Does Universal copy Disney? Poll and Thread!

[Disney Lover Addie]

I was recently talking with others, and some believe that Universal is starting to copy Disney, at least in a theme park or movie way. I would love to hear others thoughts on this!

 

[celluloid]

Universal did "invent" the movie making tourism business that developed into a tourist attraction as a part of a real movie studio concept, so if anything it is a slight argument that Disney copied Universal when Florida plans started for Uni's park. The Meeting that never happened is an interesting read documented in some theme park books and articles.

More Importantly though:
As stated above, the point is, it is the same entertainment industries. Of course what works will be adapted to the other. There is no copying, it is just who does it better that matters.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Universal did "invent" the movie making tourism business that developed into a tourist attraction as a part of a real movie studio concept, so if anything it is a slight argument that Disney copied Universal when Florida plans started for Uni's park. The Meeting that never happened is an interesting read documented in some theme park books and articles.

More Importantly though:
As stated above, the point is, it is the same entertainment industries. Of course what works will be adapted to the other. There is no copying, it is just who does it better that matters.

Target audience is important in how similar other parks are to each other. Quality wise, Universal Florida is very close to Disney, but, not in content. Uni in California is an actual working studio so that has a feel and a history that helps it be legitimate.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

Disney had IP-based attractions long, long before Universal even existed. But Universal took it to a new level with the likes of Harry Potter. Disney is now in full swing with their own versions. Long story short, they copy each other to remain competitive.

 

[graphite1326]

Disney didn’t invent the theme park or the movies so my answer is a resounding no

Actually I am reading about Walt right now and he did pretty much invent the "theme" park. Before then most amusement parks weren't that nice and run by con artist trying to take your money. The article I am reading tells about the amusement parks being a haven for "thugs, pickpockets, & prostitutes." So the "theme" park which is about stories and geared toward family is his brain child.

 

[LAKid53]

Actually I am reading about Walt right now and he did pretty much invent the "theme" park. Before then most amusement parks weren't that nice and run by con artist trying to take your money. The article I am reading tells about the amusement parks being a haven for "thugs, pickpockets, & prostitutes." So the "theme" park which is about stories and geared toward family is his brain child.

I disagree. Knotts Berry Farm existed long before Disneyland opened in 1955.

 

[JIMINYCR]

No, Universals approach to the theme park and bringing experiences to their guests has never come close to Disney's. They never tried to or wanted to copy Disney, rather they wanted to stand out as offering something different and unique so people would be drawn to a contrasting experience. HP wasnt a copy of anything Disney had, it stood out as being unique, which was why Disney had a momentary need to do something to catch up with them.

 

[RustySpork]

There's a big announcement coming in the next couple months.

Probably a Nintendo and Harry Potter land as anchors for a 3rd park

They've already announced that Nintendo is replacing Barney, Animal Actors On Location, Fievel's play land, and Woody Woodpecker. The entrance will be where AAOL exists today, and they've already broken ground on some of the attractions. You could see some of the work they were doing to prepare for it as far back as HHN. The third park is Volcano Bay which is already open, the land they just purchased was for another resort which they've also already announced and broken ground on.

 

[RustySpork]

That sucks because that ride, along with King Kong, Back To The Future & E.T. were so fun! I've only been twice-- the first was in the summer of '91 which was when the place was new and had all the classic stuff and the second time was back in 2005 and to my dismay had changed a lot and not for the better (in my opinion.) Earthquake's name had been changed to something else, King Kong was gone, but Jaws, Back To The Future and E.T. were fortunately still there, but I think Back To The Future left not long after and I don't even know if E.T. is still there now. I did enjoy both Twister and Terminator shows but I still thought things were too different. And I did not get to go to the second theme park but I did get to go to the Universal City Walk (is that what it's called?) and even then thought it was a poor imitation of Downtown Disney.

Earthquake became Disaster which will become Fast and Furious soon.

Back to the Future is now Simpsons, which shares the same building and ride vehicle but it's themed differently. Fun fact, the attraction pre-show contains some throwbacks to BTTF.

Twister (which was Ghostbusters previously) is now Jimmy Fallon's Race through New York.

King Kong was replaced by the Mummy which is an indoor coaster that has won the best indoor coaster award for a number of years.

Jaws was replaced by Diagon Alley, which. is. utterly. amazing.

Terminator closed recently, the replacement attraction hasn't been announced yet.

Universal is constantly investing in the parks which keeps it fresh. It's only recently that Disney's started to invest in the parks again, and they're still pretty far behind.

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

Totally copied. I have lost track of the number of times i have had my photo taken with Mike E Mouse by the Back to the future ride ...

 

[AndyS2992]

People have beat me to it but if anything Disney is copying Universal. Disney makes theme park lands based on a general theme ‘Fantasyland’, ‘Future World’, ‘Africa’ etc whereas Universal did this but also had lands based on an IP ‘Seuss Landing’, ‘Marvel Island’, ‘Jurassic Park’, ‘Harry Potter World’ and so on and Harry Potter was a huge success and in response since then Disney has copied this formula with Avatar land, Star Wars Land, Toy Story Land, Cars Land hoping for the same kind of success.

 

[SKYWAY 4 ME]

Walt built DL 1955 , That being based on films and other ideas he had that related to animation . I would say YES everyone has copied Disney at some point !

 

[marni1971]

Have you heard what the third theme park is going to be about? I haven't yet and can't seem to find anything about it.

It’s not been publically announced yet.

But it will be rather good

 

[AndyS2992]

I disagree. Knotts Berry Farm existed long before Disneyland opened in 1955.

Yes but it wasn’t a theme park.
1920 - opens as a berry farm
1934 - opens a chicken restaurant on site
1940 - Fake Ghost Town is constructed
1955 - amusement park rides are added
So there was no actual rides or theme until 1955, the year Disneyland opened. Coincidence? I doubt it very much.

 

[CoasterSnoop]

Universal's always been about that "ride the movies" mindset, where Disney had a more "immersive, standalone experience" mindset. Yes, Disney has been using IPs in their rides since the beginning, but never to the extent of Universal. Disney's IP-based attractions have always been mixed in with the likes of Space Mountain and Haunted Mansion, whereas you would be hard-pressed to find a Universal attraction that has no IP tie-in, especially today (off the top of my head, the only one that's still operating is RRR). I'd say since Harry Potter's success, Disney has been more focused on a greater concentration of the "ride the movies" feel, trying to emulate the competition rather than beating it. Of course, DHS has always been the copy Universal park, starting out with a movie studio theme and now clearly becoming a "ride the movies" park with TSL and GE and the replacement of TGM for a Mickey ride. So, I'd say the other way around to answer the thread.

EDIT: Dang it, beaten to the punch.

 

[gboiler1]

Disney revolutionized the theme park into what we see today. That's a better way to put it. Walt and the Imagineers took theme parks into something immersive where each attraction was like stepping into the experience instead of the offerings of amusements parks and simple "rides" of the day.
I feel Universal stepped it up with Potter a few years back but Disney has gained momentum with new options coming in the next few years. Disney is more family friendly from you to old, while Universal appeals to a demographic in the middle.

 

[jloucks]

It is the other way around. WDW is following Universal. Not a step by step copy of course, but an innovation and expansion copy.

Maybe copy is the wrong word. More like compete.

Universal Studios is forcing WDW to compete and maintain their A game. Much harder to maintain a minimal investment directive.

The consumers win.