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Amusement Park Foodservice Trends in the U.S.

March 2012 | 135 pages | ID: AACAC2D6770EN
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Thanks to improving attendance and in-park spending, U.S. amusement park foodservice sales have surpassed prerecession levels, and Packaged Facts’ Amusement Park Foodservice Trends in the U.S. forecasts continued growth through 2014. Make no mistake: food and beverage sales at amusement parks are big business, whether the parks are large or small; national, regional or local; sedate or thrilling; driven by teens, families, or a combination of both. Entertainment district growth, national restaurant brand opportunities, the need for healthier fare, and evolving promotional activity are each helping to shape tomorrow’s amusement park foodservice strategies.

The key to growing amusement park foodservice revenue comes down to matching an amusement park’s unique attributes to guests’ foodservice habits and preferences. This report thoroughly analyzes guest demographics, park visitation behavior, and attendance trends industry participants need to make this connection—and to frame foodservice within the context of the amusement park industry. The report provides the following:
  • Assessment of trends affecting food service in amusement parks, including ticket pricing trends; meal promotions; food healthfulness; popular amusement park foods; quick-service and portability rationales; price promotions; entertainment districts; and branded food options.
  • Analysis of industry amusement park industry attendance trends by demographic (including destination park and regional park categories) and by state of residence and park proximity.
  • Trended demographic analysis of major amusement parks, including each Disneyland and Disneyworld park, each Universal park, Busch Gardens Florida, Seaworld, King’s Island, Cedar Point, Six Flags, and Knott’s Berry Farm.
  • Comparison of snack and beverage, limited-service and full-service restaurant usage among amusement park visitors to the general adult population.
  • Based on proprietary Packaged Facts data, analysis of amusement park visitors’ “last visit” to an amusement park: their choice of companions, the distance they travelled to the park, their mode of transportation, and their decision to use lodging; BYO food and beverage usage; and ticket, food, beverage, souvenir & parking spending.
  • Market size and forecast for amusement park foodservice revenue for 2007-2014.
  • Analysis of the impact of macro-economic drivers shaping amusement park foodservice, including an economic forecast through 2014; consumer confidence and unemployment; consumer spending trends and recreation spending trends; travel and leisure spending trends; hotel travel trends; and amusement park attendance trends.

The report also analyses major amusement park operators’ foodservice platforms, park by park, including those of Cedar Fair, L.P., Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, Universal Parks & Resorts, and the Walt Disney Company.
CHAPTER 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Scope and Methodology
  Scope of coverage
Methodology
  Consumer survey methodology
  Market size and forecast
  Other sources
  Restaurant categories
  Limited-service restaurant definitions
  Full-service restaurant definitions
  Other definitions
Amusement Park Foodservice Market Size and Forecast
Amusement Park Foodservice Revenue Drivers
Insight Capsule
Amusement Park Menu & Food Trends
  Insight Capsule
Amusement Park Attendance Trends: Demographic Analysis
  Insight Capsule
  Fast Facts
Amusement Park Visitor Restaurant Usage
  Insight Capsule
The Amusement Park Visit: Companion & Travel Analysis
  Insight Capsule
The Amusement Park Visit: BYO and Park Spending Analysis
  Insight capsule
Amusement Park Operator Foodservice Analyses

CHAPTER 2: AMUSEMENT PARK FOODSERVICE MARKET SIZE AND FORECAST MARKET SIZE AND FORECAST SUMMARY

Attendance on the upswing
For amusement parks, food is big business
  Walt Disney foodservice revenue higher than next four amusement park operators combined
Table 2-1: Foodservice Revenue, Top Five Amusement Park Operators, 2011
Market size estimate
Graph 2-1: Amusement Park Foodservice Revenue, 2007-2014

CHAPTER 3: AMUSEMENT PARK FOODSERVICE REVENUE DRIVERS OVERVIEW ECONOMIC FORECAST THROUGH 2014

GDP: A long time getting back, but finally passes pre-recession levels
  Forecast factors
  On a positive note
  On a negative note
  The projections
Graph 3-1: Unemployment, GDP & Inflation Forecast, 2012, 2013, 2014 & Longer Term
Consumer confidence showing signs of mending
Graph 3-2: Unemployment Rate, Savings Rate & Consumer Confidence, 2007-2012
Unemployment remains high but is tapering downward
  Demographic analysis
Amusement park foodservice consequences
  Promotional activity should continue
Graph 3-3: Monthly Unemployment Trends, Younger Age Groups, by Demographic: 2007-2012
Graph 3-4: Personal Income and Spending Trends, 2007-2011
  Spending on recreational services outpaces overall consumer spending
Graph 3-5: Personal Spending on Recreational Services, 2007-2011
Travel and tourism spending
  Tourism spending
Travel spending and volume to moderate in 2012 and beyond
  Government forecast calls for even higher growth international travel to U.S.
Table 3-1: U.S. Travel Historical Expenditures and Forecast, 2007-2014
Hotel travel trends
  Destination resort relevance
Table 3-2: Hotel/Lodging Use by Miles Travelled to Amusement Park, 2011
  Amusement parks as hotel operators
Hotel industry upswing
Table 3-3: Monthly Hotel Room Occupancy Rates and Revenue by Quarter, 2009-2011
  Positive forecast
Table 3-4: U.S. Monthly Hotel Room Occupancy and Rate Outlook, 2012-13
  Attendance passes pre-recession levels
Table 3-5: Theme Park Attendance, Top 20 Theme Parks, 2007-2010
Theme park operator attendance trends
Table 3-6: Theme Park Attendance: Top 20 Theme Parks by Theme Park Owner, 2007-2010

CHAPTER 4: AMUSEMENT PARK MENU & FOOD TRENDS OVERVIEW

Ticket pricing trends
  Price hikes
  Incenting longer stays to trigger additional in-park spending
  Busch Entertainment
  Walt Disney World
  Universal Hollywood
  Six Flags’ multi-year approach to improving ticket yield
Meal promotions
  Six Flags
  Universal Studios Orlando
  Busch Gardens’ all-day dining deal
If you’re looking to eat healthy, go somewhere else
  Pack a lunch
  Is that the dietician crying?
  Noah’s Ark: deep-fried foods are a mainstay
  Deep-fried Twinkies and Oreos
  Healthy foods are offered
Amusement park staples
  Ice cream
  Finger foods
  Pizza
Rules to live by
  Keep it simple—and prepare it quickly
  Make it portable
  Tried and true favorites
Food relevance
  Epcot foodservice at center stage
  Walt Disney World Swan and the Walt Disney World Dolphin
  Universal Orlando
Price sensitivity means enhancing food value
  Kalahari Resort responds with combo meals
  Water World mixes combo meal with ample signage
  Splish Splash offers size variations
  Water Park of America offers build-your-own options & mini-sizing
Entertainment districts
  California Marketplace
  CityWalk Orlando
  Downtown Disney
Branded food options
  In the park, Disney pulls Houdini on national brands
  But food retail brands are prominently displayed

CHAPTER 5: AMUSEMENT PARK ATTENDANCE TRENDS: DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS: AMUSEMENT PARK ATTENDANCE TRENDS

Amusement park attendance on the upswing
  Led by racial/ethnic minority groups and lower- and upper-income consumers
Table 5-1: Amusement Park Visitation Trends: Key Demographics, 2008-11

Destination & regional amusement park attendance trends

Slight shift to regional parks and away from destination parks
Demographic analysis: Destination park attendance trends
Table 5-2: Destination Amusement Park Visitation Trends: Key Demographics, 2008-11
Demographic analysis: Regional park attendance trends
Table 5-3: Regional Amusement Park Visitation Trends: Key Demographics, 2008-11

Demographic analysis: Visitor geographic distribution analysis: California parks

Table 5-4: Major California Amusement Parks, Visitor Geographic Distribution Analysis, 2011
Table 5-5: Major Florida Amusement Parks, Visitor Geographic Distribution Analysis, 2011
Table 5-6: Major Ohio Amusement Parks: Visitor Geographic Distribution Analysis, 2011

Demographic analysis: Attendance trends at major amusement parks

Disneyland
Table 5-7: Disneyland Visitation Trends: Key Demographics, 2008-11
Disneyworld: Animal Kingdom
Table 5-8: Disneyworld Animal Kingdom Visitation Trends: Key Demographics, 2008-11
Disneyworld: Epcot Center
Table 5-9: Disneyworld Epcot Center Visitation Trends: Key Demographics, 2008-11
Disneyworld: Magic Kingdom
Table 5-10: Disneyworld Magic Kingdom Visitation Trends: Key Demographics, 2008-11
Universal Studios Hollywood
Table 5-11: Universal Studios Hollywood Visitation Trends: Key Demographics, 2008-11
Universal Studios Orlando
Table 5-12: Universal Studios Orlando Visitation Trends: Key Demographics, 2008-11
Universal Studios Islands of Adventure
Table 5-13: Universal Studios Islands of Adventure
Visitation Trends: Key Demographics, 2008-11
Busch Gardens, Tampa
Table 5-14: Busch Gardens (Tampa) Visitation Trends: Key Demographics, 2008-11
SeaWorld
Table 5-15: SeaWorld Visitation Trends: Key Demographics, 2008-11
Knott’s Berry Farm
Table 5-16: Knott’s Berry Farm Visitation Trends: Key Demographics, 2008-11
Six Flags
Table 5-17: Six Flags Visitation Trends: Key Demographics, 2008-11

CHAPTER 6: AMUSEMENT PARK VISITOR RESTAURANT USAGE DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS: RESTAURANT USAGE AMONG AMUSEMENT PARK VISITORS

  Serve up the restaurant fare
Table 6-1: Theme Park Visitors: Restaurant Usage and Frequency of Use,
by Restaurant Type, 2011
Disneyland & Disneyworld
Table 6-2: Disneyland & Disneyworld Visitors: Restaurant Usage and Frequency of Use,
by Restaurant Type, 2011
Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure
Table 6-3: Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure Visitors:
Restaurant Usage and Frequency of Use, by Restaurant Type, 2011
Busch Gardens & SeaWorld
Table 6-4: Busch Gardens & SeaWorld:
Restaurant Usage and Frequency of Use, by Restaurant Type, 2011
Regional theme parks
Table 6-5: Regional Theme Park Visitors: Restaurant Usage and Frequency of Use, by Restaurant Type, 2011

CHAPTER 7: THE AMUSEMENT PARK VISIT: COMPANION & TRAVEL ANALYSIS THE AMUSEMENT PARK VISIT: COMPANION & TRAVEL ANALYSIS

  Not a solitary endeavor
  What it means for amusement park foodservice
  Family companionship
  What it means for amusement park foodservice
  Bring the kids is the norm
  What it means for amusement park foodservice
  A local endeavor
  What it means for amusement park foodservice
  Load up the car
  What it means for amusement park foodservice
Table 7-1: Amusement Park Visitors: Companion Analysis, Distance Travelled, Transportation Choice & Lodging Choice, 2011
Age analysis
Table 7-2: Theme Park Visitors: Party Size, Family Members Present, Children Present,
Distance Travelled, Travel Method & Lodging Choice, by Age, 2011
HH income analysis
Table 7-3: Theme Park Visitors: Party Size, Family Members Present, Children Present,
Distance Travelled, Travel Method & Lodging Choice, by HH Income, 2011
Race/ethnicity analysis
Table 7-4: Theme Park Visitors: Party Size, Family Members Present, Children Present,
Distance Travelled, Travel Method & Lodging Choice, by Race/Ethnicity, 2011

CHAPTER 8: THE AMUSEMENT PARK VISIT: BYO AND PARK SPENDING ANALYSIS THE AMUSEMENT PARK VISIT: BYO FOOD AND BEVERAGE

BYO usage a strong competitor to in-park foodservice
Table 8-1: Theme Park Visitors: BYO Food & Drink, 2011
Age analysis
Table 8-2: Theme Park Visitors: BYO Food & Drink, by Age, 2011
HH income analysis
Table 8-3: Theme Park Visitors: BYO Food & Drink, by HH Income, 2011
Parents who bring their children
Table 8-4: Theme Park Visitors: BYO Food & Drink, Parents Bringing Children, 2011
Miles travelled
Table 8-5: Theme Park Visitors: BYO Food & Drink, by Miles Travelled to Park, 2011
The amusement park visit: ticket, food, beverage, souvenir & parking spend
  Food and beverage spend is part of the visit
Table 8-6: Theme Park Spending Analysis: Admission Ticket, Souvenirs, Food, Beverages & Parking, 2011
Spending by HH income
Table 8-7: Theme Park Spending Analysis:
Admission Ticket, Souvenirs, Food, Beverages & Parking, 2011
Spending by age
Table 8-8: Theme Park Spending Analysis:
Admission Ticket, Souvenirs, Food, Beverages & Parking, 2011
Spending by parents who bring their children
  Kids’ influence
  Pester power
Table 8-9: Theme Park Spending Analysis: Admission Ticket, Souvenirs, Food, Beverages & Parking, Parents Bringing Children, 2011
Spending by repeat visitors
Table 8-10: Repeat Visitor Theme Park Spending Analysis: Admission Ticket,
Souvenirs, Food, Beverages & Parking, 2011
Cedar Fair, L.P.
Target audience

CHAPTER 9: AMUSEMENT PARK OPERATOR FOODSERVICE ANALYSES

  Hotel facilities
  Marina
Cedar Point and Soak City: summary of operations
  Hotel facilities
  Marinas
  Cedar Point and Soak City: foodservice
  Branded chain presence
  Limited-service variety
  Full-service in the minority
  BYO limitations
Knott’s Berry Farm: summary of operations
  Hotel facilities
  Area competition
Knott’s Berry Farm: foodservice
  California Marketplace
  Weddings encouraged
  Out-of-park competition
Other attractions
Sales performance
  2009
  2010
  2011
Table 9-1: Cedar Fair, L.P., Key Metrics, 2007-11

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation

  A coaster leader
  Cartoon characters provide differentiation
  Regional draw among families, adults and teens
Table 9-2: Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, Demographics, 2010
  Positive and improving guest satisfaction
Table 9-3: Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, Guest Satisfaction, 2006-2010
The parks
Table 9-4: Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, Park Profiles
  Marketing and promotion
  Honing the strategy
  Group sales
  Season passes
  Ticketing discounts and promotions
  A multi-year approach to improving ticket yield
Foodservice
  In-park sales a significant revenue driver
  Foodservice drives in-park sales
Six Flags Great Adventure – Food Offerings
  On-the-go food offerings predominate
  A smattering of sit-down choices
  Discounting in the mix
  BYO limitations
Six Flags Great America – Food Offerings
  Candy, candy, candy
  Meal discounting and promotions
Sales performance
  2009
  2010
  2011
Table 9-5: Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, Key Metrics, 2008-11

Universal Parks & Resorts

Universal Orlando
  The Wizarding World of Harry Potter sends attendance skyrocketing
  On-site Hotel overview
  Hotel dining options
  Healthier eating
  Promotions
  Wedding and reception packages
  Ticket food promotions
Theme Park Dining: Universal Studios Florida
  Quick-service
  Full-service
Theme Park Dining: Universal’s Islands of Adventure
  Quick service
  Full service
Dining at CityWalk Orlando
Universal Studios Hollywood
  Wizarding World of Harry Potter coming to Los Angeles
  Ticket food promotions
Theme Park Dining: Universal Studios Hollywood
  Restaurant chains welcome
  Local draw
  Food centric
Sales performance
  2011
Table 9-6: NBCUniversal Theme Parks, Key Metrics, 2010-11

The Walt Disney Company

Parks and Resorts

Walt Disney World Resort

Magic Kingdom
Epcot
Epcot foodservice at center stage
Epcot's answer to authentic Italian cuisine
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios foodservice: functional and fun
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom foodservice: food incorporated into theme
Downtown Disney Area
Downtown Disney Area foodservice
  T-Rex theme park restaurant
Hotels and resorts
  Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
Disneyworld chain branding
  Pollo Campero branding initiative
  Rainforest Café
Walt DisneyWorld Passholder Program

Disneyland Resort

Disneyland
Disneyland foodservice
  Name restaurant brands disappear
  But food retail brands are prominently displayed
Disney California Adventure
Disney California Adventure foodservice—a taste of California
  Branded signage eschewed
Downtown Disney foodservice
  Drawing visitors on its retail, dining and entertainment strengths
  Easy access for locals
  California Food & Wine Festival
Hotels and resorts
Disneyland hotels and resort foodservice
  New resort set to open in 2013
Table 9-7: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Business Unit Summary
Sales performance
  2010
  2011
  Fiscal Q1 2012
Table 9-8: The Walt Disney Company, Selected Metrics, 2008-11


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