7-month Availability is GREAT!

[gmi3804]

Universal will make Disney look like a traveling carnival. While Disney is busy reimagining and refurbing, Universal is building new lands. Rather than capitalize off of Disneys biggest animated feature, Frozen, they settled for a hole in the wall Norway pavilion. Meanwhile, Hong Kong and Paris, are doing it right. Massive Arendelle land with stunning architecture and features.

Then there’s word of converting AK Dinoland to Zootopia, which I think is actually a smart move, but still not enough to keep up with Universal. Without a 5th gate, Disney will play second fiddle to Universal.

Tokyo is also adding THREE new lands to DisneySea AND a major luxury resort IN THE PARK, their most ambitious resort to date. In Florida? Disney is keeping the Imgineers busy reprogramming the Country Bears to lip-sync to classic Disney songs - in Nashville style, yet!

 

[Nursemanit]

To your question: Is demand slowing down? Absolutely!

Wait until 2025 (Epic Universe). Disney will be wide open! You’ll be able to book anywhere. On the plus side, crowd levels will be down even further. Universal will make Disney look like a traveling carnival. While Disney is busy reimagining and refurbing, Universal is building new lands. Rather than capitalize off of Disneys biggest animated feature, Frozen, they settled for a hole in the wall Norway pavilion. Meanwhile, Hong Kong and Paris, are doing it right. Massive Arendelle land with stunning architecture and features.

Then there’s word of converting AK Dinoland to Zootopia, which I think is actually a smart move, but still not enough to keep up with Universal. Without a 5th gate, Disney will play second fiddle to

The new land in Universal will be a draw but it will not affect DVC to any great extent, Universal is a once every 5 years park for lots of DVC members

 

[tom1944]

When I decide to go to Universal I am still going to stay at Disney.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I agree with most, but I can see many DVC booking still and drive to Universal. Room is still cheqper with points.

My family and I do this all the time. Saratoga Springs is our favorite Universal resort.

 

[BamaGuy44]

To your question: Is demand slowing down? Absolutely!

Wait until 2025 (Epic Universe). Disney will be wide open! You’ll be able to book anywhere. On the plus side, crowd levels will be down even further. Universal will make Disney look like a traveling carnival. While Disney is busy reimagining and refurbing, Universal is building new lands. Rather than capitalize off of Disneys biggest animated feature, Frozen, they settled for a hole in the wall Norway pavilion. Meanwhile, Hong Kong and Paris, are doing it right. Massive Arendelle land with stunning architecture and features.

Then there’s word of converting AK Dinoland to Zootopia, which I think is actually a smart move, but still not enough to keep up with Universal. Without a 5th gate, Disney will play second fiddle to Universal.

That's not how it works. If Epic Universe draws more people to Orlando it will be good for Disney. I remember when Harry Potter world was going to be the death of WDW. WDW attendance increased after it opened.

I love Universal, and I'm as frustrated as anyone that Disney isn't innovating at WDW that much right now. They slow speed they do anything and the way they're refusing to officially announce or put timelines on anything is super annoying. Though I'm also realistic, they can't open a Galaxy's Edge or Toy Story Land every year, or even every 5 years.

a 5th gate isn't happening in our lifetime and they don't need it. They just need to actually execute on some of the ambitious plans they keep teasing us with, and stop executing the plans they do commit to at a glacial pace.

 

[kilik64]

Tokyo is also adding THREE new lands to DisneySea AND a major luxury resort IN THE PARK, their most ambitious resort to date. In Florida? Disney is keeping the Imgineers busy reprogramming the Country Bears to lip-sync to classic Disney songs - in Nashville style, yet!

It’s not totally fair to compare other Disney parks to Tokyo ones. They are not majority controlled by Disney so they actually get funded vs having to divert funds to dying legacy media and terrible content creation that’s lost billions of dollars in the last year alone at the theatre.

 

[Twilghtsprkle]

I agree with most, but I can see many DVC booking still and drive to Universal. Room is still cheqper with points.

Yeah, if you have DVC points to use, you will still be staying at a DVC resort on points.

I will say I was happy with 7 month availability. My kids have a late spring break and I had originally booked a 1 bedroom at VGF for 6 nights. At 7 months I was able to change that to BCV and for only a few more points add 2 more nights. We’ll make it a relaxing vacation now with pool/golf days and park days.

 

[BamaGuy44]

It’s not totally fair to compare other Disney parks to Tokyo ones. They are not majority controlled by Disney so they actually get funded vs having to divert funds to dying legacy media and terrible content creation that’s lost billions of dollars in the last year alone at the theatre.

100% true. But Tokyo and some of the other international parks (still controlled by Disney) show what Imagineering can still do if they're given the budget and the buy-in from upper management. Gives me hope, and at the same time drives me crazy that they can't or won't give that level of support to the flagship property.

 

[Smugpugmug]

It’s not totally fair to compare other Disney parks to Tokyo ones. They are not majority controlled by Disney so they actually get funded vs having to divert funds to dying legacy media and terrible content creation that’s lost billions of dollars in the last year alone at the theatre.

Tokyo isn't owned by Disney at all and OLC fully funds the rides that are built there, so it makes sense how they're able to get Fantasy Springs and we get *checks notes* a retheme of Test Track as the most exciting thing that was announced at D23.

 

[BamaGuy44]

My family and I do this all the time. Saratoga Springs is our favorite Universal resort.

We haven't been to Universal since we became DVC 2 years ago, but when we do I don't think we can give up the great experience of staying on-site. Universal Express Pass included and easily walking to both parks + City Walk is hard to pass up. UEP completely changes the Theme Park experience. I would happily pay double the ticket prices if I could get it at WDW.

 

[Smugpugmug]

We haven't been to Universal since we became DVC 2 years ago, but when we do I don't think we can give up the great experience of staying on-site. Universal Express Pass included and easily walking to both parks + City Walk is hard to pass up. UEP completely changes the Theme Park experience. I would happily pay double the ticket prices if I could get it at WDW.

I have the highest tier annual pass so I get free preferred parking and Express after 4 so I don't miss staying on site *that much*. However whenever I do stay on site I pick Cabana Bay as the AP discount rates are amazing and the resort amenities are better than any WDW moderate.

Most times we pick Saratoga due to it being so close to the highway. The best Universal resort outside of Universal!

 

[kilik64]

Tokyo isn't owned by Disney at all and OLC fully funds the rides that are built there, so it makes sense how they're able to get Fantasy Springs and we get *checks notes* a retheme of Test Track as the most exciting thing that was announced at D23.

Thanks couldnt remember off hand if disney just had a minority stake in it but its just licensing.

 

[gmi3804]

Most times we pick Saratoga due to it being so close to the highway. The best Universal resort outside of Universal!

I'd argue that, given the pervasive traffic on Hotel Plaza Blvd and 535, RR is a quicker on/off I-4.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I'd argue that, given the pervasive traffic on Hotel Plaza Blvd and 535, RR is a quicker on/off I-4.

The traffic isn't that bad. We drive that route every time and it's not awful.

Also the entire family dislikes Riviera so we don't consider staying there lol

 

[Genie+]

We haven't been to Universal since we became DVC 2 years ago, but when we do I don't think we can give up the great experience of staying on-site. Universal Express Pass included and easily walking to both parks + City Walk is hard to pass up. UEP completely changes the Theme Park experience. I would happily pay double the ticket prices if I could get it at WDW.

That’s what we’re likely to do as well. Probably do a mid Sept 2025 trip, hoping that peak crowds will dip at least a little and pricing too. Either that or wait until last week of Jan ‘26 into Feb. If we can buy UK WDW/UO tickets probably do 3/2/4 nights. WDW/DVC with onsite Universal in the middle.

 

[BamaGuy44]

I have the highest tier annual pass so I get free preferred parking and Express after 4 so I don't miss staying on site *that much*. However whenever I do stay on site I pick Cabana Bay as the AP discount rates are amazing and the resort amenities are better than any WDW moderate.

Most times we pick Saratoga due to it being so close to the highway. The best Universal resort outside of Universal!

Good to know, I'll keep SSR in mind if we try a DVC Universal stay. And yea if you have that top AP, it definitely changes the equation. I love Cabana Bay, if I wasn't worried about getting the UEP that would be my choice as well.

 

[kilik64]

As a 90s kid im pretty pumped about the new super nintendo land and that Donkey Kong roller coaster, looks so cool how they are doing it with the actual track below and you're suspended above the fake mine track to make it look like you are riding a mine cart for real. Looks like it should be awesome.

 

[BamaGuy44]

As a 90s kid im pretty pumped about the new super nintendo land and that Donkey Kong roller coaster, looks so cool how they are doing it with the actual track below and you're suspended above the fake mine track to make it look like you are riding a mine cart for real. Looks like it should be awesome.

Universal is great at making cool coasters, no doubt about that. Hagrid, Velocicoaster, Dueling Dragons (RIP), Hulk, Mummy, Gringott's, all fantastic, IMO. I have high hopes for DK.

BTW this thread took an unexpected turn and is now making me want to book a UO trip LOL. Too bad our vacations for the next 2 years are already planned, so I guess we'll wait until after Epic Universe opens.

 

[sndral]

…
Then there’s word of converting AK Dinoland to Zootopia, which I think is actually a smart move, but still not enough to keep up with Universal. Without a 5th gate, Disney will play second fiddle to Universal.

No no no, that rumor is so last year. This year’s D23 AK blue sky announcement is that Dinoland is to be converted to a tropical Americas land featuring Indy & Encanto.
Zootopia is now going to replace the bugs over in the tree of life .

 

[RanDIZ]

No no no, that rumor is so last year. This year’s D23 AK blue sky announcement is that Dinoland is to be converted to a tropical Americas land featuring Indy & Encanto.
Zootopia is now going to replace the bugs over in the tree of life .

Yea I just realized at D23 the direction Disney is going with Dinoland. Not sure why they chose not to stick with an animal theme. It is Animal Kingdom.