Theme parks and the economy

[Anonymous]

My parents are convinced that a ton of parks are going to go out of business in the next 1 or 2 years because of the economic recession, Six Flags being the prime one as well as our local Wild Waves park. Do you think that most parks will survive? What would happen to the ones that went out of business?

 

[Snoo]

What Six Flags are you talking about?

The big chains are fine.. and will continue to be fine. The only places we will see going under will be smaller parks who have floated barely above the break even point for years. Other than that, don't worry bout it.

 

[jokerman]

The economic crisis has simply sped up the demise of parks that were already going out of business. I don't think that six flags have much to worry about.

 

[A-Kid]

I dunno about the US, but in the UK our parks are probally going to do better this year with the economy the way it is. Less people will be able to afford to go out the country and will be looking for cheaper places to go i.e a Theme Park.

 

[Emmett]

^Yes, the same thing happened last year too. The UK parks and seaside resorts were packed due to people staying at home. I'm guessing the large parks will do good especially if they keep their prices down or do special deals.

You will still get parks like Camelot, etc that will go out of business but some of them were already in trouble long before the recession.

 

[Dave]

Im stil frustrated its called the 'economic' slump, when its a banking problem if anything, just so happens banking has a knock on effect on the economy....

 

[spicy]

The economic crisis has simply sped up the demise of parks that were already going out of business.

Exactly. The parks that were doing fine will continue to do fine.

The parks that were in trouble anyway will continue to be in trouble.

I doubt its had that much effect at all to be honest, or maybe even a positive effect.

 

[Mark]

Uk attractions are actually benefiting from this economic situation for reasons stated above.

Last year numbers and takings were up and this year sets to see that growth raise even further!

 

[Screaming Coasters]

Chessington during the summer had a 10 day streak of a 15 thousand daily guest figure. More than they've had in 3 years.

 

[bezzzzzer]

It's just so horrid to think that something that brings much fortune to some parks (Chessington, Alton) brings misfortune to others (Camelot, Lightwater Valley), but that's competition I suppose.

Seriously, the recession is actually doing the British tourist industry good. Probably the only things that actually is! Even Pleasure Island and Thorpe Park (caraven site) in Cleethorpes are doing good for many reasons. They get to open earlier due to higher demand because of nobody going abroad. They get more choice of recruitment because many have lost jobs, so more are applying for them. They get the first chance in years to appear more 'appealing' than foriegn markets, because people are ignoring abroad holidays because they are presuming they're too expensive.

The Merlin parks will do amazingly this year. I presume the others will do a tad better than usual. Blackpool are sending me through so many e-mails on cheap wristbands I'm beginning to get worried about them!

 

[Anonymous]

It is a shame Camalot had to go, but then its only a sign of the times. Pleasure Beach have been really busy that past two times i have visited the park in 09, and the season still hasnt kiked off! I recon its the bigger and more expensive manufacturers that will be hit worse (within the theme park industry anyway). Not as many parks are goin to get brand spanking new B&M'S and S&S'S, the obvioulsy going to seek now new alternatives. This could be a good posistion for some of the smaller manufacturers aswell.

 

[aly]

Rising guest numbers isn't enugh to save parks in the current climate though.

The parks are now faced with rising costs, as well as having to find means to pay creditors for up front items such as park maps and stock etc.

Parks also face the problem of now securing funding for future development and exspansion. The parks with the highest debt will find it a hard time.