- Jan 28, 2013
- 510
- 513
Attendance numbers are just one of many different lenses one can view the success of a theme park through. There are a bunch of other metrics (e.g. guest sentiment, per cap spending, market share, net revenue, etc.) that one can also use. None of them are the end-all, be-all measure.
The TEA numbers are just estimates, and are an opportunity for an otherwise unknown organization to get their name out in the news once a year. That’s it.
All industries use estimates. TV uses the Neilsen system, radio uses surveys. None of them are accurate. The truth is that nobody really knows exactly how many people are doing anything.
There are so many variables, it’s nearly impossible to take the numbers seriously. Are they counting complimentary admissions in the numbers? (Universal doesn’t.) Did the guest stay in the park all day or for an hour? How much did they spend? Do they intend to return? Does the number include annual passholders who pay once and come 30 times? Why does TEA measure the calendar year when the actual parks go by fiscal year? If you got my money last year from my two-day ticket purchase BUT I used the ticket today, what does my click even matter?
While I’m not doubting anyone on this board, I will tell you that, while projected guest attendance numbers are widely shared within the supervisory levels of the parks in order to properly staff, each day’s attendance numbers are shared to only a handful of people. And the YEARLY report is seen by an even smaller handful. So arguing over the inaccuracy of the TEA numbers is futile unless we are all staring at the Gateway Ticketing printouts, which isn’t going to happen.
The TEA numbers are just estimates, and are an opportunity for an otherwise unknown organization to get their name out in the news once a year. That’s it.
All industries use estimates. TV uses the Neilsen system, radio uses surveys. None of them are accurate. The truth is that nobody really knows exactly how many people are doing anything.
There are so many variables, it’s nearly impossible to take the numbers seriously. Are they counting complimentary admissions in the numbers? (Universal doesn’t.) Did the guest stay in the park all day or for an hour? How much did they spend? Do they intend to return? Does the number include annual passholders who pay once and come 30 times? Why does TEA measure the calendar year when the actual parks go by fiscal year? If you got my money last year from my two-day ticket purchase BUT I used the ticket today, what does my click even matter?
While I’m not doubting anyone on this board, I will tell you that, while projected guest attendance numbers are widely shared within the supervisory levels of the parks in order to properly staff, each day’s attendance numbers are shared to only a handful of people. And the YEARLY report is seen by an even smaller handful. So arguing over the inaccuracy of the TEA numbers is futile unless we are all staring at the Gateway Ticketing printouts, which isn’t going to happen.