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

[Skibum1970]

Hate to correct you but I work for the company that build HK Disney land so I have both been there and am pretty familiar with the park/material.

Second, while short, its not a 20 second ride. Under a minute sure, but not 20 seconds.

Third for the younger kids who I have seen ride it, I don't know any of them that are complaining about it not being a legacy attraction, that won't stand the test of time. Its a fun short ride, if you don't think its worth your time, don't get in line. If most people don't think it's worth their time, the market flush it out too.

But not every ride needs to be a long drawn out thing. Would it be better if it was a little longer, maybe. But comparing it to other kiddie coasters, Goofy Barnstormer is around 50sec or so, and Flight of the Hippogriff is about the same. I am not going to get all worked up and crazed about the missing 20-30 seconds.

I think that the big part of people's disappointment with this ride is that it is so intricately themed that an expectation is that it should be more. The concept art looked like it would be longer (kind of like Seven Dwarves' Mine Train) and then it was just a highly themed Vekoma Jr. Younger riders will absolutely enjoy it and that isn't questioned. It's just a matter of expectations.

 

[Coaster Lover]

To be fair 20 years ago Cedar Point opened a coaster that was 17 seconds long and it had a 3 hour wait

Also, to be fair, that coaster that Cedar Point built was the tallest and fastest coaster in the world when it opened. People are going to queue a long time for a coaster that has such a distinguished record (regardless of how short the ride is) just to be able to say they rode the world's tallest and fastest coaster. People queue a long time for Disney coasters because when they see a partially enclosed, well themed coaster, they assume it's a "must do" attraction regardless of who the intended audience for the coaster is. 7DMT experiences the same issue.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

I think that the big part of people's disappointment with this ride is that it is so intricately themed that an expectation is that it should be more. The concept art looked like it would be longer (kind of like Seven Dwarves' Mine Train) and then it was just a highly themed Vekoma Jr. Younger riders will absolutely enjoy it and that isn't questioned. It's just a matter of expectations.

Possibly just a viewpoint problem.

I look at it as an incredibly well themed and enjoyable junior coaster, not a too short 7DMT or rockin roller coaster.

 

[J4546]

lol at people complaining about a junior coasters being too well themed

 

[MisterPenguin]

lol at people complaining about a junior coasters being too well themed

The goal post moved to "they didn't advertise it was a junior coaster and now guests are upset!"

 

[MisterPenguin]

Second, while short, its not a 20 second ride. Under a minute sure, but not 20 seconds.

Just watched a POV... it's 55 seconds.

 

[Andrew25]

Oh, USF’s attendance is not good right now. The numbers are massively inflated by HHN and that's before Epic cannibalizes it.

I wouldn't worry about the park long-term, though, because they're going to address many of its shortfalls.

HHN has about ~1.2M visitors, but I don't think TEA is taking that into their regular park numbers (there is a bit of inflation thanks to Stay & Scream though).

USF is definitely benefitting from its special events and entertainment offerings.

 

[LSLS]

Oh, USF’s attendance is not good right now. The numbers are massively inflated by HHN and that's before Epic cannibalizes it.

I wouldn't worry about the park long-term, though, because they're going to address many of its shortfalls.

I think it depends on the kinds of multi day tickets offered. I know if the option for me would be $300 for 5 days at Universal, or $250 for 2 days at Universal and another $250 or so for a 2 days at Disney parks, I'm only doing Univsersal. As someone who has never taken their kids to Universal, we are waiting for Epic to open to at least see that and IoA, and maybe the other 2 parks if it favors us cost-wise.

 

[Nubs70]

To be fair 20 years ago Cedar Point opened a coaster that was 17 seconds long and it had a 3 hour wait

Demon Drop?

Wait that's not right. Demon Drop had to be about 40 years ago. Crap, I'm old.

 

[Jrb1979]

Demon Drop?

Wait that's not right. Demon Drop had to be about 40 years ago. Crap, I'm old.

Top Thrill Dragster. 120 mph in 4 seconds

 

[Nubs70]

Top Thrill Dragster. 120 mph in 4 seconds

It was all fun and games until you take a piece of angle iron in the head.

 

[TheDisneyParksfanC8]

Oh, USF’s attendance is not good right now. The numbers are massively inflated by HHN and that's before Epic cannibalizes it.

I wouldn't worry about the park long-term, though, because they're going to address many of its shortfalls.

The rumored next major things on the docket for USF include a F&F replacement for HRRR and Pokemon to replace Simpsons. However, according to Alicia Stella of Orlando Parkstop, Pokemon has been pushed back to 2030 while Universal prioritizes phase 2 things for EU like that Luigi's Mansion mini land. Hopefully Universal reconsiders and fast tracks Pokemon ASAP for a 2027-2028 opening.

 

[JKick95]

AFAIK that's very accurate. They're basically taking a fix up approach with USF understanding that attendance is going to drop because of Epic regardless. They're not worried about IOA at all.

I will say though, Supercharged is slated to close before Simpsons.

Zelda is still happening though before Pokémon and that's besides the fact other projects have taken priority. There's only so many things you can realistically add to a park/resort at once, but the future of UOR has never looked better.

I look forward to Supercharged closing. The previous ride was vastly superior in my opinion. Does the old set still exist behind the screen tunnel? It would be cool for them to bring back that ride with all the effects or at least something similar if they kept the same ride system.

Zelda makes me worried. Isn’t The Lost Continent the rumored placement for Zelda? Zelda is a very green world outside of the Gerudo Valley and Goron Mountain…. I hope they don’t do it cheaply.

 

[BrianLo]

I think it depends on the kinds of multi day tickets offered. I know if the option for me would be $300 for 5 days at Universal, or $250 for 2 days at Universal and another $250 or so for a 2 days at Disney parks, I'm only doing Univsersal. As someone who has never taken their kids to Universal, we are waiting for Epic to open to at least see that and IoA, and maybe the other 2 parks if it favors us cost-wise.

I think this is the downside that folks are not fully appreciating. Universal is going to hit a lot closer to pricing parity with WDW for multi day ticketing.

I realize your numbers are a bit illustrative because they are sub what current pricing is, but I’d expect the ratio to more realistically hit 250 for the two park days and 399-450 for the 5 days at Universal.

Or in reality by next year 350 for a two day Uni with park hopping, 350 for a Disney two day with Genie+ or 550 for a 5 day Uni.

 

[LSLS]

I think this is the downside that folks are not fully appreciating. Universal is going to hit a lot closer to pricing parity with WDW for multi day ticketing.

I realize your numbers are a bit illustrative because they are sub what current pricing is, but I’d expect the ratio to more realistically hit 250 for the two park days and 399-450 for the 5 days at Universal.

Or in reality by next year 350 for a two day Uni with park hopping, 350 for a Disney two day with Genie+ or 550 for a 5 day Uni.

It will be interesting. Their execs should be paying close attention to what is going on at WDW with the pricing structures and costs. Don't be so focused on tickets, get the people there and get that merch/food/drink sold.

Not to go off on a wild tangent, but I remember when the Lightning changed their entire strategy up on pricing. They knocked the franchise up North for having some of the cheapest tickets. BUT, they have the longest sell-out streak in the league. AND, the part people didn't realize, they have the most expensive concessions. So you may only pay $45 to get a ticket to the games, but you were paying $20 a beer (Season Ticket Holders got them cheaper for what that's worth). So the end result is the ticket and 2 beers cost the same as up North. But Tampa got people in the doors, so more people buying those beers. Really marketing genius on their part, and something Universal should really be considering if they want to take the market share.

 

[bwr827]

I look forward to Supercharged closing. The previous ride was vastly superior in my opinion. Does the old set still exist behind the screen tunnel? It would be cool for them to bring back that ride with all the effects or at least something similar if they kept the same ride system.

Zelda makes me worried. Isn’t The Lost Continent the rumored placement for Zelda? Zelda is a very green world outside of the Gerudo Valley and Goron Mountain…. I hope they don’t do it cheaply.

If I’m not para-gliding off a cliff and soaring wherever I want over the park, I don’t even know what we’re doing here.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I look forward to Supercharged closing. The previous ride was vastly superior in my opinion. Does the old set still exist behind the screen tunnel? It would be cool for them to bring back that ride with all the effects or at least something similar if they kept the same ride system.

While both attractions derived from the Studio Tour in Hollywood, they do not use the same ride system or facility. Disaster! and then some was completely demolished to make way for Fast & Furious.

 

[TheDisneyParksfanC8]

AFAIK that's very accurate. They're basically taking a fix up approach with USF understanding that attendance is going to drop because of Epic regardless. They're not worried about IOA at all.

I will say though, Supercharged is slated to close before Simpsons.

Zelda is still happening though before Pokémon and that's besides the fact other projects have taken priority. There's only so many things you can realistically add to a park/resort at once, but the future of UOR has never looked better.

Interesting, The impression I got from Alicia Stella was that Pokemon was 2030 and Zelda was put off indefinitely until they can figure out a concept that works due to the scale. If Supercharged is closing before Simpsons, I would assume the space would sit empty until they can figure out what to do with it.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Development Hell is probably an apt description for a lot at Universal right now. Their desire to open something new every year is nice unless it results in more filler projects like DreamWorks Land.

 

[eddie104]

AFAIK that's very accurate. They're basically taking a fix up approach with USF understanding that attendance is going to drop because of Epic regardless. They're not worried about IOA at all.

I will say though, Supercharged is slated to close before Simpsons.

Zelda is still happening though before Pokémon and that's besides the fact other projects have taken priority. There's only so many things you can realistically add to a park/resort at once, but the future of UOR has never looked better.

I’m on here and also the IU forums but do you know if USF is gonna receive an aesthetic overhaul like a new entrance arch?

Zelda will have one of the best rides ever made.

So did they choose a ride system because according to Alicia that’s been the biggest issue as to why the project is still lagging in development?