So, we’ve been seeing a trend in Disney World recently.
Splash Mountain
Over the past few years, we’ve seen some things close FOREVER at Disney World. We witnessed the last EVER day of Splash Mountain. We watched Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser open and then close only about a year later. We were there when Country Bear Jamboree performed its last show (okay, not TECHNICALLY its last show, but the show IS changing, so it feels like we were saying goodbye). Although many fans have been upset with these closures, we’ve noticed something interesting.
So hear us out, every time something closes in Disney World, it always brings something to the parks. We’re talking about CROWDS. Those crowds are bringing money into Disney World and spending it like crazy on Genie+ to get a last ride on an attraction, on merchandise, on other souvenirs, etc. When something closes in Disney World, Disney is suddenly going to make a LOT more money. As we know, money = success.
Magic Kingdom crowds the day Splash Mountain closed
For example, when Disney first announced Splash Mountain was getting re-themed, there was a HUGE run on Splash Mountain merchandise. The day Splash Mountain closed forever, the crowds in the park were MASSIVE, and there were longer lines for Splash Mountain than we believe we’ve ever seen.
This is how long the Splash Mountain line was on its last day.
We saw something similar with the closure of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. Just before Galactic Starcruiser closed, there were more bookings for the experience. Granted, Disney did start offering some discounts to folks, but it became even more popular once it was closing. There was even a Galactic Starcruiser memorial set up by fans in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney World for a while.
Memorial to Galactic Starcruiser
Then there was the Country Bears Jamboree closure. Now, granted, the Country Bears are returning with a new show with new songs. But for all intents and purposes, the original show is gone forever. Before Disney announced that the attraction was changing, wait times were always pretty low for the show. However, we saw massive lines for Country Bear Jamboree on its last day.
Closing night crowds for Country Bear Jamboree
So what are we saying here? Well, it seems like these three things in Disney World were not as popular until Disney announced they were closing. That gives Disney some measure of success because people take an interest in these less popular experiences, rides, etc., and bring more money into the parks.
One thing Disney has always been about is change — it’s something Walt Disney himself said was important. Part of change means closing experiences (and opening new ones), and that seems to be good for Disney’s bottom line.
Stay tuned to DFB for more.
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I think you’re absolutely right – Disney cannot possibly be ignorant of this effect, or ways to capitalize on it. There is plenty of space for Walt’s vision of constant growth and change without eliminating as much of what has been. We love that Disney does continue to add new, but they also shut some things down and then do nothing with that space for many years. I wish they were at least better at projecting that they will definitely, and in a timely way, implement the new thing before shutting things down. Seeing something that may have been dear to you just shut down and dead year after year dents the magic a little.