So basically Jamestown is booming right now, but the park isn't riding with that wave. In fact they're getting torn apart by the riptide.
TEA / AECOM 2013 Attendance Estimates Released
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I doubt Jamestown is booming now. They were back then, but not now. I think that both Jamestown and Busch Gardens are facing the same crowds. Sadly, it seems there is no major draw to the area like there was back in 2007 and 2008.
Jamestown is definitely not booming right now (I say this as a former employee who dates a current employee). I actually worked for Jamestown during the 400th and it was a crazy year that was huge for the Williamsburg area. Not only did it bring millions of visitors but also big names like the Queen, the President and various celebrities.
The excitement carried for a bit into 2008....then died in 2009.
The excitement carried for a bit into 2008....then died in 2009.
I tried to check the endnote to get a date on the source of the information, but it linked to an expired Daily Press article.
Well, since no one else mentioned it, here are the numbers for the SWP&E water parks(2013):
Aquatica(Orlando): 1,553,000 +1.0%
Water Country USA: 726,000 -2.9%
Adventure Island: 638,000 -2.0%
Now, let's compare to recent years.
Water Country USA:
2013: 726,000 -2.9%
2012: 748,000 +3.5%
2011: 723,000 -7.8%(Vanish Point)
2010: 784,000 +12.0%
2009: 700,000 -2.2%
2008: 758,000 -1.9%(Rock n' Roll Island)
2007: 773,000 +10.9
These are some of the most confusing, and weird numbers I've ever seen. The percentages seem a little mis-calculated, but this is straight from the theme indexes so... And, for the record WCUSA has maintained either the 5th or 6th spot in the top water parks in the country.
Adventure Island:
2013: 638,000 -2.0%(Island Nights)
2012: 651,000 +1.1%
2011: 644,000 +2.9%
2010: 626,000 +4.3%
2009: 600,000 +9.3%
2008: 603,000 -1.9%
2007: 615,000 +1.0%
Again, the percentages are wierd, but it came directly from the index page. Also, is there any other things that I should add to a specific year, I don't know all that much about Adventure Island, so some info on if attractions opened during this time period would be nice. By the way, Adventure Island has maintained 7th or 8th place in the top water parks of America throughout this period.
Aquatica, Orlando:
2013: 1,553,000 +1.0%
2012: 1,538,000 +2.5%
2011: 1,500,000 0.0%
2010: 1,500,000 -6.3%
2009: 1,600,000 -6.8%(Omaka Rocka)
2008: 950,000 NA(Opened in March)
Again, the percentages are strange, but they came directly from the theme index. Ever since 2008 Aquatica has maintained the 3rd or 4th spot in the top water parks in the country.
Okay, discussion. WCUSA's numbers are absolutely crazy, I can't believe they actually had a huge loss, even with Vanish Point's opening. I can give them a break on the 2013 numbers, as it was a pretty chilly summer in VA. Hopefully Colossal Curl will bring in some big numbers. I never realized how major of a water park WCUSA was, no wonder they keep investing in it more than I ever thought they would.
Aquatica(Orlando): 1,553,000 +1.0%
Water Country USA: 726,000 -2.9%
Adventure Island: 638,000 -2.0%
Now, let's compare to recent years.
Water Country USA:
2013: 726,000 -2.9%
2012: 748,000 +3.5%
2011: 723,000 -7.8%(Vanish Point)
2010: 784,000 +12.0%
2009: 700,000 -2.2%
2008: 758,000 -1.9%(Rock n' Roll Island)
2007: 773,000 +10.9
These are some of the most confusing, and weird numbers I've ever seen. The percentages seem a little mis-calculated, but this is straight from the theme indexes so... And, for the record WCUSA has maintained either the 5th or 6th spot in the top water parks in the country.
Adventure Island:
2013: 638,000 -2.0%(Island Nights)
2012: 651,000 +1.1%
2011: 644,000 +2.9%
2010: 626,000 +4.3%
2009: 600,000 +9.3%
2008: 603,000 -1.9%
2007: 615,000 +1.0%
Again, the percentages are wierd, but it came directly from the index page. Also, is there any other things that I should add to a specific year, I don't know all that much about Adventure Island, so some info on if attractions opened during this time period would be nice. By the way, Adventure Island has maintained 7th or 8th place in the top water parks of America throughout this period.
Aquatica, Orlando:
2013: 1,553,000 +1.0%
2012: 1,538,000 +2.5%
2011: 1,500,000 0.0%
2010: 1,500,000 -6.3%
2009: 1,600,000 -6.8%(Omaka Rocka)
2008: 950,000 NA(Opened in March)
Again, the percentages are strange, but they came directly from the theme index. Ever since 2008 Aquatica has maintained the 3rd or 4th spot in the top water parks in the country.
Okay, discussion. WCUSA's numbers are absolutely crazy, I can't believe they actually had a huge loss, even with Vanish Point's opening. I can give them a break on the 2013 numbers, as it was a pretty chilly summer in VA. Hopefully Colossal Curl will bring in some big numbers. I never realized how major of a water park WCUSA was, no wonder they keep investing in it more than I ever thought they would.
My first and only reasonable answer for the decline even with Vanish Point being added is bad publicity. Perhaps since Mach Tower was such a let down, people avoided Vanish Point expecting the same.
Also what if people planned to visit both parks, but after hearing about Mach Tower, they cancelled their whole trip to include WCUSA.
I know it may seem like I'm trying to blame Mach Tower, but that is really all I have. There was not specific in WCUSA that seems that it could have possibly affected attendance expect the addition of a new ride, yet that typically raises attendance.
That is unless there was a mathematical error.
Also what if people planned to visit both parks, but after hearing about Mach Tower, they cancelled their whole trip to include WCUSA.
I know it may seem like I'm trying to blame Mach Tower, but that is really all I have. There was not specific in WCUSA that seems that it could have possibly affected attendance expect the addition of a new ride, yet that typically raises attendance.
That is unless there was a mathematical error.
I think it is simpler than that. I think people are actively avoiding certain new attractions.
Take Vanish Point. No sane person wants to go on it. But if you know you are going to face a lot of peer pressure to ride it, it may be easier to simply skip going to the park.
Take Vanish Point. No sane person wants to go on it. But if you know you are going to face a lot of peer pressure to ride it, it may be easier to simply skip going to the park.
I don't think so, if that were the case we would see decreases almost every time a new attraction opened that was in the slightest bit scary. Griffon definitely wouldn't of had an increase if that were the case.
Actually in the entertainment industry (water parks included), they actually bounce back from major economical problems much quicker than most other industries. Look at attendance at most theme parks, they did drop initially; however, they steadily climbed back up quickly.
Also looking at the other water parks, WCUSA is the only one to have a major decline.
Also looking at the other water parks, WCUSA is the only one to have a major decline.
Based on the parks location (Williamsburg), the GP in this area were affected way more than other areas due to the heavy naval, political employment percentages. The trickle down of this left above normal job loss for this area and its surrounding area of sub contractors. It's just something to consider, and it was a very 'real' recession for our area that other locales may not have even noticed.
Since it is a water park, it probably depended on how the Summer weather was for each of those years.
Also, Water parks seem to get a better local draw than Theme Parks and I've known quite a few people who have Water Country passes but not BGW. Even when I was a kid, my dad got us season passes to Water Country instead of the community pool because he felt it was a better value (and kids love swimming).
Also, Water parks seem to get a better local draw than Theme Parks and I've known quite a few people who have Water Country passes but not BGW. Even when I was a kid, my dad got us season passes to Water Country instead of the community pool because he felt it was a better value (and kids love swimming).
Sorry to double post but something else I just thought of:
I already talked about the local market but something that may help Water Country's tourist market is the fact that a year or two ago, it was included free with the Partnership tickets: Bounce and Flex (previously it was included but the price would go up).
The Flex ticket is kind of meh but the Bounce is a great deal (Especially when bought online). Right now the online price is $123 and includes 7 day admission to Busch Gardens, Water Country, and Colonial Williamsburg plus free parking. People who weren't planning on attending Water Country may be more willing now because it is included on their pass.
I already talked about the local market but something that may help Water Country's tourist market is the fact that a year or two ago, it was included free with the Partnership tickets: Bounce and Flex (previously it was included but the price would go up).
The Flex ticket is kind of meh but the Bounce is a great deal (Especially when bought online). Right now the online price is $123 and includes 7 day admission to Busch Gardens, Water Country, and Colonial Williamsburg plus free parking. People who weren't planning on attending Water Country may be more willing now because it is included on their pass.
Chiming in again from NY...I don't understand what Williamsburg is doing in terms of marketing. Local folks know about it. But they literally do ZERO advertising up here in the NY metro area. It's a great vacation spot and it's a great alternative to an Orlando trip when you don't have the cash or don't want to spend the cash that such a trip entails. From up here, you don't have to fly, it's an easy day's drive. So big savings right there. The tickets are dirt cheap and the lodging is decent and there are a lot of options. Add in Great Wolf, the historical stuff, the water park, and even swinging by the beach if you choose for a night or two and you have the makings of a great, yet reasonably-priced, family vacation destination. But they don't advertise up here (not just talking about BGW, but the Williamsburg area). This just seems so so stupid to me. Disney has commercials on constantly, now Universal Orlando as well. Even Hershey Park, which isn't nearly as complete a destination as Williamsburg. I really think Williamsburg has a self-esteem problem. They don't think people will drive the six hours or whatever but they will. There are only so many years you can go to the Jersey Shore before you want to bang your head against the wall, and the Jersey Shore isn't cheap. Anyway, that is my two cents on it. I think Williamsburg has a great product as a family destination but they are missing out on millions and millions of people up here because they won't spring for some TV ads (hint put them on Nick and Cartoon Network).
Marie I agree with you. Even though I have never been to Jersey, its hard to belive the area of Williamsburg doesn't promote there. I have been to Hershey Park; to me it was no match for Busch Gardens, but it is not a bad park. With attendance down in Williamsburg on all attractions, maybe someone should start advertising up there.
(MOD EDIT)
(MOD EDIT)
So, I found this interesting, I was watching Insane Coaster Wars on the travel channel the other day, and Griffon was competing. However, when they were giving info about the park, they said, "The park draws in over four million visitors per year." That sounded really fishy, and I was wondering what you all thought of that...
Probably a generic phrase. It really doesn't bring in that many, but it does bring in the millions, so I figure they picked a random million and ran with it.
Highest number I heard Friday was 29K, and Saturday I heard 21K but it probably got to 25K. In actuality, this has been a rather low attendance for 4th of July. Last year they hit 30K at least. I could see the bomb threat happening a few days before being a deterrent to some and will possibly be one of the thing t blame for attendance at least at BGW.