News Round Up

[DDLand]

Exactly this could be a wake up call in the water park department of disney

Undoubtably. Water parks aren't the biggest business Disney has, but it dominates the global industry. They consistently rank either one and two or one and three in attendance. The fact that a new player could waltz in and create a new park that could challenge Disney is pretty earth shattering. They're the incumbent with decades of knowledge, and it could all fall apart.

Imagine the headlines that describe Disney as number 2. Something tells me Burbank doesn't like the sound of that.

I hadn't realized quite how brilliant this move was until now...

 

[katethegreat24]

Just booked my FPs for April 21 and saw that Lights, Motors, Action is down that day. I wonder if it is just for the day, or if this is the start of the DHS overhaul to bring in Pixar and/or Star Wars?

 

[jcnewton]

Just booked my FPs for April 21 and saw that Lights, Motors, Action is down that day. I wonder if it is just for the day, or if this is the start of the DHS overhaul to bring in Pixar and/or Star Wars?

I may be off but I think LMA is just down for a few days (20th-24th?) that month for a small rehab. Though, there are rumors of it being on the chopping block at some point.

 

[clsteve]

Universal has found its guests by stealing them from the other players and creating the resort feel. They realize, like Disney just how powerful it is for everyone to stay on property. However, as of right now there's nothing to suggest Disney is losing any guests to Universal. In fact as rteetz shared earlier, Disney is benefiting greatly from the strong tourism market in Orlando driven in part due to Universal.

They're trying to turn themselves into a credible Disney competitor. The entire experience. Heck, I wouldn't be too surprised if we saw a Universal's Wizarding Express coming soon. It seems to be working.

Just not in actually stealing anyone or the profits from Disney.

Disney lost a little over 4% marketshare in 2013, down to 71% to Universal gaining around 4.5% in 2013 according both the Orlando Business Journal and Orlando Sentinel, if I remember correctly. That was before DA and the new hotel opened

 

[rteetz]

I may be off but I think LMA is just down for a few days (20th-24th?) that month for a small rehab. Though, there are rumors of it being on the chopping block at some point.

Correct there is a short refurb they usually repave the set

 

[rteetz]

Disney lost a little over 4% marketshare in 2013, down to 71% to Universal gaining around 4.5% in 2013 according both the Orlando Business Journal and Orlando Sentinel, if I remember correctly. That was before DA and the new hotel opened

Also correct. If I remember correctly as well SeaWorld lost quite a bit because their numbers were down a lot.

 

[DDLand]

Disney lost a little over 4% marketshare in 2013, down to 71% to Universal gaining around 4.5% in 2013 according both the Orlando Business Journal and Orlando Sentinel, if I remember correctly. That was before DA and the new hotel opened

Remember Disney sheilded itself from the recession attendance decline with aggressive discounting and packages. Disney hadn't been hit as hard so they gained market share as the other competitors were slammed. As the entire market regained its health, Disney lost market share naturally. Universal had been nearly the sole growth driver of vacations over the last several years in Orlando. Now that's changing as Disney's growth begins picking up again. Really what you could say is Disney sacrificed growth now to keep the turnstiles moving a couple years ago. However average guest spending has increased dramatically during the same period.


As for your statistics according to this link:
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...orlando-wizarding-world-theme-park-attendance

That was between 2009 and 2012 corraborating what I said on recovery from the recession and natural growth.

Update: Turns out in sheer attendance growth numbers Disney outgrew universal from 2012 to 2013. These are the most recent numbers we've got.

 

[DDLand]

Also correct. If I remember correctly as well SeaWorld lost quite a bit because their numbers were down a lot.

Exactly. If you also look at the 2012 to 2013 numbers it continued to slide despite total Orlando visitorship increases. Universal and Disney are stealing the growth from the smaller players.

 

[rteetz]

Exactly. If you also look at the 2012 to 2013 numbers it continued to slide despite total Orlando visitorship increases. Universal and Disney are stealing the growth from the smaller players.

I do think we should look at the player universal is becoming tho they are gaining market share faster than Disney. Their attendance has been increasing pretty much every year since potter. Now this water park could be another big change.

 

[clsteve]

Remember Disney sheilded itself from the recession attendance decline with aggressive discounting and packages. Disney hadn't been hit as hard so they gained market share as the other competitors were slammed. As the entire market regained its health, Disney lost market share naturally. Universal had been nearly the sole growth driver of vacations over the last several years in Orlando. Now that's changing as Disney's growth begins picking up again. Really what you could say is Disney sacrificed growth now to keep the turnstiles moving a couple years ago. However average guest spending has increased dramatically during the same period.


As for your statistics according to this link:
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...orlando-wizarding-world-theme-park-attendance

That was between 2009 and 2012 corraborating what I said on recovery from the recession and natural growth.

It hasn't seemed to happen yet, since Disney's attendance growth is tracking pretty closely each year with overall tourism growth in Orlando in that 3-5%. So, how much is of that growth is truly Disney driven versus economy driven? chugging along at that rate is still a positive. However, by their own admission, the majority of that increased guest spend has been recognized due to price increases rather than guests buying more. There is a limit to how high you can turn up that faucet.

Marketshare numbers are important if the trend continues and are especially good at providing some objectivity to all of those corporate earnings calls that have a dose of cheerleading for every company. 4% growth can look great - unless it's against an industry growth of 7% and/or a 11% growth by your nearest competitor in the space....

And, we'll never get one of the most important numbers out of either Uni or Disney to track against one another - Length of Stay on Property. Where that is trending would be the most telling.....

 

[DDLand]

I do think we should look at the player universal is becoming tho they are gaining market share faster than Disney. Their attendance has been increasing pretty much every year since potter. Now this water park could be another big change.

What they're doing is impressive, and I think we can clearly see who is number two. I'm still am not convinced that Universal poses a threat to Disney. With Star Wars Land and Pixar I feel like Disney sees a market where they can draw additonal earnings from. In fact I'd say the opposite is happening. I feel like Disney is entering Universal's market.

Though this Water Park is beyond well thought out.

Update: Sorry about the mess, I was writing this while I was walking. Lol

 

[rteetz]

What they're doing is impressive, and I think we can clearly see who is number two. I still am not convinced that Universal poses a threat to Disney. With Star Wars Land and Pixar I feel like Disney sees a market where they can take additonal earnings from. In fact I'f say the oppisite is happening. I feel like Disney is entering Universal's market.

Though this Water Park is beyond well thought out.

I think they are a slight threat in Orlando. Else where they are not. I don't add in Star Wars or Pixar yet because we don't know when it will happen and exactly what it will be. If they underwhelm with Star Wars that could hurt them. Heck by the time Star Wars opens at DHS uni will have a new water park and at least one new ride for sure, and rumors are flying that more are on the way. Don't forget this is their 25th anniversary this year, so we could see some announcements of things to come.

Most credible sources say Star Wars will consist of one e ticket and another one or two lower attractions with shops and dining. Pixar will be mainly b and c tickets which is what DHS actually really needs. I have not heard one source say Pixar is getting an e ticket at this time. Yes things can change but I think the e ticket focus will be with Star Wars.

 

[rteetz]

Typhoon lagoon will be closed the next two days due to cold temperatures.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...oday-and-tomorrow-due-to-low-temperatures.htm

 

[rteetz]

Star Wars weekends entertainment announcement.

Symphony in the stars is back.

Darths mall will be moved from sound stage one because that is a construction zone to location on the streets of America.

James Arnold Taylor is back to host.

The celebrity shows will be relocated from the premiere theater which holds the frozen sing a long to the theater that holds the beauty and the beast show. The show will still be held in the mornings with quick turn around to make it Star Wars in the afternoon.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/events/star...along-with-a-reshuffle-of-event-locations.htm

 

[DDLand]

It hasn't seemed to happen yet, since Disney's attendance growth is tracking pretty closely each year with overall tourism growth in Orlando in that 3-5%. So, how much is of that growth is truly Disney driven versus economy driven? chugging along at that rate is still a positive. However, by their own admission, the majority of that increased guest spend has been recognized due to price increases rather than guests buying more. There is a limit to how high you can turn up that faucet.

Marketshare numbers are important if the trend continues and are especially good at providing some objectivity to all of those corporate earnings calls that have a dose of cheerleading for every company. 4% growth can look great - unless it's against an industry growth of 7% and/or a 11% growth by your nearest competitor in the space....

And, we'll never get one of the most important numbers out of either Uni or Disney to track against one another - Length of Stay on Property. Where that is trending would be the most telling.....

Well you have to ask who's driving the growth? It's Universal and Disney. Matching growth standards set by themselves is fine if you ask me. If you look at the attendance a new picture emerges.

Epcot Growth=1.5

DAK=2.0

DHS=2.0

IOA=2.0

There biggest park is in line with Disney's parks.

Now as for their smaller park according to latest numbers posted 14% growth. That represented just under a million. Compare that to Magic Kingdom the 800 pound gorilla which reported just 6% growth but it equaled more then a million.

Basically the facts say Universal is more in line with Disney growth despite what many would have you believe. In fact looking at the most recent figures Disney has actually gained market share.

14% growth looks better then 6%, until you dig deeper and realize Disney is still growing more then Universal.

If the highest levels of hotel occupancy, attendance growth, and higher guest spending ever have anything to say about it I'll guess that length of stay is doing just fine.

 

[DDLand]

I think they are a slight threat in Orlando. Else where they are not. I don't add in Star Wars or Pixar yet because we don't know when it will happen and exactly what it will be. If they underwhelm with Star Wars that could hurt them. Heck by the time Star Wars opens at DHS uni will have a new water park and at least one new ride for sure, and rumors are flying that more are on the way. Don't forget this is their 25th anniversary this year, so we could see some announcements of things to come.

Most credible sources say Star Wars will consist of one e ticket and another one or two lower attractions with shops and dining. Pixar will be mainly b and c tickets which is what DHS actually really needs. I have not heard one source say Pixar is getting an e ticket at this time. Yes things can change but I think the e ticket focus will be with Star Wars.

Oh, I'm not really trying to talk about what effect it'll have. It could seriously underwhelm. What I was thinking is Disney is doing this offensively not defensively as some have said. Disney made DAK primarily to attack Busch Gardens. I think they're trying to turn DHS into it's Universal Killer.

Arguably, after Frozen Fun they have a lot of work to do appealing to boys...

 

[rteetz]

Oh, I'm not really trying to talk about what effect it'll have. It could seriously underwhelm. What I was thinking is Disney is doing this offensively not defensively as some have said. Disney made DAK primarily to attack Busch Gardens. I think they're trying to turn DHS into it's Universal Killer.

Arguably, after Frozen Fun they have a lot of work to do appealing to boys...

And frozen fun is coming back again...

 

[rteetz]

Havaianas has opened at DTD

https://twitter.com/wdwdowntown/status/567829607929507840

 

[sachilles]

Not to belabor the point, ok maybe I am. This is a Disney forum, and many folks here are near fanatical for their love of all things Disney. Universal is certainly a worthy competitor. I just think that it is a small subset of folks in the Disboards that look at the competition and what it means for Disney long term. Many simply don't care what the business does until it affects them directly.

The points above are quite valid. There is a lot to be said for building lodging within walking distance of attractions. Its a huge cost savings....huge. It makes a lot of sense. It simplifies so much. However, I think it isn't quite the way Disney looks at things. They like to isolate your experiences which is a major philosophical difference in operations.

 

[rteetz]

Not to belabor the point, ok maybe I am. This is a Disney forum, and many folks here are near fanatical for their love of all things Disney. Universal is certainly a worthy competitor. I just think that it is a small subset of folks in the Disboards that look at the competition and what it means for Disney long term. Many simply don't care what the business does until it affects them directly.

The points above are quite valid. There is a lot to be said for building lodging within walking distance of attractions. Its a huge cost savings....huge. It makes a lot of sense. It simplifies so much. However, I think it isn't quite the way Disney looks at things. They like to isolate your experiences which is a major philosophical difference in operations.

I agree. I have never been to universal but I understand that this will have an affect on Disney. Anything major either company does effects each other. For the Disney fan this could be very good, it has the potential for Disney to make a move and do something with their water parks.