Come on, Disney! Step it up already.

[skullsplitter]

Universal is close to accquiring theme park rights to Lord of the Rings. Add that to the Potter expansion and Transformers.

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201301/3312/

While Disney drags its feet with Avatar (an unproven franchise), does little with Star Wars, and has an underwhelming Pixar presence in Orlando. I know! Let's counter with more meet and greets and more more more princesses!!!

I'm a Disney guy, but it's hard to ignore the excitement and buzz Universal is creating while Disney just gives us FastPass+ and NextGen.

 

[LSUfan4444]

excitement and buzz

Code words for "smoke and mirrors"

Universal and Dinsey offer two different things. They share a city and "compete" for vacation dollars, but make no mistake about it, they do not offer the same thing.

It's like going to Las Vegas. Yeah, the golf courses and the gentlemen's clubs are both competing for what the black jack table doesn't take from you, but they don't offer the same thing. If they do, I must be playing golf at the wrong places.

Seriously though, Universal is more thrill ride/attraction driven while Disney is more story and experience driven. In time, Disney will offer something more to compete for the thrill ride dollars, but their focus is on telling a story with each ride, not just replicating a movie into something that turns out G forces.

 

[BlovesC]

Holy cow. If this is true, I might actually wind up going to UA for a reason other than HHN!

 

[mbrou24]

Universal is close to accquiring theme park rights to Lord of the Rings. Add that to the Potter expansion and Transformers.

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201301/3312/

While Disney drags its feet with Avatar (an unproven franchise), does little with Star Wars, and has an underwhelming Pixar presence in Orlando. I know! Let's counter with more meet and greets and more more more princesses!!!

I'm a Disney guy, but it's hard to ignore the excitement and buzz Universal is creating while Disney just gives us FastPass+ and NextGen.

I have been saying this for a while now... Perfect example is the transformer ride which started construction just before October in universal and is going to be completed this coming summer... Yet it's taking 4-5 years for the dwarfs mine coaster. Universal is doing so much right now, their only limit is their lack of land to expand, where Disney has a lot. Disney needs to counter with something concrete rather than all the possibilities we see in the rumors and news section

 

[andyman8]

Code words for "smoke and mirrors"

Universal and Dinsey offer two different things. TThey share a city and "compete" for vacation dollars, but make no mistake about it, they do not offer the same thing.

It's like going to Las Vegas. Yeah, the golf courses and the gentlemen's clubs are both competing for what the black jack table doesn't take from you, but they don't offer the same thing. If they do, I must be playing golf at the wrong places.

Seriously though, Universal is more thrill ride/attraction driven while Disney is more story and experience driven. In time, Disney will offer something more to compete for the thrill ride dollars, but their focus is on telling a story with each ride, not just replicating a movie into something that turns out G forces.

I hate to be the barer of bad news but from a business and economic perspective, they both offer theme parks. How individuals interpret their theme parks is up to those individuals, but in business terms, they offer the same exact thing. Doesn't mean I agree or disagree with OP. I think both parks are great.

 

[1stvisit0909]

Universal is close to accquiring theme park rights to Lord of the Rings. Add that to the Potter expansion and Transformers.

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201301/3312/

While Disney drags its feet with Avatar (an unproven franchise), does little with Star Wars, and has an underwhelming Pixar presence in Orlando. I know! Let's counter with more meet and greets and more more more princesses!!!

I'm a Disney guy, but it's hard to ignore the excitement and buzz Universal is creating while Disney just gives us FastPass+ and NextGen.

oohhhh middle earth would totally finally drag us over to the dark side. HP almost got us this time but decided for one day it wasnt worth it. Would jump in a heart beat for middle earth AND HP

 

[DavidNYC]

Other than the Harry Potter section, I think Disney still beats Universal for theming.

But I've got to say the Harry Potter section is amazing. The amount of detail that went into it was great. I really am impressed with all of the shop window detail and all of the little touches that you really don't see as much through out the rest of the park.

LotR could be a very interesting addition.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Yes, they both offer theme parks, but they have different target markets. Yes, there is overlap, but their products are marketed, priced and sold differently because what they sell is different.

Take a more serious example...beer. Miller Lite and Bud Light sell the same thing. Stella Artois does not sell the same thing as Coors Light.

If you're arguing semantics, you could argue both are beer and essentially are the "exact same thing", but they're not and they know it. Universal works hard to distinguish it's product from Disney because if they went after the same target market, they'd never remain open.

 

[minnie mum]

I was afraid this might happen. Of course this is all complete speculation for the moment. The Tolkein family have (IMO rightly) never been known to just jump into these kinds of mass market things. They have historically been very reticent. So it is not outside the realm of possiblity that they might dig their heels in and simply refuse.

 

[andyman8]

Yes, they both offer theme parks, but they have different target markets. Yes, there is overlap, but their products are marketed, priced and sold differently because what they sell is different.

Take a more serious example...beer. Miller Lite and Bud Light sell the same thing. Stella Artois does not sell the same thing as Coors Light.

If you're arguing semantics, you could argue both are beer and essentially are the "exact same thing", but they're not and they know it. Universal works hard to distinguish it's product from Disney because if they went after the same target market, they'd never remain open.

Yes. What you are referring to (not to talk down to anyone) is called an "Oligopoly" where several very large companies have control of a market but market their products differently. Despite "target groups" and such, they are both in the theme park market meaning they are competing in the same market. Many, even the Lou Mongellos of the world, have noticed that Disney become quite reactive in recent years not proactive.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

I am anxious to see what Disney does in the next 5 years.

Going to Islands of Adventure for the first time last year, it made me almost sad that the Forbidden Journey was hands down the best attraction I have ever experienced from queue to ride, but it wasn't in Disney. I kept thinking to myself, why can't Disney just build something like this?! I know they have the minds/funds/ability!! I just feel like technologically/creatively speaking, they are a bit behind the 8 ball these days. Come on Disney! Blow our minds!

 

[stargazertechie]

This would be enough to get me to go to Universal. I WANNA GO TO MIDDLE EARTH

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

oohhhh middle earth would totally finally drag us over to the dark side. HP almost got us this time but decided for one day it wasnt worth it. Would jump in a heart beat for middle earth AND HP

my thoughts exactly!

 

[DOOM1001]

Universal is close to accquiring theme park rights to Lord of the Rings. Add that to the Potter expansion and Transformers.

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201301/3312/

While Disney drags its feet with Avatar (an unproven franchise), does little with Star Wars, and has an underwhelming Pixar presence in Orlando. I know! Let's counter with more meet and greets and more more more princesses!!!

I'm a Disney guy, but it's hard to ignore the excitement and buzz Universal is creating while Disney just gives us FastPass+ and NextGen.

I have AP's to all the Florida parks and I love them all,However nobody can deny Universal's new rides and expansions are pretty much crushing Disney's efforts lately.The original Harry Potter area was the first blow and what's given Universal the ability to create all that's coming.This includes the Gringot's bank coaster in the new London Potter area with a Hogwarts Express train connecting to the Original Potter area in Islands of Adventure.Transformers which will open this year along with a refurbished Simpson's land with a new flat ride and restaurants like Krusty Burger and Moe's Tavern at Universal.You also have the rumors of Poseidon's Fury closing for a new Grinch dark ride/coaster taking over and the newest one of Universal in talks with the Tolkien family for a Middle Earth atraction or theme park.Universal last year approved 1.5 billion in expansions with about half going into Transformers,the Potter expansion and the new Cabana Bay resort,that still leaves plenty of money to go towards these new rumors.Like I said I love every theme park out there and when I see what Universal is doing it just leads me to believe and trust that Disney will step up and actually put some serious money into their theme parks in Orlando,at least something more significant than refurbishing old rides.The way I look at it it's a win win for all of us theme park goers,even Sea World is creating their biggest expansion ever with the new Antractica attraction.

 

[angelmichelle]

I have AP's to all the Florida parks and I love them all,However nobody can deny Universal's new rides and expansions are pretty much crushing Disney's efforts lately.The original Harry Potter area was the first blow and what's given Universal the ability to create all that's coming.This includes the Gringot's bank coaster in the new London Potter area with a Hogwarts Express train connecting to the Original Potter area in Islands of Adventure.Transformers which will open this year along with a refurbished Simpson's land with a new flat ride and restaurants like Krusty Burger and Moe's Tavern at Universal.You also have the rumors of Poseidon's Fury closing for a new Grinch dark ride/coaster taking over and the newest one of Universal in talks with the Tolkien family for a Middle Earth atraction or theme park.Universal last year approved 1.5 billion in expansions with about half going into Transformers,the Potter expansion and the new Cabana Bay resort,that still leaves plenty of money to go towards these new rumors.Like I said I love every theme park out there and when I see what Universal is doing it just leads me to believe and trust that Disney will step up and actually put some serious money into their theme parks in Orlando,at least something more significant than refurbishing old rides.The way I look at it it's a win win for all of us theme park goers,even Sea World is creating their biggest expansion ever with the new Antractica attraction.

 

[la79al]

No way is my 4 year old going to get as excited for Transformers as she will for princesses.

 

[Melodious]

Hmm, the sets in New Zealand are now actually tourist attractions (even with a working hobbit bar). I really want to go see that, and am not sure any theme park could persuade me to accept a substitute.

 

[andyman8]

No way is my 4 year old going to get as excited for Transformers as she will for princesses.

But the majority of guests are not 4 year olds.

 

[boBQuincy]

Code words for "smoke and mirrors"

Universal and Dinsey offer two different things. They share a city and "compete" for vacation dollars, but make no mistake about it, they do not offer the same thing.
Seriously though, Universal is more thrill ride/attraction driven while Disney is more story and experience driven. In time, Disney will offer something more to compete for the thrill ride dollars, but their focus is on telling a story with each ride, not just replicating a movie into something that turns out G forces.

This is mostly how I see it as well. Disney is also going after a different market, many of the guests are under 40" and can't ride even Disney's "thrill" rides. A survey showed that most guests wanted more characters, Disney provides them.
The two companies offer different experiences, choose the one you like best. Or go to both and enjoy that we have them both.

 

[kristenm514]

Welp, that's that, then. With Potter, Transformers, Spider Man (haven't been since 06 but that ride was incredible)...if Universal gets Hobbits, I'm done for. DH will insist upon Universal, possibly onsite, and our Disney days are done.

We need Star Wars, stat!

ETA: to be clear, I hate hobbits and transformers, though I love HP and would like to see WWoHP some day. DH, however, would make me reciprocate for the Disney trips with Universal, if this indeed turns out to be true. My saving grace is that the kiddos are too little right now, but in a few years...bleh.