Universal is taking advantage of Disney's weak spot

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Unless they buy up adjacent housing complexes, office parks or hotel properties, any addition of attractions for young kids, would be at the loss of attractions for bigger kids or adults.

Do you think it would be worth the cost if they decided to do that?

 

[damo]

True.

There's one problem with the idea of Universal "expanding in the kid department". That problem is...they are DONE growing. There's no where else for them to expand. They are out of land.

Unless they buy up adjacent housing complexes, office parks or hotel properties, any addition of attractions for young kids, would be at the loss of attractions for bigger kids or adults.

They are already buying up tons of land around Wet 'n Wild (which they already own), which is just across the I4 from the Royal Pacific. I've seen plans for restructuring the overpasses which look fabulous. It would be an easy solution for their 3rd gate. http://www.orlandounited.com/forums/showthread.php/8662-Universal-Expansion-Plan-Project-LUPA

They also still have parcels of land within the parks for expansions. The area beside Men in Black, the Kidzone area behind Animal Actor's, the theatre area in Toon Lagoon, the area around the Jurassic Discovery Centre, Poseidan's Fury, Fear Factor Live, the area behind One Fish Two Fish ... They are currently adding Skull Island to the area behind Thunder Falls Terrace; an area that was just previously unused.

 

[minmate]

I realize that you may not have read all my earlier posts, so I'll repeat: I never said it wasn't "okay" for this thread to continue, that it should be prohibited or moved, etc... I was simply questioning the motives of people posting universal love over and over on the WDW forums. As for going to Universal in the middle of a WDW vacation: never for me. 1. I go for 3-4 days at a time. I barely have enough Disney time in those days. 2. I've priced it out to roughly $1000 for two days and two nights at Universal, whereas my WDW ticket is "free," (AP) and my hotel is "free" (DVC.) Plus I don't do coasters or simulators.

Oh wow! How do you get a free AP and free DVC rooms? I want in on that...!!!

 

[MichiganDVC]

I was just thinking about something earlier this morning that reminded me of what OP said: Disney is DISNEY; Universal is rides.

Now, before everyone loses their collective minds, let me explain. Disney is a brand. Kids know Disney. They don't know Comcast. And furthermore, Mickey IS Disney and Disney IS Mickey. Universal doesn't have a mouse. What is that one, universally-recognizable feature that Universal has that makes everyone think "Universal!"??
When I wear my Mickey shirts out in public (several times a week,) I always wonder why a little kid is staring at me or pointing at me. Until their parent says, "yes. Mickey Mouse!"

Kids know the mouse. Kids crave the mouse. That's why I don't think Universal will ever really challenge Disney.

 

[Mad Hattered]

This is their "mouse"...

 

[clsteve]

I was just thinking about something earlier this morning that reminded me of what OP said: Disney is DISNEY; Universal is rides.

Now, before everyone loses their collective minds, let me explain. Disney is a brand. Kids know Disney. They don't know Comcast. And furthermore, Mickey IS Disney and Disney IS Mickey. Universal doesn't have a mouse. What is that one, universally-recognizable feature that Universal has that makes everyone think "Universal!"??
When I wear my Mickey shirts out in public (several times a week,) I always wonder why a little kid is staring at me or pointing at me. Until their parent says, "yes. Mickey Mouse!"

Kids know the mouse. Kids crave the mouse. That's why I don't think Universal will ever really challenge Disney.

Let's see....

You've never been/go to Universal, yet you continue to comment on it.

I'm curious, which route to the summit of K2 do you find most challenging: the Abruzzi Spur or the North Ridge?

 

[Mad Hattered]

Let's see....

You've never been/go to Universal, yet you continue to comment on it.

I'm curious, which route to the summit of K2 do you find most challenging: the Abruzzi Spur or the North Ridge?

Hey, C! How did your bluefish and micros go down? Mine went down waaaay too well.

 

[BigAlsGal]

What time of year do you usually go?

Last year I went in Feb, March, May, and Nov. All very busy. Feb was least busy out of all of them but I wouldn't say the park wasn't crowded.

 

[MichiganDVC]

This is their "mouse"...

Nope. Not even close. No little kid sees Harry Potter and thinks, "Mmmm...Comcast!" They don't even think Universal. If they recognize HP at all, kids think books and movies.
Universal has no mouse. It isn't Disney.

 

[MichiganDVC]

Let's see....

You've never been/go to Universal, yet you continue to comment on it.

I'm curious, which route to the summit of K2 do you find most challenging: the Abruzzi Spur or the North Ridge?

Dude, you sound awfully defensive. Not sure why. The point of my original post on this thread was that couldn't understand why so many Uni lovers felt so compelled to constantly post on DISNEY theme parks attractions and strategies forum.

Unfortunately, I DO have to keep commenting on Universal because it is constantly being brought up. I don't care about Universal. I'm not going to their parks and I don't go to their forum either. But their forum keeps coming to me....

 

[EMode]

Dude, you sound awfully defensive. Not sure why. The point of my original post on this thread was that couldn't understand why so many Uni lovers felt so compelled to constantly post on DISNEY theme parks attractions and strategies forum.

Unfortunately, I DO have to keep commenting on Universal because it is constantly being brought up. I don't care about Universal. I'm not going to their parks and I don't go to their forum either. But their forum keeps coming to me....

I'm thankful, Universal has become part of my Disney strategy since FP+ was introduced

If you don't care then why do you even open the threads? There are plentyon this Disney board that have nothing to do with Universal. Its seems odd that you don't care about Universal, never will visit and don't want to see anything about them on this forum yet you are so knowledgable about Universal and Comcast. Maybe you care about them, and their competition with Disney more than you think.
And NO you don't HAVE to comment on UNiversal, you can just ignore the thread, its not that hard if you really don't care.

 

[magicbob]

The point of my original post on this thread was that couldn't understand why so many Uni lovers felt so compelled to constantly post on DISNEY theme parks attractions and strategies forum.

I'd venture a guess the reason is because many WDW fans are also fans of Universal (and of theme parks in general). Sea World, USF/IoA, BG, Legoland, etc. all play a part in many people's Orlando vacations. It IS possible to enjoy the thrills of Dueling Dragons roller coaster and appreciate the state of the art technology/immersion of Forbidden Journey without detracting one iota from our love of WDW.

The ONLY real comparison of the two parks I see posted here with any regularity concerns the fortune WDW spent on MDE/FP+ compared to money that Universal spent on adding more new & amazing attractions for guests to experience. I'm looking forward to visiting Universal in the future, not to teach Disney a lesson, but because I want to experience all of those new amazing attractions that are being added.

I'm already looking forward to 7DMT, and when Disney adds more new (and much needed) attractions, I'll be looking forward to those as well.

 

[EMode]

Hey Michigan, maybe Universal peeps are compelled to talk about Universal in threads because some posters start threads and say things like this in their OP

I can already hear the Universal crowd starting to type. And before you begin, I totally agree with you. Yes. Go to Universal. From what I've read, they close at 6pm on Fridays, there are no waits for rides if you stay onsite, etc... If you like their rides and theming, its all yours. It doesn't sound very crowded at all.

HHmmm, I wonder who would start a thread about WDW and bring up Universal? Especially if they don't care about it.

 

[MichiganDVC]

I'm thankful, Universal has become part of my Disney strategy since FP+ was introduced

If you don't care then why do you even open the threads? There are plentyon this Disney board that have nothing to do with Universal. Its seems odd that you don't care about Universal, never will visit and don't want to see anything about them on this forum yet you are so knowledgable about Universal and Comcast. Maybe you care about them, and their competition with Disney more than you think.
And NO you don't HAVE to comment on UNiversal, you can just ignore the thread, its not that hard if you really don't care.

Yes, many posts and many hours ago, it was already suggested that I do not have to click on Universal threads on the WDW forum. I am aware enough to have figured that out for myself, but also appreciate the constant reminder as though I'm 5 years old and needed the help.

The reason I am so knowledgeable about Universal Orlando is because it is constantly being brought up on WDW forums. I don't even have to go to the parks, as I feel like I've already been there through the ongoing fawning over their rides and restaurants on these boards.

And I repeat (again), I am not implying it should be prohibited or moved! Just questioning why Uni-lovers feel compelled to prove how great Universal is on the WDW forum. It would be like me going to the Uni-Sea World forum, finding a Loews Hard Rock resort thread and going on and on about how it can't hold a candle to Animal Kingdom Lodge. Who would bother? I wouldn't, unless I felt like I had something to prove.
My post is just my opinion about how annoyed I am to have to hear about Universal so much. I don't hate it...I'm totally glad for people who love it....it doesn't interest me.... So why do I know so much about it then? At this point, I could probably be a Universal travel agent from what I've read on WDW forums.

 

[SugarQuill]

I so agree with the bolded and this is why I don't agree that families (like mine anyway) will be drawn to both U and D. My dses (10 and 13) are already over WDW, they have nothing there to really draw them in, or at least keep them wanting to come back year after year. When they see what is at Universal its a whole different story. Disney really needs to do something for the 11 and up boys age group, we need Star Wars land!!

I'm a 27 year old girl and I would LOVE a Star Wars land.

 

[MichiganDVC]

Hey Michigan, maybe Universal peeps are compelled to talk about Universal in threads because some posters start threads and say things like this in their OP



HHmmm, I wonder who would start a thread about WDW and bring up Universal? Especially if they don't care about it.

I was typing that thread as I was responding to this one yesterday, and I was trying to HEAD OFF the inevitable comparison with Universal that I knew was coming...which, again (sigh), was the point of my original post on this thread. I-N-E-V-I-T-A-B-L-E

 

[MichiganDVC]

I'd venture a guess the reason is because many WDW fans are also fans of Universal (and of theme parks in general). Sea World, USF/IoA, BG, Legoland, etc. all play a part in many people's Orlando vacations. It IS possible to enjoy the thrills of Dueling Dragons roller coaster and appreciate the state of the art technology/immersion of Forbidden Journey without detracting one iota from our love of WDW.

The ONLY real comparison of the two parks I see posted here with any regularity concerns the fortune WDW spent on MDE/FP+ compared to money that Universal spent on adding more new & amazing attractions for guests to experience. I'm looking forward to visiting Universal in the future, not to teach Disney a lesson, but because I want to experience all of those new amazing attractions that are being added.

I'm already looking forward to 7DMT, and when Disney adds more new (and much needed) attractions, I'll be looking forward to those as well.

I hear ya. Nothing wrong with being fans of both. And nothing wrong with a little, healthy competition/comparison. But I read too many posts on WDW forum threads about Uni rides, resorts, FOTL passes, etc... that I eventually became too annoyed to stay quiet.

As for Universal building attractions while Disney does MM+, my speculation about that is in another thread I started. But to sum up: Universal had to make attractions to, well, attract visitors. WDW doesn't need to attract visitors in the same way. Its brand attracts more than they need. MM+ is there to deal with crowds today and larger crowds tomorrow due to rising world population and standard of living.

 

[EMode]

I'm a 27 year old girl and I would LOVE a Star Wars land.

I'm a 40 year old and I would too!

I was typing that thread as I was responding to this one yesterday, and I was trying to HEAD OFF the inevitable comparison with Universal that I knew was coming...which, again (sigh), was the point of my original post on this thread. I-N-E-V-I-T-A-B-L-E

From your posts (here and in other threads) It sounds like you just have problems with people DISing Disney and/or comparing it with anything else. If you have problems staying away from these threads it really is YOU and not those of us posting in them.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I'll be the first to admit that I *do* care about Universal...that's why I started this thread. The reason is because I'm a WDW FREAK and I'm fascinated in what impact Universal is having(both positive and negative) on WDW. I've been to Universal/IOA but it was before the Harry Potter expansion, though.

My opinion: It's world class, but I've felt no real desire to return. Kind of "one and done". I'm sure we'll eventually make it over there again, but the problem is that we only have 8 nights(because of my job) and we pack it with everything Disney that we can. To be honest...we don't like to leave the "bubble". We love landing at the airport and hopping on the ME(I'm giddy even thinking about it!) and use WDW transportation the rest of the time.

I know you can stay in the "Universal bubble" by staying at their resorts, as well. But it's not DISNEY...and that's what we crave!

 

[clsteve]

Hey, C! How did your bluefish and micros go down? Mine went down waaaay too well.

Too well, as well...

I'm all smokered out-- until next weekend, of course!