Universal is taking advantage of Disney's weak spot

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Disney is spending billions on Magic Band technology and Shanghai Disney...as well as their other international parks.

Walt Disney World is getting hardly anything. Sure New Fantasyland and Avatarland(still three years away at least!) are going on but Universal is just growing and adding at an insane pace.

Since Disney is so much more *spread out* around the world with capital expenditures they are exposing their CROWN JEWEL Walt Disney World to insane pilfering from Universal.

I would love to hear froim anyone how WDW can recover from Universal Orlando's onslaught when Disney is spread too thin with their global commitments.

 

[Ofinn]

I think Disney will do just fine. I will admit it's fun to go to Universal every year and see new attractions. I think WDW is great the way it is, but it does get boring if you go every year of have annual passes. This is why we are taking a break for a few years.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

You need to check your facts. Disney is still eating US' lunch in Orlando. It isn't even close.

 

[TooExcitedCantSleep]

One is clearly engaged in a tit for tat battle---feasting upon the crumbs that fall the kings table.....while the other is engaged in a global war of theme park dominance.

 

[minmate]

This sort of reminds me of the twitter fights I see middle schoolers get in about which sport is better: hockey vs. Basketball and baseball vs. Lacrosse

The beauty of this world is that there is room for multiple options.

 

[Ellwood970]

But disneys expenses to operate WDW are huge. Universal does not have that expense.

 

[Mad Hattered]

You need to check your facts. Disney is still eating US' lunch in Orlando. It isn't even close.

I remember when Coke thought that about Pepsi. It's a Corporate "world" now...any loss in market share means a lot more than it used to. They may be eating their lunch but the portions are a lot smaller now.

 

[jimmysmom74]

I remember when Coke thought that about Pepsi. It's a Corporate "world" now...any loss in market share means a lot more than it used to. They may be eating their lunch but the portions are a lot smaller now.

This is so true!!! With the lack of headliners over the last decade for WDW, and the insanity of FP+, I am glad to be splitting my next stay with Universal. It is very exciting to see all the changes over there. I have been all WDW for too long, time to spread my wings.

 

[minnie mum]

Disney is spending billions on Magic Band technology and Shanghai Disney...as well as their other international parks.

Walt Disney World is getting hardly anything. Sure New Fantasyland and Avatarland(still three years away at least!) are going on but Universal is just growing and adding at an insane pace.

Since Disney is so much more *spread out* around the world with capital expenditures they are exposing their CROWN JEWEL Walt Disney World to insane pilfering from Universal.

I would love to hear froim anyone how WDW can recover from Universal Orlando's onslaught when Disney is spread too thin with their global commitments.

Insane pilfering????? Since the word pilfer means to steal something, typically of little value, perhaps you will clarify by explaining exactly what it is that Universal is supposed to be stealing from Disney. Guests?? Seems to me that Disney still holds the win in that category. I've yet to see threads on this board complaining about how empty the parks are. Attendance at WDW hasn't shown a drop recently, has it?

And what inside info do you have that Disney has spread itself too thin?? Are corporate earnings falling?? I don't follow Wall Street news - have they been reporting losses or at least a fall in profits lately??

 

[Cyrano]

Worth listening to the DisUnplugged Podcast interesting discussion about the market share increase at Universal and the reductions at Walt Disney World and Seaworld.

I don't think this suggests that Disney is in trouble but I am sure Bob Iger and the board are having some interesting discussions

 

[TaylorsDad]

Insane pilfering????? Since the word pilfer means to steal something, typically of little value, perhaps you will clarify by explaining exactly what it is that Universal is supposed to be stealing from Disney. Guests?? Seems to me that Disney still holds the win in that category. I've yet to see threads on this board complaining about how empty the parks are. Attendance at WDW hasn't shown a drop recently, has it?

And what inside info do you have that Disney has spread itself too thin?? Are corporate earnings falling?? I don't follow Wall Street news - have they been reporting losses or at least a fall in profits lately??

WDW is in no immediate danger from it but it is obvious Universal has been "stealing" guests. A few years ago on this board very few would have defended Universal in these threads comparing the two, now many who were putting down Universal despite having never been are the very ones speaking up for them. Also with the disappointment many are having with MB, FP+, and changes to the GAC now these threads are popping up on a regular basis, especially with the constant updates and new additions at Universal.

 

[hakepb]

Its a Friday night, and Universal Studios and IoA are open until......

6pm.

https://www.universalorlando.com/Resort-Information/Theme-Park-Hours.aspx



I'm sure Disney is very worried.

 

[patty57]

This sort of reminds me of the twitter fights I see middle schoolers get in about which sport is better: hockey vs. Basketball and baseball vs. Lacrosse

The beauty of this world is that there is room for multiple options.

Hockey and baseball are better. If I had a twitter account, I'd post it.

 

[blondietink]

We haven't been to WDW in over a year with our next planned trip not until early December. However, this past January we did go to Florida for a cruise .... and went to Universal instead. No BTG's, very low crowds, better rides/technology. Just a better experience all around.

So for our trip to WDW in December, we are only really going to enjoy the Christmas festivities. Don't want to do much in the way of rides except for the 7 Dwarfs Mine Train. See the new Fantasyland expansion (yes, it has been that long since we were there last). The prices seem to be insane compared to 2 years ago. Hope they come out with some kind of discounts as we have sticker shock compared to 2 years ago.

 

[dsdeleon]

Well I took the fam to onsite Universal/split stay this last week and they turned on me!! They only want Universal from here on out

I have to admit, it was SO SO nice and quaint. And to just walk into a place to eat when we felt like it and getting served better food at half the price. Then to ride rides (better ones to them) when we felt like it and not stuck on my ipad all day with app frustration. Heading over to Disney was a (surprisingly!) huge downgrade on our trip.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Actually there is no evidence that WDW is hurting or that UNI is doing overly well.


Report after report on the various forums show the MK as crowded almost all the time and the other parks more crowded then normal.

WDW has many new attractions coming down the road, including the DMT, Avatarland, Stars Wars expansion, totally new TDT, additionally resorts (which reports are also showing reservations are getting hard to obtain) not to mention the many smaller things going on.

Uni is busy with the new HP and that will help them with a attendance *Bump* at least for the 1st year, then we will see if the attendance bump continues as the Marvel characters don't seem to be adding much in attendance.


AKK

 

[JeremyGNJ]

"No one goes there anymore, it's too crowded" - Yogi Berra

That sums up Disney World

 

[anniemae]

I'm sure Disney will be fine. They are getting what they wanted, packed parks and full hotels. No matter what, it seems people will always flock to disney. Even when they raise prices, add mediocre rides etc. all I hear about is how crowded it is. They are doing something right.

That said, we actually talked about going to Universal this year instead of Disney. We have never been, but are looking into the Portofino hotel. I love Disney, but just can't justify spending that money to wait in lines all day. We are not a "planning" type of family and I can't plan out our rides months in advance, and waiting hours and hours in lines is not my idea of fun. We used to go during slow times, but it seems there is no slow time anymore, which again, is just what Disney wants. More people = more money.

 

[Seeker615]

There will always be a market for both. Years ago I loved Disney. Now I prefer Universal. My kids are grown up and my husband and I prefer the more mellow less stressful planning of Universal. It's wonderful to be able to walk to both parks and Citywalk. The state of the art rides and theming cannot be beat and I eagerly await the new Harry Potter expansion which looks amazing!

That said I do have 2 sweet little grand-daughters and I look forward to taking them to Disney. They will love it.

What I am seeing is that a lot of people who frequent Disney often are taking a break or discovering the less stressful vacation at Universal. Disney will always have a market as will Universal.

 

[Bruce in PA]

Ever heard the expression "A rising tide lifts all boats"? It applies in this case to Orlando theme parks.

Yes, Universal has been extremely successful over the past several years, almost entirely due to the new Harry Potter attractions. They've brought in thousands of new guests, many of whom might not have visited Orlando if not for HP.

And so, Universal's share of the pie has gotten slightly bigger. But at the same time the pie itself -- the number of people visiting Orlando theme parks -- has also grown. That's why, even though their share of the overall business isn't as big a percentage as it was -- Disney is still reporting record attendance and revenues at its Orlando parks.

Don't worry. This competition is only going to make your future experiences that much better when visiting Disney World.