News Round Up

[DDLand]

Almost there! View attachment 79506

I have to admit as a person who had never seen the theater without the hat, I never understood all the controversy about it. This picture is making me understand. It looks amazing.

 

[rteetz]

What is the scaffolding for in the photo background? It appears well outside the area where the hat is being taken apart.

That was put up about a week ago while the construction was going on so I would assume it's because of the construction but I don't know.

 

[rteetz]

New food items coming to the food trucks

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/02/new-menu-items-coming-to-downtown-disney-food-trucks/

 

[rteetz]

Avatar aerial update

 

[DanBoris]

What is the scaffolding for in the photo background? It appears well outside the area where the hat is being taken apart.

They are temporary supports that were put in to hold the ring portion of the hat while it is being disassembled. They are within the construction walls for the hat.

 

[rteetz]

Pirates is finally getting its refurb

http://m.wdwmagic.com/attractions/p...-closing-for-major-refurbishment-from-may.htm

 

[rteetz]

Universal confirmed their new king attraction today during an earnings call

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/02/universal-orlando-confirms-new-king.html?m=1

Universal theme park revenue grew 17%

 

[clsteve]

Universal confirmed their new king attraction today during an earnings call

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/02/universal-orlando-confirms-new-king.html?m=1

Universal theme park revenue grew 17%

With 4Q Theme Park Rev up 29.9%, and cash flow up 37.6%..... wow...

 

[Laketravis]

I have to admit as a person who had never seen the theater without the hat, I never understood all the controversy about it. This picture is making me understand. It looks amazing.

I was thinking the same thing but now I see how it does look much, much better.

.

 

[Laketravis]

With 4Q Theme Park Rev up 29.9%, and cash flow up 37.6%..... wow...

I'll gladly take a bit of credit for that during the last two days of December if that fell within their fiscal quarter

 

[rteetz]

With 4Q Theme Park Rev up 29.9%, and cash flow up 37.6%..... wow...

Diagon alley did a lot for them

 

[DDLand]

With 4Q Theme Park Rev up 29.9%, and cash flow up 37.6%..... wow...

I know, they've been on fire as of late. They grew nearly as much as Disney's revenue growth!

This is proving how the two properties can coexist. Disney and Universal are eating everyone else's lunch!

 

[clsteve]

I know, they've been on fire as of late. They grew nearly as much as Disney's revenue growth!

This is proving how the two properties can coexist. Disney and Universal are eating everyone else's lunch!

I don't know if you had a chance to listen to the call, but there's been a significant trend that's a differentiator between the 2. Disney, for many quarters, has attributed their revenue growth to higher ticket prices and higher food and bev prices. That's kept them in that 4-9% range.

Universal's rev growth of 17% YTY and 29.9% for this past quarter is more people and an organic increase in per capita spend because they're buying more, not because of price increases. That reflects in the cash flow, as well.

Just let that sink in for a minute 29.9% and cash flow to 37.6%. To reach that level of increase, of course they've increased attendance, but it also can only mean that they've also greatly increased the amount of time guests are staying in-Park and on-site. That's when they spend money

They've the whole quality initiative thing going with the new stuff - not just attractions, but quality additions to merchandise, food & bev and restaurants, as well. Funny what that can do to rev.....

 

[DDLand]

I don't know if you had a chance to listen to the call, but there's been a significant trend that's a differentiator between the 2. Disney, for many quarters, has attributed their revenue growth to higher ticket prices and higher food and bev prices. That's kept them in that 4-9% range.

Universal's rev growth of 17% YTY and 29.9% for this past quarter is more people and an organic increase in per capita spend because they're buying more, not because of price increases. That reflects in the cash flow, as well.

Just let that sink in for a minute 29.9% and cash flow to 37.6%. To reach that level of increase, of course they've increased attendance, but it also can only mean that they've also greatly increased the amount of time guests are staying in-Park and on-site. That's when they spend money

They've the whole quality initiative thing going with the new stuff - not just attractions, but quality additions to merchandise, food & bev and restaurants, as well. Funny what that can do to rev.....

Indeed. Though after this most recent quarter attendance growth is starting to get back in order. Walt Disney World is entering a new phase of visitor increases like Universal.

I'm increasingly beginning to think that Universal's best comparison is a rapidly developing nation. They're taking big risks, and growing quickly. More developed nations like Walt Disney World are growing more slowly, and are much more about optimization and new technologies.

Universal Parks and Six Flags total year revenue combined are still less then what Walt Disney Parks and Resorts made in just the first quarter. They're not even in the same league. With that said, it doesn't mean the progress is any less impressive. It just needs to be put in perspective.

Also with ROL and Avatarland Disney is going to be adding new firepower to their own arsenal. This is in the backdrop of all sorts of expansion talk from DHS to the Bahamas. Disney should be getting much more of that organic growth soon enough.

 

[rteetz]

Disney had installed the Anna and Elsa topiary shave been installed for the flower and garden festival.


http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...e-epcot-international-flower-garden-festival/

 

[rteetz]

Indeed. Though after this most recent quarter attendance growth is starting to get back in order. Walt Disney World is entering a new phase of visitor increases like Universal.

I'm increasingly beginning to think that Universal's best comparison is a rapidly developing nation. They're taking big risks, and growing quickly. More developed nations like Walt Disney World are growing more slowly, and are much more about optimization and new technologies.

Universal Parks and Six Flags total year revenue combined are still less then what Walt Disney Parks and Resorts made in just the first quarter. They're not even in the same league. With that said, it doesn't mean the progress is any less impressive. It just needs to be put in perspective.

Also with ROL and Avatarland Disney is going to be adding new firepower to their own arsenal. This is in the backdrop of all sorts of expansion talk from DHS to the Bahamas. Disney should be getting much more of that organic growth soon enough.

While yes universal is not quite as large as Disney or necessarily in the same realm I defintely wouldn't include six flags in there. They are more a roller coaster park than a theme park. Now like Steve said universal did this without the price increases. While we don't know it for sure do you think Disney would have increased as much as they do if they didn't. I would assume attendance would increase still but revenue may not have grown as much as it did. Just my opinion.

 

[rteetz]

Disney has released the dates for Halloween party this year

http://m.wdwmagic.com/events/mickey...scary-halloween-party-dates-now-available.htm

 

[DDLand]

While yes universal is not quite as large as Disney or necessarily in the same realm I defintely wouldn't include six flags in there. They are more a roller coaster park than a theme park. Now like Steve said universal did this without the price increases. While we don't know it for sure do you think Disney would have increased as much as they do if they didn't. I would assume attendance would increase still but revenue may not have grown as much as it did. Just my opinion.

Absolutely agree. Six Flags is a series of regional amusement parks compared to Univeral's true destination Resorts. I was just using a player in a similar business to drive home a point about Disney's massive size. You're right about there being a difference in quality, offerings, and true hotel availability. No disputing that.

Keep in mind rteetz, as you well know Universal raised ticket prices last January. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...rsal-orlando-the-wizarding-world-diagon-alley

Now you and I both know that these ticket prices effect the entire year. Remember that Universal reports growth year over year just like Disney. So a significant portion of those revenues are attributable to ticket price increases that took place early last year. Not trying to negate the attendance growth but it certainly helped Revenues that there was a nice price increase too.

The really interesting thing would've been to see both Resorts without price increases. It's true Disney would've grown more slowly but so would Universal.

 

[skier_pete]

Disney has released the dates for Halloween party this year

http://m.wdwmagic.com/events/mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party/news/24feb2015-mickey's-not-so-scary-halloween-party-dates-now-available.htm

Hmmmm....no Labor Day dates this year. We are going to be there for Labor Day. I am fine with no party, but at the moment they are showing a couple days of Labor day weekend MK closing at 7 PM. Looks like that will change, huh?

 

[jtwibih]

Man that view of the theater is great. Looks like it could use some touch ups but other than that I am very impressed.

Never saw DHS without the hat. I was a first time Disney visitor as an adult so........