Thank you Universal!

[OKW Lover]

With all the news coming out of D23 I just thought it was time to give a big thanks to Universal for raising the bar. Proof that competition improves the brand!

 

[SorcererHeidi]

With all the news coming out of D23 I just thought it was time to give a big thanks to Universal for raising the bar. Proof that competition improves the brand!

I'll totally agree Jeff! Even though I've never been to Universal, read a Harry Potter book, or seen a Harry Potter movie, all those newer things are making me kind of want to go, especially since there are more tings I can do (can't do "thrill rides" due to spinal surgery in my neck, and everybody always told me that's mainly what Universal was made of). I have to "give props" to the DisUnplugged Universal Edition to also fostering the thought of me wanting to try ti someday!

 

[disneydad78]

Hahaha Amen. Hopefully the expansions will open by 2030!!!

 

[Tonyz]

The best arms race around!

 

[Princess Jes]

I agree that competition is good and that Disney is getting people in the doors at record numbers, but tend to agree that it's no competition: Universal wins hands down.
The first HP expansion got people in the doors, and still does: with a park so full of e-ticket thrill rides, FJ still has long wait times, so one HP area would have been great and going by disney standards, wouldn't have required the second expansion. But they did it anyway, and in 3 years.
Disney doesn't "need" to be fast, but they'd want to get toy story or Star Wars up and running FAST to not only "win"'the current race, but to be BETTER.

 

[minniesBFF]

With all the news coming out of D23 I just thought it was time to give a big thanks to Universal for raising the bar. Proof that competition improves the brand!

Couldn't agree more! Anything to push Disney in the right direction!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I agree that competition is good and that Disney is getting people in the doors at record numbers, but tend to agree that it's no competition: Universal wins hands down.
The first HP expansion got people in the doors, and still does: with a park so full of e-ticket thrill rides, FJ still has long wait times, so one HP area would have been great and going by disney standards, wouldn't have required the second expansion.

Universal has what? Two theme parks (CA and FL)? Disney has them all over the world and has been around for much longer and has massive wait times to the point that they had to create the MDE/FP system. I'm not sure I can agree that Universal wins here.

 

[Princess Jes]

Universal has what? Two theme parks (CA and FL)? Disney has them all over the world and has been around for much longer and has massive wait times to the point that they had to create the MDE/FP system. I'm not sure I can agree that Universal wins here.

Didn't universal just win the trip advisor best theme park award/title?
That's voted by the people

 

[goofeyken]

Thanks Universal, oh and btw checkmate suckers.

 

[ChrisFL]

Universal has what? Two theme parks (CA and FL)? Disney has them all over the world and has been around for much longer and has massive wait times to the point that they had to create the MDE/FP system. I'm not sure I can agree that Universal wins here.

You may want to actually do some research. Universal has parks in:

Orlando (which itself has 2 parks, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure)
Hollywood
Osaka, Japan
Singapore

...and more parks being planned now, Beijing, Moscow (maybe) and possibly more.

Also, Universal has been giving Studio tours since the turn of the last century...decades before Walt made Disneyland.

 

[Tonyz]

Thanks Universal, oh and btw checkmate suckers.

Haha! Love it!

 

[Tonyz]

Didn't universal just win the trip advisor best theme park award/title?
That's voted by the people

Trip Adviser's voters are basically Universal's main demographic. Doesn't mean much.

 

[SunnyKYLake]

With all the news coming out of D23 I just thought it was time to give a big thanks to Universal for raising the bar. Proof that competition improves the brand!

LOL, that's what I was telling my family last night!

Didn't universal just win the trip advisor best theme park award/title?
That's voted by the people

Pete and the Podcasters have said that when Disney and Universal competes, WE win! I agree with that!

I haven't been to Universal yet, and have to admit that if it wasn't for Harry Potter it might not be on my must do list. Not that I was ever ANTI-Universal, it's just in the years of daydreaming about getting back to WDW, it never occurred to me to venture out and visit the OTHER places in Orlando.

Disney has had my heart since I was little bitty...the movies, tv specials, characters, WDW...the memories and history just can't be erased and replaced with another company. But, I can certainly appreciate other quality companies for what they are.

Of course, it does create problems...how to duplicate yourself so that you can enjoy all these fabulous attractions in the limited amount of vacation time you have...

 

[ninecrayons]

With all the news coming out of D23 I just thought it was time to give a big thanks to Universal for raising the bar. Proof that competition improves the brand!

I absolutely agree! It looks like lots of fabulous and fun things are on the horizon.

And in terms of who's "winning" - I don't think either of them truly is the winner. I think the fans of the parks get to reap the best of both worlds!

I love Universal and I think they do a great job. And seeing the world of Harry Potter brought to life has been one of the coolest things I've ever experienced. If that's not your cup of Butterbeer, so be it.