Optimizing Water Park Capacity Management
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Today, we’ll delve into two main areas: firstly, how to comprehend the seasonal fluctuation patterns of a theme park (water park), including its rules and characteristics; and secondly, the management measures and strategies necessary for the park. It’s well-known that the seasonal fluctuations of theme parks (water parks) are typically divided into interannual fluctuations, which relate to the seasonal life cycle of these parks. There are also fluctuations within the year (monthly), weekly fluctuations, and even daily fluctuations from Monday to Sunday, each following a predictable pattern.
Let’s begin with interannual fluctuations. Theme parks (water parks) have a life cycle. Some parks have a very brief life cycle and may shut down within two or three years of opening. This is influenced by factors such as location, management, planning, design, and the experience of building a water park. However, parks that have reached stable operation today usually enjoy a relatively long life cycle. This cycle starts from the initial construction, progresses to slow development and maturity, and may eventually enter a recession. During the recession period, updating products can lead to a new growth cycle. Unlike other scenic spots, theme parks (water parks) have a very short start and development phase. Due to the initial phase effect, the first year of the park may see an explosive increase in visitor numbers. Its “new, strange, and special” appeal can attract many customers. Consequently, the number of tourists in theme parks (water parks) during the first two years is relatively high, which is why many scenic spots differ from the rules of theme parks (water parks). This is why many developers, investors, and planning institutions focus on the number of tourists in the first two years before the park’s opening, rather than the later period. In the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth years of operation, theme parks (water parks) mainly consider the revisit rate. If a park’s design, experience, and revisit rate are lacking, and even tourist management is poor, it may not attract returning visitors. In such cases, the park quickly enters a recession after a year or two, which is a common pattern.
Many of our country’s brand theme parks (water parks), such as the Happy Valley series, Changlong series, and Fangte series, tend to have a relatively long life cycle. Throughout this cycle, we continuously update products and offerings. Typically, each new renewal project brings a fresh wave of tourist growth, which is linked not only to the experience but also to our marketing strategy. New growth signifies increased visitor flow, leading to a new interannual fluctuation pattern. However, the impact of the interannual fluctuation law on water park capacity management and tourist flow management is not very significant, as it is a long-term macro impact. The more notable impact is actually the monthly fluctuation.
