Universal is taking advantage of Disney's weak spot

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I personally don't think YOU feel that way, at all. Of course competition is a good thing. Or at least one would hope. Some just can't grasp the concept that some (actually a lot) of us enjoy both parks.

I *do* want to say that I LOVE MichaganDVC and her love for all things WDW.

I wish I had a DVC like she does, too.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Thank you Mad Hattered.

I posited a theory that "many" are going to Universal exclusively as a rebuttal to the way Disney is handling WDW.

I feel bad that it created a lot of acrimonious posts. I thought I was being *cute* with my analogy of "scorned lovers". I understand how it could be taken the wrong way.

Let me just state that I know that there are MANY WDW fans that can EQUALLY love US/IOA along with WDW. Also...there are many WDW fans that can actually *prefer* Universal.

My intention was to never create the impression that Uni fans don't love Uni for what it is.

I've been going to both WDW (including all 4 parks) and Uni/IOA since the first year they opened. I am obviously a fan of both.

I'm sure I come across as being harsh against WDW but that is only because I feel disappointed or let down by them of late. It upsets me and I don't like feeling that way, so you got that part right (at least with me). It doesn't mean that I will never go to Universal again once WDW gets their act together (at least to us). I will go there as long as I am able.

Just to give people a little insight to "us", here are a few pics of our house. I sure don't "feel" like a hater...

Note the color of my glasses DW broke hers after that trip.

Love the dolls we got in EPCOT Mexico many moons ago!

So, yeah....I get it.

 

[NavyDad]

I personally don't think YOU feel that way, at all. Of course competition is a good thing. Or at least one would hope. Some just can't grasp the concept that some (actually a lot) of us enjoy both parks.

I think UO is the perfect compliment to any WDW trip.

I'm not sure if I am ready for a UO - only trip just yet, but now with the Potter expansion and as my kids get older I think it will probably be in our future.

The perfect scenario for our family would be to do 2 weeks in Orlando - 1 week in Disney and one week split between Universal, Sea World and some of the other attractions.

I certainly understand why many would love both parks!

 

[Donut23]

Remember the charming tale from our childhood about the cute little rabbit and turtle in the race? While few were paying attention the little turtle plodded along and eventually won the race?

Not saying lightening strikes twice.......

Not saying I live in a Fantasyland (curious in this discussion)........


However,

It was recently reported in a popular Theme Parks publication (which believes there IS LIFE beyond Disney Parks) that US attendance numbers have overtaken AK and HS.

Immediate reaction is......SO? I say, watch who is investing wisely in their parks and remember the little childhood fairy tale about the tortious and the haire.

I'm patient. Just sayin...........

 

[magicbob]

Even if Universal has no chance of ever overtaking WDW, I think everyone would have to agree that adding amazing new attractions is a good thing for the people who do go there.

 

[Donut23]

Remember the charming tale from our childhood about the cute little rabbit and turtle in the race? While few were paying attention the little turtle plodded along and eventually won the race?

Not saying lightening strikes twice.......

Not saying I live in a Fantasyland (curious in this discussion)........


However,

It was recent reported in a popular Theme Parks publication (which believes there IS LIFE beyond Disney Parks) that US attendance numbers have overtaken AK and HS.

Immediate reaction is......SO? I say, watch who is investing wisely in their parks and remember the little childhood fairy tale about the tortious and the haire.

I'm patient. Just sayin...........

 

[JanaDee]

Remember the charming tale from our childhood about the cute little rabbit and turtle in the race? While few were paying attention the little turtle plodded along and eventually won the race?

Not saying lightening strikes twice.......

Not saying I live in a Fantasyland (curious in this discussion)........


However,

It was recent reported in a popular Theme Parks publication (which believes there IS LIFE beyond Disney Parks) that US attendance numbers have overtaken AK and HS.

Immediate reaction is......SO? I say, watch who is investing wisely in their parks and remember the little childhood fairy tale about the tortious and the haire.

I'm patient. Just sayin...........

I've never bought into the theory that Disney is too big to fall.

 

[TooExcitedCantSleep]

Yes. I love Disney more than I dislike the current state of things (like FP+). We are very excited. Plus we are looking forward to doing Hilton Head, Vero beach, Aulani and Disneyland.

Man- I forgot that you can visit places other than Disney World. I can't believe you get to go to Aulani!!!!! If you're going to buy this is time because once Poly DVC hits the market prices are going to skyrocket!!!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

There's a certain amount on here of "I'm going to Universal because Disney sucks, their new attractions suck and all their ideas and management suck, and I want to rub their nose in it (not to mention the noses of the Disney fans on this board."

That's why there are arguments.

 

[Jennasis]

There's a certain amount on here of "I'm going to Universal because Disney sucks, their new attractions suck and all their ideas and management suck, and I want to rub their nose in it (not to mention the noses of the Disney fans on this board."

That's why there are arguments.

Or the folks who make universal out to be some cut rate amusement park like six flags and those who like it are crazy.

Lots of causes for arguments, when there is no need at all to anyone to choose sides. Its not a battle. Everyone wins.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I've been going to both WDW (including all 4 parks) and Uni/IOA since the first year they opened. I am obviously a fan of both.

I'm sure I come across as being harsh against WDW but that is only because I feel disappointed or let down by them of late. It upsets me and I don't like feeling that way, so you got that part right (at least with me). It doesn't mean that I will never go to Universal again once WDW gets their act together (at least to us). I will go there as long as I am able.

Just to give people a little insight to "us", here are a few pics of our house. I sure don't "feel" like a hater...

Note the color of my glasses DW broke hers after that trip.

Love the dolls we got in EPCOT Mexico many moons ago!

So, yeah....I get it.

Nice collection Mad Hattered!

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Or the folks who make universal out to be some cut rate amusement park like six flags and those who like it are crazy.

Lots of causes for arguments, when there is no need at all to anyone to choose sides. Its not a battle. Everyone wins.

...and that's one of the reasons that I started this thread. This thread was never about "choosing sides" but was meant to be a discussion of the juggernaut that is Universal/IOA and what it means for WDW.

For *me*? I have mad respect for Uni(and what they're doing) and a lifelong LOVE for WDW. I hope Uni's explosion of growth will result in Disney really raising the bar in the coming years.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Or the folks who make universal out to be some cut rate amusement park like six flags and those who like it are crazy.

Lots of causes for arguments, when there is no need at all to anyone to choose sides. Its not a battle. Everyone wins.

For years, I enjoyed Six Flags a lot more than Disney

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

For years, I enjoyed Six Flags a lot more than Disney

Ahhhh...the St Louis one, I'm assuming? Hey...the Screaming Eagle is a classic!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

For years, I enjoyed Six Flags a lot more than Disney

For a couple of years it was Cedar Point for us. I still prefer Cedar Point to US, but Cedar Point doesn't have Harry Potter.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

For a couple of years it was Cedar Point for us. I still prefer Cedar Point to US, but Cedar Point doesn't have Harry Potter.

I think at *my age* that Cedar Point would be absolute torture.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Ahhhh...the St Louis one, I'm assuming? Hey...the Screaming Eagle is a classic!

Yup, and I don't even really like coasters. But, would it kill the mouse to put in a scrambler already?

 

[Planogirl]

I loved Astroworld in Houston when I was a kid. Six Flags bought it and ruined it and then tore it down. Jerks.

 

[gincz24]

I agree I loved astroworld, now it's just a field and rodeo parking. Really sad, that Houston doesn't have a theme park.

 

[Davey Jones II]

For us, an Orlando vacation means 7-8 days at Disney and one or two at Universal. But Universal has more new stuff, so our next trip might well be 5-6 days at Disney, 2-3 at Universal, and maybe one at Sea World. Disney is adding new stuff at a much slower pace than Universal, so the competition is getting a bigger share of our vacation dollar.

And I think that is a shift we are seeing from lots of people. It is gradual, but it's there. I've read countless posts saying something similar to what I wrote above. People who post on these boards are (or were) among Disney's most loyal fans and guests. I feel that the company has been taking us for granted. Can any company, no matter how big and successful, really afford to do that? Maybe if they had some kind of monopoly...

Yes, they are making up some of the difference with more international travellers. So lately they've been getting more once-in-a-lifetime guests, and more "once every 5-10 years-- maybe" guests (probably more of the former). But theme parks are physical places. People who live in North America, who are physically closer to the theme parks, will always be the core audience for the U.S. parks. It's simply easier for us to get to the parks more often.

Through these boards and other forums, we are telling the company that we feel they are taking us for granted, and that they need to take a cue from what their competition is doing. It doesn't mean they need to add a bunch of coasters and intense thrill rides. It does mean that we want more new attractions (added at something faster than a glacial pace), the replacement of tired, mediocre and unpopular attractions, and amazing experiences in their parks.

We know they can do it when they want to. Cars Land and Radiator Springs Racers proved that. But their attitude seems to be "well, we gave them RSR, now we can just sit on our laurels for a while and count the money pouring in." I think many of us are saying "no, you can't."

Bottom line: Disney is getting tons of invaluable free feedback from their best customers. How they respond to that, IMO, will have a strong impact on the company's long term future.