When I hear "Universal is kicking their butts" I don't translate that to mean "They are making more money than Disney", but that they are doing what WDW used to be known for, better than WDW at this current time. Capturing theme park purists with technological innovation and theming immersion. WDW used to be the leader in this regard but when it comes to new lands and ride technology, I'm not sure that can be argued honestly right now. Plus I think people are impressed with the rate Universal is adding attractions and value and a bit annoyed at the rate WDW is moving.
Now it can be argued that WDW doesn't need to do anything impressive right now because of how their overall numbers look, while the competitors need to step up their game, and that might be where the topic becomes the most divisive. Being satisfied with what WDW offers because for the longest it has offered so much vs thinking WDW can do so much better because it has in the past, plus that little competitor down the street is now inspiring the excitement that used to be just exclusive to WDW.
Disney has built up a cache of nostalgia and mindshare amongst the public that won't be cracked by a few new rides, lands, or IP acquisitions from a rival. But when the response to "Universal sure is kicking Disney's butt right now" is "Disney makes more money," then it sounds like words from a stock holder and not a theme park enthusiast. Disney practically markets itself, and that has happened because of decades of brilliance, which at this point is Universal's biggest hurdle, imo, not WDW's current output.
I can't count how many times I've heard or read people talking about the new Harry Potter world and believing that it was a new land/park at Disney, because in the past, this new exciting land, ride, park experience WOULD have been at Disney. I guess that's a compliment to Disney in a lot of ways. But it's also further proof that Universal is doing what Disney does best (except maybe in marketing? LOL).
I think Universal is doing a bang up job right now and for maybe the first time ever, WDW is starting to take notice. Not panic, but at least consider that if Universal continues expanding at this rate, leading the theming/technological/excitement race in Orlando, then that market share they have never gave a second thought to may begin slipping. And that undoubtedly would be a win for Universal, even if they never approach the overall numbers of Magic Kingdom.
I may be in the minority but I am actually excited about Avatarland, mostly because when I first saw the movie my first thought when I got home was to write a blog post about how Pandora would make the perfect theme park land. It's too beautiful and cool to fail, imo, even if people don't like the movie. And Star Wars Land, I'm sold if and when that comes. I'm rooting hard for Universal to continue to do what they are doing so that WDW does feel a little sweat for once. It'll only improve the Orlando destination as a whole.
But I am more a fan of the hops.
and have decided to do one day at Universal along with our 4-day Park Hoppers. I know it will be INSANE there with the new part of the HP attraction, but we don't care! I'm the main HP geek in my family, but the rest are big Super Hero geeks, so we'll all get what we like.
