A water park does well its first year out and Disney is pleased with its earnings

by Jamie Rhein on

First of all, the water park Zoombezi Bay and Disney have nothing to do with each other, but there is a common element in their stories–their businesses have done swimmingly well this summer.

Zoombezi Bay, a new addition to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium opened on Memorial Day. When I was talking with the associate director last Thursday, he said that they are fiscally ahead of where they had hoped to be and have plans to increase offerings next year. Attendance has been terrific despite their worries that gas prices and the sluggish economy (in Ohio it’s a bit of the pits) may adversely affect the numbers. On the contrary. The thought is that perhaps the “stay-vacation” trend may have swung in the water park’s favor. The weather has also cooperated ever since June’s rainfest ended.

According to this article published in the L.A. Times, Disney resorts and theme parks have not been adversely affected by the economy either. Although, there has been a slight dip in Disneyland’s revenue because of an attendance drop, the numbers have not been as bad as feared. Disney World execs were worried that the number of flights being cut to Orlando would equal a lower attendance, but this had not occurred.

Perhaps Zoombezi Bay and Disney attractions hold what attracts many vacationers. You don’t have to play guesswork when figuring out what you’ll get when you hand over your hard-earned dollars. When the sun is shining, you are usually guaranteed a good time, and in the summer, the sun usually shines. Zoombezi Bay has the added bonus of being new.

(The photo of Zoombezi Bay is from Trip Advisor. Erinslone, the person who posted it, loved the park. Three other commenters were disappointed and frustrated because when they were there the park was incredibly busy. The associate director said more space is being added. I was there Thursday late afternoon and there was plenty of chairs available. My husband was there all day yesterday with our son and neighbor friends. They had a great time.)

Welcome to Dubailand, twice the size of Disney World

by Iva Skoch on

I swear every time I read something about the United Arab Emirates development plans, I am amazed. Last week, I read about Masdar, the greenest city in the world, being built in UAE.

Today, I stumbled upon the plans for Dubailand, the world’s biggest amusement park in the making. Currently, the largest amusement park in the world is the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, which is also the largest single-site employer in the US with 58,000 employees. Dubailand will be twice the size.

Check out these stats about Dubailand:

  • It will be built on 3 billion square feet (107 miles sq.)
  • The estimated price tag is $20 billion
  • The site will have 7 themes: Theme parks, culture & art, science & planetariums, sports & sports academies, well-being & health, shopping & retail and resorts & hotels
  • It will have a total of 45 mega projects
  • Dubailand expects a footfall of 40,000 visitors a day and 15 millions visitors a year once fully operational
  • It will have a minimum of 55 hotels within its geographical location

Doesn’t it sometimes seem that the world tends to copy the worst things about America?

Disney World bans children from swanky restaurant

by Catherine Bodry on

The family-oriented Disney World resort became a little less family-friendly recently.

Children were once welcome in Disney’s posh Victoria & Albert’s, the only restaurant with a AAA 5-diamond rating. No more. Evidently, the adults need a break — and what a better place to take one than in an intimate dining room? Besides, do kids like fancy-schmancy food? I know I didn’t when I was a kid. Disney claims that it is responding to guests desires, and that children dined at Victoria & Albert’s only around three times a month.

Prices at the restaurant start at $125 per person — a bit pricey for someone who just wants grilled cheese and chicken fingers.

I’m with Disney (not that I’d ever be able to eat a Victoria & Albert’s, but I’m with them on principle) — grown-ups sometimes need some grown-up time. What do you think?
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More Disney news:

Disabled guests sue Disney on Segway ban

by Justin Glow on

A while back, Disney World made the decision to ban Segways from the park because “they can go faster than 12 mph” which is a danger to other guests. And now three disabled people are, of course, suing the company.

“The suit filed Friday says they’re among an estimated 4,000 to 7,000 similarly disabled people who have turned to Segways as mobility tools,” according to an article by the AP.

Okay, I can understand that it might be an inconvenience to not be able to use a Segway when you’re used to riding one, but Disney World is a private company who has made a decision that’s in the best interests of the majority. It’s not like they’re banning wheelchairs. There is a solution, however. If the problem with Segways is the speed, why not have an arsenal of speed-governed Segways that can be loaned out to guests. You could even paint them to look like Goofy or something.

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Also:

Saving Money at Amusement Parks

by Jamie Rhein on

In the past two weeks my daughter has headed to Cedar Point (with the school percussion ensemble), Kings Island (with her track team) and Fort Rapids, an indoor amusement park (for an end of the 8th-grade bash) and my five-year-old son wants to know when it’s his turn. He has a point, but there’s the cost to consider. Because my daughter went on school trips, she didn’t pay full price. Now, we’re searching out some other deals for us.

There are some. If you want to head to an amusement park this summer, before you pull out your wallet to pay full price at the admission gate, check out some of these money-saving options.

Buy your tickets on-line or look for deals at grocery stores. Here is a link to Cedar Point’s discount ticket information. Cedar Point is located in Sandusky, Ohio. One way you can save money is to get 14 other people to go with you. For groups of 15 or more, you can save more than $10 a ticket. We have done this before. Once at Kalahari Water Park, also in Sandusky, we found out that if we had a birthday party we could all get free pizza and a drink along with discount tickets. It was no one’s birthday, but we’re not picky.

Kings Island, located between Columbus and Cincinnati has discount tickets available at Kroger grocery stores and online right now. The online price is for advance sales so you can’t buy these on the same day you’re going. Plan ahead. For a great deal on food, add the all you can eat barbeque. Last year we had a friend who had discount tickets through work. The barbeque was included. It was a lot of food and good. Other grocery stores around th U.S. often have discounts–so do banks. Ask around.

Right now, on the Universal Studios Hollywood Theme Park site, you can buy a one day ticket and get the second day free. Or you can try Rahim Rahman’s method in the picture. Lots of luck with this one. I’d let him in.

Here are four Web sites to help you find discount tickets near you. I found the above deals by looking on the park’s sites and poking around.

For more discount ideas, check out: How to Save Money at Amusement Parks. Now, all I have to do is remember my own advice.