Anyone ever compare build times of Disney to Universal?

[HPotter]

Watched an interesting documentary on Universal's Velocicoaster, started to get me thinking about how long Disney takes to bring a new ride to market as compared to Universal. Latest examples being:

DIS: Tron: Construction began on February 6th, 2018. Opening date TBD*
UNI: Velicoaster: Construction began January 2019. Opening date June 10 2021*
*both impacted by Covid, somehow UNI responded better.

UNI: Escape From Gringotts (and complete Diagon Ally) construction began on Jan 2 2012. Opening date July 2014
UNI: Hagrids Motorbike construction began in January 2018. Opening date June 13, 2019
DIS: Pandora construction began on Jan 10, 2014. Opening date May 27, 2017
DIS: N&M Railway construction began on August 13, 2017. Opening date March 4 2020

Disney just takes more time, a lot more time. Not sure how Universal can be so much better, but they are. Interesting.

 

[dez1978]

And honestly, I'd have to say that at least for the Harry Potter sections, it is every bit as well done as anything at WDW. Maybe better.

 

[HPotter]

And honestly, I'd have to say that at least for the Harry Potter sections, it is every bit as well done as anything at WDW. Maybe better.

Agree. I use to believe "Disney spent more time, because it's so immersive", I really don't believe that anymore.

 

[Yoshi]

I think they take longer to open rides for marketing reasons. With Tron and Guardians of the Galaxy, they already had Ratatouille opening for 2021 and maybe felt 2 new rides in 1 year wasn’t needed and that they didn’t want to open a new coaster the same time as Universal did.

 

[dez1978]

I think they take longer to open rides for marketing reasons. With Tron and Guardians of the Galaxy, they already had Ratatouille opening for 2021 and maybe felt 2 new rides in 1 year wasn’t needed and that they didn’t want to open a new coaster the same time as Universal did.

The only reason I can think for them to have not opened them yet is bc they were worried that Covid might slow down the boom they'd expect with opening those rides. But since they seem to be back to full capacity, then maybe staffing? Or are they thinking with revenge travel and the 50th, they can save those rides until later to bring people back after the 50th? Like they are already getting everyone's money now. Rooms are fully booked etc. They don't need to draw more ppl in now. But in a year when the 50th is over, and revenge travel has died down and people aren't desperate to throw $ at Disney, they might need them to pull people back. Those ppl who are mad about all the price increases and such or say the magic isn't there anymore.

 

[lockets]

Do both parks use labor union workers?

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

I've wondered the same thing also. WWOHP has awesome theming which IMO is better than Pandora and more relevant to the current generation. My kids didn't even know Avatar was a movie but they know every HP movie. They are 8 and 10. Hagrids and Velocicoaster have incredible theming and both rides are fantastic. Universal is killing it right now.

 

[HPotter]

Do both parks use labor union workers?

Yes, both use union contractors.

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

I asked a friend that works in management at US how they are able to introduce atractions much faster than Disney. The short answer: Disney plans out every square inch before they start building and US is more willing to start work and make changes on the fly.

 

[HPotter]

I've wondered the same thing also. WWOHP has awesome theming which IMO is better than Pandora and more relevant to the current generation. My kids didn't even know Avatar was a movie but they know every HP movie. They are 8 and 10. Hagrids and Velocicoaster have incredible theming and both rides are fantastic. Universal is killing it right now.

Seems like Universal is really implementing the Avis approach, "we try harder". Even the Universal Epic new Gate that was put on hold for 12months is back up at 100% construction. If they are on with their timelines (March 21 start to early 25 completion), it will be shorter time to build an entire new gate than the Tron ride at MK.