Major expansion plans for Universal!

[Peter Pirate 2]

Im thinking that attendance wise It isn't going to impact Disney all that much when looking at overall numbers, sure a few people might cut a trip a day or two short but It's not going to make a huge difference in regard to Disney although I am sure they would rather see no one cut Disney days from their plans.

I think the recent news about Seaworld shows that they have been hit hard by attendance. Seems to me that many people who would have ventured off Disney property to Seaworld and Universal have probably decided to skip Seaworld and do a 2 day 2 park pass for Universal.

Disagree. Disney screwed the pooch and the momentum and future is as bright as each company dares it to be. Universal KNOWS it has the next two to three years wrapped up with continued expansion to WWOHP. We know Disney can stem the tide if they really care to but it really would mean a huge change in basic company outlook for this to happen.

So right now things are easier for Universal than they are for Disney and it's mostly Disney's fault.

 

[Dznefreek]

I have a friend who works at Lost Continent and she was informed that as of next Spring the Lost Continent will cease to exist. . . . .FWIW

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I have a friend who works at Lost Continent and she was informed that as of next Spring the Lost Continent will cease to exist. . . . .FWIW

Very interesting, indeed.

 

[Figment632]

I have a friend who works at Lost Continent and she was informed that as of next Spring the Lost Continent will cease to exist. . . . .FWIW

Yes because it is where HP phase 2 is!

Listen UNI builds new game changing rides and Disney builds broken Yetis that they are to cheap to fix. Also don't buy their excuse that EE would have to close to fix the Yeti because there is zero truth to it.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

It would actually be horrible on two points if Disney rushed a response.

1. It would concede to Universal that Potter was competition and needed a response

2. And most importantly, if they slapped something together to put it out there it wouldn't be great or innovative.

The best response Disney can have is to let the Potter hype die down, in a year or two be bringing online something big and amazing which will pull back many of those guests.

There are a great number of people out there that don't really care about the theme or the park but are merely going to the newest, latest and greatest thing.

1. This is false, IMO. This is a fan's reaction. These are just huge companies. They don't have feelings or egos.

2. I agree they really need to do things because they want to be creative. Because they want to the guest the best experience they can. Because they believe quality will always win out over the alternatives. UNI is figuring this out fast. Does Disney have the ability to be flexible? I don't know.

 

[Dznefreek]

1. This is false, IMO. This is a fan's reaction. These are just huge companies. They don't have feelings or egos.

not to mention behind closed doors they will both tell you competition is a good thing. . . . . .

 

[TisBit]

I disagree, there have been MANY slow scale changes at the studios park over the years

1996- T2:3D
1997- Herc & Xena opens
1998- Twister and Woody Woodpeckers' Kid Zone
1999- Woody's Nuthouse Coaster
2000 - MIB
2003 - Jimmy Neutron and Shrek
2004- Revenge of the Mummy
2005- Fear Factor Live
2007 - Blue Man Group
2008 - Disaster, Simpsons Ride
2009- Rip Ride Rockit

Now we can talk about whether all of these were quality changes, yes, but we could do the same for Disney also.

Yes, Universal has added stuff, but nothing really had a great hype to it like WWoHP that drew back the people that haven't been for awhile or have never been. Now, it is doing the slow mixed with big changes. But, many of the rides that Universal builds are almost obsolete before they are built....even if you look at Fear Factor, it opened about the time that Fear Factor was in its final seasons, Simpsons had already peaked and begun to delcine, etc. At least WWoHP is still a current franchise, but still more mid-franchise.....

1. This is false, IMO. This is a fan's reaction. These are just huge companies. They don't have feelings or egos.

2. I agree they really need to do things because they want to be creative. Because they want to the guest the best experience they can. Because they believe quality will always win out over the alternatives. UNI is figuring this out fast. Does Disney have the ability to be flexible? I don't know.

If you think that huge companies don't have egos, you are dead wrong. The biggest companies have the biggest egos. Look at Apple, Microsoft, Disney, UPS, Fedex, Coke, Pepsi......most companies have a very ego-centric attitude about the company brand. While they don't have "feelings", their board of directors and CEO's do and it is reflected through the company's direction.

Disney has always been flexible, unforunately it has not always been flexible in the way the guest (especially veteran guest) likes. Most first time guests are still amazed at Disney's Customer Service and experience at the parks....its those of us that have been there through good times and bad that have something to compare it to.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Yes, Universal has added stuff, but nothing really had a great hype to it like WWoHP that drew back the people that haven't been for awhile or have never been. Now, it is doing the slow mixed with big changes. But, many of the rides that Universal builds are almost obsolete before they are built....even if you look at Fear Factor, it opened about the time that Fear Factor was in its final seasons, Simpsons had already peaked and begun to delcine, etc. At least WWoHP is still a current franchise, but still more mid-franchise.....



If you think that huge companies don't have egos, you are dead wrong. The biggest companies have the biggest egos. Look at Apple, Microsoft, Disney, UPS, Fedex, Coke, Pepsi......most companies have a very ego-centric attitude about the company brand. While they don't have "feelings", their board of directors and CEO's do and it is reflected through the company's direction.

Disney has always been flexible, unforunately it has not always been flexible in the way the guest (especially veteran guest) likes. Most first time guests are still amazed at Disney's Customer Service and experience at the parks....its those of us that have been there through good times and bad that have something to compare it to.

Disney plays that game too (talking 'Fear Factor') so factor in Disney's 'Millionaire' and 'Idol' , etc. Seems Disney is better at this too.

As for ego's, people have them not an entity ... Agree to disagree.

 

[DarkForce]

Disney is nolonger the number 1 in the theme park business that title belongs to Universal now.

LOL not quite.

 

[TisBit]

Disney plays that game too (talking 'Fear Factor') so factor in Disney's 'Millionaire' and 'Idol' , etc. Seems Disney is better at this too.

As for ego's, people have them not an entity ... Agree to disagree.

Absolutely, everyone will get burnt from time to time with the ebb and flow of public opinion. Millionare just flopped suddenly after a couple of seasons and lost its primetime appeal. Idol, I think the drama surrounding it really started to take it down more than anything else.

I think any shows/attractions off of TV shows are just almost wrought with danger. Disney has been better than Universal making characters timeless though.....

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Absolutely, everyone will get burnt from time to time with the ebb and flow of public opinion. Millionare just flopped suddenly after a couple of seasons and lost its primetime appeal. Idol, I think the drama surrounding it really started to take it down more than anything else.

I think any shows/attractions off of TV shows are just almost wrought with danger. Disney has been better than Universal making characters timeless though.....

I don't disagree but the phrase "that was then, this is now" just popped into my head.

 

[Big]

It absolutely works though if the queue line and ride are good enough to drum up some desire to learn the back story.

Say no one has ever seen or read the Harry Potter stuff, but on a trip to Universal, they go on the ride because it's the "thing to do". After riding it they're so impressed that they go rent the movies and buy the books and become endeared to it. Definitely possible.

Something like American Idol at DHS is such an eyesore because it's RIGHT THERE next to the hat where everyone passes by and laughs at it. Perfect spot for an E-Ticket really so the queue can overlook the hat area and enjoy the parades or whatever is going on there.

Just need the willingness to upgrade and "take out the trash" regularly on those outdated attractions that have no lasting following.

 

[ChrisFL]

Yes, Universal has added stuff, but nothing really had a great hype to it like WWoHP that drew back the people that haven't been for awhile or have never been. Now, it is doing the slow mixed with big changes. But, many of the rides that Universal builds are almost obsolete before they are built....even if you look at Fear Factor, it opened about the time that Fear Factor was in its final seasons, Simpsons had already peaked and begun to delcine, etc. At least WWoHP is still a current franchise, but still more mid-franchise.....

Well you said "The studios haven't really seen anything new or really even been updated consistently." and I showed you that IMO that is not correct.

Universal would be hard pressed to find any other franchise to meet the same hype of Harry Potter...and if they did, Disney would probably be doing everything possible to take that franchise right now as well. I can't think of anything besides Lord of the Rings which has enough of staying power and universal (no pun intended) appeal.

 

[floridianer]

Ok, just wanted to add my 0,02 to it (sorry for my english!)

I will copy and paste a post of me from another forum (Disney vs Universal) and I truely think that there is NO competition... Au contraire!

I read a lot of brilliant posts with, of course, different opinions. Noone is really right and noone wrong (IMO) because every story has a 2nd side, right?

I don´t think that Orlando would be what it is without having different Theme Parks and different companies. That is the big PLUS of Orlando. To each his own and then maybe a day or two at another park.




ok, here is what I wrote in Orlandounited...:



Does anyone really think that Disney, Universal, Seaworld, Buschgardens, Discovery Cove and all other amusement Parks are rivaling??
Orlando grew to a HUGE amusement area and therefore Millions of travellers come and visit every year.
Does anyone think that this area would be such a traveller magnet if there were ONLY Seaworld? Or Uni?
This area is a Themepark Area and people come to visit this area as a WHOLE incl. Idrive...

Disney and all other themeparks are not stupid. They LOVE all the other Parks and even when WWoHP opened the gates Disney surely was happy with that. WHY??
Because every visitor to Orlando is a new customer for Disney also.
Did you recently hear about travellers, going to Orlando for the first time and NOT going to Disney??

Lets face it as it is....

The "normal" tourist in the Orlando area is there between 1 or 2 weeks, right?
How do they split the park times?

Seaworld? 1 Day and maybe a night at a surrounding Hotel.
Universal? 2 or 3 Nights... Maybe a stay in the 3 Uni Hotels
Discovery? 1 Day
DISNEY???? 4,5 or even 6 Days and most importantly, a LOT of people stay this week onsite...

So, I really think that Disney is not angry if any atrraction in another park opens. I guess they are all happy.
Even if a Disney guest says, ok, I´ll stay a night less @ Disney and I´ll go to Uni for the HP Island.
It´s just one day... What does a day @disney cost appr?? I think if you have the MYWTicket and you visit for 4 or 5 days, the 6th day will cost around 5 Bucks, right?

 

[TisBit]

Well you said "The studios haven't really seen anything new or really even been updated consistently." and I showed you that IMO that is not correct.

Universal would be hard pressed to find any other franchise to meet the same hype of Harry Potter...and if they did, Disney would probably be doing everything possible to take that franchise right now as well. I can't think of anything besides Lord of the Rings which has enough of staying power and universal (no pun intended) appeal.

It doesn't really need to be a full franchise to be successful and pull people in. There are a lot of successful movies out there that they could still pull out of. A great deal of the Studios was merely copied from Universal Studios in California (similar to Disneyland and Magic Kingdom), but there wasn't nearly the same nostalgia associated with it. So many of these attractions, based on 1970's movies that many of the current theme park generation have never heard of or seen. IoA exceeded the Studios for two main reasons, it was thrill rides (multi-generational) and it also used some of the marvel characters that everyone knows. Similar to six flags use of looney tunes and superman/batman franchises.

I am not saying that Universal has not tried in the past 10 years to try to fix these problems, as noted, they have revised things, but they have already gained a reputation and lost some decent market share. I went to the Studios about 5 years ago and was sorely disappointed with my experience. They have added stuff since, but it I am not really looking to try it again. With WWoHP and some more added changes, I might consider it.

Even the MSNBC article yesterday about the hit of WWoHP talked about the next steps for Universal, that while lines at WWoHP are an hour long, other rides in IoA were 10 minutes. It can't and won't stand on its own, the next steps are importanat and I hope they do well. As I stated before, a true competition between the two will benefit us (if you prefer Universal or Disney) the most. Right now, aside from the recent success of Universal, Disney is the only US based major theme park that is doing well. Six flags is in huge financial trouble, Sea World is failing, Busch Gardens has been sold and its fate is yet to be determined. Right now there is Disney and your local theme parks (Hershey, Cedar Point, etc) that are doing well and being rated top notch. Universal has a hit with WWoHP and it will last for a couple of years, after that it all depends on the moves they make in between.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I work in the travel industry for the past 17 years and to this day, Disney wins over Universal every time.

I just went this past October, stayed at Disney for 8 days, but I really needed to see Universal moreso for the whole Harry Potter deal and I had not been to Universal for 5 years.

I always feel you get what you pay for and there is a very different feel to Universal than to Disney. It is NOT the same.

While they do offer something different and I think its great that they do. It is only good for a 3 night stay. Their hotels at least from my customers have always had complaints about Customer Service.

But I digress. I went to see Harry Potter and while the look is stunning and they did a great job, the details are so missing. The only had 1 or 2 "stores" it was cute but come on. You have such a great oppurtunity here to capitalize and show Disney what you can do and you are a contender and well they aren't. The lines are ridiculous and they charge for their Express Passes....and every line has a half hour and its not. Its longer. You have to put your stuff in lockers at almost every ride...ridiculous. Why? Are the rides not safe.

I went on "The Ride" as I like to call it. I made sure that I fit in the seat (horrendous and totally embarassing by the way) I did fit, but it had to be a "bigger" seat. Fine whatever now the harness comes over your shoulders, my friend did not fit, but she said she doesn't like going upside down, I asked the attendant if the ride goes upside he said that it does not, you are just on your back for a portion that is why they have the harness.....
Yeah NO,
The ride scared me half to death, while okay it was a great ride, I was afraid that I was going to fall out. It was all over the place. I got off and I couldn't even see my picture because it was SO unorganized.

Then we went on Spiderman - another great ride but when you walk through the queue, the details are horrible, nothing is really painted or even made to look real, that is something that you can NEVER take away from Disney, they pay attention to details on EVERY LITTLE THING. That is what truly sets them apart from Universal.

I will offer it to my customers even when they go to Disney because its worth it to at least see it once, but they can do it in one day. Like we did.

Sorry so long, but just wanted to put my 2 cents in.

 

[ChrisFL]

I work in the travel industry for the past 17 years and to this day, Disney wins over Universal every time.

I just went this past October, stayed at Disney for 8 days, but I really needed to see Universal moreso for the whole Harry Potter deal and I had not been to Universal for 5 years.

I always feel you get what you pay for and there is a very different feel to Universal than to Disney. It is NOT the same.

While they do offer something different and I think its great that they do. It is only good for a 3 night stay. Their hotels at least from my customers have always had complaints about Customer Service.

But I digress. I went to see Harry Potter and while the look is stunning and they did a great job, the details are so missing. The only had 1 or 2 "stores" it was cute but come on. You have such a great oppurtunity here to capitalize and show Disney what you can do and you are a contender and well they aren't. The lines are ridiculous and they charge for their Express Passes....and every line has a half hour and its not. Its longer. You have to put your stuff in lockers at almost every ride...ridiculous. Why? Are the rides not safe.

I went on "The Ride" as I like to call it. I made sure that I fit in the seat (horrendous and totally embarassing by the way) I did fit, but it had to be a "bigger" seat. Fine whatever now the harness comes over your shoulders, my friend did not fit, but she said she doesn't like going upside down, I asked the attendant if the ride goes upside he said that it does not, you are just on your back for a portion that is why they have the harness.....
Yeah NO,
The ride scared me half to death, while okay it was a great ride, I was afraid that I was going to fall out. It was all over the place. I got off and I couldn't even see my picture because it was SO unorganized.

Then we went on Spiderman - another great ride but when you walk through the queue, the details are horrible, nothing is really painted or even made to look real, that is something that you can NEVER take away from Disney, they pay attention to details on EVERY LITTLE THING. That is what truly sets them apart from Universal.

I will offer it to my customers even when they go to Disney because its worth it to at least see it once, but they can do it in one day. Like we did.

Sorry so long, but just wanted to put my 2 cents in.

I'll just have to say I disagree with most of your points.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I'll just have to say I disagree with most of your points.

I agree that I disagree with most of his points as well.

Of course it's different, it isn't Disney. But it'd be a bit like comparing WDW to DL. If you want a 7-10 day stay then WDW is the only choice. If you're talking true magic and quality WDW isn't even in the same ballpark...Not even close.

 

[phamton]

Then we went on Spiderman - another great ride but when you walk through the queue, the details are horrible, nothing is really painted or even made to look real, that is something that you can NEVER take away from Disney, they pay attention to details on EVERY LITTLE THING. That is what truly sets them apart from Universal.

Sorry, but I had to snicker about this. The queue inside Spiderman is supposed to be like looking at a black and white tv/movie/newspaper comic strip. The computer, desks, phones, etc. are muted colors of gray and white. They aren't supposed to look real. They are cartoon/comic strips. That's like saying the dinosaurs in Dinorama don't look real.

 

[cmash95]

Yes because it is where HP phase 2 is!

Listen UNI builds new game changing rides and Disney builds broken Yetis that they are to cheap to fix. Also don't buy their excuse that EE would have to close to fix the Yeti because there is zero truth to it.

Two if the three attractions in HP are simply two rides rethemed. nothing game changing about them. and I doubt if it hadn't been that UNI had already started on construction when the recession hit, that HP would have been built.