you consider a solution to the attendance issue ?

Coaster · July 03, 2010, 08:03:36 PM

I don't think there is an attendance issue. I was there just last weekend and the park was packed. It was as busy as I have seen it in a few years. I also went twice in March and the park was as busy as I'd ever seen it for Family Spring Break Days. I don't think SDC is hurting for attendance at all this season. From what I've seen at least....

mhguy77 · July 03, 2010, 08:19:29 PM

After just coming back from Dolllywood and seeing a slower day for them I disagree, SDC is not running at 85%, this is where a business needs to be. This is why Dollywood has more rides and is larger.
What can SDC do to increase attendance?

I am interested in hearing from some citizens on their opinions of attendance.
SDC is far from the crowds of Disney World, walking down the street there can be a real problem.

History Buff · July 03, 2010, 09:58:02 PM

I'm not sure that a July 3 visit is the right weekend to compare. Several people are about picnics and fireworks, this weekend, and may not be as apt to go to SDC. When we visited on a weekday a few weeks ago, the crowd was nice. There were more people than I expected, but it was the ideal amount of crowding in the streets. Those streets do get as crowded as Disney on a good weekend.

Enough about that; we all just making guesses based on our own experiences. SDC knows what their crowds are. That doesn't take away from your actual topic for this thread - asking for suggestions for increasing the crowd. Perhaps someone will have suggestions for increasing the crowd, and thus increase profit.

mhguy77 · July 03, 2010, 10:42:12 PM

I like the free soda and sunscreen so many of the parks are going too, but I think that would really hit the bottom line.
The pay one price for food and drink all day "upcharge" is an idea as well.

History Buff · July 03, 2010, 11:10:10 PM

I think they toyed with this idea at Celebration City. I've wondered why they haven't done any of it at SDC.

Some group deals include a lunch or drink package, don't they?

DeweyBald · July 03, 2010, 11:18:01 PM

mhguy77-This is the exact time I love going to the city. Typically, this is the "slow" time because most people are doing the lake thing or reunion thing or whatever they do during the 4th of July. BUT this is the time I do the SDC thing! I was there Thursday and Friday and I think the attendance was about the same as I have experienced the past few years during this time of year. Branson itself was not too busy either. I had NO problem driving anywhere on the strip. Next to Christmas, this is my favorite time of year!

marolinesdad · July 04, 2010, 08:43:36 AM

I think if they would change ou the Kids Fest shows more often they would have bigger crowds. I know they bring in a new show every year but the Magic show should have only been a 1 year thing. Some times I think they get stuck in a rut when it comes to shows.

DalesDaMan3 · July 04, 2010, 09:26:15 AM

How bout more food festivals?

marolinesdad · July 04, 2010, 09:27:09 AM

I like that idea. If you've seen me you know I love food.

mhguy77 · July 04, 2010, 10:11:26 AM

How bout more food festivals?
Dales \DaMan you are a smart dude, I like that idea..

Food Festivals would be a great idea.
Frankly they have all the booths they need.
In Epcot they have the food and wines festival, only half of that would work at SDC. During world fest they could do a option of a small taste of the country by using booths throughout the park and offering " tastes" of different dishes. The World Fest fails on this point because they don't change the menu and only serve large sizes. Think : Salads, entrees, side dishes, desserts, set up like the "Taste of Chicago" ( if you have been)
Its a great way to try dishes without committing to a full serving, think Wal Mart food tasters with double the serving size.
You could even charge individually or do a punch card package that will let you try all if not most of what they offer.
Included in the " Taste " plan would be a offer for a cookbook that details the recipes used at the event at a reduced price.

That actually sounds like a great idea, we all love food, kids and adults alike.

" Taste SDC"
" Taste around the World"
" The Kids Plate"
" Tastes of Christmas"

You could bend that event any way you wanted.
That's on Awesome idea.

History Buff · July 04, 2010, 01:52:26 PM

So work it in with existing festivals, I think.

I've mentioned before - I think KidsFest should be FamFest. SDC, touting Christianity, could allow educational toys and homeschool vendors to be promoted in Red Gold. They could even get serious and offer workshops for parenting. A part of this festival could be "Salute to the American Teacher" with special exhibits and events, as they did "Salute to the American Farmer" and "Salute to the American Cowboy" (I want those minifestivals back, SDC.).

Of course, I enjoy SDC Unplugged. It's hard to do it, but I like visiting when there is not a festival. How about that, by the way: SDC Unplugged - no lights, no motorcars, not a single luxury - a time when the park reverts to the real old times.

mhguy77 · July 04, 2010, 02:25:57 PM

Salute to the Teacher is a great idea and yes I think that maybe they can offer a little for adults as well as their kids by possibly changing to " FamFest" There are things that can be offered that will appeal to the entire family. They need something for the family as a whole.
Disney excels at selling to the entire family not just the kids.
In all honestly I think parentling classes although so needed in the world might be a little heavy.

maddilives4him · July 04, 2010, 02:37:01 PM

Having the minifests within the actual fest, like HB metioned, would be good but adding a whole new fest dedicated to food is not nessesary. SDC probably gets more and more visitors each year whether there is a new attraction (or festivals etc. etc.) or not. I don't think park attendance is really something to worry about.

mhguy77 · July 04, 2010, 02:47:28 PM

SDC probably gets more and more visitors each year whether there is a new attraction (or festivals etc. etc.) or not. I don't think park attendance is really something to worry about.

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I disagree, I don't see the crowds where 2 trains are needed on the coasters or 2 arms for the swing; at least not frequently. As a person with business experience attendance is not where the park wants it to be.
This is why the rides, upkeep and expansion have been pushed back again and again.
We havent seen an investment like Wildfire (14 mill) in a while.
I will step down from the ( yes this is an issue) soapbox and get on with ideas to improve the park so it will continue to grow and offer more and more to its visitors.