Comcast is reportedly in talks to acquire DreamWorks Animation in a multibillion deal

[lockedoutlogic]

Well my team hasn't ever won a World Series and I don't know if they ever will. The Yankees and least have competed and won in the last decade.

...for the bargain price of $2.5 billion in salary

 

[Founders Fan]

Well my team hasn't ever won a World Series and I don't know if they ever will. The Yankees and least have competed and won in the last decade.

It could be worse. You could be a Braves fan like me...

 

[Planogirl]

It could be worse. You could be a Braves fan like me...

Or an Astros fan....

 

[carmelhp]

I agree that they won't pass Disney. However they can patiently chip away while Disney possibly does more damage to themselves than Comcast ever could. If the new expansions are disappointing then I can't imagine how it'll all play out. I'm assuming that Disney won't be quite that cheap and ignorant so even if they're good Universal has still set themselves up as the other guys that do a good job. How many will turn to them? We did but it's impossible to guess how many others might.

I always mention those huge companies that have fallen for a variety of reasons. Disney should never become complacent because it can happen over time even to the mighty.

Disney is setting up the perfect recipe for disaster. A determined competitor versus a company trying to coast. Disney is cutting service and raising prices making the competition look better and better. To top it off they're throwing good money after bad into foreign quagmires instead of shoring up their proven domestic moneymakers. It's a classic corporate death spiral.

 

[seascapemvy]

Disney is setting up the perfect recipe for disaster. A determined competitor versus a company trying to coast. Disney is cutting service and raising prices making the competition look better and better. To top it off they're throwing good money after bad into foreign quagmires instead of shoring up their proven domestic moneymakers. It's a classic corporate death spiral.

If Disney is making a mistake with the 5 billion dollar park in Shanghai then Comcast/Universal is making a bigger mistake with their 8 billion dollar park.

 

[Planogirl]

If Disney is making a mistake with the 5 billion dollar park in Shanghai then Comcast/Universal is making a bigger mistake with their 8 billion dollar park.

It's not the same thing. Universal isn't coasting or cutting anything. So far none of that has had an effect on those who visit Universal.

Besides that will be in Beijing and it's hard to say if it will be the same situation. Maybe.

 

[TwoMisfits]

It's not the same thing. Universal isn't coasting or cutting anything. So far none of that has had an effect on those who visit Universal.

Besides that will be in Beijing and it's hard to say if it will be the same situation. Maybe.

And Universal/Comcast has shown, they will just walk on a project before it gets very far (see Dubai) or close it when it goes bad (Spain). They don't worry as much about saving face from a mistake - they just fix it and move on.

So, planned Beijing and planned Russia may never happen...especially if Disney Shanghai is a disaster this year (all Universal has done in Beijing is site development, so they are still very early and very little invested)...

 

[rteetz]

And Universal/Comcast has shown, they will just walk on a project before it gets very far (see Dubai) or close it when it goes bad (Spain). They don't worry as much about saving face from a mistake - they just fix it and move on.

So, planned Beijing and planned Russia may never happen...especially if Disney Shanghai is a disaster this year (all Universal has done in Beijing is site development, so they are still very early and very little invested)...

That's why Universal has been doing the Beijing project slowly. They want to see how Disney does.

 

[lubob]

Are you sure you know it's sarcasm?

Hang out with Yankee fans much? Who laud the accomplishments of men dead 75 years ago? It's a constant struggle...

#4in12

Sorry I grew up with the Yankees in the 80s when they were horrible. I watched them then just like I watch them now. Direct tv here I come lol . When you are a die hard fan you watch them good times and in bad times !!

 

[lubob]

Are you sure you know it's sarcasm?

Hang out with Yankee fans much? Who laud the accomplishments of men dead 75 years ago? It's a constant struggle...

#4in12

Sorry I grew up with the Yankees in the 80s when they were horrible. I watched them then just like I watch them now. Direct tv here I come lol . When you are a die hard fan you watch them good times and in bad times !!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Sorry I grew up with the Yankees in the 80s when they were horrible. I watched them then just like I watch them now. Direct tv here I come lol . When you are a die hard fan you watch them good times and in bad times !!

I realize that...just good natured ribbing...

Not a Danny tartabull fan?

 

[twebber55]

I think that Gringott's is different...

It's possible to enjoy both Disney and Universal. Really. Until Disney started acting so bizarre I had that happy time.

not around these theme park boards!

 

[twebber55]

5 years from now, it's possible that Universal will have 3 parks with maybe 8 to 10 resort hotels on-property compared to Disney with 4 parks and their 22+ hotels with many becoming partially DVC.

Also, Universal Studios Florida has been open for 26 years, IOA has been open for 17 years....that's nearly a generation of both parks being open...so people who visited those parks when they were kids will take their kids....the thing that Disney was known for and their legacy.

Universal won't overtake Disney, but the field will be leveled significantly, especially if WDW keeps losing the special feeling of years past.

market share!

 

[Josh Hendy]

compared to Disney with 4 parks and their 22+ hotels with many becoming partially DVC.

To be completely honest, DIS has 1 + 3/4 + 1/2 + 1/2 = 2 3/4 parks.

That is a completely rational decision on Disney's part given the logic of wanting to lock in visitors for an entire week with discounted tickets. Half parks for half price plus a smattering of pixie dust and unique, loveable IP are the foundations of WDW's financial success.

But they have severely discounted the future, in which if Universal adds a third ENTIRE park and bulks up with Nintendo and say Lord of the Rings IP (or has a couple of hits with DreamWorks), they will be ahead of the game.

And yes, I still consider AK with Avatar and DHS with Andy's back yard and two SW rides to be half parks. Compare the attraction counts to USF and IOA and I think it's clear.

If and when Uni gets digging on their new parks ... It's going to be a great decade (or two) for theme park enthusiasts.