Walt Disney Theme Parks - The Grand Upgrade

Arrivals of concept theme parks like Disney's were usually seen by economists as a significant indicator of consumer confidence. Disney did certainly see a little fall in traffic, but not nearly as much as one would have predicted for the kind of soup the economy was in. There aggressively competitive pricing policies did the trick for them. But quite frankly, Disney feels that its parks have not kept up with advances in entertainment technology the way its movies have. Some of the more out-of-the-way attractions in its parks in Florida and California are plainly beginning to show their age. This can hardly do for a destination like Disney's parks that take in more than $10 billion every year worldwide - not even in a recession. With economic recovery well underway in the country, Disney seems quite ready to see its theme park business grow once again and to invest in it to remain on the cutting edge that it was always seen to be on. And not a moment too soon either. The Universal theme park across town in Orlando is preparing to open its latest attraction, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, early next year.

Disney is planning major investments in its theme parks to be able to maintain the interest level consumers have in its product. The most prominent area in Walt Disney theme parks that will receive a major upgrade will be Fantasyland. One of the planned attractions is that all the children who visit will be able to actually take part in their favorite fairy tales. They will dance with Cinderella, they will ride on Dumbo, the elephant, and there will be a birthday party for sleeping beauty that everyone will be invited to.

Star Tours has long been an important part of the guest experience at Walt Disney theme parks. But it is possibly running today on borrowed time - the rides, as well-done as they are, are about 20 years old, being based on the first set of Star Wars films. In a couple of years they will be all new, and based on the final three films. The newest Walt Disney theme park, California Adventure, right next to the Anaheim Disneyland, has been around for eight years now, and hasn't really picked up. Disney plans to lavish a billion-dollar upgrade of the park to improve the concept. The attraction called the World of Color fountain, is slated to open in just a few months, and the Little Mermaid, in about a year.

It did seem a while ago like Disney was beginning to lose its touch. No longer. Walt Disney theme parks have needed, for quite a while, to get with the latest in entertainment. The future of Disney is going to be not about children coming in passively watching the show. It's going to be all about interaction.