Competition?

[shanomi4]

Hey gang. I recently got into a debate with some Dis people over in the news and rumors forum. They were trying to convince me that US and WDW are not competitors. To me that is absolutely ridiculous. Am I wrong? What is your take? Thanks

 

[damo]

All parks in Orlando are competitors. That what keeps them improving.

 

[inmyis]

Well, of course they are competitors. As soon as word got out in the late 80's that Universal was coming to Orlando Disney accelerated their "Movie Park" and opened MGM Studios . Also through the 90's both have built great hotels and other parks (Animal Kingdom, Islands of Adventure) to keep you on their property and away from the other during vacations. We are DVC owners and LOVE Disney, but we also very much enjoy USF.
We are heading to Disney at Old Key West over Memorial Day weekend and then heading to USF at Royal Pacific for a week in July. We will have a GREAT time at both, but they are definitely in competition with each other for my families vacation dollars.

 

[kenban]

I believe that they are in competition. If you have ever spent less days at Disney or Universal so you could spend more time at the other companies parks then they are in competition. For people who plan a trip based on how many days you want to spend at each park and use that to figure out how long to spend then I would say they are not.

Beyond the days spent at each park it might be worth considering the money spent on extras including souvenirs. If spending more money at one park is taking away from what is spent at another then they are in competition.

Basically any time your actions at one park effect your actions at another park then are in competition.

On the other hand at times they can help each other as well. For example a big new ride might draw in families that were not planning on visiting Orlando and if they spend time at the other companies parks then it might be viewed as competition depending on how the trip is split up but even then the family would not be there in the first place without the new ride.

Competition does not have to be a bad thing and can benefit both sides.

 

[phamton]

Basically any time your actions at one park effect your actions at another park then [they] are in competition.

Competition does not have to be a bad thing and can benefit both sides.

What an excellent and well-thoughtout post! I especially agree with these two statements.

 

[robvia]

Of coarse they're in competition.

Disney recently added the Magic Express Service to take people from the airport to their onsite hotel. Why do you think they did this? So people won't rent the car and drive up to Universal.

Disney brainwashes people into thinking they need an entire week to tour the parks. Most figure a day at each, plus a water park, plus hanging out. When Disney people talk about visiting Universal, they only take ONE precious day away from Disney. In reality, most could tour Disney in 4 days, and then spend 3 at Universal.

Years ago, Disney (Eisner) added hotels. Then it was new shows along with Everest. Universal countered with The Mummy, but now they're playing catch up with Blue Man Group, Harry Potter land, and two new hotels.

The attendance figures tell the story, Islands of Adventure is dropping, even if people are spending more money when they visit. IOA will have the new HP land, and Disney will counter with something huge. To me, it's thrill rides that matter, and it seems they happen every 4 years.

 

[phamton]

Of coarse they're in competition.

Disney recently added the Magic Express Service to take people from the airport to their onsite hotel. Why do you think they did this? So people won't rent the car and drive up to Universal.

Yes, and the timing of magical express tells it all. It was added after Universal had a 14% increase the year Mummy was opened while Disney parks only had a 5-8% increase in attendance. After Disney added Magical express, Universal's attendance went down.

 

[shanomi4]

Where were you all when I was getting hammered on the news/rumors thread?

Just kidding....but boy, when you read those boards you would think that US is nothing next to Disney!! I get a kick out of it though!

I think many are in need of this to get the pixi-dust out of their eyes!~

 

[disneyfan67]

I believe that they are in competition. If you have ever spent less days at Disney or Universal so you could spend more time at the other companies parks then they are in competition. For people who plan a trip based on how many days you want to spend at each park and use that to figure out how long to spend then I would say they are not.

Beyond the days spent at each park it might be worth considering the money spent on extras including souvenirs. If spending more money at one park is taking away from what is spent at another then they are in competition.

Basically any time your actions at one park effect your actions at another park then are in competition.

On the other hand at times they can help each other as well. For example a big new ride might draw in families that were not planning on visiting Orlando and if they spend time at the other companies parks then it might be viewed as competition depending on how the trip is split up but even then the family would not be there in the first place without the new ride.

Competition does not have to be a bad thing and can benefit both sides.

Excellent post and I'm glad to see there's competition and it's healthy, IMO. Seems the battle for the all mighty tourist dollar is the only thing keeping the bean counters from running either company's theme park into the ground with "the play it safe, make no changes, live for profits of today" mentality. As a fan of Disney, I'm glad to see Universal getting bigger, better and by doing this they force Disney to get better and offer more deals. Far too long Disney had a strangle hold on the Orlando market and some of their older attractions condition show this. I love nostalgia like the next guy, but Snow White's scary adventures and the Winnie the Pooh ride are in some serious need of updating. Same with Disney's policy of removing rides and not replacing them, I.E. 20,000 Leagues under the sea. If there was no competition, Disney could keep on doing this and get way with it and people would either accept it and not be happy or have another place to spend their money, I.E. Universal Studios.

I'm going in July to Universal for my first trip along with visiting Disney and I'm really looking forward to it. Nothing will ever take the place of Disney in my heart and the image of Uncle Walt, but I'm glad to see Universal is giving me more options to choose from and a different experience. I look forward to seeing Universal expand with more onsite resorts, better or improved theme parks, and maybe even a third one. Because I know it will force Disney to do things better for the high price they charge, and in the end, we the consumer win. My words to Universal would be: keep on pushing, keep on getting better, offer it at a better price and people will come. I know I will.