News Disney plans to accelerate Parks investment to $60 billion over 10 years

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The time a person spends at a park is going to largely be up to the personal choices/likes of the visitor to be sure. But how are yijj in getting out of HS in like 3 hours, absent just skipping large amounts of offerings? Hell just eating a single meal at one sit down restaurant is going to take up an hour of time. Add in all the shops, the shows, and then all the rides, if you are doing every then there is no way you are getting out of there in 3-4 hours

The most I’m typically in mgm is no later than about 2…if I go early.

There just isn’t that much and it’s a much smaller park. That’s usually like 3/4 of the rides. I don’t wait - usually - 90+ minutes for mediocre rides…so that is good to knock one or two out depending on the crowds. And we usually eat in brown derby. But I never go into a park with any “checklist” that has to get done. Maybe for my first 500 visits? Or my kids first 150?

But we passed that exit on the highway of life.

There’s more “must dos” for me at DAK than probably the other parks…but we spend the most time typically in Epcot.

 

[James Alucobond]

I’ll do this again - against all good judgement.

It's never stopped you before.

Well let’s just say that 3/1 comment was nuts. So that’s common ground

But again - this sentence doesn’t make sense. Just say you think Disney parks are better. 90% of people in a universal park each day are there for the day. Just like wdw.

This was all within the context of a time-constrained 4-day vacation. The contention was that guests would start allocating 3 days to Universal and 1 to Disney. This doesn't make sense. If you are time-constrained, I assume you will be trying to fit in as much as you can. Both existing Universal parks are completely doable within a single day, whereas Magic Kingdom alone is a struggle with a full day. Why would you allocate three-quarters of your time to the place that actually only requires less than half your time to fully experience, or even less than that if you have children too short for a lot of the rides? I was not saying that most people rush and visit multiple parks every day, just that if you're trying to maximize your time across four days, I can't imagine that anyone would reasonably recommend that balance since there is simply more to do at Disney. That's not changing even if the gap is closing a bit.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

It's never stopped you before.

We all have to be “authentic”

This was all within the context of a time-constrained 4-day vacation. The contention was that guests would start allocating 3 days to Universal and 1 to Disney. This doesn't make sense. If you are time-constrained, I assume you will be trying to fit in as much as you can. Both existing Universal parks are completely doable within a single day, whereas Magic Kingdom alone is a struggle with a full day. Why would you allocate three-quarters of your time to the place that actually only requires less than half your time to fully experience, or even less than that if you have children too short for a lot of the rides? I was not saying that most people rush and visit multiple parks every day, just that if you're trying to maximize your time across four days, I can't imagine that anyone would reasonably recommend that balance since they're is simply more to do at Disney. That's not changing even if the gap is closing a bit.

That 3/1 thing was nuts. Just stirring the pot. Brer seems angry he lost his ride

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

We did two days at Universal last time I was there and that was more than enough. We actually spent a decent amount of time at CityWalk because we were out of things to do in the parks (having Express Pass by staying at the Royal Pacific admittedly helped).

I don't think I could spend 10 days at Disney either, though.

Express pass leads to brain scramble…that’s the down side. Too many “screens and shakers”

So I agree there.

But Disney can’t…or won’t…get people through the lines…
Is that better and should we reward them buy dumping more days at astronomical prices?
Because that’s what happens in 10 days

 

[HauntedPirate]

Let's try this again:

Iger reiterated the $60 billion plan and

Emphasis mine.

Bob Iger says Disney shouldn’t be stressed out by Universal’s Epic Universe

Disney's CEO Bob Iger spoke Wednesday at an investor conference.

floridapolitics.com

With this quote from Iger in mind, recall this coversation:






Some of our insiders are assuming budget cuts for some reason, but I'm not sure they have been actually told that the cuts are happening yet, especially after seeing Iger's comments.

You're placing a lot of faith in a certain poster who posted a park fans' dream list and it somehow has been treated as "insider info". You should take that list with not a grain of salt, but a salt lick.

And when Disney's CFO says their spending is going to be back-loaded toward the second half of the next decade, there's a reason for a statement like that.

 

[tpoly88]

Agree that the current parks need to fill out before a 5th gate is considered. Agree that Epcot needs a couple new pavilions in WS that have attractions. I heard years ago they were thinking on putting a Mt Fuji coaster in Japan but not sure if they have the space for it. Expand behind Big Thunder will be needed (although ill cry at Tom Sawyer island going away but it had its time), AK still has a lot to do there and they need to update that with putting in Indiana Jones in the dinosaur ride and expand that area with more rides. DHS to me has not been the same after Galaxy edge went in, park has lost it identity to me. With that said, Disney still has that family feel that Universal does not have (at least in my mind, universal seems cold) and that is what keep us all coming back. i will mention that I see the cast members on here saying there are some haters when they complain about Disney but i believe that is because the people complaining care so much about the future of the park. being an Italian from the NE we have a saying "we are not happy unless we complain and we do not complain about something we dont like.

 

[BrianLo]

Maybe for my first 500 visits? Or my kids first 150?

You’ve had 500+ visits? Oh my, no wonder you are so jaded with the company!

There must be a Disney anonymous group.

 

[JD80]

EPCOT is easily a full day park for me, but that's because I enjoy exploring World Showcase, the aquarium, etc. -- it's lacking in quality attractions, especially compared to 30 years ago. Based on the criteria in the post I quoted, it's likely there are plenty of people who don't consider it a full day park specifically because it's lacking in major rides.

There's a bunch of empty and/or underutilized space there right now. It's definitely better than it was 5 years ago, but still needs a lot of work.

People can claim anything is a half day park.

EPCOT and MK are full day parks because you can't do everything in the park in a half day. You can objectively do everything in a half day in the other two parks.

When were you last at EPCOT? Just curious.

 

[BrianLo]

People can claim anything is a half day park.

EPCOT and MK are full day parks because you can't do everything in the park in a half day. You can objectively do everything in a half day in the other two parks.

When were you last at EPCOT? Just curious.

I think the ultimate barometer is can one engage in more than a days worth of activities without a height restriction? Magic Kingdom and Epcot you can. Nothing else you remotely can. The only other operator I can identify is Efteling.

And Universal is incredibly bad for it. A short three year old can experience two spinners and a frog choir at IOA. An averaged height 3/4 year old or a short 5 year old is capped to 5 B/C tickets at IOA and Kong. That’s Universal’s real short coming. Even DAK can entertain a family with a young child longer plus those attractions are of incredibly higher quality.

Which is fine in some ways. As ‘ride’ parks, Universal holds up well or ok. Epic looks like the only park that’s balanced in their portfolio.

 

[britain]

I wouldn't say anything is being cut at the moment, it's all about shifting priorities for whatever strategy they want to pursue.

Yes, a particular project getting the thumbs down doesn’t necessarily mean the big budget for the next 10 years has changed.

 

[peter11435]

That’s why they have ZERO intention of doing it…

This management.

Actually.. you are very wrong

 

[UNCgolf]

People can claim anything is a half day park.

EPCOT and MK are full day parks because you can't do everything in the park in a half day. You can objectively do everything in a half day in the other two parks.

When were you last at EPCOT? Just curious.

You're taking my comment completely out of context. Go back and read what I was responding to -- the fact that people can claim almost anything is a half day park is exactly what I was saying.

And I was last in EPCOT in 2022.

 

[eddie104]

Let’s hope whatever gets approved is budgeted appropriately and the money is spent wisely.

WDW needs new rides at the end of the day and that investment needs to come sooner rather than later.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

You’ve had 500+ visits? Oh my, no wonder you are so jaded with the company!

There must be a Disney anonymous group.

Days in the park?

Probably.
But a good chunk of that I worked for…so that is a little different.

I’ve supported Disney across the board in almost every fashion you can think of…
…so why would I insist they do a better job?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Actually.. you are very wrong

Shovels…speak the truth

Not talk…and not stuff Burbank feeds the water coolers in Orlando

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Let’s hope whatever gets approved is budgeted appropriately and the money is spent wisely.

WDW needs new rides at the end of the day and that investment needs to come sooner rather than later.

The problem is this management hasn’t done that…not even close.

And now they will? Maybe

But remember buddy boys ego was just threatened…big time…and investors want money…not magic.

The easiest way for them to make more is to charge more and cut out as much sunk cost as possible.

Even if they show data that lightning lane is a sure fire way to make bank EVEN when you spend…it’s gonna be a mess of upsells and surcharges and attendance will continue to fall…creating more pressure to upsell.

I’m calling it “Satan’s Sircle”

 

[yensid67]

My 2 cents...
So according to Iger, he is betting all his eggs on Disney IP's to compete with Universal Epic Universe?
to me, that is saying they have no plans to do anything in response to the opening of Epic. That is just arrogance!
They keep saying that the Parks are busy, but if watch the vloggers, you see the truth...its empty!

I believe that Epic WILL impact Disney and they will not have a comeback to counter their new park! Even if they did build additions to the parks, it would not be ready for 5+ years...Epic, the entire park, only took 5 years to build. I believe Disney will hurt for attendance for 2-3 years after Epic opens and will scramble to announce something!

Disney is loosing fans, even die hard fans and they don't care except for how much money they can nickel and dime their guests!

 

[Basil of Baker Street]

That’s not an “uncommon” sentiment at all…

And I think 3-4 days at universal is more than enough.

But what makes wdw 10?
That’s not saying I dispute it…just how do you fill it up?

I can do 2-3 days of just resort hopping and Springs with 5 or 6 days in the parks. We're not heavy hitters in the parks and kind of just walk around hitting a few rides.

 

[Brer Oswald]

On the contrary, it's become a kids park. Ratatouille, Frozen, Nemo, Three Cabelleros, Honey I Shrunk/Imagination, Guardians of the Galaxy, Beauty and the Beast, loads of princesses, character meet 'n greets, Pixar Film Festival, scavenger hunts, Kidcot, Crush's talk, Journey of Water, the activites inside Mission Space, the activities inside Imagination, the activities inside Test Track...there's a full day of attractions aimed directly at kids, some of which replaced attractions aimed at the whole family.

The bolded are the only ones that are popular with kids. Nemo and Figment are always dead. Test Track and especially Guardians are too intense. It’s really just a park for locals and for food.

 

[Brer Oswald]

I can - and often do - go to Epcot everyday.

So there’s plenty of appeal.

But they haven’t “improved” it to the point where they accomplished much.

I reject the “it’s boring…there’s not enough IP” crowd - however. If thats the “problem”…there’s a train that goes to magic kingdom

Epcot has an identity crisis. It lacks much of what made it such a good and unique park. The “kiddy” additions made are mostly lacklustre and pale in comparison to Magic Kingdom. Obviously we’re going to get some sort of enjoyment out of it (being major parks fans), but I can see why a family would go today and find it to be a more boring, lesser Studios/MK.