Jim Hill Piece on Universal vs Disney in Orlando

[lrodk]

Great article today on Jim Hill's site, citing the potential frenzy of competition that could ensue between Disney & Universal Escape should Barry Diller's rumored play for Universal Entertainment come to fruition as early as next month. Here's a link to his article, which I'm sure will fuel all kinds of discussion/speculation. This guy sure does provide some interesting food for thought.

http://www.jimhillmedia.com/archives/singles/universal.html

 

[Uncleromulus]

Interesting. But to me, all the new things at Universal will simply make it a larger "amusement" park, geared mostly to teens and locals.
"Shrek" vs. Mickey??
Sad state of affairs.

 

[lrodk]

The fact that they have the use rights to some of the most successful franchises in the past year(Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Shrek, not to mention Dr Seus & Jimmy Neutron among others)gives them unlimited potential for new attractions that would appeal to a broad base demographic(kids-ala Potter & Shrek, and Lord of the Rings-teens - adults, etc). If Mr Diller, who has always been the aggressive type(and very competitive as Mr Hill added) when at Paramount & Home Shopping Network, does indeed aquire Universal Entertainment, I think there is a very good chance he'll exploit these franchises to their fullest potential, thus giving Disney a run for their money. Competition is a very good thing in any industry. We've been hoping for something like this for several years now.

 

[toefungus]

I really hope that Universal does start taking guests and money away Disney. That way Disney will finally see that putting these cheap little addidtion like Dino-Rama won't cut it. The new Mummy coaster sounds like it will be very good, and hopefully Barry Diller will make somting happen for Universal.

 

[mjstaceyuofm]

OK - I used to think Jim Hill was o.k. until I read this article. Now I'm not so sure.... All this article proves to me is that he's just another guy with a word-processor, a web-page and the tiniest bit of credibility looking to throw sand in Disney's eye.... The article really says nothing of fact except that Barry Diller may be interested in buying Universal. The rest is mere speculation.

Yeah a few new rides at Universal may stir the pot a bit, but I just don't see it making that much of a difference over the long haul. Thrill rides are thrill rides no matter how you slice them. Unless they're as immersive as some of the Disney ones are, I just don't see them being comparable to Disney. Call me a Disney apologist - whatever... but if Harry Potter, Shrek, and the Mummy have staying power over the long haul than I'll be smitten, but I just don't think a few new rides are going to do it for Universal.

 

[space42]

Well.. they are adding one coaster and two film based attractions.

Over on the Disney side.. we have one film based attraction opening next year and a state of the art, never been done before, E-Ticket that is Mission Space also opening next year.

I guess time will tell what attractions will be the better ones.

 

[mjstaceyuofm]

Well.. they are adding one coaster and two film based attractions.

Over on the Disney side.. we have one film based attraction opening next year and a state of the art, never been done before, E-Ticket that is Mission Space also opening next year.

I guess time will tell what attractions will be the better ones.

Time WILL tell, but if Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius outlasts Mickey Mouse then the Devils going to be looking for space-heaters as his home will have frozen over....

 

[toefungus]

It's not a matter of which attraction are better, but more a matter of what attractions will draw more people. Shrek, Jimmy Neutron, and the Mummy were all very successful movies. If people hear that there is an attraction opening featuring them, they would draw pretty big crowds.

 

[mjstaceyuofm]

But 20 years from now will the Jimmy Neutron attraction be drawing the same number of visitors as a Mickey attraction of the same caliber?

 

[toefungus]

Maybe Jimmy Neutron will be the next Mickey Mouse. Or maybe he will be forgotten after year. Maybe Mickey Mouse will lose his popularity. Maybe he won't. Who knows.

 

[lrodk]

I'm kind of puzzled why we're all focusing on Jimmy Neutron and thinking that he compares in some sort of way to Mickey Mouse. If Jim Hill's credibility is suspect for speculating based on inside information, what does that say about the rest of us who report similar scenarios to the Rumors/News Board on a regular basis? I just don't get why some people think that he's the bad guy all of a sudden. The purpose of the article, and my posting a link here, is to bring to light a possible scenario, based on speculation and rumor, that may very well happen. The fact that Universal owns over 2000+ acres near I-Drive is based on fact. The sole purpose of that acquisition was to make room for up to 2 more parks and several resorts. The three new attractions that are slated to open by 2004 were conceived and green lighted by current management and Vivendi. The changes that excite me the most are the ones that would come when and if Barry Diller takes control of Universal Entertainment. It is the expansion of new parks/resorts onto this undeveloped tract of land, spearheaded by valuable name brands like Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Shrek, and whatever other major blockbusters they develop and acquire the rights for along the way, that would make a lasting and significant impact on Disney's business. A ride based on any of these blockbuster films would be enough to get most fans to visit that park. Please keep an open mind and take it with a grain of salt. This competition could give Disney the kick in the pants that they need to develop the types of rides/attractions that we know they are capable of, but have been unwilling to do because of their virtual lock, or monopoly, on the family entertainment industry in Orlando. As hard as it may be for some of the die-hard Disney fans to believe, this could actually make Disney better by knocking management out of the complacent stupor that they've been in for the last few years.

 

[raidermatt]

Hill does rub some the wrong way, but I think the main problem is this column is so obviously slanted and full of personal opinion. Its also really nothing new. The Diller development is fairly recent, but that's about it. Nothing wrong with posting it for discussion, its just that a biased article is going to produce some emotional responses, that's all.

I disagree regarding the importance of the films. I'm not saying the rights have no value to a theme park, but they will hardly be the deciding factor should there be an all-out theme park war. Sure, the movie will get some people in at first. But after that first ride, its all going to depend on the attraction itself.

Universal has been using some pretty popular movies for quite some time now (ET, Back to the Future, Jurassic Park), and sure it helps. But the long-term success depends on the quality of the ride/attraction.

That's not to say Universal can't gain some customers, if they make strong attractions. But we're just going to have to wait and see how good the new attractions are at both Universal and Disney, and who they appeal to.

 

[PKS44]

Rides based on movies may be nice- but are not necessary--some of the best and most popular rides have had little to nothing other than their own magic to pull people in and hold them...POC, HM, TOT, IASW,BTM,SM...etc...imagination not movie rights is what has made for a successful theme park experience.

 

[toefungus]

As hard as it may be for some of the die-hard Disney fans to believe, this could actually make Disney better by knocking management out of the complacent stupor that they've been in for the last few years.

Exactly! That's why I hope that these new attractions do well and start to take guest away from Disney. Disney will see this and they willl do somting about it. Competiton between Disney and Universal will help bring out new and amazing attractions to try and compete with eachother.

 

[Bob O]

Of course the people who assume any Universal attraction will be second rate would be chomping at the bits if Disney held the rights to a Harry Potter attraction or one based on the Lord of the Rings. But with Universal showing a great ability to make great attractions based on movies or characters be it Back to the Future/t23d/Spiderman it will be great to see them exploit these movies to our advantage. And hopefully push disney into doing something more creative than spinning rides or PW as that seems to be the height of their creativity as late. And of course it would be nice to see disney have a successful non-animated movie again.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Bob, if Disney held the rights to HP it'd be great but it doesn't make me any more sure that HP will be a continuing success. Those blanket statment you make about us 'Disney apologists' do bug me, btw...

Universal has to make do with what they can get. They can't have Mickey and the other Disney characters...Although perhaps they may get a shot a Pooh real soon, eh? So they develop their own. Thus far none are of the caliber that Disney has but it only matters to a certain degree. If US takes HP and makes a ride so great (think Spiderman or Indy) then it won't matter if it's HP, Donald Duck or Norman the Doorman...The attraction is what counts. Therefore I'm not sure that the exorbitant licensing fees paid for these new (untested by time) movies are really a good bargain...Just make the ride! And this goes for Disney as well as US.

 

[Bob O]

As from what i can see its universal that has a wealth of material to mine for future attractions and disney is trying to make do with what they have, and if they lose Pooh they will be hurting as ive read that pooh outsells Mickey in merchandise( i have read this but im not certain if it is true??)Why i love the mouse the same cant be said for my kids and with Nick's rating's far higher than the disney channel or any show that mickey is on the future for the mouse may not be as great as the past unless he is marketed better to the up and coming generations.

 

[Testtrack321]

Just becasue Universal has great licences dosn't mean they'll use them to potential.

How can you make a Harry Potter or Lord of the Rids attraction (show or ride) that will live up to the hype and overall quality both movies have. Your bound to upset somebody if you do it poorly or add another chapter to it.

Also, I think Universal needs to spend more inorder to see major rides comming though the WDI offices anytime soon. And if Disney goes through a managment change and this guy buyes Universal and starts attacking, we could be in for a good fight.

 

[JacksBack!!]

You Disney people are so blinded by the Disney name, you cant see whats going on. You no what I can care less about which park gets the most people in the park. All I care is which park has the best new ideas and attractions. And that park is Universal. Unversal has been trying new ideas for the last year while disney sits on there hands and do nothing. I live in Orlando and I have had no reason to visit the disney parks for the last two years because they have added nothing to interest me. Basically disney is to cheap to do anthing new. Dino Rama YEAH, Aladdin ride YEAH, the new Imagination YEAH, a new Parade Yeah. Wow mission space and Mickey in 3D..... YEAH that will hold me off for another four years of nothing. Disney has already cost cut these attractions so much I am suprised they are still being built. The motion based floor for Mickey has been scrapped and the Space Station lobby for the end of Mission Space has been thrown out the door. Like my grandpa says "they dont make them like they use too, back in my day Its a Small World was a thrill ride and today it still is... I hope Disney does not chane a thing. But at least Universal is trying to create new ideas. There spiderman is a one of a kind. And I dont care what Disney says there is no way mission sapce will even come close to spiderman. Though I cant offically make that commit until I ride Mission Space. Universal the last year has pumped money into there attractions, even though the improvements on Posidans Furry are not that good, they atleast made Earthquake, Beetlejuice, ET, and the Horror Make up show interesting with a couple of improvements. They also moved the best event in florida Halloween Horror Nights to IOA. Also the Macy thanksgiving day parade will be at Universal this year with balloons and everything. And on top of that Shrek, Jimmy Neutron, and the Mummy ride are all coming to Universal. And a new blockbuster attraction for Jurrasic Park is very close to getting the green light. And on top of that Universal is deciding what to do with Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. DO they put these into IOA or the Studios, or do they feature these too as lands in the Third theme park that will go on the Lockhedmartin property they bought (which is years away). And the new street shows like the MIB, the Lucy SHow, and the Ghostbuster street show at Universal are all hit shows and have brought new life to the park. All this new stuff Universal is trying and Disney does nothing. Disney does have alot of good attractions now, but at the rate these parks are going Universal will be lightyears ahead of Disney pretty soon.

 

[Bob O]

I agree that its come down to potential and Universal has to make sure the new rides/attractions are top notch. But they have had a good record of creating great rides and im more hopeful that they will do it right as compared to disney which has been medicore the last several years and has guttted their Imagneering unit to save alot of money and reports indicate those emlpoyee's are at Universal.