Disney’s U.S. parks have seen attendance decline this summer, but adding some must-attend events could help reverse that trend. Here are some ideas that Disney could implement that could get more guests coming back again and again…
1. Add a third festival at Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World is no stranger to festivals. In 1995, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival began as a way to draw visitors to the parks during the slower fall months, and the festival has expanded every year since then. It now offers 90 days of culinary demonstrations, concerts and – of course – plenty of samples from over 30 food booths. Epcot’s other major event, the International Flower & Garden Festival also brings plenty of people to the park in the spring to see incredible Disney character topiaries, view gardening seminars and visit food stations.
Disney solved its sagging attendance problems in the fall and spring with these festivals, and attendance also picks up in the winter because of the holidays, but what about summer? Early May or late August would be a great time for a summer festival, and Disney could take cues from the popularity of Epcot’s Frozen Ever After ride as well as one of its fun miniature golf courses to create a Frozen Winter Summerland Festival. Disney could expand on the Frozen Games at Blizzard Beach that were held this year and featured fun family activities with Kristoff and Olaf, beach-party-themed concerts could be held, and what would be better in the hot sun than some food booths featuring all kinds of icy-cold treats? Maybe the “snow” that falls each night during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party could make a summertime appearance as well!
2. Expand festivals at Disneyland
Disneyland and Disney California Adventure don’t have a flower and garden festival, and its food and wine festival was held only on weekends this spring. But even though the parks aren’t as big as the ones at Walt Disney World, there’s still plenty of plant life and chefs that could be showcased in California.
And while Disneyland does hold a special ticketed event for Halloween, much like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World, the Anaheim park doesn’t have a Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure dress up for the holidays (and there are several special events at the original park, such as lining up for handmade candy canes and taking pictures with Santa Mickey and Minnie), but DCA, especially, would be a great place for a party. Imagine a special holiday-themed Pixar Play parade and World of Color Winter Dreams capped off with even more hours to spend at the park!
3. Take full advantage of Disney Springs
Disney Springs hosted a number of limited-time events in 2016, including the Art in August festival, which is essentially a free art show featuring a variety of Disney artists, jewelry-makers and lots of collectibles, and the Beat the Heat DJ Party which featured a live DJ and plenty of fun, nightly entertainment. However, considering these events didn’t last that long (and its unclear if they will return) Disney should at least consder making permanent seasonal events a regular fixture of this shopping district.
Many fans have suggested that now that The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights has wrapped up its run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios last year, the lights could be moved to Disney Springs to make the area even more magical at the holidays.
4. Showcase amenities
Recently, Walt Disney World and Disneyland gave all park guests the opportunity to get free pictures taken by its photographers during the first-ever PhotoPass Day. There were also special appearances by characters such as Pinocchio, Mulan, Dopey and the Queen of Hearts. This was a great way to let people try the service and have fun at the same time, and hopefully the parks will have another PhotoPass Day soon!
5. Make the unofficial official
Disney could look at some of the successful unofficial days held in its parks and combine them with the company’s own wealth of resources to create some unforgettable events. For example, since many visualizations of steampunk were inspired by the Disney movie 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Disney could invite fans to dress up in 19th-century-inspired outfits, discuss the former submarine voyage ride at Walt Disney World and maybe even take in the movie itself. And Tiki Day, the event that’s held by fans of the Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland, could expand to become an official Disneyland and Walt Disney World event and feature talks about the attraction by Disney legends and artist signings, much like the 50th anniversary event that Disney held a few years ago. And how fun would it be to see Mickey, Minnie and the rest of the fab five in their finest attire for a Dapper Day-inspired event? Disney could also benefit from offering official, limited-edition merchandise to fans for these special days.
Do you know of any other events that you’d like to see at Walt Disney World or Disneyland? Make sure to leave your ideas in the comments below!
