Looking long-term

Image: Disney

Of course, Disney would have been happiest with blockbuster attendance AND massive amounts of revenue generation, but for now, it looks like just the latter will do. However, make no mistake, Disney needs more guests to visit this new land in the long term.

2020 is going to be a huge year for Disney Parks, as it will not only see Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge complete on both coasts (Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opens in just a few weeks at Disney's Hollywood Studios on December 5th, but it won't be open until January at Disneyland), but it will also feature the opening of Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway, Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, and more at Walt Disney World. If this new land (along with these additional new attractions) can't move the attendance needle in a big way next year and beyond, Disney just might have a $2 Billion dollar problem. 

No matter what you think about the quality of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, its early performance has been surprisingly slow, and not at all what guests (or executives) have expected. However, whether you blame price hikes, franchise fatigue, or Disney's creation of a whole new planet for guests to explore (rather than creating famous locations from the films), it is clear that Disney's expectations have yet to be met for this new land, and we'll have to wait and see what the new year brings before we can really call this new land a success or failure.