Top five ways Universal can compete with Disney

[derekburgan]

Planogirl - I think Universal has some room for more rides catering to children. When I took our two year old there earlier this year there was actually more for her than I'd thought there would be, but there is also room for more. As for everyone else, it looks like they are on a clear path to success. Everything they have put their "touch" on in the last several years has been solid. The updates to Citywalk, the parade, the lagoon show, Spongebob's store, and Spidey's HD upgrade were great and Despicable Me looks like a home run (would be shocked if it wasn't). If the Harry Potter rumors are true, and they come out with some amazing plans, I bet we see Disney move up the "bringing Cars Land to Hollywood Studios" project.

Disney fans should be concerned that a company with such a deep history, and such amazing movies/characters, had to purchase Pixar and Marvel to stay relevant. The lack of creative is simply shocking and let's just hope the Corporate Culture at Disney, which destroyed the relevance of it's home grown material, doesn't slowly destroy Pixar and Marvel too. Universal will never be an apples to apples comparison to Disney, but the seas are changing. The families who only grew up with Disney World are becoming the minority and Harry Potter was HUGE in getting the non-American's away from Disney property. I have friends who work with plenty of people from the UK and Brazil and until Potter opened they would always love to come to Florida and go to Disney, and ONLY Disney. Now not only do they go to Universal, they go to Universal first.

Bedogged - When did you last ride FJ? Universal has dealt with the issue of larger people riding. I don't understand your point of Disney cashing in on a market where everything has to be "dumbed down" to the point where every single person in the world can ride something. Slow moving dark rides are great, but every theme park poll shows that people now want 3-5 minute "thrill rides." And where were all these larger people in protest of rides that have had a height minimum requirement?

 

[bedogged]

derekburgan wrote:

Bedogged - When did you last ride FJ? Universal has dealt with the issue of larger people riding. I don't understand your point of Disney cashing in on a market where everything has to be "dumbed down" to the point where every single person in the world can ride something. Slow moving dark rides are great, but every theme park poll shows that people now want 3-5 minute "thrill rides." And where were all these larger people in protest of rides that have had a height minimum requirement?

I attempted to ride FJ last Saturday. You have not been keeping up with current events. Neither my daughter or myself could ride because they will no longer assist you in pushing the bar down. My daughter is 5'5" 180 pounds with a large chest. Many larger men could not ride either. The ride attendant told us at that time about the change in policy.

I am not asking Universal to change the content of their rides. What I want is to be able to ride a ride that I paid for should I choose to do so. I do not ask that any ride be "dumbed down."

I'm sorry, but I just don't understand your question regarding "height minimum requirement."

 

[derekburgan]

I did not know about the attendant having to push the chest harness down. It still only has to get two clicks in the modified seating though, right?

 

[CentralFloridian99]

Last year Universal almost took me away from Disney. That was until I went to MNSSHP and rode Star Tours. The closing of Jaws turned me away ALOT.

 

[bedogged]

I did not know about the attendant having to push the chest harness down. It still only has to get two clicks in the modified seating though, right?

I have no idea how many clicks it takes. I only know that my daughter and myself didn't make it.

 

[jebobak]

I have had, by far, *better* interactions with TMs over CMs.

And I know that many of the TMs are also CMs, and vice versa, but I have never met the same person working in each capacity to compare how they behave in one park vs the other. All I know is that the CMs I've dealt with fade out during interactions, while the TMs I've met have been 100% there. I like 100%.

I second this. The CM's during our recent trip were a mixed bag...a few really good ones, and quite a few really didn't seem to care. However, at Universal, just about all of the TM's were very nice and enthusiastic. We also met and had pictures taken with all of the superheroes, and they were all great.

Also, I just had to mention...I could have sworn Captain America at IOA was also the big German guy Indy fights at the end of the Indiana Jones Stunt Show! I didn't want to ask and have him "break" character in front of my son, but I have been really curious ever since. I guess I had never considered people being both CM's and TM's...

 

[Senator Tressel]

1. Show me that smile again-

LOL. Now I can't get the Growing Pains song out of my head.

The answer is the Universal can never compete with Disney unless they add more parks, which they can't. It's just never going to be as all encompassing of a destination. Universal will continue to try to get people to stray from Disney for a day or two and be happy with that.


P.S. Don't waste another minute on your cryin', we're nowhere near the end. The best is ready to begin.

 

[andyman8]

Being a developer, if I was to build a theme park (not happening, though), I would probably model it closer to Universal than Disney because it is cheaper to run, more manageable, and has just the same amount of potential as Disney does. Not to mention, UOR's onsite hotels are superior to Disney's.

I, actually, wouldn't like to see a HP expansion rather just more theming like that as OP said.

I agree!

 

[UniBoy]

P.S. Don't waste another minute on your cryin', we're nowhere near the end. The best is ready to begin.

And now, you are my new favorite person

 

[Planogirl]

I thought that Universal added larger seats for those who couldn't fit easily and that this problem was for the most part over with. I asked about this on the other thread but haven't seen anything.

It has been a while since anyone said that they couldn't ride.

 

[sTINKS]

A shuttle to the hotels would be nice.....like Magie Express only cooler! Pull the people in, get them their as easily as possible.

 

[bedogged]

I thought that Universal added larger seats for those who couldn't fit easily and that this problem was for the most part over with. I asked about this on the other thread but haven't seen anything.

It has been a while since anyone said that they couldn't ride.

My daughter and I could not ride LAST SATURDAY. We used the larger seats. It was explained to us at the time that the ride attendant could no longer assist with pushing the bar down.

 

[RMulieri]

My daughter and I could not ride LAST SATURDAY. We used the larger seats. It was explained to us at the time that the ride attendant could no longer assist with pushing the bar down.

I am wondering if Maybe someone got injured with the Tms pushing it down and they have a pending lawsuit.So that is why they are no longer assisting

 

[Metro West]

I am wondering if Maybe someone got injured with the Tms pushing it down and they have a pending lawsuit.So that is why they are no longer assisting

That wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility.

 

[keishashadow]

The mouse owns me, Universal is a choice. I don't use the word lightly, but yes, i do love the very distinct and different way I feel when enjoying both parks.

As for improving Universal:

#1 Enlarge the parks as to scale. I have no idea where they'd find the land and it's probably not feasible, but many disney people do tend to equate quantity with quality.

#2 Install a haunted house walk thru with live actors (as does USH)

#3 Universal branded timeshare, whether it be in one of the hotel wings or branded with an offsite property that receives all the same onsite percs (i.e. FOTL)

#4 Classic Universal monsters are under-utilized and the cafe needs to be re-tooled as to food offerings and quality. If need be try a tableserve option with characters.

#5 Remember the county's demographics, many aging baby boomers still enjoy theme parks but need to avoid the more agressive rides. Dark rides, simulators, walk thru exhibits (classic monsters, movie memorabilia, occasional speaker - HHN developers, etc.) would be appreciated.

 

[minijeanie]

A shuttle to the hotels would be nice.....like Magie Express only cooler! Pull the people in, get them their as easily as possible.

I vote for a shuttle from the airport as well
I think it stinks that you have to pay $17 a day to park while staying in one of their resorts. Having a shuttle would keep all its's guests in house and eating more at hotels and citywalk.

Anyone know what their reasoning is for not having the shuttle?

 

[Metro West]

#2 Install a haunted house walk thru with live actors (as does USH)

Nah...I think this type of attraction would take away from HHN. One of the reasons HHN is so special is it only lasts a month and then it's gone for a year.

 

[ajpa]

I vote for a shuttle from the airport as well
I think it stinks that you have to pay $17 a day to park while staying in one of their resorts. Having a shuttle would keep all its's guests in house and eating more at hotels and citywalk.

Anyone know what their reasoning is for not having the shuttle?

Another vote for an airport shuttle. Can't understand shy they don't offer this, even for a small extra charge. Hubby loves not having to drive while at wdw (driving stresses him out every day).

 

[damo]

Another vote for an airport shuttle. Can't understand shy they don't offer this, even for a small extra charge. Hubby loves not having to drive while at wdw (driving stresses him out every day).

I don't think there are enough people to warrant it or make it run economically.

 

[keishashadow]

Nah...I think this type of attraction would take away from HHN. One of the reasons HHN is so special is it only lasts a month and then it's gone for a year.

I was thinking of clone of USH's House of Horrors, it features movie scenes with a few live versions of the Universal movie monsters. I get what you're saying about HHN being very special but USH has had it in place for years and does their own halloween haunt. imo it'd be good exposure for those attending Universal and possibly bring more guests back for the event who otherwise wouldn't attend.

http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/attractions/universals-house-of-horrors/

here's a walkthrough

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joD_WyVCEp4

cost wise unlikely, due to actors' salaries, but i'd settle for a dark ride paying homage to old-school universal monsters lol