[pacintl]

I've looked into starting a digital camera rental buiness for tourists at theme parks. I've looked around and haven't found much in anyone renting out digital cameras. Does anyone have any ideas on this. I researched the statistics on theme park visitors and the numbers are out of this world. There were over 80 million visitors to the top 10 theme parks in the united states alone in 2004. I did a rough estimate of costs(cameras,payroll,blank discs,computers) and just hitting 6/10ths of the 80 million customers roughly 500,000 people could net profits roughly at over $5,000,000. I want to know what you think about this let me know.

Thanks,
Patric

[dre]

I doubt if that would work because most people bring cameras, in addition most theme parks sell disposable cameras, I think.

[Sport Skeds]

Mohegan Sun (over yer way Patric) supposedly has a deal where you can burrow/rent a digital camera from the front desk...

I've seen other 'hotels' that offer the same service... but not any amusement parks.

It's an idea - but I don't know that it's necessarily a growth business... as digital cameras are so inexpensive now - and like dre said - everyone has their own.

Your numbers are a touch heavy (6/10ths is not - IMO - remotely acheivable. Maybe 1/20th - and even then - you'd have to have really tiny margin expectations) - in that I think you'd be more apt to get mileage out of an output kiosk at a theme park ("Make a print from your digital camera - NOW!") then in renting the actual equipment.

Razors or blades...
...sell the razors.

I work for a digi-cam company - already doing this... and unless you have an "in" at an untouched niche amusement/theme park - you've got a battle on your hands.

[pacintl]

Dre have you ever looked at the cost of disposable cameras? Outside the park $5 bucks inside i'm not sure but i can easily guess more then $8. So you take 27 pictures at $5 dollars when a digital camera can take up to a hundred so youd be spending $20 dollars to get the same amount of pictures not even talking about getting them deveolped at another $4-5 dollars a camera. You have people pay 15 bucks they get 4 times the pictures and get a free disc contaning there pictures. I understand majority of people bring there own cameras but why not try and hit those who dont have one obviously or the ones who dont have a digital camera. 80 million people can't have cameras and just hitting a small amount is possibly highly profitable.

Sport Skeds your comments are right on it would be a large battle such places as disney would proably be untouchable unless presented well and even then highly doubtful but possibly with a proven track of sucess you never know. But theres small time amusement parks up here in the Northeast such as canobie lake park and other ones that could be nice starting groud to test out the idea. Like you said with digital cameras getting so inexpensive to test this idea could be pretty inexpensive. Get a booth 20 cameras,computer,black discs and some signs and see how it goes.


I dont know you still think im a little crazy here? I mean the stats on attendence are just out of this world and you cut out advertising, the only advertising you do are the signs you already need on your booth the people come to you already. Thanks for the comments its really a big help. I'd love to hear more.

[demiGod031]

You have an idea there but I think that there is no growth in this kind of business. As far as I know, almost every tourist brings a camera since it is considered as a necessity.
Also, before venturing into this kind of business, research first if there is really a need and a demand for this. Without knowing first your customer, you may end up in bankruptcy.

Good luck!

[djexelta]

Not only do most people take a camera on family outings such as theme parks but most people now have half decent camera phones and if they don't they probably will have within the next 1-2 years when they will be common place.

I can't see much of a market myself.

[pacintl]

Damn good point i didn't even think about that.

[NeeJam]

Originally Posted by djexelta

Not only do most people take a camera on family outings such as theme parks but most people now have half decent camera phones and if they don't they probably will have within the next 1-2 years when they will be common place.

I can't see much of a market myself.

Even though djexelta made a good point, i don't think it will work mainly due to the fact that you will get a lot of people just plain and simply walking off and not bring the camera back and if it would work wouldn't a normal theme-park be doing this already and in all theme parks ive been to - when you go on a ride they sell you pictures of you on the ride for a very reasonable price.

[Sport Skeds]

Im telling you - "output"... is the way... to make this idea swing...

Get a station that can handle Bluetooth data transfer and allow those cell phones - and the next wave of digi cams "beam" their photos to a printer - and allow folks to walk out of the park with hardcopy pict in hand. Hell 8x10 if they have the necessary MP captured...

There's margin in "output"...
...sell razors.

[clegg]

Originally Posted by Sport Skeds

Im telling you - "output"... is the way... to make this idea swing...

Get a station that can handle Bluetooth data transfer and allow those cell phones - and the next wave of digi cams "beam" their photos to a printer - and allow folks to walk out of the park with hardcopy pict in hand. Hell 8x10 if they have the necessary MP captured...

There's margin in "output"...
...sell razors.

True, but I doubt most theme parks will let you do that. That will cut into their photo-selling business which has a tremendous margin for them.
-clegg

[pacintl]

i don't think it will work mainly due to the fact that you will get a lot of people just plain and simply walking off and not bring the camera back and if it would work wouldn't a normal theme-park be doing this already and in all theme parks ive been to - when you go on a ride they sell you pictures of you on the ride for a very reasonable price.


Do you think i wouldn't have a waiver or grab there credit card or license number for collateral. Oviously i wouldnt hand out such a high priced object without backing myself its common sense. And the pictures on the ride isnt even what im going for they cant take them on the rides anyway. As for the person who said i'd be cutting into there ride pictures how would i possibly be taking away from that action shot cameras arent allowed on the ride. If you meant the picture that you can get as you walk in to be honest i dont know how that would role thats a specially decorated one and wouldnt offer such a service like that so thats a tough one but great point.

[Brad]

Here is an idea.

Start a website which is an online community.
Go to theme parks and ask people if they would like their pictures t