HOW WILL UNIVERSAL'S EPIC UNIVERSE AFFECT WALT DISNEY WORLD?

[Giss Neric]

I just find it funny that the GP/thrill fanatics/rollercoaster enthusiasts always criticizes Disney for being outdated yet that's the thing that makes people come back - nostalgia. They're slowly getting rid of it though.

 

[Jrb1979]

I just find it funny that the GP/thrill fanatics/rollercoaster enthusiasts always criticizes Disney for being outdated yet that's the thing that makes people come back - nostalgia. They're slowly getting rid of it though.

Disney has been doing a lot of thrills lately. Not just coasters but a lot of attractions have some thrill to it.

I will add something that was said in the Epic Universe thread was they Universal's parks are mish Mash of IP. The funny thing is Disney is heading towards that exact same thing.

 

[FettFan]

Bob Iger and Josh Damaro hurt the Disney parks far more than Universal ever could.

 

[Giss Neric]

Bob Iger and Josh Damaro hurt the Disney parks far more than Universal ever could.

And people just want to forget Chapek existed.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

The intangible “feeling” is the one thing Universal has never been able to replicate for us. Velocicoaster is my favorite ride in the world, Hagrids is in the mix for #2, the HP lands are as good as anything Disneys ever done, etc… but we still don’t get the “feels” at Uni like we do at Disney.

The nostalgia factor is probably the biggest thing Disney has going for it, my adult nieces and nephews (late 20s to early 30s) still have a healthy dose of Disney nostalgia but their kids don’t seem to differentiate Disney from the hundreds of others shows they watch and games they play. I think that’s going to cause major problems for Disney in the decades to come.

I agree with your statement about your nieces and nephews. My grandkids could care less about Disney characters or going to WDW. They love Harry Potter and most all things about Universal. I think Disney is aging into a new group of children who don't even know who they are, other than a theme park. When I was young, we had movies and tv shows from disney. Those things made us want to visit Disneyland. The kids today have so much they can watch online or take part in that I think the demand for going to Disney is fading. It's the parents, IMO, who need to continue to take them to WDW to keep the nostalgia going. So, I agree that this all will cause WDW company problems in the future. They are killing the nostalgia for what Disney has been for decades, at least that's what happened to us. We are now solid Universal fans and make our yearly trips there only. It used to be Disney or nothing for years for us, which is kind of sad to aknowledge.

 

[Chi84]

I agree with your statement about your nieces and nephews. My grandkids could care less about Disney characters or going to WDW. They love Harry Potter and most all things about Universal. I think Disney is aging into a new group of children who don't even know who they are, other than a theme park. When I was young, we had movies and tv shows from disney. Those things made us want to visit Disneyland. The kids today have so much they can watch online or take part in that I think the demand for going to Disney is fading. It's the parents, IMO, who need to continue to take them to WDW to keep the nostalgia going. So, I agree that this all will cause WDW company problems in the future. They are killing the nostalgia for what Disney has been for decades, at least that's what happened to us. We are now solid Universal fans and make our yearly trips there only. It used to be Disney or nothing for years for us, which is kind of sad to aknowledge.

I agree with much of that except I think it’s more about aging out than Disney killing the nostalgia.

I noted previously that only a few generations could “grow up alongside” or “along with” Disney. The millennials are probably the last of those generations.

Keeping nostalgia alive may increase attendance for the last of the baby boomers and Gen X people but it won’t help Disney going forward.

The children of the millennials may like Disney characters and enjoy the parks, but I doubt there would be any nostalgic connection of the sort experienced by the generations that saw Disney’s creation and initial growth.

 

[Agent H]

I agree with your statement about your nieces and nephews. My grandkids could care less about Disney characters or going to WDW. They love Harry Potter and most all things about Universal. I think Disney is aging into a new group of children who don't even know who they are, other than a theme park. When I was young, we had movies and tv shows from disney. Those things made us want to visit Disneyland. The kids today have so much they can watch online or take part in that I think the demand for going to Disney is fading. It's the parents, IMO, who need to continue to take them to WDW to keep the nostalgia going. So, I agree that this all will cause WDW company problems in the future. They are killing the nostalgia for what Disney has been for decades, at least that's what happened to us. We are now solid Universal fans and make our yearly trips there only. It used to be Disney or nothing for years for us, which is kind of sad to aknowledge.

There is definitely more competition than ever before but I don’t know. I don’t think this will end up being as big a problem as some people think it will. What’s the Walt quote I’m thinking of? Quality will win out? In any case we won’t know for the outcome for another decade or two.

 

[FettFan]

And people just want to forget Chapek existed.

According to the New York Times and CNBC, Bob Chapek was essentially “CEO in name only”, but was forced to report directly to Iger.

When Chapek grew a pair and attempted to think for himself, chiefly in pumping the brakes on Iger’s overt push for TWDC embracing progressive politics (aka his public p*ssing contest with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis), Iger and his boardroom toadies decided he had to go.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a fan of Chapek; but ultimately, his tenure was far too short and far too micromanaged to ascribe him any real blame or credit for anything happening in TWDC from 2020

 

[DisneyHead123]

The intangible “feeling” is the one thing Universal has never been able to replicate for us. Velocicoaster is my favorite ride in the world, Hagrids is in the mix for #2, the HP lands are as good as anything Disneys ever done, etc… but we still don’t get the “feels” at Uni like we do at Disney.

The nostalgia factor is probably the biggest thing Disney has going for it, my adult nieces and nephews (late 20s to early 30s) still have a healthy dose of Disney nostalgia but their kids don’t seem to differentiate Disney from the hundreds of others shows they watch and games they play. I think that’s going to cause major problems for Disney in the decades to come.

My son and nephews #1 pick is Great Wolf Lodge, despite all coming from very Disney families. My niece prefers Disney although GWL is still a big hit with her.

I’m honestly not sure what the magical X Factor is with GWL. My son likes the pool but he’s not waterpark obsessed in general. One factor I wonder about is how much more autonomy kids have there, and maybe the fomo aspect of seeing other kids having fun (unlike Disney that’s a mix of ages, GWL is wall to wall kids). I was surprised by how much my son tried there and I wonder if being able to actually see other kids was a part of that. My child who screams bloody murder that Peter Pan is too scary was telling me with false bravado “I love big water slides, I can’t wait to go on this slide!” as he climbed the stairs to the tallest one. I think seeing “big kids” riding them and screaming in delight was probably a part of that.

For the adults GWL is about a 5 out of 10, other than seeing how much the kids love it. They kindly provide a pool bar for frazzled parents, lol, and if your kids are older you might even be able to catch a quick meal together while they do Magic Quest. Nowhere near the same level of offerings for adults though.

 

[Giss Neric]

I have been seeing a surprising amount of negative feed backs. Have people become used to being overly critical of Disney recently that they're unconsciously doing with Universal as well? The same criticisms they had for Disney they're doing it with EU now like sight line problems , lack of shade, lack of entertainment, the horrible VQ system, ride breakdowns, abysmal food etc.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I have been seeing a surprising amount of negative feed backs. Have people become used to being overly critical of Disney recently that they're unconsciously doing with Universal as well? The same criticisms they had for Disney they're doing it with EU now like sight line problems , lack of shade, lack of entertainment, the horrible VQ system, ride breakdowns, abysmal food etc.

I mean…. Are people not supposed to notice the negatives?

 

[Jrb1979]

I have been seeing a surprising amount of negative feed backs. Have people become used to being overly critical of Disney recently that they're unconsciously doing with Universal as well? The same criticisms they had for Disney they're doing it with EU now like sight line problems , lack of shade, lack of entertainment, the horrible VQ system, ride breakdowns, abysmal food etc.

Is there anything positive you like about Epic Universe?

 

[lazyboy97o]

I have been seeing a surprising amount of negative feed backs. Have people become used to being overly critical of Disney recently that they're unconsciously doing with Universal as well? The same criticisms they had for Disney they're doing it with EU now like sight line problems , lack of shade, lack of entertainment, the horrible VQ system, ride breakdowns, abysmal food etc.

Not having a double standard is bad?

 

[FettFan]

I have been seeing a surprising amount of negative feed backs. Have people become used to being overly critical of Disney recently that they're unconsciously doing with Universal as well? The same criticisms they had for Disney they're doing it with EU now like sight line problems , lack of shade, lack of entertainment, the horrible VQ system, ride breakdowns, abysmal food etc.

It’s not “Disney Bad, Uni Good”.
Two things can indeed be true at the same time.

 

[KDM31091]

Disney has been doing a lot of thrills lately. Not just coasters but a lot of attractions have some thrill to it.

I will add something that was said in the Epic Universe thread was they Universal's parks are mish Mash of IP. The funny thing is Disney is heading towards that exact same thing.

Exactly. All the parks are becoming interchangeable over time, just a hodgepodge of IPs with often a loose attempt to tie them in or no attempt at all. I have to accept that the Disney I am nostalgic for as a millennial is basically gone and not coming back. I will try and enjoy it for what it is now, but I am disappointed in many recent developments.

 

[FettFan]

Disney has been doing a lot of thrills lately. Not just coasters but a lot of attractions have some thrill to it.

I will add something that was said in the Epic Universe thread was they Universal's parks are mish Mash of IP. The funny thing is Disney is heading towards that exact same thing.

All the more reason to start visiting smaller regional parks…Knott’s Berry Farm, Carowinds, Silver Dollar City, etc.


SDC has their own Pirates of the Caribbean-adjacent attractions in “Fire In The Hole!” and “The Flooded Mine”.

 

[Jrb1979]

All the more reason to start visiting smaller regional parks…Knott’s Berry Farm, Carowinds, Silver Dollar City, etc.


SDC has their own Pirates of the Caribbean-adjacent attractions in “Fire In The Hole!” and “The Flooded Mine”.

I already do that. I visit close to 4-5 different parks each summer

 

[DLR92]

I just find it funny that the GP/thrill fanatics/rollercoaster enthusiasts always criticizes Disney for being outdated yet that's the thing that makes people come back - nostalgia. They're slowly getting rid of it though.

Yes, that is precisely why I go to Disneyland. Although I do feel Disney update the animatronics inside Pirates. And update Space Mountain.

I think reliance on screen makes them uninteresting and lack of innovation. That what troubles me with Disney.

 

[Eric Graham]

Yep. "More creatives in charge" and not the money counters.

In actuality, I feel that they're really two different parks....Universal is more of a thrill ride park, and Disney is more of a family themed park...Disney does have a few thrill rides, but many of their rides are more geared towards families I believe. Hopefully, I'll get out to Disneyland next year. Today, someone that I know who is a former CM showed me their mouse ear tattoo they they just got. How fun!

 

[marni1971]

In actuality, I feel that they're really two different parks....Universal is more of a thrill ride park, and Disney is more of a family themed park...Disney does have a few thrill rides, but many of their rides are more geared towards families I believe. Hopefully, I'll get out to Disneyland next year. Today, someone that I know who is a former CM showed me their mouse ear tattoo they they just got. How fun!

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