I’ve always been a huge fan of roller coasters. Ever since I was a small child, I have loved the blood-pumping thrill of the rapid rise, steep drops and close turns…I wonder if that is why I have been in the thick of Silicon Valley working for fast paced technology companies for over 20 years?
Since it is summertime, I have been seeing ads everywhere for vacation spots ranging from fancy resorts to stay-cation destinations. But for some reason, ads for the ever popular theme parks caught my attention. So, in the spirit of the thrill of summer, I used the NetBase Insight Workbench to see what turns up about social media’s favorite theme parks. And turns out that the social media world echoes my own personal memories about these five parks pretty closely: Disney World, Six Flags, Disneyland, Great America and Sea World.
In this graphic, the amount of chatter about a brand is indicated by the size of the bubble, while the placement of the bubble shows both the sentiment and passion intensity.
The Insight Workbench found that when it comes to theme parks, the two Disney powerhouses – Disney World and Disneyland – are duking it out. Social media users raved about these two Mickey Mouse giants. Interestingly, Disney World generated 46% of the overall chatter, and 80% of its conversations expressed love. Since my very first trip to Disney World many decades ago, the four other parks (Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios) have been added, attracting even more traffic. Verbatim surfaced about Disney World show that consumers love it as a vacation spot that appeals to everyone, and truly do find it to be the “Happiest Place on Earth”.
Disney World is my favorite vacation spot!
Walt Disney World, the happiest place on earth J
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE MAGIC KINGDOM!
Both of my kids loved the kid station at Animal Kingdom
What I found notable was how close behind Disneyland is, with 41% of the overall chatter and 78% of its conversations reflecting expressions of love – and its verbatim turning up the same notes of being similarly, the “Happiest Place in the World”. I tip my marketing hat to those at Disney for creating such powerful branding! Verbatim show that social media users love the park and its overall brand, but do find it to be on the expensive side (which explains why it is slightly lower and more to the right).
Was at the happiest place in the world yesterday! Love Disneyland!
First time at Disneyland was AMAZING
And finally, Six Flags. The one closest to where I grew up in New Jersey – Great Adventure – brought back other memories for me when it comes to theme parks; and social media today reflects the opinion I held many decades ago. I thought it was because I was so young and short that I remember it being overwhelming with the longest lines ever and always overcrowded. But that it appears that it is still like that today – verbatim show that online consumers find the park crowded and expensive, and with 15% of its conversations reflecting expressions of hate, I wasn’t all that surprised.
Six Flags ticket prices are ridiculous!
Six Flags disappointed me yesterday
So where are you getting your thrills in these last weeks of summer? My family’s still a bit young for the roller coasters, but I can’t wait until I take them on the rides soon enough! Check in next for back-to-school must-have jeans!