Disney Playing catch up with Universal... Potter Disney's biggest mistake in 20 years...

[Cesar R M]

Anyone find it interesting that Yahoo is running a Disney World article today? Its titled "Pub-crawling through the Magic Kingdom". I guess Yahoo got a call from Zenia (or somebody at Disney) to write something new. If you ask me its a very misleading title as we all know MK is dry. The picture with the article has a split between MK and beer taps from Big River Grill? It actually tells you to pub-crawl on the monorail resorts then hit MK. I guess they figure if you get drunk enough you may actually think 7DMT is as fast the commercial makes it look.

Here is my favorite quote from the article and It makes no sense to me, maybe someone can explain what they mean: "If you haven’t already been to the Polynesian Resort, then you are in for a treat! Especially since it’s in the midst of a renovation." What, Huh?

The lovely smell and taste of construction dust, Asbestos with a side of destroyed dreams and memories clearly add a lot to the drinking feel, I bet!

 

[flynnibus]

We'll see.
At present there still is not enough to do in Orlando to occupy the average vacationing family for 5-6 days without spending time at Disney

GET OUTSIDE THE BUBBLE! What on earth do people think all those buildings and hotels are outside of Disney property and who stays there? My god boy... get outside for a change.

I guess this mindset proves DME such a resounding success! No only do people not have a way to get to non-disney entertainment, they don't even think it exists anymore! Bravo Disney!

 

[wdisney9000]

Just because I refuse to be amongest the cattle being pulled around by the nose ring doesn't make me someone else. Sorry I can think for myself.

...says the person who is defending Disney in every post??? You fall for the common misconception that if someone says something good about Uni, they must be against Disney. Your the cattle that doesnt even realize you have a nose ring, let alone are being pulled. No offense, of course.

 

[flynnibus]

Has Disney ever put out, or licensed a model kit for the Nautilus? I don't remember one. I'd buy one now if they did. As for non Disney merch, didn't Disneyland have a Wonderbra store on Main St. USA?

Models as in 'built it' - I don't think so. They've sold figurines and other models of it over time.. including high end collectibles.

 

[Bairstow]

That was the fastest I seen someone switch positions...
you just said there wasn't enough to do in Orlando for 5 - 6 days without disney.
I have a co-worker whose family rent houses in Orlando/Kissimmee for a week and never step foot in Disney or Universal.
Just because you don't know families who do that, doesn't mean that people don't do it.
I know DVC members who stay on Disney property but never go to the parks.

I should have been more clear, then.
The average family doing 5-6 days at Orlando is still going to Disney for part of that.
That's why Disney is still currently benefiting from Potter.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I thought Seascape was Jimmy? Just because I refuse to be amongest the cattle being pulled around by the nose ring doesn't make me someone else. Sorry I can think for myself.

To be fair one dobber is pretty much like another.

 

[Bairstow]

GET OUTSIDE THE BUBBLE! What on earth do people think all those buildings and hotels are outside of Disney property and who stays there? My god boy... get outside for a change.

I guess this mindset proves DME such a resounding success! No only do people not have a way to get to non-disney entertainment, they don't even think it exists anymore! Bravo Disney!

The Magical Express is a stroke of genius.
I just wish the money was there for Universal/Orlando/MCO to cooperate on the rail project to counter it.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

Sure, you can.
Most Don't, at least not if we're talking about the 5-6+ day range.

As far as pricing, the only park in Orlando that is signficantly cheaper than the others is Sea World.
If anything, Universal will be more expensive than the others once the Alley is open.

3 day base ticket to WDW = $291.81 or $97.27 per day
4 day base ticket to WDW = $313.11 or $78.28 per day
3 day base ticket to USF = $155.48 or $51.83
4 day base ticket to USF = $166.13 or $41.53
1 anyday ticket to SeaWorld = $80
1 weekday ticket to SeaWorld = $65.00

 

[GLaDOS]

No, but... c'mon.
Are you going to skip out on the Hogwarts Express just to save a couple bucks?

I'd never buy a one day ticket to a theme park, let alone a one day park hopper. It's hard enough to see everything in one day at one park, let alone two. I'd be taking at least 2-3 days for UOR, and 4-5 for WDW. Anything less for either is screwy.

 

[Bairstow]

3 day base ticket to WDW = $291.81 or $97.27 per day
4 day base ticket to WDW = $313.11 or $78.28 per day
3 day base ticket to USF = $155.48 or $51.83
4 day base ticket to USF = $166.13 or $41.53
1 anyday ticket to SeaWorld = $80
1 weekday ticket to SeaWorld = $65.00

If your list omits the 2-day hopper for Universal, it's irrelevant.
That's the single most important ticket option to the conversation.

 

[Cesar R M]

My opinion is competition is great for the fans. It's your money, spend it where you want to spend it.
Universal has an epic land in Potter. They did an excellent job in taking a risk and building out a huge themed world. It worked and fans have flocked in. Good for us, good for Universal and it's a great blue print for Disney to follow as they have with Avatar: Land of Pandora.

Comcast has now thrown down the gauntlet. You now must book a day at Universal if you are traveling to Florida...you would be crazy not to explore an amazingly themed area after spending so much money to get to Florida for a family vacation. You might never go back...why would you skip the latest and greatest in theme park entertainment. Heck, wear a Disney shirt if it makes you feel better.

It's like someone not wanting to see the big tent pole movie of the summer because it's distributed by a rival studio.

Don't worry Disney fans, hope is on the way and soon. (Soon for me is a 5 year window)
Disney has the ammunition to match the size and scope of Potter.

1.Star Wars has 4 movies in the top 20 all time domestic box office (adjusted for inflation)
It has 2 movies in the top 10 domestic of all time. World Wide box office wasn't that big a deal back in the 70's-80's.

2. Pirates of the Caribbean. Really surprised Disney hasn't stepped up and created a mini world around this ride turned franchise. 3 Movies in the top 22 of world wide grosses. (Harry Potter has 3 in the top 23)
Disney Should be building this somewhere in Orlando...(Animal Kingdom, DHS, MagicKingdom?)
Link: Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle of the Sunken Treasure ride, Treasure Cove land announced for Shanghai Disneyland

4. Marvel...can't be done in Orlando, but is a great idea for Disneyland.
5. Frozen...and all other Pixar/ recent Disney animated films. There is enough material to make a second animated land in DHS. Incredibles, Monster Inc., Frozen, Tangled. You get the idea.

6. Indiana Jones. How is he not in the Orlando area in the way of an d/e ticket style ride?

Disney has tons of material to make amazing areas themed to your favorite films. Truly remarkable they haven't been on their toes doing this.
That is until now. I do believe Disney is back in the saddle and being more creative with their theme park ideas. I have said I like what they have done with New Fantasyland. We are in for a treat with Avatar...you will love it. Trust me, and the night show will be fantastic at AK. Star Wars, have no idea what is on the table but I'm sure Disney wants to make this the Jewel of DHS. I believe we will be happy at Disney in 2020. Unreal...but that isn't that far away.

I believe without Universal getting Potter's rights in 2007. Disney isn't buying Marvel in 2009, isn't buying Lucasfilm, isn't creating Avatar in AK. Disney's hand has been forced. They have to start building bigger and better now. They will.

We the fans are in for a real treat in the coming years. Fun lands are going to be created for us to explore. So instead of going again to DHS after your Magic Kingdom visit. Stop by Universal for some new state of the art entertainment, again, where your Disney shirt if you have to. You have seen what's at DHS, you haven't seen what's at Universal.
We are in it for the latest and greatest rides, the thrill of something new. There isn't anything new at DHS. It's your money, go where you please but I'd rather explore the New Potter then ride Tower of Terror for the 22nd time.

I agree that they HAVE the capacity.
The problem is, they dont seem to push themselves hard.
Men like Rasulo are who takes anything that can go skyhigh ideas with unlimited potential, and sink them on the ground to cheapen the costs.

And a new member has reached the ignore status... Am i the only one who thinks Thick is posting here again under a new "crafty" handle? Same arguments, almost word for word.

Agree, he just needs to blast his "signature" again to make it a copycat.

 

[twebber55]

to me this still comes down to universal building a 3rd gate or water park on site and when they do that it will really punch Disney in the gut

 

[Claretstevo]

The better both sets of parks get the more we win

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

If your list omits the 2-day hopper for Universal, it's irrelevant.
That's the single most important ticket option to the conversation.

I was going to include that but then I thought you would say that no one goes to Disney for 2 days so the comparison is unfair.
The base 2 day ticket was universal's most popular. Only a 1 day park hopper ticket put UNI ahead of Disney price wise.
1 day park hopper @ WDW= $142.71
1 day park hopper @ USF = $144.84
2 day park hopper @ WDW= $252.41 or $126.21 per day
2 day park hopper @ USF = $187.43 or $93.72 per day

 

[Cesar R M]

GET OUTSIDE THE BUBBLE! What on earth do people think all those buildings and hotels are outside of Disney property and who stays there? My god boy... get outside for a change.

I guess this mindset proves DME such a resounding success! No only do people not have a way to get to non-disney entertainment, they don't even think it exists anymore! Bravo Disney!

to be honest, When I went to WDW zone... wanted to do more, but a lot of the things requires either a full park day, or staying at the place (like Nick hotel offerings).
and cab prices were pretty insane.

The Magical Express is a stroke of genius.
I just wish the money was there for Universal/Orlando/MCO to cooperate on the rail project to counter it.

or better, make "Orlando Park Your way" packages, where Uni buses can pick you up from Disney hotels and get you to UNI's hotels and viceversa.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

to me this still comes down to universal building a 3rd gate or water park on site and when they do that it will really punch Disney in the gut

Rumors are that Universal will be building a monorail type method of transportation to connect Wet n Wild to USF & IOA

 

[Bairstow]

I was going to include that but then I thought you would say that no one goes to Disney for 2 days so the comparison is unfair.
The base 2 day ticket was universal's most popular. Only a 1 day park hopper ticket put UNI ahead of Disney price wise.
1 day park hopper @ WDW= $142.71
1 day park hopper @ USF = $144.84
2 day park hopper @ WDW= $252.41 or $126.21 per day
2 day park hopper @ USF = $187.43 or $93.72 per day

I think the comparison is relevant.
Most first-timers probably assume that all theme parks are one-day locations, and this is pretty much correct for Universal. Assuming you ride coasters, post-Potter IOA is a solid 1-day park, and pre-Diagon USF is barely a one-day park. It's anyone's guess what either park will be like when hoards descend on the parks come July, so while I'd anticipate the 2-day hopper being the only smart way to do Universal a third day might become a necessity if the place stays mobbed. Our plan for the fall is to buy the 2-day hopper and do the "trick" of staying a night at Loews for the Express Pass.

 

[Bairstow]

or better, make "Orlando Park Your way" packages, where Uni buses can pick you up from Disney hotels and get you to UNI's hotels and viceversa.

I bet there's some way Disney is able to keep Universal's buses off their property, or else we'd already see shuttles all over the TTC.

 

[seascape]

I was going to include that but then I thought you would say that no one goes to Disney for 2 days so the comparison is unfair.
The base 2 day ticket was universal's most popular. Only a 1 day park hopper ticket put UNI ahead of Disney price wise.
1 day park hopper @ WDW= $142.71
1 day park hopper @ USF = $144.84
2 day park hopper @ WDW= $252.41 or $126.21 per day
2 day park hopper @ USF = $187.43 or $93.72 per day

I never looked at a WDW 1 day park hooper ticket, so I'm shoched that USF is more expensive. I know its lower than DLR's 2 park ticket price of $150. but... I still think USF should be 2 days since it looks like there is more than enough to do but maybe USF knows the one day 2 park pass is what most vacations buy. I just don't think its enough time. In 2015 I will get the 2 day ticket. The only question is to I make one of them park to park to ride the train.

 

[dadddio]

Universal had to nail HP so they went all out and im glad they got the deal with JK Rowling...we all won when that happened

I agree. Universal desperately needed that deal, so they did what it took to make Rowling happy. They made a deal that Disney didn't because Disney didn't NEED that deal as badly. Universal then did a great job of building the HP attractions.