News Destination D23 2023

J

jeanericuser001

Well-Known Member
Dan Deesnee said:
As if Disney didn't have enough problems on the movie front.

Now they're going to go into defensive mode and let Universal gain huge ground on them with Epic Universe with nothing to counter it except fake plans using blue sky concept art.

Things are looking rough for the mouse right now.
Click to expand...
Universal has their own problems with epic universe. Fantastic Beasts has pretty much bellyflopped into an empty swimming pool. Many of the animated franchises that were going to be used as themes for it are getting pretty old to the point that they don't draw as much as they use to. Dark universe has been an absolute bust and every effort with the exception of Renfield seems to have been a disappointment. Their biggest draw is nintendo land but it doesn't appear it will be a big enough draw to justify everyone going there just for that.
 
JusticeDisney

JusticeDisney

Well-Known Member
Glad to see that we still have the same ole folks here proclaiming (quite falsely) that Universal is dominating Disney. LOL!

Don’t get me wrong, Uni has made some real gains, but they will literally always be second fiddle to Disney.
 
MisterPenguin

MisterPenguin

President of Animal Kingdom
Premium Member
Dan Deesnee said:
As if Disney didn't have enough problems on the movie front.

Now they're going to go into defensive mode and let Universal gain huge ground on them with Epic Universe with nothing to counter it except fake plans using blue sky concept art.

Things are looking rough for the mouse right now.
Click to expand...
If you listened to the latest Parkstop podcast, there's a whole list of originally planned rides, attractions, and restaurants which have been cut, downgraded, or put off for 'phase 2.'

It's exactly the kind of stuff that Disneyphiles bemoan as "value engineering" in Disney parks.

IOW, EU will not be "all that" was originally planned.

Don't get me wrong. I want EU to be good and succeed. I look forward to attending some day... more than two years away.

Disney should be put under the pressure to compete.

But the blind lionization of Universal and EU is the Disney equivalent of "pixie dusters."

But... this isn't a EU thread...
 
C

Cliff

Well-Known Member
I dunno....I'd like to hear Josh just get on stage and tell us all the ideas they have for new lands, new attractions, new hotels and even a new 5th gate!!!. I would pay just to see futuristic models and water color blue sky paintings of new stuff.

Even if it's all 100% fake and will never be funded or built, at least we can buy some show tickets to dream for an hour. For me, as a "Pixie Duster", it's a fun activity to just fantasize about it with the community.
 
Last edited:
Bocabear

Bocabear

Well-Known Member
Don't underestimate Epic Universe yet. The last update I saw looked pretty darn impressive. Multiple coasters, Multiple lands, multiple hotels...From what I can tell it all looks pretty amazing and would give any of the WDW 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gates a run for their money. Volcano Bay blows all of the Disney water parks away...Truly beautiful and a real wow experience... Uni is doing a great job of plussing their parks rather than sitting on their laurels or blowing the budget on half-completed vanity projects...
 
ppete1975

ppete1975

Well-Known Member
jeanericuser001 said:
Universal has their own problems with epic universe. Fantastic Beasts has pretty much bellyflopped into an empty swimming pool. Many of the animated franchises that were going to be used as themes for it are getting pretty old to the point that they don't draw as much as they use to. Dark universe has been an absolute bust and every effort with the exception of Renfield seems to have been a disappointment. Their biggest draw is nintendo land but it doesn't appear it will be a big enough draw to justify everyone going there just for that.
Click to expand...
i dont understand universals thought process on nintendo lands, they have all been so small. Especially the one in japan. They really should space it out alot more, outside of the land and infrastructure it doesnt cost them anything. The ROI is there. Id rather them remove one of the new areas and put that in one of the other 2 parks and double the size of nintendo land.
 
ppete1975

ppete1975

Well-Known Member
JusticeDisney said:
Glad to see that we still have the same ole folks here proclaiming (quite falsely) that Universal is dominating Disney. LOL!

Don’t get me wrong, Uni has made some real gains, but they will literally always be second fiddle to Disney.
Click to expand...
In name Disney will always dominate, even if there is a huge new portion of people that will hate anything Disney related. But Disney is relying on its name and not on new attractions or upkeep. It usually takes Disney 4-5 years to build anything and there hasnt been anything new announced in years, so another year with no announcements means 2029 at the earliest of something new? There should be something small every year at 2 of the 4 parks, and a major thing added every 2 years at a minimum.
In the meantime universal will have a new park, and prob 10 rides we dont know about before 2029 (im ignoring minion land, the same as im ignoring moana as those will open shortly).
Then you look at hotels being much cheaper, better waterparks, and negative pr and you can see why some people say the mouse is getting behind.

While I havent been to universal since 1993 and been to disney several times since then, I can see the allure, especially with teens.

I might feel different in 2029 and beyond, if they dont start some construction and bring back the upkeep.
 
JusticeDisney

JusticeDisney

Well-Known Member
ppete1975 said:
In name Disney will always dominate, even if there is a huge new portion of people that will hate anything Disney related. But Disney is relying on its name and not on new attractions or upkeep. It usually takes Disney 4-5 years to build anything and there hasnt been anything new announced in years, so another year with no announcements means 2029 at the earliest of something new? There should be something small every year at 2 of the 4 parks, and a major thing added every 2 years at a minimum.
In the meantime universal will have a new park, and prob 10 rides we dont know about before 2029 (im ignoring minion land, the same as im ignoring moana as those will open shortly).
Then you look at hotels being much cheaper, better waterparks, and negative pr and you can see why some people say the mouse is getting behind.

While I havent been to universal since 1993 and been to disney several times since then, I can see the allure, especially with teens.

I might feel different in 2029 and beyond, if they dont start some construction and bring back the upkeep.
Click to expand...
Really good points. And in my opinion the significant decline in upkeep at WDW is maybe the worst problem of all.
 
Bocabear

Bocabear

Well-Known Member
Well, with Epic Universe opening in 2025, and Disney making no new announcements, they will definitely be in worse shape for the competition....and they are wrong to discount EU cutting into their attendance numbers... This is a whole new major park...with more attractions that either of the two last built Disney parks opened with... It has multiple big rides, they are doing the Dark Universe area...all these are things that I think Disney guests would really go for.... Unless they really do a lousy job on the finishing and details of this park (which they have not ever done) I think Disney needs to start getting busy again... blowing the EPCOT budget on a tree filled plaza and water play area is not going to be the draw they think it is...
 
Cmdr_Crimson

Cmdr_Crimson

Well-Known Member
Bocabear said:
Well, with Epic Universe opening in 2025, and Disney making no new announcements, they will definitely be in worse shape for the competition....and they are wrong to discount EU cutting into their attendance numbers... This is a whole new major park...with more attractions that either of the two last built Disney parks opened with... It has multiple big rides, they are doing the Dark Universe area...all these are things that I think Disney guests would really go for.... Unless they really do a lousy job on the finishing and details of this park (which they have not ever done) I think Disney needs to start getting busy again... blowing the EPCOT budget on a tree filled plaza and water play area is not going to be the draw they think it is...
Click to expand...
D23 Expo 2024 is beforehand..They gotta blow something out of the ballpark to appease the masses....I'm sure it will be about a new garbage can or something..
 
D

DCBaker

Premium Member
Original Poster
Two additional presentations have been announced for Destination D23.

Disney Cruise Line: 25 years of Innovative Design at Sea – Get an inside look into designing and building Disney Cruise Ships from the Disney Imagineers currently working on its newest fleet. Learn of the intricacies that go into designing unique spaces and the complexities of ship design.

EPCOT: Always in a State of Becoming – A look into the design and ideas behind the transformation of EPCOT and its new neighborhoods, attractions and experiences. Explore the legacy of the park and discover more about the collaboration between Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney World Resort throughout this ambitious process. Highlights include details uncovered by the Marty Sklar Archives and the inspirations that have guided the evolution of Disney’s first park without a castle.
 
Vegas Disney Fan

Vegas Disney Fan

Well-Known Member
JusticeDisney said:
Glad to see that we still have the same ole folks here proclaiming (quite falsely) that Universal is dominating Disney. LOL!

Don’t get me wrong, Uni has made some real gains, but they will literally always be second fiddle to Disney.
Click to expand...

I think Disneys safely in the top spot for another decade or 2 but Uni has definitely closed the gap beyond what I thought possible a decade ago, if Uni keeps building and Disney keeps offering less at higher prices, while nickel and diming us at every turn, I could see Uni overtaking them in my lifetime. The big question is whether Uni can maintain this pace though, they’ll hit diminishing returns at some point.
 
JusticeDisney

JusticeDisney

Well-Known Member
Vegas Disney Fan said:
I think Disneys safely in the top spot for another decade or 2 but Uni has definitely closed the gap beyond what I thought possible a decade ago, if Uni keeps building and Disney keeps offering less at higher prices, while nickel and diming us at every turn, I could see Uni overtaking them in my lifetime. The big question is whether Uni can maintain this pace though, they’ll hit diminishing returns at some point.
Click to expand...
I hear you. I think Universal can definitely narrow the gap even more than they already have, but I don’t believe they can or will ever overtake Disney. Just my opinion, of course.
 
C

Cliff

Well-Known Member
Let's be real about new projects in the next 3-5 years...

Disney studios have been reported to have lost 900+ million dollars in the past two years. They are spending WAY more then they are making.

Disney + is deep in the red and is bleeding a TON of money. They are spending WAY more then they are making.

Disney is legally obligated to finish the HULU buyout in Q1 of 2024. Best case scenerio is they need to come up with $9 Billion...worst case is $27 Billion. Let's say arbitration lands in the middle....let's say $18 Billion.

Folks....Disney will need to scrape up EVERY billion they have...then BORROW the rest. They already got billions in loans to ride out the pandemic and float the company. Now they need another 10 billion in loans to cover the HULU cost! You guys know what the current intrest rates are on a new 10 billion loan today?

And now Parks are slumping?...the ONE area that was supposed to be "bulletproof" for Disney?

Or......Disney could buy HULU with new issued stocks....and make Comcast Universal the largest shareholder of Disney???? Ok...that might work.
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom