Disney and Universal: Two very different paths

[TP2000]

I think his point is that in 2002, prior to its collapse, nobody would have thought the 5th largest company in the country would fail. It was in direct response to a post stating that Disney and Comcast weren't going anywhere because they were ranked in the top 100.

Thank you for getting it. Most folks did, but sometimes it takes someone to explain it to a few others.

 

[TP2000]

Well, you can't really grow trees overnight. I'm sure it will fill in. I think Walt, talking about DL said, the park is wonderfully landscaped and it will get better looking as the time goes by and the trees mature.

Kind of, although the quote about Disneyland's landscaping came about as Walt was talking about the organic nature of the park overall versus the more technical movie industry he also worked in, and at Disneyland that even includes the trees. Here's the quote...

"I've always wanted to work on something alive, something that keeps growing. I've got that in Disneyland, even the trees will grow and be more beautiful every year." -Walt Disney

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I simply don't care as long as the show buildings aren't egregiously obvious. Only a simpleton would scream foul considering the scope of modern attractions. We are talking city block, 5 story sized buildings. As long as the kodak moment views are WOW! Who cares? Is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter seriously compromised because the flanks show a showbuilding? I think not. Even the simplest of guest realize that they are in a theme park.

 

[Goofyernmost]

That's one reason they built the tree farm. Guess they didn't put it to use here.

Yes, I know they have a tree farm, but, the process of planting a fully grown tree is much more complex then a smaller one and letting it grow in place. They did do it in some cases, but, I think it is a last resort. I'm thinking that the Liberty Tree is one that they specifically planted as full grown, but that was because it was an attraction, not just hiding one.

 

[danlb_2000]

I simply don't care as long as the show buildings aren't egregiously obvious. Only a simpleton would scream foul considering the scope of modern attractions. We are talking city block, 5 story sized buildings. As long as the kodak moment views are WOW! Who cares? Is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter seriously compromised because the flanks show a showbuilding? I think not. Even the simplest of guest realize that they are in a theme park.

But a quality product is the sum of many tiny details. There are tons of details at Disney and Uni that could individually be removed and people wouldn't notice them being missing. But start neglecting to many of these details and you cheapen the product.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

The trees/Bamboo on the JP side of the WWOHP have grown in to do a great job of hiding Potter. I still thnk that they need to reposition the east arch so that it is simply not possible to get a shot of a gothic castle THROUGH the JP arch.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

What's sad is that I don't think many people who cry over this stuff have even been to DL, where I was able to board not one but two attractions in the park that gave great views of backstage areas, the railroad and the monorail (btw, if you were wondering the backstage areas looked fantastic).

Also, you can literally see people walking up and down the queue to Indiana Jones Adventure from their Jungle Cruise, so much so that they've even worked in references to the obvious lack of shrubbery and Dr. Jones to their spiel.

Of course, let's not mention the fact that the Tower of Terror is visible from Cars Land, etc.

But I don't think most people here have trouble suspending disbelief in theme parks. It just seems like they have trouble suspending it in CERTAIN theme parks.

 

[TubaGeek]

Also, you can literally see people walking up and down the queue to Indiana Jones Adventure from their Jungle Cruise, so much so that they've even worked in references to the obvious lack of shrubbery and Dr. Jones to their spiel.

I guess the knights failed their quest...

 

[Csmith041177]

I love both Disney and Universal / Islands of Adventure. They both do certain things outstanding. Disney will never by surpassed in terms of classic stories, childhood memories, and family rides and experiences. Universal has taken huge steps in thrill rides, and the Harry Potter expansions are absolute game changers. In my opinion, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the most well themed park area in the world. It is OK to love them both!

 

[SJN1279]

I love both Disney and Universal / Islands of Adventure. They both do certain things outstanding. Disney will never by surpassed in terms of classic stories, childhood memories, and family rides and experiences. Universal has taken huge steps in thrill rides, and the Harry Potter expansions are absolute game changers. In my opinion, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the most well themed park area in the world. It is OK to love them both!

Wizarding World is my least favorite area of Islands of Adventure. Way too cramped, but the Hogwarts Castle is awesome to look at.

 

[RSoxNo1]

On the latest episode of the Universal Now podcast, Jim Hill insinuated that a possible agreement between Disney and Comcast could be reached where Disney would give Comcast one or more television stations in exchange for the Marvel character rights. Has anyone else heard this or is this just speculative?

 

[BryceM]

Wizarding World is my least favorite area of Islands of Adventure. Way too cramped, but the Hogwarts Castle is awesome to look at.

While I do love WWoHP, I also find myself leaning more towards Port of Entry, Seuss Landing and The Lost Continent as my favorite islands in Islands of Adventure. What is your's?

 

[fosse76]

Thank you for getting it. Most folks did, but sometimes it takes someone to explain it to a few others.

Good "ole Mr. Thick was commenting as if Comcast was on the verge of bankruptcy, which is why I brought that up. Comcast is no more in danger of collapse than Disney is, based on what is publically available. Enron lasted as long as it did becuase of the hundreds of shell companies it created, and by having an auditor who just took management's word for the financial information provided and made no real attempts to verify the veracity of the accounting.

 

[asianway]

On the latest episode of the Universal Now podcast, Jim Hill insinuated that a possible agreement between Disney and Comcast could be reached where Disney would give Comcast one or more television stations in exchange for the Marvel character rights. Has anyone else heard this or is this just speculative?

He's an insane man with a beard.

 

[jensenrick]

Welcome to the forum!
And yes, some of those views are odd, but like BOG, IASW, Pirates, all have been visible for decades. None are as bad as this one though.

To be fair to Disney, I don't believe that view can be seen from inside the park.

 

[SJN1279]

While I do love WWoHP, I also find myself leaning more towards Port of Entry, Seuss Landing and The Lost Continent as my favorite islands in Islands of Adventure. What is your's?

I like Toon Lagoon for the vibrancy and the comic strips. Popeye was my favorite cartoon as a child, and the rapid ride, combined with Me Ship, The Olive, and Wimpy's make it the most fun section for me. Although, I do miss all the walk around characters that used to frequent the area, and they really need a ride replacement for that stunt show.

 

[EpcoTim]

Comcast is no. 46 on the Fortune 500. Disney is 66. I think Comcast is going to be around awhile.

Comcast has millions of people that pay them 100's of dollars a month for services rendered and in some cases they have zero competition. People don't have to travel to make comcast money, just sit on their couches. But they'll be gone soon enough, TV and internet are just a passing fad, after-all.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I was never bothered by being able to see the show buildings from the Skyway, but, seeing the rail that guided the subs through the lagoon really burst my bubble :-(

It did the same thing for my wife. She was convinced that the subs really submerged and was very disappointed when she saw that it didn't. I like the old suspension of disbelief as much as anyone, but I don't think I ever thought that they actually went under water. How could you not know when you are standing there watching them go around the lagoon. Somethings defy understanding.

 

[Goofyernmost]

He's an insane man with a beard.

Hey...I resemble that remark.

 

[raymusiccity]

It did the same thing for my wife. She was convinced that the subs really submerged and was very disappointed when she saw that it didn't. I like the old suspension of disbelief as much as anyone, but I don't think I ever thought that they actually went under water. How could you not know when you are standing there watching them go around the lagoon. Somethings defy understanding.

Pretty much like the guide rail for the steamboat. It just seems wrong that you can't steer a riverboat, submarine or jungle cruise. Does anyone know if 'back in the day', the Mike Fink Keel Boats and canoes were on a rail, too? ...Or did you really paddle them to the dock?