364 day operation is it viable???

Some theme parks in recent years are opening 364 or even 365 days a year. In Australia all major parks do so. When you visit these parks mid-week especially during winter they are nearly empty. How can it be profitable to operate like this. Often staff way outnumber guests. Since all year operation has been introduced at Dreamworld and Wonderland Sydney they have slashed staff and most rides are now one person operation. At the same time ticket prices have gone up substanially. The overall quality of the product in many cases has been deminished. It's ok if you can visit during the week as there are no ques, but the parks ability to cope with peak times at weekends and holidays has been reduced. Whats happening in the US in relation to this, I know that in most states it's too cold to open in winter, but in southern states they could.

My words exactly. SFMM is open on weekends during Winter.

Did you work at WL when it was only open on the weekends and school holdidays?

-------------
Australia's No.1 Coaster Nut

---

CoasterGod said:
"My words exactly. SFMM is open on weekends during Winter.

Did you work at WL when it was only open on the weekends and school holdidays?

-------------
Australia's No.1 Coaster Nut"

---

No I didn't, but from talking to others who did, we used to get far far higher patronage per day when we did open just on the weekends, thus the bussiness was more profitable, allowing more regular new attractions etc. When the Malaysians bought the park and introduced seven day trading, I think that was a mistake. What they need to do is open just on the weekends during winter and again open late till 10pm or later on Saturdays during the Summer Holidays.

Aussie OP,

Is 364 day operation viable? Yes and no.

Look at Disney (all of them)...IOA...they can pull off 364 day operations because they are tourist destinations.

But parks (such as your own) and others that are "regionals" IMHO cannot for one main reason. They are - for the most part - "day trip locations" with a majority local customer base whose prime clientel are in school for 8 months a year.

-------------
"It's Deja Vu all over again." - Yogi Berra

I'm guessing it must be some kind or tax dodge or something! There no other way it could be viable, from my opinion.

If they somehow put a dome over SFGAm, it could be open year round :)

-------------
May 5th, Gurnee, Illinois, "I'm sprinting for V2"

Yes. Try disneyland and Knotts. They are open every day of the year. Except I think Knotts is closed on Christmas.

-------------
Home Park: Knotts Berry Farm!
but also Disneyland and DCA

I was surprised to learn that most parks in Japan are open year round. I was worried that SD2K wouldn't be open in Japan, but I was wrong.

In the new First Drop there is some facinating new info on the new Vekoma woodie in Norway. I'm not sure if they are open year round, but the coaster is designed to run in -10 degrees C. I couldn't believe it. They showed it running with snow everywhere. They are using special wheel lube that doesn't freeze easily and there are heating systems on the brakes!!!

In America, I don't think you would get that many takers on riding in such extreme weather, but in Norway, they are probably used to and prepared for the cold.

-------------
- Peabody *** This post was edited by Peabody on 4/20/2001. ***

Peabody...thats sounds cool...(pun intended)...I'd love to ride coasters in the winter! I'd be wearing my skiing gear with goggles, etc.!

But, as I type this, I'm wondering how thin a person would need to be to fit in the restraints with heavy winter clothes and all...

-------------
"It's Deja Vu all over again." - Yogi Berra

Yes, knott's is open every day but Christmas. Honestly, I don't know how they afford it, but I'm not complaining! :) I guess they get enough money from the crowded days to pay for the days where only about 100 people show up!