Disney World’s attendance continued to grow in 2006

Disney’s investment of $100 million in Expedition Everest seems to have paid off increasing popularity of the Animal Kingdom theme park. The unofficial report by tourism groups for the increase in attendance at Disney World was approximately 8.6 percent.

However, the days of the fast, big roller coasters may be over in place of smaller family-oriented attractions.

On the other hand, Universal has seen some reduction in attendance of about 4.8 percent at its theme park Islands of Adventure in addition to some attendance decreases at the sister park Universal Studios as well.

Universal is planning to do something big soon to keep in step with it’s rivals Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and SeaWorld Orlando. According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissions, Universal Orlando plans on spending up to $120 million on some new parks this year in addition to the closure of Back to The Future.

Soft investments have been the going trend for rival themed parks because the bigger projects don’t seem to pay off in the end. The types of these small investments that attract crowds are smaller rides, new promotions, late-hour events, and parades.