Disney Cracks Down on Strollers as It Braces for Star Wars Mobs
(Bloomberg) -- Walt Disney Co., facing potentially record crowds when its new Star Wars attractions open in coming months, is tightening its theme-park rules.
Starting May 1, the company is banning strollers larger than 31 inches wide. Wagons of any kind will no longer be allowed. And loose ice or dry ice will be prohibited: Disney argues that it streamlines the bag-check and entry process if people aren't carrying those items. (Sorry, Elsa.)
Disney also said it was eliminating the smoking areas in its theme parks and other attractions in Orlando, Florida, and Anaheim, California. Areas for smokers -- and e-cigarette users -- will still be available outside the parks and its hotels.
“As we expand our offerings, we will continue to take steps to enhance the guest experience and make it more enjoyable for everyone who visits,” Liz Jaeger, a Disney spokeswoman, said in a statement.
For visitors adjusting to the new rules, Disney suggests renting a stroller and going to a concession stand for a free cup of ice.
The world's largest theme-park operator plans to open two new Star Wars areas at Disney's Hollywood Studios park in Orlando and at its original Disneyland in Anaheim. The first, in California, opens May 31, and the crowds are expected to be tremendous.
Requiring Reservations
The company has been taking other steps to manage traffic, such as raising ticket prices, introducing higher prices on days when crowds are expected to be highest, and requiring reservations for the first few weeks -- a first for the company.
The Star Wars lands are -- at 14 acres each -- the largest additions to Disney's parks. They'll include rides on the Millennium Falcon ship, mock battles and a cantina staffed by otherworldly creatures.
It will be hard to manage the crowds, said David Price, a theme-park consultant.
“If you overpack it, you're cutting into the experience,” he said. “This is the biggest thing that's happened at Disneyland almost since it opened.”
To contact the reporter on this story: Christopher Palmeri in Los Angeles at cpalmeri1@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Nick Turner at nturner7@bloomberg.net
©2019 Bloomberg L.P.
-
Getting To Work Costs Women More | The Reason Why
It is not just about women paying more than men. It is about women paying much more in cities than in villages.
-
AI Bias In Investing Cannot Be Eliminated, But It Can Be Governed
Framing is a particularly important example as identical financial information presented in terms of gains rather than losses can lead an LLM to reach a different assessment.
-
Joining The Dots | Dark Skies, Steady Diya: Why Hope Holds This Diwali
With war, a weak rupee and foreign outflows weighing on sentiment, policymakers at the NDTV World Summit and market veterans at NDTV Profit Ignite: Diwali Edition offered the same advice: stay invested and filter out the noise.
-
The Curious Case of Equitas Small Finance Bank And A CEO Who Quit For Stock
PN Vasudevan believes persistent investor concerns over a perceived conflict of interest had become a governance overhang on Equitas Small Finance Bank's stock, even as the lender improved profitability and asset quality.
-
Talking Points This Week: AI Cash Burn, A Tiger Comeback And An India That Still Finds Its Own Path
India is not immune to higher oil or tighter global liquidity, yet its earnings base is broader, its domestic policy levers are still available.
-
Foreign Investors Own Half Of HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank. An LTCG Cut Could Matter Most Here
Foreign portfolio investors have US$115 billion parked in HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank. If the government cuts long-term capital gains tax, Jefferies says returning foreign money could land here first.
-
'Never Seen This Level Of Negativity': Sandeep Tandon Says The Next Rally May Be Closer Than You Think
Veteran investor Sandeep Tandon says foreign selling is easing, large-caps are due a comeback and mid-caps are crowded, while he turns positive on gold, power and pharma this Diwali.
-
Indians Stay With Family, Not In Hotels | The Reason Why
India still lacks enough clean, reliable and affordable hotels for budget-conscious travellers.
-
The Economic Imperative: Analysing The Material Driving Force Behind India-Canada Strategic Reset
This economic complementarity is further reinforced by deep institutional investment ties and talent mobility, which form the bedrock of the bilateral framework.
-
Medicine Pricing: Where Must Profit Stop?
India must confront excessive margins, hidden incentives and regulatory gaps that threaten the integrity of medicine.
