A Spirited Perfect Ten

[VJ]

I'm convinced this rut that Walt Disney World is in will never be resolved. Disney is happy as a clam spending as little money as possible while the masses back them at every turn, lead by the ones we call lifestylers who praise Disney on every little thing they add or remove. If you notice, WDW is what Disney wants all of their resorts to be like, WDW is the shining example, WDW is the flagship. Disneyland's the resort run by people who mostly defend Walt's way of thinking and I think that's why the WDW way hasn't really seeped into CA in a major way as of yet. I think Disney wants Disneyland to be run more like WDW (as in less refurbs, more cost-cutting) and that's why there was the great management switch-up a few years ago when George Kalogridis went to head the Eastern resort. Of course, all of this is just me piecing together events like a conspiracy theorist but one thing is clear: If Disney doesn't change their ways and inject a whole lot of money and a whole lot of (worthwhile) new additions, WDW is screwed for all intents and purposes. I hope that won't happen, of course, but we've got to look at all the options and that one seems to be the one that's gonna happen.

Sorry for the long post, I guess I just like to wait until I have a lot to say about something then, ya know, say it.

 

[Shaman]

yes
I think this is more of a game change than any land inside the parks because it adds an extra night at an onsite hotel

Perhaps. But, considering all the water parks in the area, will people add a night to their stays as a result of the new park or simply go to Uni's water park instead of Sea World's or Disney's or WetnWild's?

Universal is late to the game here, which can be a good thing. But....

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Disney's aversion to confronting guests over excessive/inexcusable behavior is baffling at times, if not simply maddening.

Disney still confronts at times. We were at the GC at the pool, and a guy was absolutely berating a CM because his drink didn't arrive in a timetable that he thought appropriate. This poor girl was in tears. My wife and I simply could not believe the things he was saying, including a veiled physical threat as well. Well, security was there in about 30 seconds, removed him from the pool, and we learned later on that he was kicked out of the hotel, and told never to return. They really need to do that more often!

 

[twebber55]

Perhaps. But, considering all the water parks in the area, will people add a night to their stays as a result of the new park or simply go to Uni's water park instead of Sea World's or Disney's or WetnWild's?

Universal is late to the game here, which can be a good thing. But....

its an additional "thing to do" on property
if im staying at Cabana Bay or Sapphire Falls I can either drive to a water park or walk across the street
JMO but I think this is a huge win for Universal

 

[suburbianj]

Frozen is going to give Epcot and Disney a huge bump in 2016. I don't see Kong giving IOA the same bump.

you truly are full of utter rubbish...take off those Disney tinted glasses and actually give universal credit for taking the bull by the horn these last few years and TRULY improving there parks substantially!!!! Although there lack of benches and themed bathrooms is just entirely ridiculous.........

 

[Funmeister]

Disney still confronts at times. We were at the GC at the pool, and a guy was absolutely berating a CM because his drink didn't arrive in a timetable that he thought appropriate. This poor girl was in tears. My wife and I simply could not believe the things he was saying, including a veiled physical threat as well. Well, security was there in about 30 seconds, removed him from the pool, and we learned later on that he was kicked out of the hotel, and told never to return. They really need to do that more often!

I agree. They really should be more strict on the guests that walk around aimlessly when they are trying to clear the park at closing. So annoying and inconsiderate.

 

[doctornick]

Perhaps. But, considering all the water parks in the area, will people add a night to their stays as a result of the new park or simply go to Uni's water park instead of Sea World's or Disney's or WetnWild's?

Universal is late to the game here, which can be a good thing. But....

It depends on how it is integrated and advertised as part of the Uni tickets. for whatever reason, Wet N Wild has not been heavily advertised or pushed by Uni, but I fully expect Volcano Bay to be advertised as a key component to any Uni visit. I think the ticket structure will reflect this where adding a day for the water park onto a 2-4 day parks ticket will be very affordable as a way to entice people to spend an extra day on Uni's property.

Personally, I view this as far more a "game changer" than any additional E-tickets in the existing parks for Uni. This is the kind of thing that shifts people from "let's go to Universal for a few days during our trip to Orlando" to "Let's spend our entire next vacation at Universal". And that's where the huge potential downside is for the Mouse, if large numbers of people travel to central Florida and don't visit WDW at all.

 

[Goofyernmost]

you truly are full of utter rubbish...take off those Disney tinted glasses and actually give universal credit for taking the bull by the horn these last years and TRULY improving there parks substantially!!!!

And at the same time, try to remember that the previous 15 years they did almost nothing while WDW added an entire park and a gazillion resort hotels. Universal has done a great job in the past 5 years and have raised the bar to almost be where WDW was 5 years ago. If we are going to compare, let's at least do it based on reality and not a what have you done for me today type approach. All that they are missing now is two theme parks and, at least one water park and a few hundred other things like Golf Courses, etc.

Don't get me wrong, although I'm sure that a number of you will do your best to do just that, I really like Universal and I have since the day it opened. However, the type of comparison is like trying to compare New York City to River City, Iowa! They do a great job, no doubt, but, I can not, for the life of me, find enough to do to skip me past two days. I don't like water parks and there are just so many attractions that I am interested in, so it's "two and done" for me.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I agree. They really should be more strict on the guests that walk around aimlessly when they are trying to clear the park at closing. So annoying and inconsiderate.

May I ask in what way your reply had anything to do with what I had said????

 

[Katie G]

once this is built I see universal buying more land to add more hotels

According to recent statements by Uni... I can't remember if it was in an earnings call or not... Uni plans to build lots of hotel rooms in the next 10 years, tripling their current inventory. I don't know where they are going to put it though.

 

[Hakunamatata]

According to recent statements by Uni... I can't remember if it was in an earnings call or not... Uni plans to build lots of hotel rooms in the next 10 years, tripling their current inventory. I don't know where they are going to put it though.

They were pushing their version of vacation club while we were there. I wonder what % will be dedicated to that.

 

[Steel City Magic]

Frozen is going to give Epcot and Disney a huge bump in 2016. I don't see Kong giving IOA the same bump.

The wrong bump I fear. It may lead to more fantasyland sprawl in epcot.

 

[alphac2005]

its an additional "thing to do" on property
if im staying at Cabana Bay or Sapphire Falls I can either drive to a water park or walk across the street
JMO but I think this is a huge win for Universal

That's what I really enjoy about Universal, the ability to walk everywhere on property akin to Disneyland. The fact that no matter the resort or theme park, it's all interconnected. BTW-Universal is a fantastic place to run early in the morning for all the other runners out there. It's so relaxing.

Just of note: When we made our quick trip down to Orlando over the holiday weekend, this was the third time that our five year old has gone, but first in the past two years where he really has it going on cognitively now. We went on "The Simpsons" and he saw Homer on the screen, we started the simulated roller coaster part of the ride, and he couldn't stop laughing, smiling, and having his dimples beaming from his cheeks.

That is what it's all supposed to be about. Our little guy had so much fun. It made for great memories for all of us and the first thing that we were asked by our boys after leaving was when we were coming back. That's what Disney did for me as a child and I'm glad that in the loss of so much that was special at WDW, Universal is making a concerted effort to make those lasting memories and in-turn creates long-term customers for their parent company. It seems like a good deal for all around.

 

[Shaman]

its an additional "thing to do" on property
if im staying at Cabana Bay or Sapphire Falls I can either drive to a water park or walk across the street
JMO but I think this is a huge win for Universal

Oh I think it makes perfect sense for them to build a water park. My point is, I'm assuming many were already staying that extra night and enjoying one of the nearby water parks off property. This probably hits the WetnWild and Aquatica harder than Disney.

Universal's aggressive strategy should concern Disney...at least push them to shorten the construction periods for the stuff being worked on...and dare I say the stuff rumored.

Competition is good. The Theme Park wars continue.

 

[SJN1279]

you truly are full of utter rubbish...take off those Disney tinted glasses and actually give universal credit for taking the bull by the horn these last few years and TRULY improving there parks substantially!!!! Although there lack of benches and themed bathrooms is just entirely ridiculous.........

The last time Universal truly wowed me was when IOA opened over 15 years ago. I love the Simpsons ride, really enjoy Hogwarts Express and Despicable Me is decent, but overall I find their new additions lacking(Gringotts, Transformers, Seuss, and Rockit). Not to mention Forbidden Journey (for making me Mission Space ill).

I do agree that Disney is in need of a new E-ticket though.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Good for Universal.

Now where's my Star Wars Land, Disney?!?!

 

[LieutLaww]

Disney have now decided to wait till after EP VIII comes out, just to make sure that Star Wars is something that people want to see at DHS

 

[alphac2005]

And at the same time, try to remember that the previous 15 years they did almost nothing while WDW added an entire park and a gazillion resort hotels. Universal has done a great job in the past 5 years and have raised the bar to almost be where WDW was 5 years ago. If we are going to compare, let's at least do it based on reality and not a what have you done for me today type approach. All that they are missing now is two theme parks and, at least one water park and a few hundred other things like Golf Courses, etc.

Don't get me wrong, although I'm sure that a number of you will do your best to do just that, I really like Universal and I have since the day it opened. However, the type of comparison is like trying to compare New York City to River City, Iowa! They do a great job, no doubt, but, I can not, for the life of me, find enough to do to skip me past two days. I don't like water parks and there are just so many attractions that I am interested in, so it's "two and done" for me.

The quality standards that Universal has instilled goes back far greater than 5 years ago at WDW. That's what is of particular interest. Well maintained buildings, properly manicured horticulture, very friendly cast, etc. You're right that option wise of things to do they are still catching up, but quality wise, they are doing things out of the old Disney playbook.

 

[Mike S]

Boy, Universal are really rubbing Disney's noses in it with their PR department.

"It will be set in a highly themed, completely immersive environment... the kind of special place that only the Universal team – the same team that has changed the face of Universal Orlando Resort in recent years - can envision and create"

"Volcano Bay shows how Universal Orlando is continuing to evolve at an unprecedented rate that will not slow anytime soon"

In other words, 'who's the daddy?'

Surprisingly I didn't read it that way until now. Great catch.

I was afraid it would look too much like DisneySea's volcano, but I think it so far looks different enough from either one, let's see what the final result looks like

I actually wouldn't have minded that too much.....

*drools*

That's the part where the rest of us grab some popcorn and watch the hilarity ensue

Indeed. I've got an Epcot popcorn bucket at my house ready for this very special occasion. Now, a look into the future....

Good for Universal.

Now where's my Star Wars Land, Disney?!?!

Spoiler

 

[marni1971]

Frozen is going to give Epcot and Disney a huge bump in 2016. I don't see Kong giving IOA the same bump.

Teehee.

Thanks for that.