Comcast CEO: Universal will compete aggressively with Disney

[Son of Gadsden]

Statements like this always crack me up.

Always takes me back to the jokes about "YOLO". All of a sudden people are screaming YOLO like it's some grand new philosophy. What did they do before Drake, think they were going to live a million lives!?

So before this statement, they weren't competing? Or are they now "REALLY" competing?

Or like my Redskins who call me every year hoping I'll buy a suite or season tickets. "This year, this year is different. This year we're going to achieve greatness!" What about last year? Last year you weren't trying to achieve greatness?

All a bunch of promotional crap, designed for PR. Words stating the obvious of what they've been attempting since they got to Orlando.

Comes across to me as a kid throwing a rock at a tank, though, seeing as that's about that difference between Disney and Universal. Universal has Harry Potter. It's been a big deal. I was impressed, I have to admit. However, Wizarding World turned Universal from a no visit to a half a day park to me. Now they got an expansion. Good for them. That gave them a big jump in attendance, but it's not a game changer that's going to jump them up to Disney's level. Let's not forget that Harry Potter is over. There are no more movies or books. The level it is at now is not likely getting any higher.

Add the fact that Disney is going to counterpunch with STARWARSFREAKINLAND...and I don't see the big deal. Harry Potter was big. Harry Potter was not Star Wars big. Combine that with three new Star Wars films coming out and you have a undoubted one-up to Wizarding World. That's not even accounting for Avatarland or the completion of 7DMT.

Disney is continuously still coming out with new things. On these forums, New Fantasyland gets downplayed a lot, but quite a few people are going to WDW to see the new expansion, and it IS worth taking a look at. I'm not so sure I'd say Wizarding World is THAT much better than Fantasyland. I saw Wizarding World, had fun, walked around, got a butterbeer, went to the 3 broomsticks and a few shops, then I was done. The only other thing to do was the castle ride and the rollercoaster (which I couldn't physically ride because of the dangling knees thing). New Fantasyland also has shops, a new restaurant, a new dark ride, a new rollercoaster that's almost done and a few things for smaller children. Seems like punch for punch to me.

Call me a Disney apologist...but I don't see the big deal or the threat. I don't think these theme parks attract the same guests to the point where they are exclusive anyway. I don't see why anyone would decide to go to Disney OR Universal. It's not Coke and Pepsi. It's Coke and Gatorade.

I hope this lights a fire under Disney, but I really don't see them being threatened.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Statements like this always crack me up.

Always takes me back to the jokes about "YOLO". All of a sudden people are screaming YOLO like it's some grand new philosophy. What did they do before Drake, think they were going to live a million lives!?

So before this statement, they weren't competing? Or are they now "REALLY" competing?

Or like my Redskins who call me every year hoping I'll buy a suite or season tickets. "This year, this year is different. This year we're going to achieve greatness!" What about last year? Last year you weren't trying to achieve greatness?

All a bunch of promotional crap, designed for PR. Words stating the obvious of what they've been attempting since they got to Orlando.

Comes across to me as a kid throwing a rock at a tank, though, seeing as that's about that difference between Disney and Universal. Universal has Harry Potter. It's been a big deal. I was impressed, I have to admit. However, Wizarding World turned Universal from a no visit to a half a day park to me. Now they got an expansion. Good for them. That gave them a big jump in attendance, but it's not a game changer that's going to jump them up to Disney's level. Let's not forget that Harry Potter is over. There are no more movies or books. The level it is at now is not likely getting any higher.

Add the fact that Disney is going to counterpunch with STARWARSFREAKINLAND...and I don't see the big deal. Harry Potter was big. Harry Potter was not Star Wars big. Combine that with three new Star Wars films coming out and you have a undoubted one-up to Wizarding World. That's not even accounting for Avatarland or the completion of 7DMT.

Disney is continuously still coming out with new things. On these forums, New Fantasyland gets downplayed a lot, but quite a few people are going to WDW to see the new expansion, and it IS worth taking a look at. I'm not so sure I'd say Wizarding World is THAT much better than Fantasyland. I saw Wizarding World, had fun, walked around, got a butterbeer, went to the 3 broomsticks and a few shops, then I was done. The only other thing to do was the castle ride and the rollercoaster (which I couldn't physically ride because of the dangling knees thing). New Fantasyland also has shops, a new restaurant, a new dark ride, a new rollercoaster that's almost done and a few things for smaller children. Seems like punch for punch to me.

Call me a Disney apologist...but I don't see the big deal or the threat. I don't think these theme parks attract the same guests to the point where they are exclusive anyway. I don't see why anyone would decide to go to Disney OR Universal. It's not Coke and Pepsi. It's Coke and Gatorade.

I hope this lights a fire under Disney, but I really don't see them being threatened.

Son Of Gadsden...I agree that New Fantasyland has been a bigger/better expansion than many on these boards give it credit for. "Star Wars Land" and Avatarland turning Animal Kingdom into a potentially spectacular night-time park combine to be a much bigger deal than the Harry Potter expansion.

The problem for Disney is that it's going to be so long before these are in place that Disney's market share may take a hit for the next few years.

 

[jade1]

Awesome. For us it's not WDW vs US, it's more choices and competition falling in our laps.

 

[diamondpixienc]

Yes...I say bring it on!

I've never been much of a fan of Universal but their aggressive stance will light a fire under Disney's butt.

Get ready to rumble!

Exactly ;0)

 

[Yellowstonetim]

I agree with one thing he said...

"...we have a low market share — and only one way to go."

No doubt the Disney execs already knew this. I am curious to see how they respond though. Iger hit the ground running with his idea to buy Pixar, so I'm curious what he has up his sleeve. More importantly than the Pixar or Marvel purchase is the fact that theme park revenue is 2nd only to the cable network revenue. Long term, the acquisitions Disney did/will make could prove beneficial to the parks.

Pixar, Marvel, Pandora, and Star Wars are all wonderful acquisitions that will have a long term affect.

I agree. As long as competition remains strong, the visitors will win.

While not in the same class as Disney, anything Universal does to improve is good for all of us. They aren't about to unseat Disney or even threaten it, but they do have Disney's attention and Disney is countering. That is good for everyone.

But people travel to central Florida to visit Disney, and then may stop by some other parks while there. This is not going to change.

Maybe.

I think that if Disney *wanted* to they could really CRUSH Universal. If they were to slash prices, add new lands and attractions for a few years it would bring Universal to it's knees. They have the land, resources and *brand-power* to do this. To date, they haven't felt the need to do this...but if Disney starts to really feel "threatened"?

Look out.

Universal couldn't threaten them, but Disney must pay attention to any business that goes to Universal, so Universal definitely has Disney's attention.

Universal has a long way to go. HP is a great property, the ride is great, and the themed area is good but could have been a lot better (larger). Hopefully they will do good things with the new area.

However, Universal has a long way to go to compete with Disney. I went for the first time this year because my daughter loves HP and went during our last trip. (Wife and I didn't go) It was fun and HP and Spiderman rides were great; however, there was a great deal not up to Disney standards. Not much in the way of merchandise, not near the customer service, and I was so disappointed with Dr Seuss land!!

Dr. Seuss is an amazing property known and beloved by people of all ages all over. All they did was make some cool shaped places and play area. They should redo it with a whole themed are with rides like HP. Some other rides need updated too. Doom Fear fall is terribly lame. My kids hated it.

Again, I hope they do better and increase. I will go one more time in a few years to see the new HP area. BTW, I also HATE that you have to pay for FP and can't use it on HP.

We all had a fun day and will go back but both my grown kids who love all kinds of theme parks said that it wasn't Disney!

I think your last option is what's going to happen. Star Wars Land(which is almost certain to happen) and Avatarland is already a huge counter-punch.

I still think the difference is in the demographics. Disney is more for the family and longer vacation types that are looking for an overall experience. US/IOA is more of a theme park (higher thrills) only with less of a long term option. With expansion, US/IOA may make a little more headway into a destination, not just a park, but we'll see.

My children are not thrill riders so US/IOA is not as much of a draw to us. We did go for a day to do the HP stuff and a few other things a few years ago, but that was it-one day. With the new addition and continued updates, that may change for us just not yet. It would be good to see them add things out of the park similar to Disney, but without having the footprint expansion is unlikely.

With all that said, I agree. If US/IOA can do enough to push Disney and they really do have to compete, it's a win-win for us. I know it's wishful thinking, but a price war between the two would be just the thing to get me to both locations consistently.

I hope both do well and yes we win. I agree that Uni is much more an adult park, but it could be for everyone if they tried more.

HP expansion should help Uni for a few years, but I am both happy and worried. Pandora: World of Avatar at AK and Star Wars at Hollywood studios could be a terrible one-two punch if done right. It would push both parks into the stratosphere and greatly increase attendance. If AK and HS both become very popular full and multi-day parks, that will make it much less likely people would take time out of their week to go to Uni.

I predict that HP will do fantastic and Uni will do well and slightly increase their attendance for several years. Then when the newness wears off and Pandora opens things will go back to the way they were. Then when Star Wars opens they might even see a decrease.

It all depends on what else Uni does and what Disney does with SW.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I agree with one thing he said...

"...we have a low market share — and only one way to go."






Pixar, Marvel, Pandora, and Star Wars are all wonderful acquisitions that will have a long term affect.



While not in the same class as Disney, anything Universal does to improve is good for all of us. They aren't about to unseat Disney or even threaten it, but they do have Disney's attention and Disney is countering. That is good for everyone.

But people travel to central Florida to visit Disney, and then may stop by some other parks while there. This is not going to change.



Universal couldn't threaten them, but Disney must pay attention to any business that goes to Universal, so Universal definitely has Disney's attention.

Universal has a long way to go. HP is a great property, the ride is great, and the themed area is good but could have been a lot better (larger). Hopefully they will do good things with the new area.

However, Universal has a long way to go to compete with Disney. I went for the first time this year because my daughter loves HP and went during our last trip. (Wife and I didn't go) It was fun and HP and Spiderman rides were great; however, there was a great deal not up to Disney standards. Not much in the way of merchandise, not near the customer service, and I was so disappointed with Dr Seuss land!!

Dr. Seuss is an amazing property known and beloved by people of all ages all over. All they did was make some cool shaped places and play area. They should redo it with a whole themed are with rides like HP. Some other rides need updated too. Doom Fear fall is terribly lame. My kids hated it.

Again, I hope they do better and increase. I will go one more time in a few years to see the new HP area. BTW, I also HATE that you have to pay for FP and can't use it on HP.

We all had a fun day and will go back but both my grown kids who love all kinds of theme parks said that it wasn't Disney!







I hope both do well and yes we win. I agree that Uni is much more an adult park, but it could be for everyone if they tried more.

HP expansion should help Uni for a few years, but I am both happy and worried. Pandora: World of Avatar at AK and Star Wars at Hollywood studios could be a terrible one-two punch if done right. It would push both parks into the stratosphere and greatly increase attendance. If AK and HS both become very popular full and multi-day parks, that will make it much less likely people would take time out of their week to go to Uni.

I predict that HP will do fantastic and Uni will do well and slightly increase their attendance for several years. Then when the newness wears off and Pandora opens things will go back to the way they were. Then when Star Wars opens they might even see a decrease.

It all depends on what else Uni does and what Disney does with SW.

I agree. Disney really needs to do Star Wars right and they need to do it BIG! I really think the prospect of Animal Kingdom potentially becoming a sensational night-time park is HUGE. Those two developments would definitely make WDW a whole-week destination that could strangle off a lot of off-property defections to Universal.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I agree with one thing he said...

"...we have a low market share — and only one way to go."



Pixar, Marvel, Pandora, and Star Wars are all wonderful acquisitions that will have a long term affect.

I don't know...the refreshing honesty of that statement is what I like most.
And what Disney will not do...admit their own shortcomings... Let alone their motives.

Disney has acquired alot of IP...but only one of those mentioned has been encorporated into parks at all. One cannot be...and one hasn't been "acquired" at all. Development deal.

 

[DanBoris]

Let's not forget that Harry Potter is over. There are no more movies or books. The level it is at now is not likely getting any higher.

Not really...

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/...g-to-produce-harry-potter-stage-play/4140369/

http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/know-fantastic-beasts-movie-far-202700010.html

 

[Yellowstonetim]

I don't know...the refreshing honesty of that statement is what I like most.
And what Disney will not do...admit their own shortcomings... Let alone their motives.

Disney has acquired alot of IP...but only one of those mentioned has been encorporated into parks at all. One cannot be...and one hasn't been "acquired" at all. Development deal.

Actually you are right. In amongst a bunch of rhetoric he did tell it like it is. I also appreciate his honesty.

Disney doesn't have anything important to admit. What are they going to say; "Sorry, we have the top 8 theme parks in the world." We'll try to do better."

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Actually you are right. In amongst a bunch of rhetoric he did tell it like it is. I also appreciate his honesty.

Disney doesn't have anything important to admit. What are they going to say; "Sorry, we have the top 8 theme parks in the world." We'll try to do better."

How about:

"We're gonna stretch out additions
As long as humanly possible... While you continue to pay, you fools"?

That might be nice

Star Wars is the key...they are anxious to get movies churned out...because movies sell
Crap...rides at high prices themeparks do not sell crap...or only at mimimum exposure levels.

Everyone "assumes" a full blown slate of Star Wars rides and fun are going to be announced anyday now...
Right?

I've never thought that for a second. I think they will delay as much as possible...and when stagnation starts to set in...dust it off and role
Out a "fantasyland" esque type retrofit of rotting space.

We're not learning around here...this plan has been in place for a LONG time. I'm still laughing at our poor propagandist Gadsden's statement of the "impact" of the seven dwarves mine train...
Yeah...a low tech 40 seconds "zippy" ride meant for the 7 year old...
That'll really show 'em who's boss.

Nobody is disputing the advantages of Disney...but that was gained by hard work 20-50 years ago...they have done absolutely nothing to add to that mystique/advantage for the last decade... Indeed cheapening it with a string of budget/low class maneuvers...except fortifying their timeshares...that has been smart.

 

[Planogirl]

All great civilizations (and themeparks?) fall.

Seriously, I'm super excited to see this. Comcast is super aggressive and I hope that they really bring it on. Universal has improved so much over the last few years and it looks like they plan to continue that trend. I see this as a win-win for everyone.

As for preferences, I can only speak for us. We went from spending a week+ at only WDW to splitting the time between Universal and WDW. We have also taken a long weekend to visit Universal during the Halloween season and plan to do so again. Right now, if I had to pick only one I might be thrown off of the Disney boards.

However I am a big Star Wars nerd so I'm waiting to be impressed by Disney. We'll see. However whatever Disney does, we will always go to Universal.

 

[disneylovin24]

I have never been to Universal and that is probably never going to change. First off, not a big thrill ride person. Second, not a big fan of the movies Universal has in their parks, I am a Disney movie fan and like the theming of Disney more.

For me, it doesn't matter which one has the new rides or whatever, I am going to keep going to Disney because I like Disney's theming. And no matter what Universal does I bet they will never create the same magic Disney has, the second you get inside those gates you are in a different world and only Disney World has that. And only Disney has the magic left behind by a great, one of a kind dreamer, Walt Disney.

One Universal film I am a big fan of is Harry Potter. Grow up in love with the books and movies but I have no interest to go to the land because I don't want to take time away from a Disney trip

Of course this is all just me, but my point is I think Disney has a following so they do not have to respond to Universal as much as people think.

 

[Borishack]

Maybe.

If they were to slash prices, add new lands and attractions for a few years it would bring Universal to it's knees. They have the land, resources and *brand-power* to do this.

While Universal innovates and grows, Disney throws resources into technology aimed at forcing guests to micro-plan everything months in advance. That's a huge strategic mistake. You grow a theme park by offering new attractions and experiences, not by forcing people to spend time on their cellphone trying to access systems that don't work half the time. But Iger doesn't get it: as the failed rollout of "Next Gen" continues to eat up resources, he is throwing more money at it and cutting back attraction development to the bone:

http://micechat.com/49401-my-magic-plus-failure/

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Can we stop quoting "micechat"?

That article is complete speculation and was written on a level worthy of crayon

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

~I don't know. I see more interest and excitement on this board about "Free Dining" than anything else. There is more to the Disney experience than just new rides.

~Universal's situation is unique for me, because it's Harry Potter versus Disney, instead of Universal versus Disney. Until it's Universal versus Disney, this is just child's play. Unfortunately, I don't think Disney feels "threatened" yet. They're just saving face and flat out refuse to be proactive.

~With that said, I do believe that Universal will succeed in stealing a significant amount of market share from Disney, if they keep on improving and not rely just on Harry Potter to bring in the crowds.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

Can we stop quoting "micechat"?

That article is complete speculation and was written on a level worthy of crayon

~This. To infinity.

 

[disneylovin24]

While Universal innovates and grows, Disney throws resources into technology aimed at forcing guests to micro-plan everything months in advance. That's a huge strategic mistake. You grow a theme park by offering new attractions and experiences, not by forcing people to spend time on their cellphone trying to access systems that don't work half the time. But Iger doesn't get it: as the failed rollout of "Next Gen" continues to eat up resources, he is throwing more money at it and cutting back attraction development to the bone:

http://micechat.com/49401-my-magic-plus-failure/

Having just gotten back from a trip and using my magic for the first time I would call it anything but a failure. The idea of magic bands have always appealed to me and they did not disappoint. It is so convenient to have everything right on your wrist. Fast pass plus I was hesitant about but I ended up loving it, it was also very convenient and we had no issues NYE week with changing things on the app.

I think as people use my magic and after the kinks are worked out it will become the way to experience theme parks. It is just so convenient and gives you everything on your wrist.

 

[nugov2]

~I don't know. I see more interest and excitement on this board about "Free Dining" than anything else. There is more to the Disney experience than just new rides.

~Universal's situation is unique for me, because it's Harry Potter versus Disney, instead of Universal versus Disney. Until it's Universal versus Disney, this is just child's play. Unfortunately, I don't think Disney feels "threatened" yet. They're just saving face and flat out refuse to be proactive.

~With that said, I do believe that Universal will succeed in stealing a significant amount of market share from Disney, if they keep on improving and not rely just on Harry Potter to bring in the crowds.

That is untrue. We LOVED IOA and it had nothing to do with HP. The Marvel and Seuss land were Amazing, they offer so much more than HP. The show with the superheroes so fun. I got tears in my eyes at CRT when my dd met the princesses....but the picture of my son with Captain America brought just as many tears. Disney hold on the market is slipping...slowly, but one tiny little snowball crumbling down can eventually cause an avalanche. I don't know what the future holds...but I see some snowballs starting to fall! I have had several friends go to uni/IOA in the last couple of years and have yet to hear anything but how much they want to go back and will spend less time at WDW. Do I think this is an accurate sample...not necessarily, but 10 years ago I heard very little raving about Universal and now everyone I know is going there and spending a lot of time and money there.

 

[Borishack]

Can we stop quoting "micechat"?

Why? Because you don't like the fact they don't always support the party line?

That article is complete speculation

It is not speculation that the rollout of Magic + has been problematic. If you need a reminder of just how problematic, a visit to the attractions forum will do the trick. Feel the love of those standing in long lines at Guest Services!

And it's not speculation that new attraction development at WDW has slowed to what can only be described a crawl.

And it isn't specious to conclude the above two elements are directly related.

Lastly, it's not speculation that a competitor down the street is now poaching guest time and money away from Disney because they are offering what Disney isn't: major new attractions with deep theming and cutting edge technology.

 

[Planogirl]

That is untrue. We LOVED IOA and it had nothing to do with HP. The Marvel and Seuss land were Amazing, they offer so much more than HP. The show with the superheroes so fun. I got tears in my eyes at CRT when my dd met the princesses....but the picture of my son with Captain America brought just as many tears. Disney hold on the market is slipping...slowly, but one tiny little snowball crumbling down can eventually cause an avalanche. I don't know what the future holds...but I see some snowballs starting to fall! I have had several friends go to uni/IOA in the last couple of years and have yet to hear anything about how much they want to go back and will spend less time at WDW. Do I think this is an accurate sample...not necessarily, but 10 years ago I heard very little raving about Universal and now everyone I know is going there and spending a lot of time and money there.

I'm with you. DS talked me into going to Universal when I never would have considered anything but WDW. That trip completely ripped the pixie dust blinders from my eyes and I'm not looking back.

But really none of us know what the general public thinks. Unusually devoted fans come here but we are just a tiny percentage of those who travel to central Florida.