Harry Potter Regrets

[Jimmy Thick]

"Add all the parks together." Right, Disney has how many parks, as compared to Universal, or more accurately, Universal parks that have a WWoHP in them?

And yet for the fourth quarter, attendance at those multiple Disney parks was only up 3%....

Jimmy Thick- Just can't overcome the thickness....

3% of what? How many people did Disney have at Disney World in the fourth quarter in 2010? How many millions?

How many did Universal have during the same time frames? How many hundred thousands?

I don't think you can grasp the magnitude of just how many people visit Disney compared to Universal. Have you really ever been there?


Jimmy Thick-Game-Set-Match...Again for the umpteenth time...

 

[wm49rs]

3% of what? How many people did Disney have at Disney World in the fourth quarter in 2010? How many millions?

How many did Universal have during the same time frames? How many hundred thousands?

I don't think you can grasp the magnitude of just how many people visit Disney compared to Universal. Have you really ever been there?


Jimmy Thick-Game-Set-Match...Again for the umpteenth time...

The 3% figure represents attendance numbers for both U.S. parks, not just WDW. So there's nothing to say that WDW's attendance went up or down. And Disney does not release actual attendance figures, as you well know.

And I'm done trying to provide you with information, since you wouldn't accept it anyway. I have little doubt you'll continue to visit WDW and break the noses of people in line with you.

And again (since the thickness is overcoming you once more), Universal has one park where there is a WWoHP. WDW alone has four parks. Yet Universal was still able to bring in increases in both attendance and income off WWoHP. Increases that are coming at the expense of their competitors. And as has been said before, even those who come to visit WDW are now looking to spend at least part of that time at Universal, which does indeed impact Disney, and would definitely lead them to have more than a modicum of regret over not have Rowling's work as part of their collection.

Jimmy Thick Doesn't let fact or figures get in the way of his thickness.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

How can statistics be misleading when they tell the whole story? If people are going to universal for one day, and that's all you need for both of there parks, people will spend money because they are not coming back. If you go for a week and stay 6 days at Disney and one at Universal, even with Potter Disney is taking more of your vacation dollar. As for discounts, Universal offers huge discounts as much as Disney, so that's a wash. As much as I want to believe this Universal has Disney's number argument, the facts, even if skewered says otherwise.

If your salary was currently $1,000 a week, and I told you that now you are only going to get $700 a week instead....would that concern you? Your expenses are still relatively the same and you rely on that money. Like I said before, Disney should always be the leader in attendance and market share...becoming second fiddle to Universal isn't their concern. It's how many days Universal will start to take away from Disney vacations from people. If they start to lose two or three days a person then that is a major hit in income. Yes, they will still get 5 days worth in that scenario, but when you are used to 7 or 8 then that is a big difference.

 

[marni1971]

^ The truth.

 

[ChrisFL]

If your salary was currently $1,000 a week, and I told you that now you are only going to get $700 a week instead....would that concern you? Your expenses are still relatively the same and you rely on that money. Like I said before, Disney should always be the leader in attendance and market share...becoming second fiddle to Universal isn't their concern. It's how many days Universal will start to take away from Disney vacations from people. If they start to lose two or three days a person then that is a major hit in income. Yes, they will still get 5 days worth in that scenario, but when you are used to 7 or 8 then that is a big difference.

Especially if they're spending their extra cash on HP merchandise and not the crap they pass off as Disney merchandise these days

 

[TarzanRocked99-]

Especially if they're spending their extra cash on HP merchandise and not the crap they pass off as Disney merchandise these days

And there lies the true success of WWOHP do yourself a favor and the next time you are in the Orlando Airport just sit and watch all the ppl go by. A couple years ago there was nothing but a sea of Disney Merch bags and now its litterally a 50/50 split. People are buying the heck out of the Potter merch and those purchases are taking a direct hit to Disney's bottom line.

Its a well known fact that WDW's main source of true income is off Merch or "Tanglible Memories" as they like to refer to it as. That is why they are willing to deep discount the resorts and give away the food becuase it allocates more vacation dollars to merchandise. If the guest sneak over to Uni even for one day and drop half their budgeted souvineer spend at WWHOP then Disney truly takes a hit.

 

[fillerup]

I guess I should have posted this in this thread rather than Uni forum:

Jason Garcia, O'Sentinel - 2/15/12 - Opening paragraphs:

Visitors keep spending in Universal theme parks

"Travelers aren't yet showing any signs of chocolate-frog fatigue.

Comcast Corp. said Wednesday that sales at NBCUniversal theme parks rose 4 percent during the final three months of 2011, propelled by higher per-guest spending at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood.

Combined revenue at NBUniversal's theme-parks business, which includes licensing fees from overseas parks in Japan and Singapore, totaled $498 million for the quarter, up from $478 million during the same period a year ago."

Full Article

 

[Jimmy Thick]

I guess I should have posted this in this thread rather than Uni forum:

Jason Garcia, O'Sentinel - 2/15/12 - Opening paragraphs:

Visitors keep spending in Universal theme parks

"Travelers aren't yet showing any signs of chocolate-frog fatigue.

Comcast Corp. said Wednesday that sales at NBCUniversal theme parks rose 4 percent during the final three months of 2011, propelled by higher per-guest spending at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood.

Combined revenue at NBUniversal's theme-parks business, which includes licensing fees from overseas parks in Japan and Singapore, totaled $498 million for the quarter, up from $478 million during the same period a year ago."

Full Article

500 million for the quarter for Universal compared to 3.1 BILLION for Disney. Oh yes, Potter is really killing Disney...



Jimmy Thick-Echo?

 

[Pioneer Hall]

500 million for the quarter for Universal compared to 3.1 BILLION for Disney. Oh yes, Potter is really killing Disney...



Jimmy Thick-Echo?

Revenue is money coming into the business. Disney has a lot more that they need to spread their revenue around in order to make things work. If you make 1000 dollars and spend 750, but your neighbor makes 500 and spends only 100 to live...who's coming out better?

 

[Jimmy Thick]

Revenue is money coming into the business. Disney has a lot more that they need to spread their revenue around in order to make things work. If you make 1000 dollars and spend 750, but your neighbor makes 500 and spends only 100 to live...who's coming out better?

Who says your neighbor is making/spending those figures or vise versa? There is more to these numbers than anyone, including myself can comprehend and while its open to debate, you cannot pin point who is making what or taking money away from whom simplely because of one property. Universal had a modest gain in a recession, thats great, but Disney's gain dollar for dollar made Universal's look like chump change.

If Potter was this future goldmine like everyone wants to believe, Disney would own it, pure and simple, but their beancounters took a different avenue for some reason, and more than likely the correct reason, if only because Disney's track record of not only growth but profitability proves they know what they are doing. They just don't get enough credit.


Jimmy Thick-But they DO get our money...

 

[Ralphlaw]

Has anyone considered ancillary benefits to Disney. Imagine a northern family deciding on the family vacation. Mom wants to sit on the beach. Brother wants to go skiing. Dad wants to go the big Peoria Linoleum festival. Then daughter says, "Let's go to Orlando. We can stay at Disney, check out seaworld, and spend time at Harry Potter."

Harry Potter may clinch an Orlando vacation that some may never have taken, with Disney bringing in some, if not a majority, of the bucks. I don't pretend to assert that this is a net plus for Disney, but some of this must be happening. New people to Orlando for whatever reason = Some new money to Disney. It's just a thought.

 

[Lee]

The point continues to be missed.
Forget comparing total numbers between Disney and Universal. It's apples and oranges, like comparing GM to Porsche.

As said before, it's the lost revenue that is causing Disney a headache. Lost from merchandise, food and beverage, and tickets. Where guests used to buy, say, a five day hopper, now they may get a three day in order to spend those other two days at Uni.
It may not sound like much, but trust me, it adds up to a huge headache for the suits.

This whole thing is happening because Uni built a great land with a cutting-edge ride, all based on the most popular franchise of this century. Disney had a chance to do it, and reap all the benefits, but they passed. Regret it? You bet they do. As I said before, its the whole reason they got into the Avatar business.

Also, it isn't just Potter they are fighting. As said earlier, they are losing the PR battle, as well. Disney is, like it or not, stuck with an image problem. They aren't the "cool" destination at this point. They are gonna have to confront their "kiddie" image at some point.

 

[draybook]

I'm amazed at how many people actually respond to Jimmy Thick. Why feed the troll?

 

[wm49rs]

The point continues to be missed.
Forget comparing total numbers between Disney and Universal. It's apples and oranges, like comparing GM to Porsche.

As said before, it's the lost revenue that is causing Disney a headache. Lost from merchandise, food and beverage, and tickets. Where guests used to buy, say, a five day hopper, now they may get a three day in order to spend those other two days at Uni.
It may not sound like much, but trust me, it adds up to a huge headache for the suits.

This whole thing is happening because Uni built a great land with a cutting-edge ride, all based on the most popular franchise of this century. Disney had a chance to do it, and reap all the benefits, but they passed. Regret it? You bet they do. As I said before, its the whole reason they got into the Avatar business.

Also, it isn't just Potter they are fighting. As said earlier, they are losing the PR battle, as well. Disney is, like it or not, stuck with an image problem. They aren't the "cool" destination at this point. They are gonna have to confront their "kiddie" image at some point.

Right. They cannot compete with WWoHP by throwing out card games and by doubling the number of Dumbo spinners at MK. There needs to be more, and at the same quality level they have shown in the past. I don't know if Avatar is the answer. I do know that one billion-plus on Next Gen is not.

I'm amazed at how many people actually respond to Jimmy Thick. Why feed the troll?

Because unfortunately someone may actually believe that he knows what he's talking about.....

 

[GLaDOS]

Also, it isn't just Potter they are fighting. As said earlier, they are losing the PR battle, as well. Disney is, like it or not, stuck with an image problem. They aren't the "cool" destination at this point. They are gonna have to confront their "kiddie" image at some point.

Doesn't seem like they want to be the cool place though, especially with their marketing. All you hear about are memories anymore with them.

 

[jmb2676]

If your salary was currently $1,000 a week, and I told you that now you are only going to get $700 a week instead....would that concern you? Your expenses are still relatively the same and you rely on that money. Like I said before, Disney should always be the leader in attendance and market share...becoming second fiddle to Universal isn't their concern. It's how many days Universal will start to take away from Disney vacations from people. If they start to lose two or three days a person then that is a major hit in income. Yes, they will still get 5 days worth in that scenario, but when you are used to 7 or 8 then that is a big difference.

This is a good example. I have visited Disney 20+ times since 1983 not including working as a cast member from Jan 1995 - Aug 1996. I'm a DVC owner and still visit about every 18 months. Last trip was first time in a while that I went to Universal for a day. For my upcoming trip in October we will probably spend at least 2 days there and I'm pushing for a third. I think this is what should worry Disney but I haven't seen evidence that they are trying to counter it at all.

 

[Bolna]

Also, it isn't just Potter they are fighting. As said earlier, they are losing the PR battle, as well. Disney is, like it or not, stuck with an image problem. They aren't the "cool" destination at this point. They are gonna have to confront their "kiddie" image at some point.

And on the kiddie front they now got competition from Legoland. When I was in WDW in October it was just opening and waiting for Illuminations there was a family next to us discussing how they could change their plans to go to Legoland - and the 10 year old boy was saying that he did not mind missing the Magic Kingdom if he got to go to Legoland...

 

[Buried20KLeague]

Disney is, like it or not, stuck with an image problem. They aren't the "cool" destination at this point. They are gonna have to confront their "kiddie" image at some point.

One would think... But with the way they're dumbing everything down and focusing solely on the little tyke crowd, it seems much more that they're EMBRACING the stereotype rather than trying to combat it.

 

[BamaDisneyFan]

I'm with Trotsky. I am a huge Harry Potter fan. I went July 2011. I was not impressed. I was so ready to get back to Disney. Three rides with long wait lines and stores as well. I have to admit the Forbidden Journey ride was great. The park was not what I expected. A little disappointed.

 

[surfsupdon]

To all those who say they took a day/afternoon to spend at Universal to try Potter and "will never go back" because they "hated it:"

You did what Disney doesn't want you to do anyway, the same thing as the fans of Potter and Universal. You took a day AWAY from Disney (MONEY--FOOD DRINK AND SOUVENIRS) and GAVE that money to Universal instead. Just because you hated it doesn't take away the fact that you gave Universal more money.


I had 2 vacations this past year, and both included one less day at Disney and one MORE day at Universal with 4 adults.

This November, there will be 9 adults spending one less day at Disney and one MORE day at Universal.

Our family has not done this since the mid 90s. But we are now.