Breaking Disney News 3 Major Expansions

[Fantaluminishes]

I guess attention seekers will resort to anything. But just for argument's sake. Closing Indy, Streets, and the Backlot Tour does not equal "expansion" in any way. It would be repurposing or remodeling the area. If DHS is to be expanded, they will need to make the park larger. DCA was remodeled AND expanded.

And as with all of these "confirmed" rumors, the timeline isn't accurate. Nobody believes a theme park "expansion" of this scope would ever be completed in 2016. Especially since Disney hasn't announced it. Stick with Disney Springs and the Seven Dwarfs roller coaster. We know those are happening.

 

[kidsister]

I, for ONE, loved Avatar.

 

[Minnesota!]

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights seems like it could be moved. Draw people to AK in the evenings and not disturb the animals? The Boardwalk or Disney Springs could be other options.

Oooh - I do love this idea!

 

[flashcal]

I guess attention seekers will resort to anything. But just for argument's sake. Closing Indy, Streets, and the Backlot Tour does not equal "expansion" in any way. It would be repurposing or remodeling the area. If DHS is to be expanded, they will need to make the park larger. DCA was remodeled AND expanded.

And as with all of these "confirmed" rumors, the timeline isn't accurate. Nobody believes a theme park "expansion" of this scope would ever be completed in 2016. Especially since Disney hasn't announced it. Stick with Disney Springs and the Seven Dwarfs roller coaster. We know those are happening.

I'm sorry, Who's attention seeking?

 

[MichiganDVC]

From TheBestMagic.net One of the first official announcements regarding Avatarland's attractions will happen at D23 in Anaheim on August 9th-11th 2013. Disney will be giving a small glance at 3 attractions being created for the Animal Kingdom, Avatar Land expansion to fully open late 2016. Not to be left out, Disney will also give attendees a special peak at the newest StarWars attractions being built! Yes, you heard me correct, Disney is actually going to give everyone a peak at the next StarWars attraction at WDW! This partially confirms the rumor of a StarWars land being fully completed at Hollywood Studios by 2018. I have recieved inside information that as of today, a few areas will be ending soon. The 1st area to go, as it seems now, will be the BackLot tour. Doing so will release tons of room for expansion. The next area to be closed for the expansion will be Indiana Jones show. Now the next area is going to upset a lot of people but I believe its a necessity. The area known as Streets of America will also be closing by 2015 to make room for the huge expansion. What that means is, 2014 will be the last year to see The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. This is the only information I havent be able to get 100% verified so there is still a slight chance they may keep Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights but its highly doubtful due to the area needed for such an in-depth expansion. My sources are saying this WILL BE THE BIGGEST WDW EXPANSION EVER. Disney knows it has to create something to challenge the POTTER expansion at Universal. Theme park analysts are saying when the Potter expansion opens, it will generate millions of revenue for Universal in the first year. Not only that, Disney will see a loss of attendance at MK and revenue. It wont be a strong loss but something Disney will have no choice but to answer. Visitors will go to Universal for 5 days instead of their usually 2. This is a game changer and Disney knows it. Finally, the last bit of information will have is, the Imagination Pavilion at Epcot, will be closing. Inside sources are saying that an estimated time of full closure will be around mid to late 2014 . Ive been unable to get anymore information but Im waiting for a call from a source. When I get that information, I will pass on the information to our fans of our site. What that means is Figment may be gone for good along with Michael Jackson EO. You may want to ride Figment a few more times cause this may be the last time to use your imagination. Well thats it! A lot of awesome WDW news!

Is this also "news" or is it your opinion attached to rumors? Just clarifying...

 

[SkaGoat]

I agree. If anyone thinks Avatar is going to compete with Harry Potter on the theme park front, they are mistaken. Money invested by Disney in "Avatarland" would be better invested elsewhere.

All you have to do is look at attendance figures between the two parks and you'll realize Disney already out competes with anything Universal does or could hope to do.

Islands of Adventure was over 2 million guests behind Hollywood Studios, and just under 10 million under Magic Kingdom last year in attendance.

 

[MichiganDVC]

All you have to do is look at attendance figures between the two parks and you'll realize Disney already out competes with anything Universal does or could hope to do.

Islands of Adventure was over 2 million guests behind Hollywood Studios, and just under 10 million under Magic Kingdom last year in attendance.

Thank you!

 

[twebber55]

All you have to do is look at attendance figures between the two parks and you'll realize Disney already out competes with anything Universal does or could hope to do.

Islands of Adventure was over 2 million guests behind Hollywood Studios, and just under 10 million under Magic Kingdom last year in attendance.

agree but the gap is narrowing...remember 15 years ago when micorsoft said apple who?

if you are the leader in themed entertainment i would think you would want to continue to grow and not allow Universal get any closer

it wouldnt shock me at all to see Universal pass DAK or DHS in 2015

not that i care who leads in attendance

 

[MichiganDVC]

agree but the gap is narrowing...remember 15 years ago when micorsoft said apple who?

if you are the leader in themed entertainment i would think you would want to continue to grow and not allow Universal get any closer

it wouldnt shock me at all to see Universal pass DAK or DHS in 2015

not that i care who leads in attendance

Eh, the problem is that Universal is an amusement park and Disney World is an experience. Universal is now trying to make itself someplace where people really want to go...what WDW accomplished in 1971. Only 42 years behind. And Disney knows that once they have you onsite, you're probably hitting 3 if not all 4 parks.

Furthermore, people might go to Universal for 2 days on the end of a WDW vacation, but it would be foolish financially to do so. Pay $150+ to go to Universal for two days ($180+ with Express or stay at on-site hotels for $250+ a night) or stay at WDW and your extra days worth of tickets are $20-10 more per day and where moderates are $180s a night, values even less.

The idea that your average Orlando-area vacation visitor (doesn't live in Florida, visits WDW maybe once every 5 years, not on the Disboards) is going to spend an extra $720 for a family of four (versus $160 to have two more days at WDW) for two park days at Universal isn't really a major concern for Disney. Most WDW visitors are not going to make that decision. Visitors from UK? Maybe...they're there for two weeks!! I'm talking about your average one week family. There's no way that even a significant minority of of those people are going to do a 5-day Universal trip!! Harry Potter expansion or not.

 

[disneyworld1977]

...and more rumors....blah, blah, blah....avatar...blah, blah, backlot tour gone, blah..blah.....by 2016.

 

[twebber55]

...and more rumors....blah, blah, blah....avatar...blah, blah, backlot tour gone, blah..blah.....by 2016.

Not buying it huh? Or just tired of hearing about stuff with nothing being done?

 

[Longhairbear]

Eh, the problem is that Universal is an amusement park and Disney World is an experience. Universal is now trying to make itself someplace where people really want to go...what WDW accomplished in 1971. Only 42 years behind. And Disney knows that once they have you onsite, you're probably hitting 3 if not all 4 parks.

Furthermore, people might go to Universal for 2 days on the end of a WDW vacation, but it would be foolish financially to do so. Pay $150+ to go to Universal for two days ($180+ with Express or stay at on-site hotels for $250+ a night) or stay at WDW and your extra days worth of tickets are $20-10 more per day and where moderates are $180s a night, values even less.

The idea that your average Orlando-area vacation visitor (doesn't live in Florida, visits WDW maybe once every 5 years, not on the Disboards) is going to spend an extra $720 for a family of four (versus $160 to have two more days at WDW) for two park days at Universal isn't really a major concern for Disney. Most WDW visitors are not going to make that decision. Visitors from UK? Maybe...they're there for two weeks!! I'm talking about your average one week family. There's no way that even a significant minority of of those people are going to do a 5-day Universal trip!! Harry Potter expansion or not.

We are most certainly dropping 2-3 days at WDW for Universal at the beginning of our next trip. We're using ME, but not getting on the bus to WDW, only using it for the trip back. We'll stay at our DVC, and see WDW for the rest of our stay. It's been 3 years since we've been to WDW because there is nothing new, in another year or so there might be a few things, and lot's of things we've never seen at Universal. We just might get a car and stay at our home resort VWL , but go to Universal all week.

 

[MichiganDVC]

We are most certainly dropping 2-3 days at WDW for Universal at the beginning of our next trip. We're using ME, but not getting on the bus to WDW, only using it for the trip back. We'll stay at our DVC, and see WDW for the rest of our stay. It's been 3 years since we've been to WDW because there is nothing new, in another year or so there might be a few things, and lot's of things we've never seen at Universal. We just might get a car and stay at our home resort VWL , but go to Universal all week.

The average WDW visitor, not on Disboards, is not going to spend the $$. Everything Disney is doing is to encourage longer stays and no defection (Magic your way tickets, FP+ reservations...) And if you're a DVC member, you're not an average visitor. And if you're a DVC member who doesn't visit the parks, you basically have a timeshare condo in greater Orlando.

 

[artesian]

Eh, the problem is that Universal is an amusement park and Disney World is an experience. Universal is now trying to make itself someplace where people really want to go...what WDW accomplished in 1971. Only 42 years behind. And Disney knows that once they have you onsite, you're probably hitting 3 if not all 4 parks.

Furthermore, people might go to Universal for 2 days on the end of a WDW vacation, but it would be foolish financially to do so. Pay $150+ to go to Universal for two days ($180+ with Express or stay at on-site hotels for $250+ a night) or stay at WDW and your extra days worth of tickets are $20-10 more per day and where moderates are $180s a night, values even less.

The idea that your average Orlando-area vacation visitor (doesn't live in Florida, visits WDW maybe once every 5 years, not on the Disboards) is going to spend an extra $720 for a family of four (versus $160 to have two more days at WDW) for two park days at Universal isn't really a major concern for Disney. Most WDW visitors are not going to make that decision. Visitors from UK? Maybe...they're there for two weeks!! I'm talking about your average one week family. There's no way that even a significant minority of of those people are going to do a 5-day Universal trip!! Harry Potter expansion or not.

My kids are now a little older and given the choice they absolutely would cut two days on a trip to go to US. But you are 100% correct in that the $$$ factor is what cuts me out of there on a trip less than 7 days. Now when we can go for more than 7 days I get a combined entrance pass that includes wet and wild for the 14 days. I can always get my value out of that pass with 3 trips to the US parks and 1 trip to the water park. My 5 day trip in Nov we know US is not part of the equation. So for us dis is always getting the primary $$$ from our trips but I personally don't see where US will become the primary park on our trips

 

[MickeyManiacMom]

Guess we're not average either. We live in the midwest. Haven't been to Disney World in 5 years (we did do a Disney cruise 2 years ago).

We currently have a 6 day Disney trip planned and sure did pony up the extra to go to Universal for 2 days. Yes it cost more. But really - after you've spent $3000 on vacation - whats another couple hundred?

However, we've been to Universal before and the experience is much different than Disney. We won an all expenses paid trip to Universal for 4 days. Harry Potter is amazing. My son is currently obsessed with Transformers. Which is why we're making it part of our trip this year.

However, I don't think Universal is a place you could spend more than 2-3 days. It's not all inclusive experience like Disney. After a couple of days I'm over it.

 

[disneyworld1977]

Not buying it huh? Or just tired of hearing about stuff with nothing being done?

Just messing around. I like rumors sometimes, but some just get carried away like it is confirmed or something. I would like to see if anything is said at the D23 Expo or not. I have heard they will say something and some say nothing will be said. I think that is the first thing we should wait and see on and then we can let more rumors fly after that.

 

[AJRitz]

Just messing around. I like rumors sometimes, but some just get carried away like it is confirmed or something. I would like to see if anything is said at the D23 Expo or not. I have heard they will say something and some say nothing will be said. I think that is the first thing we should wait and see on and then we can let more rumors fly after that.

This.

Rumors are fine, but have a little integrity and report them as such.

Unattributed "confirmation" is not confirmation. If you can't cite a source, your reporting is not "verified." As a reader, I'm entitled to consider the source of the information when deciding how much credence to give an article. And if you don't cite the source, than as far as I know YOU'RE the source, and you might just be getting your jollies making the whole thing up. Or you may be reading something extra into the same things we've all seen/heard reported by the Jim Hills of the world (you know, people who have actually spent a journalistic career cultivating sources, and how are STILL unable to predict outcomes more than 25% of the time).

(Note: "your" and "you" do not refer to the quoted post, but to the blogger who wrote the original article).

 

[disneyworld1977]

This.

Rumors are fine, but have a little integrity and report them as such.

Unattributed "confirmation" is not confirmation. If you can't cite a source, your reporting is not "verified." As a reader, I'm entitled to consider the source of the information when deciding how much credence to give an article. And if you don't cite the source, than as far as I know YOU'RE the source, and you might just be getting your jollies making the whole thing up. Or you may be reading something extra into the same things we've all seen/heard reported by the Jim Hills of the world (you know, people who have actually spent a journalistic career cultivating sources, and how are STILL unable to predict outcomes more than 25% of the time).

(Note: "your" and "you" do not refer to the quoted post, but to the blogger who wrote the original article).

Exactly, I would listen to like Jim Hill, but like you said, those are "confirmations" really just good sources, but even if a certain thing is what they are going to do, it may change like FLE did. So there are LOTS of variables when seeing rumors float around. Its really is a wait and see type of deal.

 

[anthony2k7]

The average WDW visitor, not on Disboards, is not going to spend the $$. Everything Disney is doing is to encourage longer stays and no defection (Magic your way tickets, FP+ reservations...) And if you're a DVC member, you're not an average visitor. And if you're a DVC member who doesn't visit the parks, you basically have a timeshare condo in greater Orlando.

This subject has been done many times on this site.

All WDW's efforts to lock people in were targeted at Americans who tend to visit for shorter trips. International visitors tend to visit for minimum 10 days upwards to 21 days. There is no way WDW can convince people to stay on site for those longer trips.

However, I get the feeling even Americans are tiring of being stuck on site.

 

[Lewisc]

The average WDW visitor, not on Disboards, is not going to spend the $$. Everything Disney is doing is to encourage longer stays and no defection (Magic your way tickets, FP+ reservations...) And if you're a DVC member, you're not an average visitor. And if you're a DVC member who doesn't visit the parks, you basically have a timeshare condo in greater Orlando.

Universal is having record attendance.

Some may be from guests who are taking a non-Disney Orlando vacation. You could easily occupy a week with the 2 Universal parks, SW, Aquatica, WetnWild, BGT, Kennedy Center...

I suspect many of them are famlies who are willing to skip Disney for a day or two and drive up the road to Universal. People spend money in different ways. You can certainly get a better deal with an offsite hotel but Disney has no trouble filling their rooms (much of the year).

I'll agree Disney's actions encourage guests to say on property their entire trip. Almost free extra days on your tickets. DME. Dining Plan guests have already paid for their meals. Doesn't change the fact that a lot of people seem to want to spend part of their vacation at Universal.

Rumor--A guest who is staying a week or so will probably elect to skip or or 2 Disney parks in order to have time to visit Universal. Add new attractions to the parks customers are skipping, DHS and AK, and Disney might reduce the number.

Universal might benefit Disney. How many people who are planning a trip to see HP or Transformers will also take the time to visit WDW?