Universal is taking advantage of Disney's weak spot

[999DoomBuggies]

More folks will drop in to Universal for a couple of days, but not so many are going to move to making Universal the focal point of their Orlando vacation. If Universal adds another park, they might achieve that, especially for families with older kids.

If universal continues to build the nostalgic factor with phenomenon such as Harry potter then this young generation will feel more attached to universal studios just based on the fact that they build a themed land based on the most popular books of their generation.

Off the path, but as far as I know, Peter Pan, grims fairy tales, etc are free for the taking. What happens if universal starts focusing on this genre? At this point universal is building all attractions better than disney. Would be pretty crazy to go see an updated version of Snow White at universal.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

How do you know Universal's attractions are better than the Avatar ones? Of course there isn't anybody out there who is nostalgically attached to Avatar. I'm talking the ATTRACTIONS. If everyone is saying Universal's attractions are so much better.

And couldn't there be some legal block against Universal using Disney characters, like Disney can't use the Marvel characters in the east (although Disney owns Marvel) because Universal has the theme park rights to them?

 

[EMode]

If universal continues to build the nostalgic factor with phenomenon such as Harry potter then this young generation will feel more attached to universal studios just based on the fact that they build a themed land based on the most popular books of their generation.

Off the path, but as far as I know, Peter Pan, grims fairy tales, etc are free for the taking. What happens if universal starts focusing on this genre? At this point universal is building all attractions better than disney. Would be pretty crazy to go see an updated version of Snow White at universal.

I agree with the bolded. The one thing that my kids said on our last visit to WDW was that they wished there were more attractions based on the characters they are growing up with. This was when we were waiting for BOG and we were talking about the Mine Train. They can't even identify with Snow White and the 7 dwarfs so they really couldn't care less about the ride featuring them. They want to be immersed in worlds they identify, not re-live mom and dad's (or in Snow White's case, Great Grandma ) memories.

 

[sethschroeder]

As it stands now, these parks need to add a MAJOR headliner every few years. Universal has added numerous attractions of late that are each significant enough to draw visitors to Orlando by themselves. Disney hasn't added anything of that magnitude since the opening of AK & Kilimanjaro Safari.

Disney is 3 years away from opening an attraction based on a movie that is already 5 years old and hasn't really show any staying power. Universal has Minion Mayhem now.

Disney doesn't add a ride based on a 1 hit wonder, they are releasing more avatar movies. If anything you could say UNI is the one behind times as nothing new in the Potter universe is planned right?

Universal has to pull all stops just to get new people to consider them. Disney needs to pull all stops of ineptitude to get people not to consider them.

 

[wareagle57]

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.

This has always bothered me. Why does Universal close so early? Surely plenty of guests are willing to stay in the parks until 9 or even 10 and continue to spend money. I'm sure they know what they are doing, but it's really surprising that they can't keep enough people in the park that late. Especially on a Friday night. Perhaps by closing early they hope people will see a movie, or spend money in other ways in whatever that strip mall area is called.

 

[999DoomBuggies]

How do you know Universal's attractions are better than the Avatar ones? Of course there isn't anybody out there who is nostalgically attached to Avatar. I'm talking the ATTRACTIONS. If everyone is saying Universal's attractions are so much better. And couldn't there be some legal block against Universal using Disney characters, like Disney can't use the Marvel characters in the east (although Disney owns Marvel) because Universal has the theme park rights to them?

Oh yes there will be legal issues if US prances out the same princesses. US could stay true to grims fairy tales of Snow White or whatever and develop their own princess base without any legal issues. It would only take one or two princesses to make US a required visit for fans of that genre.

 

[999DoomBuggies]

Disney doesn't add a ride based on a 1 hit wonder, they are releasing more avatar movies. If anything you could say UNI is the one behind times as nothing new in the Potter universe is planned right? Universal has to pull all stops just to get new people to consider them. Disney needs to pull all stops of ineptitude to get people not to consider them.

Disney is rolling the dice on avatar when they already own Star Wars, that should tell you how ****ty disney management is...

 

[FLchick415]

Disney is rolling the dice on avatar when they already own Star Wars, that should tell you how ****ty disney management is...

Not necessarily. I have ZERO interest in the Avatar movies, but based on the concept art, I'm pretty excited about what this could do for AK.

 

[clsteve]

Disney doesn't add a ride based on a 1 hit wonder, they are releasing more avatar movies. If anything you could say UNI is the one behind times as nothing new in the Potter universe is planned right?

Universal has to pull all stops just to get new people to consider them. Disney needs to pull all stops of ineptitude to get people not to consider them.

This is sarcasm, right? I mean, it has to be.

Potter behind the times? My kids' grandkids will be reading the books and watching the movies

 

[wareagle57]

Just so you are in the loop, this is what Universal's plan is at the moment...

Diagon Alley
Hogwarts Express
King Kong next to Jurassic Park
Family coaster in Jurassic Park
Cababa Bay Value resort
New Waterpark between the CBR and Pacific Royal Resort
Overhaul of the KidsZone attraction area
Sprucing up Citywalk currently and adding 5 new eateries
Bought up a large chunk of real estate across I-4 (3rd gate anyone?)

There is more, but it makes Disney's attempt at building The Blue Cat People from Fern Gully look even more lame. And that is still 3-4 years away! I sure hope the rumors of Universal landing Lord of The Rings doesn't come to fruition. Can you imagine what THAT would do?

This.

Whether Universal is hurting Disney financially, I don't think so. But they are commited to continue chipping away and doing things that guests will appreciate. My problem with the decisions Disney has been making is not because I'm worried about their finances, it is because I am worried about their good will towards customers.

I was last at Disney/Universal in December 2012. 4 days at Disney, one at Universal. (Disney wins.) But since then, Universal has added Springfield, Transformers, and by the time I get back this year Diagon Alley and Gringotts. What will be new at Disney? A kiddie coaster they were building last time I was there and I have to wear a bracelet now so I can ride less rides. Thanks Disney.

Universals 5 year plan is amazing, and it has me really excited. I appreciate what they are doing. If Disney did that, Universal could not keep up. Avatar land might be amazing, we don't know yet, but it was hardly the best idea. And I don't know how far 1 billion spend on magic bands could have gone, but I would imagine it would cover at least 1 new e-ticket attraction per park.

 

[EMode]

Not necessarily. I have ZERO interest in the Avatar movies, but based on the concept art, I'm pretty excited about what this could do for AK.

I agree, but if WDW made a Star Wars land I'd probably hold off my on my plans to go to Universal because my kids and dh would be more than happy to spend their entire vacation immersed in all things SW.

 

[FLchick415]

I agree, but if WDW made a Star Wars land I'd probably hold off my on my plans to go to Universal because my kids and dh would be more than happy to spend their entire vacation immersed in all things SW.

I agree that SW probably would have been better to start off with, but who knows what's going on behind the scenes. There may very well be something coming down the pipeline.

 

[EMode]

I agree that SW probably would have been better to start off with, but who knows what's going on behind the scenes. There may very well be something coming down the pipeline.

That would be the best news. I'm the WDW lover in the family and I'm going to need something to get my kids and dh to want to continue to go back, especially after they get a taste of Universal.

 

[FLchick415]

That would be the best news. I'm the WDW lover in the family and I'm going to need something to get my kids and dh to want to continue to go back, especially after they get a taste of Universal.

Because let's be honest, Disney would be FOOLISH *not* to capitalize on doing something amazing with SW. lol

 

[johde]

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.

While not as big as Disney, Universal is also a worldwide presence with Universal's Port Aventura in Spain, Universal Studios Japan, and Universal Singapore in addition to the U.S. parks.

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.

I was already beaten to the Grad bash Comment. Also, It's not been that long ago that Disney's Animal Kingdom was open 9:00 - 5:00.

Why are so many posters around here so hellbent on believing there is this cold war going on between Disney and Universal right now?

Yes, Universal is constructing a lot lately, but it hasn't been "insanely" more than Disney. WW and NFL cancel each other out essentially. This has been argued endlessly on other threads. Some may not like NFL as much as WW, but attraction for attraction, they're both very comparable, even with the new expansion at WW. WW has been doing great to rejuvenate a near bankrupt Universal and IoA. Numbers are steeply up after being steeply down. TEA numbers for NFL are not out yet, so not much to compare there.

Universal has been working on Springfield, Disney has been working on Disney Springs. I hear a lot about "Springfield is just a bunch of shops and crap!" That's pretty much what WW is.

Universal has done Transformers and whatever else. I'll admit, I don't really go to Universal much. Maybe once every five years or so, so I'm not all that aware of what goes on. I just know what I hear about. Disney is working on Avatarland. Disney has also invested and is in final testing phases of their revolutionary technology in MM+. There are bugs now, but they are listening, and they are fixing them. Once this project is done, it will change everything. The sky is the limit with this new tech. It will just be one more thing that will show why Disney is dominating the market, and will force Universal to be imitative rather than innovative once again to play catch up, as always. The hub construction is going on to help with crowds. There is always some kind of construction going on to make something in the parks better.

I never get the argument that Disney is laying around doing nothing while Universal is doing all this construction. If you believe that, you're not paying attention.

WDW has twenty two resorts, four theme parks, and two water parks. Universal Orlando has four resorts, two theme parks, and one water park...all dramatically less successful than Disney's parks....like 8 mil vs 17.5 mil difference in attendance between both companies best parks in Orlando. Universal is playing catch up, at best. WDW's worst park DHS still has Universal Orlando's best park beat by millions in attendance.

Universal is no where near "scaring" or unseating Disney, not in Orlando, not anywhere. Disney is playing chess, Universal is playing checkers. There is no war to put the other out of business.

So, if we assume Hogwarts = NLF. Disney Springs is like the changes at Universal City walk opening up several new restaurants this year, and We'll also throw into this the new team member parking garage.

So We have Springfield and rethemed Simpson's ride, Rethemed Minion Mayhem Ride, Transformer's and WWoHP Diagon Alley. In addition, plans have been leaked for a new King Kong mini-land in Islands of adventure in 2015 or 2016 and rumors of a refurbishment of Kids Zone in 2015 or 2016 as well.

All of that thing said, I agree that Universal has been playing catchup. But while "scared" may be too strong of a word I definitely think Disney is "concerned" about Universal but their choosing to fight a different battle for over almost a decade now. In 2004 a 4 day ticket was the same price was 4 1 day tickets. Yes it also included Park Hopping and Never Expired. With the Introduction of MYW tickets Disney has basically started giving away days 4-10. So Disney has 4 theme parks and right now your 4th day costs $20 extra and your 5th through 10th days cost $10 each.

So, you have a situation where the 800lb gorilla is the MK. At nearly 18 million visitors it isn't even close. EPCOT, DHS, and DAK are getting a major boost in attendance because they are cheap addons to a MK vacation. To go to Universal, people are starting over with another $100 ticket again.

 

[BenbowInn]

Between my middle school kids, my wife who is a teacher, and various friends with school age kids, I often hear about people being excited that they are going to Disney. I've never heard anybody exclaiming that they're going to Universal.

Really? A majority of the people I've ever mentioned an upcoming trip to, from family to cashiers at the grocery stores, has said "oh you have to check out universal, it's awesome!"

Just last week I was informed by 4 uncles and 1 cousin that Universal is so much better than Disney. Before our last DW trip last December we had a plumber come out and he saw I was packing so he asked where were headed and when I told him Disney he said, "been there and Universal beats Disney hands down."

Apparently here in Indiana we don't have very many Disney lovers cause anyone over 8 or so is never that interested or says we should go to Universal cause it looks cooler.

I enjoy Disney very much and spent a day at Disneyland Paris last month and have a Disney Cruise this December, but to think that Disney World will always come out ahead is just silly. Their only saving grace is a worldwide economy that is developing and giving overseas guest admission for next to nothing compared what is americans pay. Without that the parks would most definitely be less crowded.

We're going to spend a few days checking out Universal before our Disney cruise. I would love to check out Disney but I refuse to schedule rides in advance. That's insane to me so it looks like our Disney World days are done until changes are made. It's annoying enough making dining reservations ahead of time, our last trip we ended up canceling every reservation and eating offsite and it was the best Disney trip yet. No way am I going back to scheduling my days at a theme park months in advance.

 

[jimmysmom74]

I know many people here may not remember the battles of the 90s between these 2 powerhouses, but they were epic. I was a teenager and got to experience first hand the fun of DHS(MGM) and Universal. Then IoA and so on. Competition between these parks is the best thing that can happen to us, the consumer. Construction will happen quicker, imagineers/creative teams will work tirelessly, and more money will be spent to woo us.

Anyone who believes that HP has not hurt WDW is only fooling themselves, but it is all gravy for us. Just sit back and watch the show.

This isn't a TeeBall game, everyone doesn't have to be a winner all the time, a little competition never hurts.

 

[nancipants]

Lol @ anyone that doesn't believe that US and DW are not in a direct war. US plans to dump an additional 2 billion into their parks. US is definitely hurting Disney, to deny would be disingenuous. A short sighted view of ten years will find that US has not greatly harmed Disney. A long term view can see these past five years as the turning point and the potential for US to unseat disney 20 yrs down the road. Many laughed at the idea that Asian countries could build tvs and cars better than the United States and look at them now.

I live in the area. I have annual passes to both parks. I like both of them. Universal is better for rides. Disney is better for overall experience.

The execs know that many visitors frequent both parks. They want this. Disney is not going to suffer because Universal is doing well. Competition is good. Competition breeds innovation.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Disney doesn't add a ride based on a 1 hit wonder, they are releasing more avatar movies. If anything you could say UNI is the one behind times as nothing new in the Potter universe is planned right?

Universal has to pull all stops just to get new people to consider them. Disney needs to pull all stops of ineptitude to get people not to consider them.

Harry Potter DWARFS Avatar in terms of fan devotion. And as I mentioned, it's the kind of attraction that makes people buy plane tickets even if they don't care about anything else at Universal. Disney hasn't added an attraction of that magnitude in nearly 2 decades.

Someone upstream summed it up best. WWoHP is a "game changer" kind of attraction. Even if Avatarland ends being a "better" attraction, it won't ever have that kind of draw. And they're slow to the punch anyway. If Universal had a chance to do a major "Frozen" attraction, they'd be launching it within 2 years tops. What does Disney have planned? Anything?

 

[ArwenMarie]

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.

Yep, that's the danger of taking your kids to Universal

I like your use of the word "quaint" so true. Not having to manage ADRs and FP reservations was so great, and yes, quaint in a sense.

More folks will drop in to Universal for a couple of days, but not so many are going to move to making Universal the focal point of their Orlando vacation. If Universal adds another park, they might achieve that, especially for families with older kids.

Yep. Even if it's the other way around, that people are in town to see Disney primarily, what Disney doesn't want is people splitting their stay between the two parks, including the hotels. But I think that is what is going to happen more and more. It seems that part of Disney's strategy to combat "the other attractions in Orlando " as they like to say, is trying to "lock people in" with the FP+s.