Restarting my question about the impact Harry Potter Land could have

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I asked this question months ago and the consensus seemed to be...."not all that much. I'll go for a day or two".

Right now....Disney cannot afford to loose ONE quest....even for ONE day.

Now that the world's pocketbooks look a little different, let me ask the question again.

Do you think the opening of Harry Potter Land will have an impact on Disney?

 

[lugnut33]

Whatever puts more money in the shareholders pocket is what's important. Don't forget that.

With that said, they can afford to lose guests as long as they keep cutting in other areas, that way the shareholders are happy that their dividends are not being cut.

 

[doconeill]

If we are going to WDW for at least a week, we expect that at least one day will be spent OUT of the parks. That isn't likely to change.

However, as much as we'd like to check out the HP stuff, we do not plan on going to Universal until both kids are able to ride all the attractions there.

Plus, given the size of the place now (DW and I haven't been there since '97, much different then), I'd expect to spend two days there and probably a night at the hotel there, so in that sense WDW might lose a day from me.

We're doing a day at Sea World in April (also haven't been there since '97, very much different now).

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

It'll have a short term moderate effect I think.

But MH you must know that Universal Orlando cannot really afford to lose even one guest either BUT the fact that in these economic hard times they are improving their lot, not only with HP but with the new coaster at USO which will open in March, says something about current Universal management vs. current Disney management, I think.

Combine those issues with the way City Walk greeted PI refugees and you have one Company who is trying at least a little bit and it's not Disney...

Iger's a slug (haven't said it for awhile).

 

[zulemara]

It'll have a short term moderate effect I think.

But MH you must know that Universal Orlando cannot really afford to lose even one guest either BUT the fact that in these economic hard times they are improving their lot, not only with HP but with the new coaster at USO which will open in March, says something about current Universal management vs. current Disney management, I think.

Combine those issues with the way City Walk greeted PI refugees and you have one Company who is trying at least a little bit and it's not Disney...

Iger's a slug (haven't said it for awhile).

AMEN!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Combine those issues with the way City Walk greeted PI refugees and you have one Company who is trying at least a little bit and it's not Disney...

Universal Studios Florida will never be (and can never be) what Walt Disney World is. But they are a powerhouse nonetheless that is taking away 1-2 days of visitor stays away from the Mouse. And that translates to $millions. The investments being made right now could very easily steal a 3rd day away from Disney visitors staying a week in town. Universal is displaying a confidence in the future and is aggressively going after families (with HP) and teens/young adults (with the new rocket coaster). Meanwhile Disney is doing very little investing in future attractions and of course completely abandoned the adult late-evening market.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Universal Studios Florida will never be (and can never be) what Walt Disney World is. But they are a powerhouse nonetheless that is taking away 1-2 days of visitor stays away from the Mouse. And that translates to $millions. The investments being made right now could very easily steal a 3rd day away from Disney visitors staying a week in town. Universal is displaying a confidence in the future and is aggressively going after families (with HP) and teens/young adults (with the new rocket coaster). Meanwhile Disney is doing very little investing in future attractions and of course completely abandoned the adult late-evening market.

BobK/Orlando

Totally agree. I don't mean to intimate that Universal is Disney but in Orlando they are pushing Disney WAY, WAY, WAY more than I ever thought possible! If WDW had just maintained their normal business posture Universal would have never had a shot. But Disney got greedy and cocky and some geniuses (Iger) decided that the Disney BRAND was so GRRRREAT it couldn't be touched. Wrong.

Iger's a slug.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Short answer-no. Maybe short term, but I'm of the opinion Potter won't have much staying power over time.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Totally agree. I don't mean to intimate that Universal is Disney but in Orlando they are pushing Disney WAY, WAY, WAY more than I ever thought possible! If WDW had just maintained their normal business posture Universal would have never had a shot. But Disney got greedy and cocky and some geniuses (Iger) decided that the Disney BRAND was so GRRRREAT it couldn't be touched. Wrong.

Iger's a slug.

DITTO X 10

Universal's hotels are WAY better...bigger rooms plus they have something Disney cannot offer....FRONT OF THE LINE. Their rides are WAY better than Disney's and Universal is continuing to invest in their property.

Problem now...how many children read Harry Potter books....wait until THOSE commercials hit the televisions. Kids are going to BEG to go to Harry Potter.


When times were good, Disney steadily took away perks from their loyal guests. Universal Studios started building a new theme park.

 

[lugnut33]

It doesn't matter as long as the shareholders are happy. What I learned in the another thread is Disney only can listen to the shareholder or they'll be thrown in jail. Doesn't matter if anyone goes to the parks, as long as the shareholder is placated.

 

[jarrdisney]

Disney can not hold a candle to Harry Potter right now. There's not a doubt in my mind it will hurt them. Guests that usually stay on disney property one week, might do disney 4 days and universal 3. Disney has made some real poor desicions over the past couple years, and while I still love WDW, I hope they learn from their mistakes.

 

[CoP Luv]

We are heading down this fall probably and I would love to go back to US (haven't been there in about 15 years!) for Harry Potter. I am a HUGE fan!

 

[doconeill]

It doesn't matter as long as the shareholders are happy. What I learned in the another thread is Disney only can listen to the shareholder or they'll be thrown in jail. Doesn't matter if anyone goes to the parks, as long as the shareholder is placated.

It isn't quite a "go to jail" situation, but it is a problem nowadays. If a corporation does not do what the shareholders deem is necessary for them to preserve their value (stock price, dividends, etc.), they sue the corporation for whatever they call it that week...

 

[rebecca06261]

We are heading down this fall probably and I would love to go back to US (haven't been there in about 15 years!) for Harry Potter. I am a HUGE fan!

HP will be opening in 2010

 

[Goofy'slady]

While it won't change how we do Disney(none in my family really likes US and we're not fans of HP) I do think it will have an affect on Disney. There are alot of HP fans young and old alike and they will be flocking to see Harry Potter Land for a few years to come and this will take money away from Disney - anyone with half a brain can see that . With that said I do think it will force Disney to keep things interesting througout the parks and resorts to keep people on property and I for one would be interested in what those things could be and at what cost to us the consumer.

I will admit that PI never really held my interest enough to visit more than the one time I did, but that was when I was around 21; now that I'm 32 and value actually spending adult time with my husband and even some friends I just might give City Walk ago in the near future. However, I'm just as interested in seeing what new dining and shops Disney has in store for what was PI and I'm sure I'll spend time there with my entire family as well.

T.

 

[redrosesix]

If it is open in time for our next trip Feb. 2010, we plan to stay 1 week there, so 1 less week at WDW (depending on the hotels, etc. that we have yet to look into) So instead of a 7 day park pass, we will likely do only 2-3 at WDW. We have been putting off Universal until this is opened. I don't even dare tell my little "Hermione" about it -- she would be way too excited.

BTW, HP is way more popular here than all of the Disney films put together, especially among older kids. It is now a rite of passage to be able to read HP on one's own.

 

[zulemara]

However, I'm just as interested in seeing what new dining and shops Disney has in store for what was PI and I'm sure I'll spend time there with my entire family as well.

T.

don't hold your breath. Would that be the Hanes T-shirt shop located in the marketplace(note: NOT on PI) or the giant blimp ride that's on the west side(note: NOT on PI) Funny...nothing they have announced is even ON PI other than the food court they are building. Good job Disney execs, you get a gold star

Go Universal is all I can say. While Disney is trying to homogenize their parks worldwide, Universal is making unique experiences.

I will say, though, that nothing can replace the atmosphere, specifically in the Magic Kingdom, that Disney is able to create.

I think it will have some effect on Disney and Disney really needs to be ready to counter it. Saying "but we built TSM 2 years ago" is not gonna cut it with guests.

 

[DisFlan]

I'd say it depends on what they end up with. The original plans were pretty ambitious. If they've had to cut corners because of the economy and they end up with something less, or slightly cheesier, than people are expecting, its popularity will suffer. (HP fans take their HP pretty seriously. Details matter.)

If it ends up being a full-on, dynamite, well-executed attraction, then they're good to go. It'll be a big draw.


DisFlan

 

[redrosesix]

I think the test will be whether J K Rowlings signs off on it -- if she looks pleased, I think people will love it. If there are rumours that she is unhappy, WDW has nothing to worry about.

 

[Padrepride]

Universal Studios Florida will never be (and can never be) what Walt Disney World is. But they are a powerhouse nonetheless that is taking away 1-2 days of visitor stays away from the Mouse. And that translates to $millions. The investments being made right now could very easily steal a 3rd day away from Disney visitors staying a week in town. Universal is displaying a confidence in the future and is aggressively going after families (with HP) and teens/young adults (with the new rocket coaster). Meanwhile Disney is doing very little investing in future attractions and of course completely abandoned the adult late-evening market.

BobK/Orlando

I agree. Disney is doing nothing in terms of attractions for the long-term future. Unless Disney announces something big in this upcoming "Are you 23" announcement, Disney could continue to lose revenue to Universal.