Disney Execs Visit Universal Epic Universe: What Might That Mean?

[JJZMgailey]

When Disney executives Josh D’Amaro and Bob Iger were spotted touring Universal Epic Universe, it didn’t take long for the internet to light up with speculation. After all, it’s not every day that the leaders of The Walt Disney Company are seen walking the grounds of a direct competitor’s most ambitious project to date. While there’s been no official word on why they visited, fans and insiders alike are buzzing with theories, and what this could mean for Disney’s future in the theme park space.

Read the rest of my article here and weigh in with your thoughts on their visit!

 

[lowlight]

Probably just what you say, inspiration. What Disney really needs to do a better job at is dogfooding their own products.

 

[o&smom]

I sure hope it means Disney getting back to being Disney! Creating detailed, immersive lands and not scaled down versions. Watching initial videos of EU made me really excited and sad at the same time. Excited to see the creativity and detail that was put into every little part. Sad that that was what Disney used to do, but hasn’t been since Cars Land. Sad that I knew EU would draw a lot of people from Disney and that it would no longer be the one day add on park for people visiting WDW, but the park people would plan for and maybe add MK. Sad because I have felt some of the incredible Magic leaving the parks recently and EU brought it back. I so enjoyed sharing it with my kids and wanted to share it with my grandkids in the future. I hope this is a wake up call for imagineering and they bring the Magic back to Disney in the special ways that they used to. I had not been holding out much hope with where they have been going, fingers crossed, they will see that we all love what used to make Disney the standout. Imagination!

 

[OKW Lover]

I think it's astute management. Seeing what the completion is doing and how guests are reacting.

 

[HopperFan]

I sure hope it means Disney getting back to being Disney! Creating detailed, immersive lands and not scaled down versions. Watching initial videos of EU made me really excited and sad at the same time. Excited to see the creativity and detail that was put into every little part. Sad that that was what Disney used to do, but hasn’t been since Cars Land. Sad that I knew EU would draw a lot of people from Disney and that it would no longer be the one day add on park for people visiting WDW, but the park people would plan for and maybe add MK. Sad because I have felt some of the incredible Magic leaving the parks recently and EU brought it back. I so enjoyed sharing it with my kids and wanted to share it with my grandkids in the future. I hope this is a wake up call for imagineering and they bring the Magic back to Disney in the special ways that they used to. I had not been holding out much hope with where they have been going, fingers crossed, they will see that we all love what used to make Disney the standout. Imagination!

Have you been to Epic?

 

[RivShore]

Sad that that was what Disney used to do, but hasn’t been since Cars Land.

So GE and Pandora aren't immersive enough for you?

 

[RivShore]

I think it's astute management.

That would be unique for Disney! (I kid, I kid!!)

 

[Lewisc]

Looking for areas where Disney may be underpriced.

 

[Minnie1222]

Sad because I have felt some of the incredible Magic leaving the parks recently and EU brought it back.

Is this an actual assessment from an in-person visit to Epic? Or an opinion based solely on the materials from social media?

 

[Minnie1222]

Looking for areas where Disney may be underpriced.

Well! If Epic can charge $300 for an EP that excludes 3 rides, it's time for Disney's PP to go up a bit.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Eisner did the same thing when Islands of Adventure opened.

 

[rstevens333]

It means there is some courtesy and friendliness between the upper levels of both companies?

 

[DL1WDW2]

Well the “Portal” entry with the advantage to control overcrowding or completely close one of the portals for private parties or whatever…even Emergency closure requirement ! Really great design .
Any excuse to figure out a way to build something that they can Choose to close or Open without disturbing guests in the rest of the theme park …and a way to increase cost to enter .
I hope Disney realizes nightly fireworks are not the Universal Way and it is time for Disney guests to stop expecting nightly fireworks …especially in California
I realize they do not have fireworks during the school year in California .
I love fireworks and would miss them But it is time .
This will probably not be a welcome comment .Especially with July 4 .

The important display of the use of the water fountains that movethru 3 themed areas of the land at the same time have a calming and cooling affect in extreme weather for guests.


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[john7994]

It means there is some courtesy and friendliness between the upper levels of both companies?

Would absolutely agree - this happens often throughout different verticals and industries. They likely work with some of the same vendors and construction groups as well.

 

[The Jackal]

They stopped by to see the work of all the Disney Imagaineers that they used to employ had come up with.