In mid-July, The New York Post reported that Disneyland had become a “ghost town” in the wake of the May opening of its newest (and highly anticipated) attraction, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The assumption was that the rest of the park seemed empty because everyone was waiting in line for a chance to pilot the Millennium Falcon, but it turns out people were staying away altogether.
According to the company’s most recent earnings report, attendance dropped about 3 percent since the new addition debuted; annual passholders in particular have been absentees. Even Disney CEO Bob Iger pointed the finger in Star Wars’ direction. “Some people stayed away just because they expected that it would not be a great guest experience,” he said.
Aside from the potential for overcrowding, Iger also attributed the decline in attendance to the high cost of a trip to the park. “It simply got more expensive to come stay in Anaheim,” the Iger continued. “In addition to that, we raised our prices, we brought our daily price up, so if you think about local visitation we brought the price of a one-day ticket up substantially from a year ago.”
So empty at @Disneyland @DisneylandToday pic.twitter.com/AJOhNV7WoB
— Cassie (@_mylifeascass) August 5, 2019
Still, the company’s Parks, Experiences and Products reported a 7 percent increase in revenue for the quarter, thanks to the higher ticket prices Iger cited and “increased spending on food and merchandise,” according to The Mercury News.
The Walt Disney Company will reveal its other Galaxy’s Edge attraction at tWalt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, on August 29.
RELATED: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Is One of Disneyland’s Most Immersive Environments Yet
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