Disney park expansion compared to Universal

[dwheaton]

I agree. Epcot is badly in need of investment in FutureWorld. It's almost depressing at this point.

But on the other hand...look at all of the business they bring in with World Showcase, the festivals, all of the restaurants, drinks, etc. We don't know the numbers, but Epcot could be extremely profitable as is. Which wouldn't give them an incentive to fix FW.

You're likely right, and that's the challenge for a public company. The benefit for EPCOT is that it probably doesn't need a massive overhaul like DHS. Instead, they can update Imagination and Energy and already see benefits if they're done well. They also have another empty building that could get something over at Wonders of Life. So the costs could stay down, but there's still a question on whether Disney thinks they need that to draw the crowds.

 

[d-r]

disney has done some great work to california adventure. that park has a new life. mgm studios and epcot need that sort of revamp. Universal has done some great work bringing usf up to ioa equal. USF is as "mature" as mgm studios but has gotten a lot more investment lately; disney too happy to sit on success of toy story mania and tourists lining up for it. they overestimated the impact of the new star tours, which was a great revamp, but they thought they had a harry potter killer there and it could have been if they'd invested in a whole land rather than just new ride films. i'm not excited about avatar or magic bracelets.

 

[sonofanarchy]

I agree. Epcot is badly in need of investment in FutureWorld. It's almost depressing at this point.

But on the other hand...look at all of the business they bring in with World Showcase, the festivals, all of the restaurants, drinks, etc. We don't know the numbers, but Epcot could be extremely profitable as is. Which wouldn't give them an incentive to fix FW.

Sadly, meaning what we all know - Disney has been resting on it's laurels for quite some time now.

 

[Tramp68]

This simplifies matters down a lot, but by business-school descriptions, Universal is in the Growth phase, while Disney is in the Maturity phase. In Disney's case, their focus is on maximizing efficiencies and ensuring they make as much profit as possible from existing infrastructure. The challenge for Disney is not moving into the fourth and final phase, which is decline.

Unfortunately, they already are in many people's opinion...

Oh, they will continue to make money, but I think that there will be less people of this generation growing up with the same feelings toward Disney that many of us "older folks" have.

My kids are tired of Disney. They now want to spend more time at Universal, an extra day at Sea World and a few days at Busch Gardens...

 

[sonofanarchy]

My kids are tired of Disney. They now want to spend more time at Universal, an extra day at Sea World and a few days at Busch Gardens...

My kids feel the same way, and they all say the same thing (in their own way) - "Disney never has anything new to do."

 

[Step]

Doesn't that just make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside? Enough to pop online and book and extra trip?

Nope. I cancelled my Disney trip and I'm going to Universal instead.

 

[PuppyJonathan]

I'm confused. Gringot's Coaster isn't just a roller coaster. In fact, by all accounts, it's going to blow the socks off of 7DMT in terms of visuals.

Probably not, knowing Universal and judging by Forbidden Journey it would be another ride in a big blank warehouse