If you were on the fence about DVC . . would the announcement of Universal's Epic Universe Make You Reconsider DVC or Reconsider Adding a Contract?

[Baduist]

Over the last two years, I’ve been wondering if universal might look to start their own vacation club???

Im sure they will, but it’s gonna take a long time before they catch up. They will need so much more rooms and IP... by then, Disney will still be ahead.

This announcement is definitely a step in that direction, trying to push from a 3-4-day resort to a 10-day experience.

But still, they have so much to work on. Disney isn’t really a 10-day experience, it’s a 20+ day experience, you can come back for 10-12 days every year and still have new things to do (I’m including DCL in this).

To justify owning, Universal will need years if expansion.

 

[Theaberdeenkid]

Universal adding a 750 acre park - would this make you reconsider purchasing DVC? Or adding a contract?

http://universal.wdwinfo.com/univer...ail&utm_term=0_01606ee371-6188c5988d-12382993

Not at all.
We very often go down and stay at one of the DVC properties and only go to Universal, we are Universal AP holders.
In fact it's been a few years that we've gone to a Disney park.

 

[tjkraz]

I think this may be a game changer. (Although no thoughts on how it will affect DVC Membership).
For most years Disney has raised the bar, and forced others to keep up.
In recent years the competition has pushed the bar up and make Disney try to stay above. Big difference.
With all the cuts at Disney... well, we shall see.

After all... many top imagineers now work for universal.

The original Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened more than 9 years ago, along with attractions themed to Simpsons, Transformers and Despicable Me in the same timeframe. Universal has been employing (and contracting) former Disney Imagineers for more than a decade now. And I'm sure Disney has continued to attract new talent to fill the void.

The new park will have a Nintendo land and a few others. New attractions are always a draw. But in the next 2+ years, WDW will open Galaxy's Edge, Ratatouille, the Tron coaster and Guardians coaster, with more yet to be announced.

It's great for the companies to keep pushing each other. But exactly how is this a "game changer" for Universal? Disney attendance continued to rise thru Harry Potter. It will go higher in the next 3+ years before this Universal park opens. So what's the reason for doom and gloom beyond that?

 

[holden]

No. Universal is good for 2 days, but that about it.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

The original Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened more than 9 years ago, along with attractions themed to Simpsons, Transformers and Despicable Me in the same timeframe. Universal has been employing (and contracting) former Disney Imagineers for more than a decade now. And I'm sure Disney has continued to attract new talent to fill the void.

The new park will have a Nintendo land and a few others. New attractions are always a draw. But in the next 2+ years, WDW will open Galaxy's Edge, Ratatouille, the Tron coaster and Guardians coaster, with more yet to be announced.

It's great for the companies to keep pushing each other. But exactly how is this a "game changer" for Universal? Disney attendance continued to rise thru Harry Potter. It will go higher in the next 3+ years before this Universal park opens. So what's the reason for doom and gloom beyond that?

I certainly get the impression this new park will dwarf Harry Potter. I really don’t think (as far as one can tell from the limited details) that’s a fair comparison. 750 acres... granted, not all 750 will be theme park. Obviously one must account for parking, backstage areas, hotels? Etc...
But even if 1/2 is developed as a park, that’s pretty impressive.

 

[zavandor]

A rising tide lifts all the boats. If I were on the fence, this announcement would push me to buy DVC rather than wait. Since Universal will open a third theme park (no dear Universal, VB is the best Orlando water park, possibly in the World, but it's not a theme park), Disney will have to invest even more to keep the pace (can we dream of a fifth gate?).
And if the new park will attract more visitors in Orlando for Nintendo Land or other new IPs, then they'll also probably isit WDW increasing demand, hotel rates hence making DVC an even better deal.

 

[Chuck S]

No, it would not make me reconsider. Universal would, for me, be an occasional side trip, not a primary destination on repeated trips. I will say, they seem to have improved over the years, but they are still not a primary destination for me.

 

[tjkraz]

I certainly get the impression this new park will dwarf Harry Potter. I really don’t think (as far as one can tell from the limited details) that’s a fair comparison. 750 acres... granted, not all 750 will be theme park. Obviously one must account for parking, backstage areas, hotels? Etc...
But even if 1/2 is developed as a park, that’s pretty impressive.

It's an impressive investment to be sure. But Disney still has 4 theme parks that are growing--both in attractions and visitors--on an annual basis. I'm not entirely sure how this is a "game changer."

 

[DougEMG]

I like doing Universal for 4-5 days, but I like staying in their deluxe hotels so I can get their express pass. So I am not interested at all in staying at DVC while visiting Universal.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

It's an impressive investment to be sure. But Disney still has 4 theme parks that are growing--both in attractions and visitors--on an annual basis. I'm not entirely sure how this is a "game changer."

First of all, I said *may* be a game changer....

That said, it really depends on ones definition of “game changer”.
If you take it to mean that USO will overtake WDW as the big daddy resort in Orlando, that is not likely to happen.
If you take it to mean USO attendance will likely drastically increase, and yes, cut into Disney attendance, that is very possible.
Most importantly it may put pressure on Disney to build a fifth gate. No, I did NOT say Disney will announce a fifth gate this year. I said it will put pressure on them to do so at some point in time.

In the context of the OP, it may very well enhance DVC sales, and possibly set the stage for a UVC at some point in the future.