Fun to get more expensive at Disney World

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Prices are about to go up at Disney World, but the company is keeping the increases reasonable. Theme park multi-day admission prices will increase by 2.5 percent to 5.3 percent, depending on the nature of the passes. In 2006, when the economy was strong, the park hiked prices 16 percent.

The money has to come from somewhere. Hotel bookings are down 7 percent for Disney’s domestic parks this quarter, and the discounts used to bring more people in the door are hitting the company’s bottom line, as well. Park attendance was up last quarter, but revenue fell 9 percent, thanks to aggressive hotel room pricing.

What’s this all mean? Disney CEO Bob Iger doesn’t expect the economy to recover anytime soon, so he’s got to keep Mickey’s pockets full. He does make the point, however, that a $79 ticket to the Orlando park compares favorably to sporting events, ski lift tickets and other forms of entertainment – not a bad point.

Disney World monorail driver killed in crash

by Tom Johansmeyer on

One monorail crashed into the back of another at Walt Disney World early this morning, killing one driver and shaking up a family of six. According to the park’s statement, “Today we mourn the loss of our fellow cast member. Our hearts go out to his family and to those who have lost a friend and co-worker.”

The monorail, according to a report by CNN, was shut down, as the park works with law enforcement to figure out just what happens … and what comes next.

As this story develops, we’ll keep you posted.

[Via @Mashable, Photo via @weathermanfsu]

$452 million to be invested in Disneyland Hong Kong

by Stephen Greenwood on

The Walt Disney Co. said on Tuesday that it will be investing US$452 million in park expansions, seen as necessary to compete with a planned rival park in Shanghai.

The expansion will include three new “lands,” and thirty new attractions. A source familiar with the plan stated that two of the new lands will be exclusive to Hong Kong Disneyland for five years after opening. The park will have exclusive rights in Asia to the third new land for five years, the source said.

The first area will take three years to complete and the next two will begin over the following two years with the entire expansion set for completion in 2014.The much larger Disneyland rival in Shanghai is also expected to be complete in 2014, assuming that it receives approval from the Chinese government.

So Disney fans, start making plans – and for the ultra-dedicated you might have to reschedule that ultimate park-hopper pass.

China’s first adult theme park never able to open

by Tom Johansmeyer on

The first sexually explicit theme park to be erected in China will never welcome its first guest. The park was torn down because of criticism from public officials. In particular, the artwork was a bit much for the politicians’ sensibilities.

Love Land, as the park was to be called, was scheduled to open in Chongqin in October. The park would have offered exhibits on sexual history and workshops for guests on how to improve their love lives.

The lack of subtlety, I suspect, made things difficult for Love Land. The sign at the front had a woman’s legs – with a red thong just above – straddling the park’s name. Over the weekend, city officials ordered the park’s destruction, calling it “vulgar, ill-minded and misleading.”

Click the pictures to learn about other unusual amusement parks, from a park based on the works of Charles Dickens, to a park with a ride called “Dog Fart Switchback,” to a park that’s twice the size of Disneyland.

Disney stops looking for breasts after a decade of trying

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Why do I always miss the good stuff?

Disney has announced that it’s no longer going to scan riders on Splash Mountain, Tower of Terror, Space Mountain and California Screamin … for unfettered chests. Apparently, women are known on these rides from time to time to flash for the camera. Though I’ve looked for it on each ride, I’ve never witnessed these public displays of exuberance.

I’m not sure why this warrants an announcement, as Disney does say that such acts are rare. But, every now and then, a bare pair winds up in a souvenir photo. The parks will no longer be looking for this – which means everyone else will be.

The company began looking 10 years ago, unlike the rest of us, who started when we were around 12.