How will WW of Harry P. at US affect attendance at WDW in Dec. 2010?

[dreambound]

Do you think the opening will have an impact on crowds at WDW one way or another?

Meg

[themilesfamily]

I'm so glad somebody asked this question! I've been wondering about this, as well. I don't have an answer, but I can see one of three scenarios:

1) HP brings higher crowds to Orlando, thus higher crowds at Universal AND Disney.

2) HP sucks some of the attendance out of Disney and over to Universal, thus lower crowds at Disney.

3) HP doesn't make a huge splash and thus no change at Disney.

So Disney crowds might be higher, lower, or stay the same. Helpful, huh?

I do think the planned remodel at Fantasyland is a response to Universal adding HP. Disney had to do something big.

[dreambound]

Originally Posted by themilesfamily

I'm so glad somebody asked this question! I've been wondering about this, as well. I don't have an answer, but I can see one of three scenarios:

1) HP brings higher crowds to Orlando, thus higher crowds at Universal AND Disney.

2) HP sucks some of the attendance out of Disney and over to Universal, thus lower crowds at Disney.

3) HP doesn't make a huge splash and thus no change at Disney.

So Disney crowds might be higher, lower, or stay the same. Helpful, huh?

I do think the planned remodel at Fantasyland is a response to Universal adding HP. Disney had to do something big.

Those were my thoughts as well!

Meg

[Crystal_27]

I don't know that my plan is going to be indicative of what a "typical" park goer is planning, but, for our stay over Christmas, 2010, of the 14 days that we will be staying at Disney, we will be spending 3 or 4 of those days at Universal-owned parks. I'm actually intrigued about the new Harry Potter land and, although Disney will always be my first love, am excited about getting to visit Universal. My guess is that if we find Universal to be a hit, we will cull out vacation days to visit for future vacations too.

[mariepapa]

I want to go to Universal specifically for the WWofHP and nothing else. Most of their rides I cannot do. I would gladly take a day away from the mouse to do it!

[themilesfamily]

I've never been to Universal -- I'll go for the first time next year, specifically to see the Harry Potter stuff.

Of a one-week trip, we'll probably do 1-2 days at Univeral and the rest back at Disney.

[GAMC369]

I doubt Disney will see much of an impact. I know there are plenty of families like mine who don't care anything about HP and have children too young to enjoy much of anything at Universal. So our trips will only be split between Disney and Sea World for many years to come. I'm sure a lot of people who are drawn to U for the HP attraction will still spend at least one day at Disney.

[jamstew]

My sister & niece, who have never been to Disney, are joining me on my December trip next year strictly because of HP, but they want to do Disney, too. I imagine they'll do two days at Universal, and I'll probably only go once to see HP. I've never been to Universal, but from what I've read about the rides, I can't do them.

[HaleyB]

I think we will see an increase in Disney Parks. I also think that the jobless recovery we are in right now will continue to impact crowd levels through 2010. Call me an optimist.

While the committed Disney fan may or may not cut a few days off a Disney trip to visit US I am pretty sure some people who would not have otherwise come to Disney will add on days to a US trip to see the Mouse.

We have been in the middle of the HP craze from day 1. The book sales, promo parties, movie releases all drew crazy huge crowds. Mostly families with kids the perfect age for US AND WDW. People who never thought to come to Orlando will flock there, and many of them will want to see WDW too. I know 15 years ago when we first made the pilgrimage we went to both US and WDW (and there was great gnashing of teeth on the US days that could have been WDW days, lesson learned). I think the mindset of doing both US and WDW is common among first time guests.

Really anything that brings people near to WDW adds to Disney's attendance. Going to Orlando with out visiting Disney is like going to NYC without seeing the Statue of Liberty.

That said, I do not think there will be any/much impact in terms of on site guests, or room availability.

[skier_pete]

Originally Posted by themilesfamily

1) HP brings higher crowds to Orlando, thus higher crowds at Universal AND Disney.

2) HP sucks some of the attendance out of Disney and over to Universal, thus lower crowds at Disney.

3) HP doesn't make a huge splash and thus no change at Disney.

I think (1)....while Disney will lose some park days to Universal, at least when it first opens, I think the overall affect will be a boost in tourism to Orlando, which will affect Disney in a Positive manor. This is why I (in other threads) have said Disney wasn't dumb to pass on Harry Potter. They let another company invest the $230 million, and they will still reap the benefits.

The boost to Universal will be pretty significant the first few months, and I would personally avoid going over there during the initial crowds. (Realizing that Harry Potter land is about the size of Fantasy land, yet EVERYONE in the park will want to be in that section? What do you think the lines are going to be like? - Unless I'm completely misreading this and there won't be any boost.

[Rip]

Originally Posted by jamstew

My sister & niece, who have never been to Disney, are joining me on my December trip next year strictly because of HP, but they want to do Disney, too. I imagine they'll do two days at Universal, and I'll probably only go once to see HP. I've never been to Universal, but from what I've read about the rides, I can't do them.

I'm not sure what you've read, but it seems a common misconception that most of the rides there are thrill rides. IoA has 2 coasters, US has 1. Other than that, if you can do Splash Mountain, you can do Dudley Dooright and Jurassic Park. The Mummy is kind of coasterish, but my wife is terrified of roller coasters and she loves it. Spiderman is quite possibly the best ride in any theme park in the world. If you like the Kali Rapids at AK, you will love the Popeye ride at IoA, it's much longer and much better. Even the kiddie portion of IoA has a couple of good rides for adults - the Cat in the Hat and a train that goes over Suess land. Jaws, Twister and Disaster aren't going to bother anyone, I wouldn't imagine. MIB is one of the most fun interactive rides I've ever been on, and, to be honest, Disney has nothing that compares with it. Shrek 4D is in a class by itself, better than any other show of its kind (Muppets, Bugs, Terminator, etc.).

I think Disney will definitely notice when HP opens, but I also think it's going to last longer than a passing fad because I do believe that there are lots of people that have never tried UO in general because they think it's all a bunch of thrill rides. It is quite different than Disney, but in many ways every bit as good.

[Tissa]

We have only gone to Universal once and never liked to give up WDW time but when HP opens we are taking 2 days out of our WDW trip to go over there. Everyone I know is talking of doing the same thing. Harry Potter is going to be a big pull.

[tzuhouse]

It will be interesting to see. I know, for us, when we go we typically stay 2 weeks. In October, during our next trip, there are 4 days that we won't be going to Disney parks, 2 of them will be at Universal specifically because of Harry.

Mary

[Lucky4me]

My kids loved Universal just as much as Disney, including the little one who was 2, 5 and 9 when we visited.
I think Harry Potter will get people into Universal for the first time, at which point they will say, wow, look at what we were missing!
Disney will then (I hope) have to step it up with better deals for their park tickets.
Right now Universal offers a 2 park, 7 day pass for $97. I imagine it will be more money once HP opens, but we're buying the vouchers now, hoping they include HP later. Can't beat that deal!
We won't be staying in Disney in 2010, but will rent a house and do several days at Universal and maybe 1 or 2 days at Disney.
I can't wait!

[Planogirl]

I'll try to squeeze in WDW.

Seriously, I imagine that I'll try to do our usual split between the two, that is if we even go to Florida next year. I've been mulling over skipping next year and waiting until the hubbub over HP dies down a bit and (gasp!) going somewhere else instead.