Disney and Universal: Two very different paths

[GrumpyFan]

........They are direct competitors with each other.

Exactly! Competing for tourist dollars in the same area. Other competitors include Sea World, Busch Gardens and LegoLand, as well as a whole bunch of other smaller attractions, all trying to take money out of people's pockets could potentially go to Disney. They may not compete on the same scale with a product that is equal, but they don't have to. If they can get an extra buck or two out of the 47+ million visitors coming to see Mickey, then it just means Disney doesn't get it.

 

[Hobnail Boot]

I certainly don't think Universal is going to "catch" Disney, but I believe that the corporate mindset of both companies are going in different directions. Universal is saying challenge accepted and trying to better themselves while Disney is flexing it's muscles in the mirror admiring themselves. Competition between the resorts is good, but with TDO's speed it will be years before they even realize that Universal is competition. I think it will take a noticeable drop (not drastic, just noticeable) in attendance, merchandise sales, etc before WDW decides to counter.

 

[bgraham34]

TDO has only 1 choice they must open Star Wars Land. Not just a small section with 2 themed rides and they must do it in less than 3 years in IMHO. Really 2 year but still.

If they think allowing more pre planning will get you to spend more money they are wrong. I have noticed the more planning i do the less I spend. My last trip was even the first time I did not buy souvenirs.

 

[WDWDad13]

...and here we go

 

[DznyGrlSD]

• Jay Rasulo says 125K Disney World visitors have now tested MyMagic+ systems. Said tests have produced "very, very positive results." /ducks

• Also repeated Disney's basic strategic premise w/NextGen: The more pre-planning Disney visitors do, the more time & money they spend at WDW

• Rasulo also was a bit more direct in discussing the data-tracking motivation behind MM+, as well. "The more you share with us as a guest......the more we’re able to tailor services and, we think, get lift in selling those services.”

I could care less about MM+ and it's so-called "benefits" - I would have rather them spent the BILLIONS of $$ on a 5th gate...or improving/fixing-up/adding new attractions to the current 4 parks (sans Avatarland - I could also care less about that).

As a former cast member I'm SICK of having to pre-plan MONTHS in advance what I want to do, eat, see on my VACATION - it's call vacation for a reason. I spent a week at Disneyland in May - VERY little pre-planning was needed/done and we had a blast. It was RELAXING!! MM+ FP+ and 180 day dining are all stressful to me...and I usually LIKE to plan!

 

[danlb_2000]

...and here we go

It was obvious by the title of the thread what this was going to be about. If you don't like the Uni vs Disney Discussion why even open the thread?

 

[mgf]

It was obvious by the title of the thread what this was going to be about. If you don't like the Uni vs Disney Discussion why even open the thread?

To clarify - This is not meant to be the typically D vs U thread. This is meant to discuss the difference in attitude/approach/business model/current and upcoming product, etc.

No need to rehash whether exposed steel track is MAGICal or if Buzz is a cheap copy of MiB.

 

[danlb_2000]

To clarify - This is not meant to be the typically D vs U thread. This is meant to discuss the difference in attitude/approach/business model/current and upcoming product, etc.

No need to rehash whether exposed steel track is MAGICal or if Buzz is a cheap copy of MiB.

It may not be intended, but it will turn into one.

 

[willtravel]

But at current rate, do you think disney can right itself? Unless they break ground on new huge attractions within a few months, they are going to be left in the dust. And if there were plans in the works Im sure our insiders would be hinting at it.

With the lack of new attractions no tbeing built, I don't think Disney is worried about it. For all we know, they could put the parks up for sale.

 

[Captain Neo]

To clarify - This is not meant to be the typically D vs U thread. This is meant to discuss the difference in attitude/approach/business model/current and upcoming product, etc.

No need to rehash whether exposed steel track is MAGICal or if Buzz is a cheap copy of MiB.

It won't turn into a D vs. U thread. That would require Disney actually attempting to compete

 

[misterID]

Per HTF at Orlando United

In the next seven years (some of this is supposed to be major Blue Sky) at UNI and IOA.

Potter Phase 2
Cabana Bay Resort Phase 1 and 2
IOA Evening Show
JP Expansion
Lorax
Kong
Kidszone Revamp
Toon Lagoon Overlay including the destruction of the empty theater
Shrek Replacement including a new Studios Entrance
T2, ROTM, and Twister upgrades
Fear Factor Live Replacement
Cabana Bay Phase 3
New Waterpark
The Grinch comes to Suess
New Family Value Loews Resort
MIB Replacement/Overlay
Old Hollywood Loews Resort
Potter Phase 3
Citywalk Overlay and Major Renovations
Citywalk Expansion
Upgraded Transportation Systems
Third Gate

Some other stuff I've gathered: E.T. will stay and be refurbed in the Kidzone replacement. Any rumors abut Wonka taking over LC are fan made and untrue.

I wish Twister would go and MIB would stay, imo.

 

[Timekeeper]

My opinions regarding Universal rests completely in what they decide to do with E.T.

Kong was strike one. Back to the Future was strike two. Jaws was strike three ...but I'm allowing them four strikes because of how wonderful most of their current offerings are.

And, the concert events that are available throughout the year are worth the price of (annual) admission. That's one thing that I miss about P.I. and the WestEnd Stage; live entertainment from notable performers.

 

[ToTBellHop]

What 30 year head start?

Disney opened MK in 1971
Universal Studios opened USF in 1990

That's only 19 years. In fact, Eisner quickly green lit and scrambled MGM Studios because he realized Universal was a threat and they had a nasty fued when those parks were opening in the early 90s.

19 years plus the 10 years in the early 2000s where Universal built nothing.

 

[WDWDad13]

It was obvious by the title of the thread what this was going to be about. If you don't like the Uni vs Disney Discussion why even open the thread?

For the same reason you replied to me....no reason I guess lol

 

[steve2wdw]

If they think allowing more pre planning will get you to spend more money they are wrong. I have noticed the more planning i do the less I spend. My last trip was even the first time I did not buy souvenirs.

If I go to Walmart (or any store for that matter) with a list, I stick to the list and make NO extra purchases. If I go without one, I tend to spend MUCH more.

 

[rd805]

But at current rate, do you think disney can right itself? Unless they break ground on new huge attractions within a few months, they are going to be left in the dust. And if there were plans in the works Im sure our insiders would be hinting at it.

It takes time for something like this - but you are completely right. If this trend continues it will eventually take a toll - but Disney is such a power house that it will obviously still make money. I do think that Universal will continue to grow though (there's my captain obvious moment - dee dee dee), and keep getting more and more people from WDW to spend more time at their parks/buying their products.

 

[HMF]

I thought this was worthy of its own thread, especially since a SPIRITED debate has buried most of this info.

This OP is to recap recent announcements/coverage of Universal's shots across the bow of USS (HMS for our UK friends) Disney and Disney's (lack of?) reaction.

Universal wants to add thousands of hotel rooms

Warner Bros. to release J.K. Rowling's 'Harry Potter' spinoff

Disney to buy back $6-8 bn in shares

The following are major comments from a recent investor conference at which both Disney and Universal presented (from Garcia):

Universal

• Whoa: NBCUniversal Steve Burke says, using the multiple SeaWorld currently trades at, Universal's theme parks are worth $9-10 billion now.

• Also just repeated his belief that Universal Orlando has room for 10,000 hotel rooms (has only about 2,400 now, not incl. Cabana Bay).

• Burke: “We love the theme-park business. We think there’s a real opportunity to increase the pace of new attractions.

• "... We have far too few hotel rooms in Orlando….You’ll see us add attractions at a more rapid rate, add hotel rooms at a more rapid rate."

• Sometimes I almost wonder if he's trolling them!...These quotes are unbelievable. Seriously. Is Disney awake?

• "I think you'll see us open hotels. We've done a study that says we could have 10,000 or 15,000 hotel rooms and still have occupancy.....that makes those rooms profitable. And all of those people staying in those hotels would be more likely to go to our theme parks. So.....I think, strategically, we need to get those hotel rooms open and build out the resort."

• Second, he said attendance at Universal Studios Florida has been up about 20 percent "most weeks" since Transformers opened.....

• Also said NBCU wants to continue the cadence of opening up at least one new attraction in both Orlando and Hollywood every year.

• And then a few fightin' words: Universal parks are becoming "a family destination in and of itself and not an add-on destination for...somebody that spends three or four days somewhere else." Gee, I wonder where that somewhere else might be.

• I'm probably just jumping at shadows here, but when Burke was describing "the "right kind of attraction"........one of his criteria was "clear and easy to market." That could very well have been a subtle shot at Disney's $1 billion MyMagic+ project. One of the main criticisms I've heard from theme-park strategic-planning types about MM+ is how hard it will be to market to consumers.

• From an analyst re: Steve Burke's comments today: "Universal Orlando clearly believes that they can offer a product that is every bit.....as attractive as Disney, if not more so. Being a weak number two player in the market has not been very profitable for the resort....in the past. They have shown in recent years that can meet or beat Disney in attraction quality at fraction of the price...." And so on.

Disney

• Jay Rasulo says 125K Disney World visitors have now tested MyMagic+ systems. Said tests have produced "very, very positive results." /ducks

• Rasulo also made a point of saying Disney had no weather impacts at WDW during the last quarter. Seemed like a subtle dig at SeaWorld.

• Also repeated Disney's basic strategic premise w/NextGen: The more pre-planning Disney visitors do, the more time & money they spend at WDW

• Rasulo also was a bit more direct in discussing the data-tracking motivation behind MM+, as well. "The more you share with us as a guest......the more we’re able to tailor services and, we think, get lift in selling those services.”

• Rasulo is asked if Disney will build Star Wars lands in theme parks. He didn't answer. But of course they will.

• That's it from Rasulo and Disney. Didn't hear anything new at all. Maybe they can bring Steve Burke back for an encore?

My opinion of Jay Rasulo is near or about equal to my opinion of someone like Dark Lord Cheney. I think Donald Trump has more integrity than Rasulo and that is saying something. Trump is at least transparent in his attempt to rip you off.

 

[Goofyernmost]

If I go to Walmart (or any store for that matter) with a list, I stick to the list and make NO extra purchases. If I go without one, I tend to spend MUCH more.

I believe that is done with mirrors. It's isn't possible. If I have a list or I don't I always spend more. Having a list makes sure that I, at least, got what I needed before I spent extra on stuff I figured out I needed once I got there. And now......Back to topic!

 

[raymusiccity]

It takes time for something like this - but you are completely right. If this trend continues it will eventually take a toll - but Disney is such a power house that it will obviously still make money. I do think that Universal will continue to grow though (there's my captain obvious moment - dee dee dee), and keep getting more and more people from WDW to spend more time at their parks/buying their products.

Just by looking at Google Maps, you can see that it's physically impossible for Universal to continue to grow. They were much too hesitant to acquire enough of a footprint early on. I'm always amazed at how close Potter is to a school athletic field just over the fence.

 

[djlaosc]

Just by looking at Google Maps, you can see that it's physically impossible for Universal to continue to grow. They were much too hesitant to acquire enough of a footprint early on. I'm always amazed at how close Potter is to a school athletic field just over the fence.

Universal are apparently looking at purchasing more land.