5 Years From Now...

[JCAEdge21]

I'm currently down in Orlando vacationing (Disney for 8 days, Universal for 2) and this subject came up, so I thought I'd poll the board. Now please try to keep your answers somewhat unbiased as I do realize that this is a Pro-Disney board, but feel free to give your honest opinion and post what you think.

Five years from now it will be 2017. With all things considered (Avatar, Harry Potter V2, Fantasyland, Any other potential or surprise developments aka DHS expansion, Universal Water Park, etc..), who will we be talking about more 5 years from now? Who will be the one we look at and say "Wow, can you believe what they've done over the last 5 years!?" Disney, or Universal?

 

[Redsky89]

Whats a Universal Sutdios?

 

[corey154]

I think it'll be the same as it's always been. disney in the lead.

 

[powlessfamily4]

I think Disney will lead. Disney is innovative and nostalgic both at the same time. It truly offers great experiences for all ages. I can't imagine taking my new grandchild to Universal studios, however I have already started planning the Disney trip.

 

[wiigirl]

I think it'll be the same as it's always been. disney in the lead.

Always Disney in the lead....they just keep getting better.

 

[BryceM]

Right now, Universal is definitely in the lead, but in 5 years, I'd have to (hopefully) say Disney.

I love both Universal and Disney equally though.

 

[YoungNY]

Universal is great, but I really do feel that Disney will always be better. Universal is too much like six flags, it's an amusement park, nothing more. Disney is a magical experience, they go out of their way to make you feel special and not just in the parks but everywhere on Disney property. I think Disney has a lot more room to expand and with the exception of Harry potter, I think their ideas and themes are better. Also if Disney were able to build marvel themed attractions or come up with super thrill rides (which I hope they don't cause its really not Disney like) I think theyd really hurt universal. Same if they built an aquatic themed park, they would hurt sea world. Maybe not enough to put both out of business, but enough to notice a big difference.

 

[BryceM]

Universal is great, but I really do feel that Disney will always be better. Universal is too much like six flags, it's an amusement park, nothing more.

I disagree. Universal is nothing like Six Flags. Six Flags is a bunch of roller coasters plopped down on some land. (though it's still fun!) It's like Roller Coaster Tycoon.

However, when I'm at Universal, I get the same feeling that I get at Disney. The feeling that I've stepped into another world and all my problems escape me. The theming and rides are on par with Disney and the hotels are as well (especially Portfino Bay).

 

[corey154]

When it comes to young children, i don't feel Universal offers enough to take the lead from Disney. I have two kids and they like to ride on the low thrill attractions, my son is too young for roller coasters so Universal just doesn't do it for them, even Suess land doesn't have enough kiddy rides. (IMO)

 

[YoungNY]

I disagree. Universal is nothing like Six Flags. Six Flags is a bunch of roller coasters plopped down on some land. (though it's still fun!) It's like Roller Coaster Tycoon.

However, when I'm at Universal, I get the same feeling that I get at Disney. The feeling that I've stepped into another world and all my problems escape me. The theming and rides are on par with Disney and the hotels are as well (especially Portfino Bay).

Maybe it's because I haven't been there in many years but it seems universal only advertises super hero themed thrill rides and roller coasters. As someone who isn't into superheroes or roller coasters, just like six flags, it doesn't seem like universal has much to offer me. The only thing that makes me want to go is Harry potter, but the fact that they put in in IOA and charge a separate admission to both parks makes me feel like its all about squeezing my pockets more. I can't imagine spending $90 just to see it, walk around and not ride anything. If I'm gonna spend a fortune on vacation I'd rather spend it where I know I'm gonna be happy. So until I feel like universal has more to offer non thrill seekers like me, I'm gonna stick to Disney.

 

[berlioz70]

It'll be Disney... not because they're better, but because they can squash Universal in size, which simply allows them to have more space for updates/changes/additions.

I love both resorts, for very different reasons, but Disney just has more going on at any given time.

 

[Kev1417]

I think size actually hurts Disney....at least right now it seems like it. It appears they have too much and can't maintain it all. I think that is part of the reason why Universal seems to be a head of Disney at the moment. They only need to focus on 2 parks. I haven't been to Universal in a few years, but is their upkeep or rides/attractions as bad as Disney's right now?

 

[spacemt354]

who will we be talking about more 5 years from now? Who will be the one we look at and say "Wow, can you believe what they've done over the last 5 years!?" Disney, or Universal?

I think those are two different questions, and they have two different answers. The one about "can you believe what they've done over the last 5 years" will probably be Universal. Based on the popularity of Potter 1.0, the Hogwarts Express train to Potter 2.0 I think I can assume is going to be fantastic. But after that, I'm not sure there is another franchise or attarction Uni can build that will garner the same attention and popularity as Potter. Sure, maybe there is, but Harry Potter was a once in a century idea that Uni took and ran with. It will be very difficult to top that after it is all done.

So that is why my answer to "Who will we be talking about more 5 years from now?" is Disney World. Over the next 5 years Disney will have the FLE complete and hopefully Avatar. If Potter 2.0 is very successful and the park attendance for Uni comes close to that of Disney Parks, get ready for some HUGE expansions in Disney World that will blow the roof off the theme park industry. The only reason why Disney has not been proactive in their theme parks at the level they used to during the "Disney Decade" is because IoA was a dud when it first opened. If IoA had opened as a success, Disney had plans for Epcot, DHS, and DAK to combat the park's competition. But since it wasn't a success when it first opened, the only attraction to come out of those plans was Mission:Space. Although I don't think that is the right attitude because I would have loved to see the expansions anyway regardless of IoA's attendance, I do feel that the expansion of Potter 2.0 will force Disney's hand to bring out the big guns so to speak attraction wise.

Competition is the best thing a consumer can hope for, and with that said, I hope Potter 2.0 is a smash hit because then in 5 years, I want to be talking about all those bigger expansions going on in WDW.

 

[Beholder]

Disney. The Disney "brand" will continue to be part of the cultural fabric of Americana. TV, movies, cartoons, toys, the Disney Store, clothing, ESPN, and not to mention the theme parks. It's all "unified" into this giant organization that's recognized world over. You throw Pixar and Marvel into the mix, then it's really over the top. Even on the theme park attraction front, if Uni builds more rides that are "better" I'm not sure overall, people (general public, not us) will care. Disney has the money and promotion
machine to saturate with advertising and marketing.

Just my opinion, but I think Disney will be the one we're talking about.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I could care less about Universal, the only thing I like over there is the Margaritaville at City Walk. Disney is where all the cool kids are and where they will be 5 years from now.

 

[LivFreeorDisney]

I've never heard anyone say, "I'm staying 5 nights Uni and 2 nights at Disney". It's not just the parks but the entire Resort that makes it awesome. But in ten years I can see my then teenagers wanting to do both.

 

[bethymouse]

I think size actually hurts Disney....at least right now it seems like it. It appears they have too much and can't maintain it all. I think that is part of the reason why Universal seems to be a head of Disney at the moment. They only need to focus on 2 parks. I haven't been to Universal in a few years, but is their upkeep or rides/attractions as bad as Disney's right now?

You have a very valid point!

 

[bethymouse]

DISNEY! Hands down!

 

[twinnstar]

Disney.

Yes, I am a Disney geek, but I also am a theme park geek, and Universal isnt as great as everyone makes it out to be, in my opinion. WWoHP looks really cool - but you have to wait on line to go in stores? Its way too narrow, so its uncomfortable when its crowded, and aside from the Forbidden Journey (which is AMAZING.), the rides are poorly refurbished old coasters. Sure, I dream about Butter beer just as much as Dole Whip, but the rest of the park is OLD and dilapidated, save for 1 or two attractions. It means well, but it doesnt reach anywhere near WDW standards. Sure, WDW needs to clean up shop, too - but most of the things we see, others don't. A few major rehauls and some new attractions and draws and I'm pretty confident (now that they got a good kick in the pantaloons) that they will briiiiiinggggg it.



Edit: I live right next to a park with some of the best coasters (Six Flags Great Adventure) so, I have very high rollercoaster standards.