Global Carnival ends with a whimper

The global carnival in Pu Dong's Lujiazui area ended without a profit for the organisers. Despite a range of attempts to lure in the punters, they still couldn't break even.

The organizer declined to specify how much money was taken at the Carnival, only saying that they had welcomed 1 million visitors since opening on September 30, two days later than originally scheduled. Operators of food stands in the carnival park echoed the disappointment at organizer level, complaining that their daily gross takings barely exceeded 1,000 yuan.

However, the major overseas organizer for the Carnival, the Freij Entertainment Company Limited didn't see this year as a failure. They told local media that Shanghai is an ideal location for their carnival, which has traveled to dozens of countries worldwide, and they've gathered valuable lessons for the future from this year's Carnivals in Beijing and Shanghai.

The carnival opened two days late due to "safety concerns", which may not appear to have been fully dealt with as one
carnival worker died -- although his death was not so much due to safety concerns -- apparently he had just walked onto the rollercoaster track during it's operation.

It can be a great family day out for the kids, and we feel that advertising -- or a lack of it -- may have been the carnival's downfall. That and holding it as winter is closing in. And also NOT MAKING IT EASY ENOUGH TO WIN THE MOTHER-F***ING MINNIE THE MOUSE TEDDY BEAR. Damn carnies.

Also on Shanghaiist:
Come one, come all: Carnival back in Shanghai
‘Sorry folks, park’s closed. Moose out front shoulda told ya.’
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