News Disney’s Fiscal Full Year and Q4 2024 Earnings Results Webcast

[DarkMetroid567]

Universal building VelociCoaster was a mistake, imo. They didn’t need another gut busting coaster.

I hate this comment but I think you’re right. VelociCoaster is not really moving the needle for most Orlando tourists unless you happen to be a coaster enthusiast.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Still excited (need to reiterate that caveat). But if it was up to me we would have had a major investment cycle into the studios (Super Nintendo World and a dramatic front park rethink. DCA 2.0 level). IOA would get a couple smart capital investments and Entertainment. Only then Epic would have been well positioned to follow the start of next decade.

It’s the eternal problem that it starts to get hard to properly take care of an increasing number of gates.

The current data really makes me wonder if Epic would have any negative impact on Disney whatsoever.

I still theorize the biggest loser will be Universal Studios Florida - that park needs love.

 

[Andrew25]

Universal building VelociCoaster was a mistake, imo. They didn’t need another gut busting coaster.

I don't think so, it was a great choice as it's considered (by most) as the world's greatest roller coaster. The issue is that Universal had a bunch of duds that could have been more impressive experiences for families (Villain-Con, DreamWorks, etc.).

Still excited (need to reiterate that caveat). But if it was up to me we would have had a major investment cycle into the studios (Super Nintendo World and a dramatic front park rethink. DCA 2.0 level). IOA would get a couple smart capital investments and Entertainment. Only then Epic would have been well positioned to follow the start of next decade.

It’s the eternal problem that it starts to get hard to properly take care of an increasing number of gates.

Excited for Epic, but I would have a preferred these additions into USF instead. Definitely prefer a full park filled to the brim versus 2 parks with multiple dead/outdated areas.

 

[Nevermore525]

The current data really makes me wonder if Epic would have any negative impact on Disney whatsoever.

I still theorize the biggest loser will be Universal Studios Florida - that park needs love.

Yeah between Comcast reporting drops in attendance this year, Disney basically staying level, and as it currently stands Epic tickets being tied exclusively to multi-day tickets (except for APs), it’s fair to say that Comcast has concerns over cannibalizing their own attendance vs claiming a piece of market share from Disney.

At least in the short term outlook.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Yeah between Comcast reporting drops in attendance this year, Disney basically staying level, and as it currently stands Epic tickets being tied exclusively to multi-day tickets (except for APs), it’s fair to say that Comcast has concerns over cannibalizing their own attendance vs claiming a piece of market share from Disney.

At least in the short term outlook.

My only thought is that Disney knows AK will stay flat, or be their park that goes down, which is why they don’t really care about taking an entire section offline for the Tropical America’s build.

 

[Nevermore525]

My only thought is that Disney knows AK will stay flat, or be their park that goes down, which is why they don’t really care about taking an entire section offline for the Tropical America’s build.

Yeah Disney seems content with AK becoming a park next to nobody really goes to for a couple years between Tropical America’s and the Zootopia replacement for It’s Tough to be a Bug coming.

 

[BrianLo]

The current data really makes me wonder if Epic would have any negative impact on Disney whatsoever.

I still theorize the biggest loser will be Universal Studios Florida - that park needs love.

I agree, I don't suspect it will. I actually think WDW will see a halo effect from Epic as they are now forecasting. Ultimately Universal will gain much more market share, but I think the market will just grow to accommodate. It's unlikely USF passes its previous 2022 peak for quite some time, but obviously the attendance resort wide will immediately increase.

Very doubtfully will we see a 1.5x attendance increase from 2022 levels until Epic operational years 5-10 and probably timed around their Pokemon/Zelda additions.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Yeah Disney seems content with AK becoming a park next to nobody really goes to for a couple years between Tropical America’s and the Zootopia replacement for It’s Tough to be a Bug coming.

Which I can’t understand anyone ever skipping AK. It’s the most stunning, best themed park in North America. I’d skip DHS any day.

But I guess it goes to show, people are motivated by rides more than anything else.

 

[dmw]

Thank you!

@lentesta you've come a long way since the original "Unofficial Guide" books. I think I still have some of the old versions, circa late 90's, early 00's. I remember going to the library to check out a book to get tips, and making copies of the touring plan pages from the back of the books. Many thanks for all you do and the great info it provides to us!