LPWire: Disney's U.S. Parks Close Out Year on a High Note

Disney's U.S. Parks Close Out Year on a High Note

Disney's Florida and California theme parks are closing out a year of continued recovery, announced Jay Rasulo, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "We have now seen several months of consistent but moderate growth in our domestic parks -- both among international and domestic guests," Rasulo said. "We continue to invest aggressively in all aspects of our entertainment from 'E-Tickets' like Mission: SPACE to unforgettable live shows and spectaculars like Disney's Aladdin -- A Musical Spectacular. We are not waiting for a rebound, we are seizing the opportunity to create even more compelling reasons for people to visit, with new attractions and special events."

Rasulo went on to say, "We are also tapping into a new trend of multi- family travel called 'togethering,' by developing a new line of business called Magical Gatherings. This unique program is designed to address this fast-growing market and provides large groups of people who want to travel together, the planning tools and product offerings to do so."

"In our international parks," Rasulo continued, "we are also reaching out to new markets, and adding new live shows and attractions. Disneyland Resort Paris, already the number one tourist destination in Europe, has unveiled a unique campaign that targets Europeans who have not yet visited the Resort. Tokyo Disneyland Resort, also the number one destination in Japan, is beginning the process to revitalize Tomorrowland, while Tokyo DisneySea is adding shows to its evening line-up to bring in a nighttime audience."

New Attractions:

At Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, the recently opened Mission: SPACE has brought a whole new level of thrills to the world's No. 1 vacation destination. This one-of-a-kind attraction at Epcot creates the most realistic sensations of space flight this side of a launch pad.

Also at Walt Disney World, the Magic Kingdom introduced its biggest fireworks spectacular ever, Wishes, and premiered Mickey's PhilharMagic, a 3-D theatrical experience that has quickly become the highest rated attraction at the theme park.

At Disneyland Resort in California, 2003 saw the introduction of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh at Disneyland park and Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage! at Disney's California Adventure. Disney's Aladdin-A Musical Spectacular opened last January at Disney's California Adventure and continues to awe guests with its Broadway-style theatrics.

Now, all of the Resorts around the globe are moving into the New Year with "determined momentum," Rasulo said. "We know people are eager to visit our theme parks," Rasulo said, "And we intend to give them every reason to do so in 2004."

First up will be a delightful new show at Disneyland park called Snow White -- An Enchanting Musical. Based on one of the most beloved of all of Walt Disney's animated features, the production will premiere in February. Later in the spring, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror opens at Disney's California Adventure, taking guests to new heights (and depths) of thrills.

In Florida, the loveable star of the hit animated film and series will bring mischief and mayhem to the Magic Kingdom in Stitch's Great Escape when the new attraction opens in late 2004.

Across the globe, Tokyo Disneyland will open the interactive and thrilling Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters in April 2004. This is part of a new effort to invigorate the park's Tomorrowland with a new "high tech" attraction.

After that, an ongoing line-up of great attractions leads up to the 50th anniversary of Disneyland and beyond, Rasulo noted. Already, Walt Disney World has announced major new attractions under construction for each of its four theme parks.

Distinctive Programs for Guests:

Disney theme parks are also reaching to guests in new ways.

Capitalizing on the growing trend of "togethering" vacations -- groups of families and friends extending the traditional family vacation beyond the immediate family -- Walt Disney World initiated Magical Gatherings. This program brings planning tools and assistance plus new amenities and experiences to make it easier than ever for a larger group to travel to Walt Disney World, including priority seating at meals, a special fireworks voyage on the Seven Seas Lagoon and more. The Magical Gatherings web site is www.disneyworld.com/magicalgatherings.

For value-conscious guests, Walt Disney World opened Disney's Pop Century Resort earlier this week with rooms starting at $77 a night. The new resort, which takes guests on a whimsical walk through pop culture, provides all the advantages of staying on Disney property, including transportation and early- entry into theme parks. At 2,880 rooms, the hotel is the largest at Walt Disney World and represents a 50 percent increase in Disney's value category accommodations.

Disneyland Resort Paris has launched a new marketing strategy entitled "Need Magic?" and is targeted to Europeans who have never visited the resort. The campaign invites new guests to discover the magic at the Disneyland Resort Paris, and a web site www. needmagic.com will demonstrate how people can do so.

Special Events:

Disney theme park guests have also found reasons to visit with new or expanded special events at the parks world-wide. In Florida, additional nights were added to the successful Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom. In California, the holiday celebrations continue through January 4 as the Disneyland Resort is transformed into "The Merriest Place on Earth" with special attractions such as the award-winning Haunted Mansion Holiday, and nightly fireworks capped by an amazing snowfall.

Tokyo DisneySea at the Tokyo Disney Resort will debut BraveSEAmo, a nighttime spectacular that will light up the skies and give guests an incentive to visit or stay in the park during the evening hours.

In addition, Tokyo Disneyland will debut Remember the Dreams in January 2004, the musical finale to a 15-month-long series of events celebrating the park's 20th Anniversary.

At Disneyland Resort Paris, The Lion King Carnival is a month-long event beginning in February 2004, complete with a giant replica of Pride Rock surrounded by African animals. Throughout the day, Pride Rock will play host to live bands entertaining guests with African rhythms, and every night, fireworks will light the sky.

"We're excited about the future of our theme parks," Rasulo said, "and I think our guests will be, too."

-- Posted December 19, 2003
Source: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts