Disney Magic

       This Sunday evening is the end of our summer family vacation. We have taken our kids to Florida and the Disneyland Parks this year for the first time. As a kid, my parents always vacationed at the New Jersey shore or the Pocono Mountains in PA. So my only experience with Disney has been through work related trips for Toro training events. 
       Well today I saw what all business' strive for, customers wanting a product at all costs....
And yes, we were 5 of them! With Tropical Storm Debby making the weather miserable, we headed off to Disney's Hollywood Studios. My wife's theory of people stay in when it rains like this was not so much on the mark. It was POURING and the park had hundreds of families with about 60% of them wearing their official Disney ponchos ($8.50 Each!!!). Being able to check wait times for things with my phone was cool but the scary part was there was even a wait time.
       Obviously Disney's product is first class and they get a premium price. They reinvest into their products and are constantly looking to evolve. But what is it that makes people feel like they need to be there during a tropical storm? So what is it that makes Disney still strong when it seems so many other extra curricular activities (Golf) are struggling? I am sure over the past couple of years, they have been below their average attendance but I will travel back home trying to understand what it is that makes that Disney Magic and does it translate to the turf business...


WJC