It's what I don't get. It took them this long to finally see Epic Universe might take attendance away and that they should add new attractions.Correct, and that's why they're doing Animal Kingdom first, they're well aware.
They’ve always known. But their strategy was never to go head to head opening year. If Epic brings more tourists to Orlando in 2025 and 26 that’s great and it will hopefully lift everyone. That’s their mentality. But they know when things start to settle that’s when they need to launch their counter attack.
The counter attack should have started within weeks of EU being announced. Now they are playing catch up.
Here's a thought, leave RnRC alone and ADD some damn rides
IDK. From what I understand, Universal can not add or even update the land without approval from Disney going forward. Disney would play hard ball and block any Marvel upgrades or enhancements. At some point the area will look dated and will be an eye sore for Universal. I still think that Universal has the leverage as of now as they know exactly what Disney will do with the Florida Marvel rights. Disney will incorporate characters, shows, and attractions that could hurt Universal volume. However, Universal could rebrand their current Marvel area into something fresher to attract guests as well. I heard a rumor about DC and Gotham City at one point.
Marvel has reasonable approval. They can’t do what you describe. So long as they are following the style guides then Universal is to be granted approval. Disney tried to look into going after Universal for not operating the area well and abandoned those efforts.
They should of attacked next year with Epic opening… people might skipped Disney altogether and say let’s do a Universal vacation for a change… If Disney had big new offerings people might say as long as we are here let’s check out the great new Disney Attractions why we are here
There is a break point for both parties on this idea. Disney will play hard ball and not allow for any additions or enhancements to these existing attractions . Universal will at some point will discover that the area, attractions is dated and needs a refresh. I think their their is a cash value or IP value that would intrigue Universal. I wonder if some of the more mature FOX properties now owned by Disney would entice Universal. IP such as Alien or Planet of the Apes could have great attractions and become great additions to HHN. Or maybe Disney pays Universal some money and then Universal used that to buy rights to DC and create a Gotham City area with Batman. Lot's of possibilities. Of course if you are Universal, you know that giving up the rights what Disney will do. They will create shows, meet and greets, and attractions that could take visitors away from your parks. It's all about the breaking point.
I thought DC was locked up with Six Flags decades ago. Not sure on the exclusivity though.
I don't think the company using 70 yo toons in another part of the same park thinks Marvel is getting dated.
Disney has already been giving Comcast something they want for the last few years, more guests visiting Universal Studios
Agreed. I could see them doing some sort of character deal, where Uni gets rights to the MCU versions of certain characters in exchange for Disney getting rights to certain other characters that Uni is barely using anyway. Uni has the leverage here since Disney has more to gain so it would have to be a lopsided trade.
That would make absolutely no sense. Universal opening up an entire new park is going to be the event of that year. Even if WDW is planning major upgrades to HS or AK, its not going to match what Universal is doing with Epic. It would make no sense to try and go head to head with Epic's opening. Anything new that is smaller than a brand new park is going to be lost in the Epic news cycle. Waiting until the initial marketing blitz wears off, and then hitting back with new features allows them to not get lost in the Epic noise, and to have their own shiny new things to see the following year(s)
I understand what you saying but that’s not how they have thought previously. When I worked for Disney it was drilled into my head Universal is not the enemy. It was other destinations outside of the Orlando area. If tourists came down for Universal there was a high probability that Disney would get some of their vacation as well. For a while when I was there it was when Vegas tried to go family friendly for that short time. Disney got nervous back then. The belief was that new attractions in the Orlando area, Disney or not, would continue to grow the pie as far as visitors. And up until this point that has held true. Just look at what a positive impact Harry Potter had on all of the Orlando area including Disney. Now with Universal’s third park the mentality is changing a bit. They know they can’t create more excitement than a new park so they are letting them have their moment and hoping for a boost from spill over. But then the gloves come off. Luckily for us theme park fans it’s the perfect storm. Big competition down the road and wall street finally seeing the value in expanding the parks and growth potential after years of them carrying the company. This is the reason a lot is being green lit right now and a good chuck of the money is going to Florida. So as long as WW3 doesn’t break out or another world wide pandemic there is good reason to finally be excited as a Disney World fan.
