News D23 Expo 2022

[Lil Copter Cap]

Epic Universe is not a threat to WDW

This entire post x1000.

An addendum, if I may: Epic Universe has been budget cut to all heck. Universal has been quiet on the project because they themselves can't confirm what will be the final product. Despite going vertical, the threat of jackhammering poured concrete is very real.

 

[Jrb1979]

Cachet*

I think the normal trajectory is: Loves Disney as a child... gets "too cool" for Disney as a teenager... comes to re-appreciate Disney as an adult.

*I'm so sorry... pet peeve.

If you grew up in Disney then that trajectory makes sense. For people like sister, she grew up on Disney, took her kids a few times. Now the family as a whole is more into parks with thrills versus Disney or Universal.

IMO unless the parents continue to influence their kids into Disney, I don't see future generations having the same love as many here do. At lot has to do with the fact when we were growing up Disney was every where and there weren't a lot of options like there is now. My nieces are more into things like Mr. Beast then anything Disney.

 

[wutisgood]

They literally gave us their answers at the end.

The problem is the answers will be opening 1-3 years after Epic Universe because Disney can't seem to build anything in less than double the normal required time.

Disney could come up with some concept art in a week and say they are working on things for the future. It doesn't mean anything untill they are comitted.

 

[Dan Deesnee]

But the resorts and restaurants at WDW are full, meaning there are people who want to go but can't.

If Joe decides to cancel his Disney trip and go to Universal instead, that means Stacy (who had been previously unable to book because everything was sold out) can take his place. Stacy's money is just as green as Joe's money, so Disney is no worse off.

But why would they want to stagnate at current capacity levels?

Think of it this way. You run a pizza shop and are at max capacity every night, 100 people.

Your biggest competitor announces a new location near yours. Any business owner would not be content saying "Oh well, we're full every night.". Instead their likely first though is to expand. Take it to 150 capacity.

That's exactly what Disney signaled they are doing with these expansions. MK is a money making machine for merchandise and food. And they figured out the formula. Right now it's at equilibrium, but if they add capacity and keep crowd levels the same, they are making more money. 30k guests spread over 25 acres versus 40k guests spread over 35 acres.

More attractions and space = more capacity at equilibrium for max profit per guest.

 

[erasure fan1]

Most 13 year old boys would already rather go to Universal than Disney. They don't need Nintendo for that, and they didn't need Potter for that. Disney has never been cool, isn't cool now, and will never be cool.

That could be. But my 13yr old had no interest in universal until the Nintendo announcement. Then he was all in. My point still stands, because 6 and 7yr olds love Nintendo as well and it will be something they are going to want to see. Will the parents decide to cut out a day at wdw for it? I guess we will see.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

But why would they want to stagnate at current capacity levels?

More attractions and space = more capacity at equilibrium for max profit per guest.

Because the entire economy is about to take a doo doo and today's demand isn't going to be tomorrow's demand.

 

[Patcheslee]

Agreed. Disney does well with families that have little kids or those families that bring the older generation. They have rides the whole family can enjoy together. That's where Disney excells. Epic Universe isn't going to change that. IMO the impact is going to be felt in the families with teens and older. Adding Epic Universe those families might opt for Universal for 5 days and Disney for 1-2 days.

IMO the timeline for attractions is an issue. Just since 2017 first visit, DD9 loved it then. Fast forward to now at 14, she still wants to go, but her taste in thrill rides has increased. She knows not to expect the same level as Uni already.
To add: she's looking forward to the monsters area, but asked if anime would be included.

 

[Bob Harlem]

An addendum, if I may: Epic Universe has been budget cut to all heck. Universal has been quiet on the project because they themselves can't confirm what will be the final product. Despite going vertical, the threat of jackhammering poured concrete is very real.

This is not true.

 

[Dan Deesnee]

Because the entire economy is about to take a doo doo and today's demand isn't going to be tomorrow's demand.

Economy already did/is. These plans are years out when the economy will be impossible to predict so the current economics don't matter that much. If they have to borrow for these expansions they won't be doing so for a while.

 

[el_super]

Your biggest competitor announces a new location near yours. Any business owner would not be content saying "Oh well, we're full every night.". Instead their likely first though is to expand. Take it to 150 capacity.

Why wouldn't their first thought be that they might be underpriced?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Economy already did/is. These plans are years out when the economy will be impossible to predict so the current economics don't matter that much. If they have to borrow for these expansions they won't be doing so for a while.

Yeah I think if you're a Disney Parks fan, you're actively rooting for J-Pow to fly the economy into the side of a mountain so we get back to the days of free money.

 

[Dan Deesnee]

Why wouldn't their first thought be that they might be underpriced?

Not to get into the minutia of a simple example, assume they've been doing what Disney has, cutting things and raising prices.

They're at peak profit at current capacity. Best thing to do is raise capacity.

 

[Model3 McQueen]

Because the entire economy is about to take a doo doo and today's demand isn't going to be tomorrow's demand.

What do you mean "is about to".. my stock portfolio is already in the gutter lol.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

What do you guys think is going to be announced in 2024? Can't wait.

It's never too early to begin speculating about these things.

 

[BubbaisSleep]

What do guys think is going to be announced in 2024? Can't wait.

It's never too early to begin speculating about these things.

Muppets Christmas Carol will be restored again for Disney++-

 

[BrianLo]

This aged well.

Can I claim an 86% correct prediction rate and start my own blog too now?

 

[matt9112]

I will say, I don't think it's a threat to take over Disney as the top place in the world, but I do think it could sway some folks to change plans. Not by itself, but for the people who think Potter looks cool, but doesn't think that is enough to justify spending almost the same money to go to Universal over Disney, this could push them over.

Now, from what you and others with knowledge say, they don't think that number will be nearly enough to justify a response. I have 0 reason to question what everyone is saying (just because I of course believe companies respond to others doesn't mean I think that always happens, or that WDW ever does). I do wonder if there is a number where there would be concern, or if they aren't even following Universal. I will say, 11 rides seems small, but it also does depend on what else they have. Are there other things like Meet and greets, shows, etc. If they have those things, the number of rides pretty much lines up with everything other than MK.

Everything said, I did think we would get a lot more from D23. Another crazy conspiracy, did they intentionally completely slight WDW just as a show of "Universal means so little to us, we will show absolutely NOTHING to combat." I doubt it, but no idea.

Yeah the height requirement limits at uni are a huge barrier of entry. Quality aside. It’s a huge road block to family’s with little ones. I really think they should invest in smaller height requirement rides. Cat in the hat for example? Like really? If I was an exec I would advocate changing those entire ride vehicles if I could get rid of the limit etc. universal will never be disney but they need to fluff up the little ones space a little. They need to steal a day or two from disney. I will say there hotel game absolutely destroys disney. So they have that going for them.

 

[el_super]

They're at peak profit at current capacity. Best thing to do is raise capacity.

Doesn't make sense if the current pricing doesn't cover the increased costs of raising capacity. If we're suggesting that Disney needs to spend on more attractions, 300 or 400 or 500 million or year, we are by default suggesting increasing the prices to cover those new costs.

 

[Lil Copter Cap]

This is not true.

I have to believe otherwise based on information I am privy to.

 

[scottb411]

Actually, the reason we have Pandora is because of Potter.

...and Galaxy's Edge. Wasn't Galaxy's Edge called the Potter Swatter? I was at IOA this weekend and Hagrid's coaster had a line of 150 minutes at one point and we are supposed to be in the off-season now.