News Round Up 2017

[rteetz]

News

A look at the new quick service coming to the Yacht Club

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2017/05/photo...r-service-location-disneys-yacht-club-resort/

 

[skier_pete]

Universal is eventually going to need to build that 3rd park. They are well into building more hotel rooms and having that capacity for another park.

One thing we have to remember is that Universal has not really "expanded" since the original HP stuff opened. It's all be replacement, replacement, replacement. Minions replaced Jimmy Neutron, Fallon replaces Twister, F&F replaces Disaster, even Diagon Alley replaces Jaws, though admittedly that took out a single attraction and replaced it with mulitple attractions.

Now, I'm not saying those aren't improvements, they are. But it's really not enough to take the place from a 2-3 day location to a week long destination for most people. Not sure even volcano bay would do that. A third park though? Watch out.

I think Universal's marketing campaign right now is brilliant. The whole "when your vacation grows up" is striking a nerve with a lot of my friends with tweens and teens who have done Disney 2 or more times. If they keep building attractions at this pace, not speed but consistency, Disney will need to keep going as well. And that is only good for us.

Agree, Universal is smart enough to know that there prime appeal is to older kids and young adults. HP is slightly more "all-ages" but still has issues on that front with it's major rides. The idea of "you've done Disney with your little ones, now try us" is smart.

 

[rteetz]

even Diagon Alley replaces Jaws, though admittedly that took out a single attraction and replaced it with mulitple attractions.

Now, I'm not saying those aren't improvements, they are. But it's really not enough to take the place from a 2-3 day location to a week long destination for most people. Not sure even volcano bay would do that. A third park though? Watch out.

Are you counting the Hogwarts express as the second attraction? Otherwise Diagon Alley only has one ride.

I agree, a third park would definitely make a case for that week long destination.

 

[rteetz]

News

SeaWorld woes contine as attendance falls.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories...ue-to-plummet-during-seaworlds-first-quarter/

 

[skier_pete]

Are you counting the Hogwarts express as the second attraction? Otherwise Diagon Alley only has one ride.

I agree, a third park would definitely make a case for that week long destination.

yes, Hogwarts Express + Gringotts, plus the shows and the shops were replacing one single ride - so it's really not Apples to Apples if you say one ride to one ride, but in the case of Minions and Fallon and Fast and Furious it is - one to one, and in the case of F&F they took out two attractions.

 

[mikeamizzle]

Universal has also committed to 4,000 more hotel rooms on the Wet n Wild site.

Yes and I think this is exactly why we are due for another big new announcement from them within the next few months, of course this is pure speculation on my part. The third gate would be a megaton though.

 

[Delano Fiedler]

News

SeaWorld woes contine as attendance falls.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories...ue-to-plummet-during-seaworlds-first-quarter/

This makes me quite sad Let's start a rumor about Universal buying SeaWorld for a third gate. MAKE SEAWORLD GREAT AGAIN

 

[danikoski]

This makes me quite sad Let's start a rumor about Universal buying SeaWorld for a third gate. MAKE SEAWORLD GREAT AGAIN

Hey, that could work. SeaWorld does have some pretty nice coasters. Although I'm not sure Universal would want to buy the SeaWorlds in San Diego and Texas...

 

[Madonna3]

I think Universal's marketing campaign right now is brilliant. The whole "when your vacation grows up" is striking a nerve with a lot of my friends with tweens and teens who have done Disney 2 or more times. If they keep building attractions at this pace, not speed but consistency, Disney will need to keep going as well. And that is only good for us.

It's not all Sunshine and Mickey Bars. We have to remember we want quality over quantity and increased investment in the parks = $ at the ticket gate and resort prices.

 

[Madonna3]

News

A look at the new quick service coming to the Yacht Club

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2017/05/photo...r-service-location-disneys-yacht-club-resort/

Cool. This was very much needed. Now, put one over at Boardwalk.

 

[rteetz]

Cool. This was very much needed. Now, put one over at Boardwalk.

Well they have all of the stuff at the boardwalk already I think that's why they don't put one in there.

 

[nkosiek]

Cool. This was very much needed. Now, put one over at Boardwalk.

I've always thought the bakery was a solid QS with really good soups and sandwiches. The only thing is that it doesn't have seating...kinda like most places on the Boardwalks of NJ.

 

[skier_pete]

It's not all Sunshine and Mickey Bars. We have to remember we want quality over quantity and increased investment in the parks = $ at the ticket gate and resort prices.

They're gonna keep raising prices anyways - I at least want new stuff for my increased $$.

 

[luisov]

As a short term strategy, Universal's consistency in opening new attractions is brilliant. They are keeping their momentum going and people are going back to see what's new for the year. In the long term, however, I don't think they are doing what it's needed. The last universally acclaimed attraction they opened was Forbidden Journey, seven years ago. Even Gringotts, which is surrounded by one of the most inmersive lands ever created, is described as underwhelming by many (trust me, I dreamed of a Gringotts coaster for years).

With Kong, Fallon and possibly Fast and Furious all being arguable filler attractions, I don't think Universal has anything to compete with until Nintendo land becomes a reality. Many argue that Universal's recent success is still tied to Potter, which is somewhat concerning, in my opinion.

 

[skier_pete]

As a short term strategy, Universal's consistency in opening new attractions is brilliant. They are keeping their momentum going and people are going back to see what's new for the year. In the long term, however, I don't think they are doing what it's needed. The last universally acclaimed attraction they opened was Forbidden Journey, seven years ago. Even Gringotts, which is surrounded by one of the most inmersive lands ever created, is described as underwhelming by many (trust me, I dreamed of a Gringotts coaster for years).

With Kong, Fallon and possibly Fast and Furious all being arguable filler attractions, I don't think Universal has anything to compete with until Nintendo land becomes a reality. Many argue that Universal's recent success is still tied to Potter, which is somewhat concerning, in my opinion.

Have you been on the Gringott's ride? It is only underwhelming if you think it should top Forbidden Journey. Kong I thought was also very impressive. The main failing at Universal is the reliance on screen technology or "point you at a screen and shake you around". The rides are each top notch on their own, but when we rode them all in a row, they got tiresome.

The attendance figures really bear out what's going on. Universal has managed to grow its fan base, while Disney is only rising very slowly. Unlikely Pandora moves the needle very much, but you can bet Star Wars will.

 

[Madonna3]

Well they have all of the stuff at the boardwalk already I think that's why they don't put one in there.

go fill your cup at Boardwalk and then tell me they don't need one

 

[Madonna3]

I've always thought the bakery was a solid QS with really good soups and sandwiches. The only thing is that it doesn't have seating...kinda like most places on the Boardwalks of NJ.

It is a nice option. I love it, but the Boardwalk could use a sit down quick service inside or at least more refill stations.

 

[PaintsWithAllTheColors]

I know this doesn't belong and I'll repost it where it actually belongs later but we just ran into Steve Porter in HS and I had to say something!!!! Excitement is through the roof and my poor husband has no idea what just happened!

 

[Madonna3]

I've always thought the bakery was a solid QS with really good soups and sandwiches. The only thing is that it doesn't have seating...kinda like most places on the Boardwalks of NJ.

I grew up on the Jersey Shore. Are you talking about the food stands? Otherwise, there's lots of places to grab a slice and a seat.

 

[rteetz]

go fill your cup at Boardwalk and then tell me they don't need one

I'm sure it's a hike but I feel like that's their reasoning as to why they don't add something else there.