With expansions, Pandora, and Galaxies Edge in the rearview mirror is Disney "tapped out" for competing with Epic Universe?

[jade1]

I don't think any of us know that. From what I've read there's been supply issues over at Tron. Tron is a clone to an existing ride, they aren't starting from nothing. We know Disney has also slowed construction projects down irrespective of supply issues (and Universal did that as well primarily on Epic Universe but later said that was an error).

VelociCoaster is also in a tight spot right by Harry Potter and would have building constraints there there's literally Discovery Center right there. Tron isn't quite in that same position as there's more room. And they've had the railroad at WDW closed since December 2018 for this reason due to adjustment in the track.

Start to finish also needs to be tit for tat for comparison. If you're going to use when construction started for Tron you'll have to use when construction started for VelociCoaster.

Tron=February 2018 clearing of land, (there was still copious amount of just dirt in mid-May 2022 on our trip)
VelociCoaster=Jan 17th 2019 clearing of land, opened June 10 2021; previews for AP holders started May 2nd 2021. Permit filed in May 2018

The PP said "2 years after announcement" Universal typically breaks ground, starts doing things and eventually announces what they are doing. Disney announces what they are doing, then breaks ground, starts doing things, etc. Your comment of 3 years is about development which is not the same thing. Things are in the development phase long before they are constructed. I'm sure that Disney had Tron as a development long before they announced it at D23 in 2017. From an article I was reading on VelociCoaster: "Research and development of the coaster has taken about four years, but overall construction took a little more than two years."

Actually from another article I was reading cranes didn't happen at Universal until November 2019. This is a photo from the very beginning of November 2019
View attachment 676222

Universal continued building the ride during the closure although I'm sure slower. Much of the ride was actually completed quickly as they kept working. This is a photo from towards the end of September 2020 of testing of the vehicles:
View attachment 676226

Remodeled bridge (which they were constructing during the process) that leads to the coaster opened in March 2021. April 6th they announced the opening date of June 10th and previews occurred very first part of May 2021. It also wasn't just the coaster that was built, the entire queue building (which is quite large) was constructed as well next to Discovery Center.

On the topic of permits, permits filed and work started are not the same thing.

Nice explanation. Yea Tron will end up about twice as long (or longer) to construct than Velocicoaster I believe. Which I don't care, take as long as you want.

Regardless I'm not buying this RC speeding things up for WDW, when compared to US anyway.

 

[techman20]

While it's fun to fantasize about a fifth gate, I don't see it happening at any point in the foreseeable future. Rumors of a fifth gate have swirled for 20 years. Given the last few years with the pandemic closures and an extended period of lost revenue, I don't see Disney getting ambitious anytime soon. In fact, we've already seen a bunch of planned projects either cut or scaled back.

As much as I'd like a fifth gate, at this point I'd be happy with more attractions in Animal Kingdom, since it continues to be a 1/2 day park.

 

[Jwaire]

Yeah I agree, Tron's delay was because of money. They literally ramped up construction when fiscal year 2021 began for The Walt Disney Company. I'm sure there have been supply and labor issues during the pandemic, but the biggest delay came because of cash. They chose to finish Guardians of the Galaxy instead (rightfully so).

Universal has no such trouble. Comcast is a cash rich company that made bank during the pandemic from broadband sales and streaming rights.

 

[Smugpugmug]

While it's fun to fantasize about a fifth gate, I don't see it happening at any point in the foreseeable future. Rumors of a fifth gate have swirled for 20 years. Given the last few years with the pandemic closures and an extended period of lost revenue, I don't see Disney getting ambitious anytime soon. In fact, we've already seen a bunch of planned projects either cut or scaled back.

As much as I'd like a fifth gate, at this point I'd be happy with more attractions in Animal Kingdom, since it continues to be a 1/2 day park.

Yup, I agree. Disney has shown zero interest in building another park so I don't expect them to for a while. Who knows what will happen when Epic Universe opens. Another major park opening in Orlando will definitely shake up the status quo.

I would much rather Disney focus on more attractions for Animal Kingdom. As much as I love the animal trails and shows, it needs more substantial things to do. Same with Hollywood Studios. I could easily see Disney retheming Dinosaur and completely getting rid of Dinoland to build something else. I'm hoping they announce something during D23 in September.

 

[glocon]

I used to think a 5th gate would be a good idea. But now I agree with so many others… just add more lands to existing parks.

HS added TSL and GE, maybe add another land there with 2-3 rides and a show.

Add more countries to WS at EP- the land is there. With not only a ride, but a show as well as shopping and dining in the new countries. Even one new country would be great!

Revamp the Dinosaur area in AK and add another couple of attractions there, maybe even add another land to AK.

All the parks except MK need more rides. And not just rides, shows as well. Another good show at each park could be a people eater.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

There’s room for another ride in Galaxy’s Edge and in Pandora, plus room in AK and Epcot for other rides.

 

[DCLMP]

I'm 39 and I still remember getting the first original Nintendo when I was around 7 or 8 (I think). I grew up on Nintendo and Super Nintendo. I haven't been to Universal in about 14-15 years but I will make a trip for Epic Universe.

My kids are late teens/early adult and they grew up on Playstation and they never got into Pokemon or Nintendo so Epic Universe isn't on their radar. They are huge Marvel fans and just watched the Star Wars movies but I wouldn't call them huge Star Wars fans. They like the movies and are happy to see Galaxy's Edge. They also never got into HP. My son is over Disney and would like to go to Universal for the coasters (not necessarily the theming) but my daughter has no desire to do Universal and is all about Disney.

I do know so many kids in my family that are still big into Nintendo and I agree....this Nintendo nostalgia is going to stick around for a while. My nephew is 8 and really into the switch. He has Mario Lego sets.

My kids are 17 and 19 and grew up on Nintendo. My 17-year-old still has a place in his heart for it. We will visit the park in LA when it opens, and the new epic universe in a few years. I loved playing mario kart with my kids they were little.

 

[Smugpugmug]

My kids are 17 and 19 and grew up on Nintendo. My 17-year-old still has a place in his heart for it. We will visit the park in LA when it opens, and the new epic universe in a few years. I loved playing mario kart with my kids they were little.

My mom said something similar to me the other day. She still remembers playing Mario Kart Double Dash with me as a tiny 6 year old kid. I think a lot of parents will resonate with that and will add into more people willing to visit Epic Universe. I don't think it'll beat WDW by any means but it'll definitely take some of their market share for sure.

 

[DCLMP]

My mom said something similar to me the other day. She still remembers playing Mario Kart Double Dash with me as a tiny 6 year old kid. I think a lot of parents will resonate with that and will add into more people willing to visit Epic Universe. I don't think it'll beat WDW by any means but it'll definitely take some of their market share for sure.

My kids were way more into Nintendo in grade school than anything Disney. The only thing Disney they were obsessed with was Cars as preschoolers. There was a lag time until the new Marvel movies came out and then they really got into those as teens. They are boys though and it seems like Disney really focused on the Princess movies for a few years.

 

[Suger Mag]

My mom said something similar to me the other day. She still remembers playing Mario Kart Double Dash with me as a tiny 6 year old kid. I think a lot of parents will resonate with that and will add into more people willing to visit Epic Universe. I don't think it'll beat WDW by any means but it'll definitely take some of their market share for sure.

All this talk of 'Us or Them"... who is better.... having to make a choice, never going back. Why? There is no need to 'make a choice'... go to Universal... go to WDW. Enjoy the fabulous rides and parks.

I remember when Hogwarts opened.... we were staying at AKV club.... took a day to go over to Universal. Had a fab time, came back, my 6 year old was loaded down... Hermione wand, Bugbeak plush, Time Turner necklace... all the goods. As we got out of the cab and the Greeter helped us unload, I was a tad embarrassed and mentioned being a traitor and heading over to the 'Dark Side' and to just turn a blind eye to our "disloyalty".....

They laughed, and said, dont you worry. That is a good thing you had a great time. Universal being better makes us better. Strong parks, competition... WDW and Universal.... helps everyone in Orlando.

 

[Smugpugmug]

All this talk of 'Us or Them"... who is better.... having to make a choice, never going back. Why? There is no need to 'make a choice'... go to Universal... go to WDW. Enjoy the fabulous rides and parks.

I remember when Hogwarts opened.... we were staying at AKV club.... took a day to go over to Universal. Had a fab time, came back, my 6 year old was loaded down... Hermione wand, Bugbeak plush, Time Turner necklace... all the goods. As we got out of the cab and the Greeter helped us unload, I was a tad embarrassed and mentioned being a traitor and heading over to the 'Dark Side' and to just turn a blind eye to our "disloyalty".....

They laughed, and said, dont you worry. That is a good thing you had a great time. Universal being better makes us better. Strong parks, competition... WDW and Universal.... helps everyone in Orlando.

I agree with you. I go to both parks and enjoy them for what they are. They offer two different experiences and I like how each of them have a unique identity.

I guess I was trying to say that not everyone thinks like that. Some people are ONLY Disney and ONLY Universal. Families with young kids will gravitate to Disney since Universal truthfully doesn't have much for the preschool and under crowd. While Universal has more thrilling rides and simulators that not everyone will be into. I said in a previous post that I have little cousins that do not care about Disney at all and LOVE Nintendo, so they would skip Disney entirely and do a Universal trip instead.

I am also seeing way more people online saying that they're leaving Disney for good and moving to Universal vacations only. I think competition is a good thing and I believe that Epic Universe will shake things up in Orlando to where Disney will be forced to respond. I mean, Pandora was 100% built as a response to the Wizarding World.

 

[emonade8]

Definitely. I've never been to Universal - and similarly I don't really care about SW or Marvel (or HP) - but Nintendo has me sold (mid ... shoot ... late 30s). Plus my kids. And if they had Pokemon ... the kids would definitely be there.

Early 40s here. Kids are early 20s. We're all so excited about Nintendo Land. I grew up with original/super NES, then N64 (the pinnacle of Nintendo gaming) came along and we all played together, and continued on from there. And of course, now they play on Switch.

I know some here think How to Train Your Dragon isn't a big draw but I disagree. It's one of my 22 year old's favorite franchises ever. Add in more HP and the possibility of Pokemon (which I was into before my kids - my brother is 9 years younger than me and we played when he was little), and Disney definitely is falling behind for us. If we could get some Hello Kitty that's another nail in the coffin.

And if they could pull off LOTR we might never visit Disney again....

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

How to Train Your Dragon isn't a big draw but I disagree.

I actually haven't seen the movies yet but I was reading about tracks being delivered to Epic Universe very recently and the going thought it being for the How to Train Your Dragon coaster, I'm excited to see what it will be like and will def. watch the movies before going.

 

[glocon]

I’ve never seen How to Train Your Dragon but that wouldn’t stop us. I think Epic is going to be awesome! If the whole park is themed as well as the HP lands I. The current parks it will be phenomenal!

Idk why my letters change like that to italics. I must have pressed something accidentally. Sorry.

 

[Suger Mag]

I am also seeing way more people online saying that they're leaving Disney for good and moving to Universal vacations only. I think competition is a good thing and I believe that Epic Universe will shake things up in Orlando to where Disney will be forced to respond. I mean, Pandora was 100% built as a response to the Wizarding World.

or Epic a response to Galaxy's Edge?

Either way, the parks are all improving. Universal has shown itself worthy of competition with the Mouse, but also to be fair WDW has a lot of tricks up their future sleeves. I think there will be an expansion of Animal Kingdom after the Epcot makeover, but it will be very slow. But look at all the new things or new to WDW that have come in since I joined DVC.... Pandora.. Galaxy's Edge... Toy Story... Guardians and Ratatouille....and coming soon Tron and Moana water area. Lets finish up the pandemic, get everyone back on their feet and look forward to the future. Let them compete and build and then it will just be better and better and we can pick and choose all the variety if themes to enjoy. A veritable buffet of entertainment.

 

[glocon]

Totally agree.
We like both parks.
Keep it coming with the competition!!!

 

[gharter]

There’s room for another ride in Galaxy’s Edge and in Pandora, plus room in AK and Epcot for other rides.

This is why I don't think you'll see another land for along time.
Pandora was supposed to have another ride and a TS restaurant.
EPCOT has room for multiple new countries.
They originally talked about a TS restaurant in galaxys Edge.
So lots of current ideas without adding a 5th park.

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

While it's fun to fantasize about a fifth gate, I don't see it happening at any point in the foreseeable future. Rumors of a fifth gate have swirled for 20 years. Given the last few years with the pandemic closures and an extended period of lost revenue, I don't see Disney getting ambitious anytime soon. In fact, we've already seen a bunch of planned projects either cut or scaled back.

As much as I'd like a fifth gate, at this point I'd be happy with more attractions in Animal Kingdom, since it continues to be a 1/2 day park.

We used to think this way too and in our September trip we managed to make it almost a full day park! I agree they could add a couple more things but if you take your time it can be a full day park!

 

[mom2rtk]

Yup, I agree. Disney has shown zero interest in building another park so I don't expect them to for a while. Who knows what will happen when Epic Universe opens. Another major park opening in Orlando will definitely shake up the status quo.

I would much rather Disney focus on more attractions for Animal Kingdom. As much as I love the animal trails and shows, it needs more substantial things to do. Same with Hollywood Studios. I could easily see Disney retheming Dinosaur and completely getting rid of Dinoland to build something else. I'm hoping they announce something during D23 in September.

That’s just more replacing things. They really need net new attractions.

 

[Smugpugmug]

That’s just more replacing things. They really need net new attractions.

I agree but there is absolutely nothing besides Dinosaur going on in Dinoland. They can easily get rid of the carnival games and build a new attraction.