Hotel occupancy for the first half of 2014

[wm49rs]

What? They always had that pricing structure.

Also, clearly a resort wants as many people staying on it as possible. The point is Universal is actually building attractions to go along with it

And building, and building, and building....

 

[wm49rs]

This is the Universal plan. It sounds like Disney. These are all from news sources.

"And all of those people staying in those hotel rooms would be more likely to go to our theme parks," Burke added. "So I think, strategically, we need to get those hotel rooms open and build out the resort."

Burke told analysts that NBCUniversal wants to position the Universal theme parks as "a family destination in and of itself, and not an add-on destination for somebody that spends three or four days somewhere else."

Universal has implemented other strategies designed to steer visitors into spending more time in its theme parks. Just before Wizarding World opened in 2010, Universal introduced a new price scale — modeled after Disney World's — that offers three- and four-day passes with cheaper per-day prices than one-day tickets.

Therefore, does anyone still doubt that Universal is doing the same thing Disney is? They want people to stay on site, locking in their entire vacation. This is what you are all saying is wrong and Disney is wrong for doing it.

Amazing how yet again you turn a seemingly innocuous thread into another Unuversal vs. WDW diatribe....

 

[Disneyhead'71]

This is the Universal plan. It sounds like Disney. These are all from news sources.

"And all of those people staying in those hotel rooms would be more likely to go to our theme parks," Burke added. "So I think, strategically, we need to get those hotel rooms open and build out the resort."

Burke told analysts that NBCUniversal wants to position the Universal theme parks as "a family destination in and of itself, and not an add-on destination for somebody that spends three or four days somewhere else."

Universal has implemented other strategies designed to steer visitors into spending more time in its theme parks. Just before Wizarding World opened in 2010, Universal introduced a new price scale — modeled after Disney World's — that offers three- and four-day passes with cheaper per-day prices than one-day tickets.

Therefore, does anyone still doubt that Universal is doing the same thing Disney is? They want people to stay on site, locking in their entire vacation. This is what you are all saying is wrong and Disney is wrong for doing it.

Universal is doing by adding compelling additions making people WANT to stay and play. Disney is doing by manipulative tricks.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

This is the Universal plan. It sounds like Disney. These are all from news sources.

"And all of those people staying in those hotel rooms would be more likely to go to our theme parks," Burke added. "So I think, strategically, we need to get those hotel rooms open and build out the resort."

Burke told analysts that NBCUniversal wants to position the Universal theme parks as "a family destination in and of itself, and not an add-on destination for somebody that spends three or four days somewhere else."

Universal has implemented other strategies designed to steer visitors into spending more time in its theme parks. Just before Wizarding World opened in 2010, Universal introduced a new price scale — modeled after Disney World's — that offers three- and four-day passes with cheaper per-day prices than one-day tickets.

Therefore, does anyone still doubt that Universal is doing the same thing Disney is? They want people to stay on site, locking in their entire vacation. This is what you are all saying is wrong and Disney is wrong for doing it.

So Universal is trying to get people to spend more time there. And that is bad because? Theme Park growth is bad because?

The difference is Universal wants your time, Disney just wants your money.

Universal is far more interested in becoming a vacation destination than Disney is concerned. Universal is investing in their parks and focusing on growth.
While Disney is barely maintaining their parks. Hollywood Studios is sad, Epcot is sad, MK hub is being destroyed! Yup, I said it, destroyed! and dont even get me started on the "world class" animatronic that has been broken for 7 years in AK!
Disney quality is getting worst every year. DVC will take over because it is quick money, cuts on entertainment and recreation, and "$60+ packages."
I'm still trying to wrap my head around 2 table service credits for lunch at Biergarten and reserved seats for the Eat to the Beat concerts, that are hardly ever crowded.

Was Disney the first multi day theme park destination? sure. So of course any company that followed the idea of a "multi day theme park destination" appears to "copy" them.
But Universal is definitely heading in a far better direction than Disney.

 

[Jeffxz]

I don't know what the numbers will be on August 5th but I am sure they will show a larger first half of 2014 increase in profits than universal did. 2.5% increase in cash flow from the parks is a rather poor number. When I posted the uni profits over on the uni thread I didn't say that and put a positive spin on it and said they should do much better in the second half of the year will all the room open for the full 6 months. Also now that DA is open and all the rooms anything less than a massive increase in park profits and cash flow will be extremely disappointing. Most people here were predicting up to 20% increase in park attendance and they should have a 40% gain in hotel guests just based on the percentage increase in new hotel rooms. We will find the answer in 6 months on how Universal is doing.

Sigh.. Can you let us know where you found that most people here were predicting 20% increase in attendance?

 

[Nemo14]

Sigh.. Can you let us know where you found that most people here were predicting 20% increase in attendance?

Well, most of his "voices" did anyway...

 

[EpcoTim]

Sigh.. Can you let us know where you found that most people here were predicting 20% increase in attendance?

Just let him make up garbage to support his pointless, self-created arguments. It seems to be a pretty common theme around here lately and quite amusing, to boot.

 

[StageFrenzy]

Amazing how yet again you turn a seemingly innocuous thread into another Unuversal vs. WDW diatribe....

Well seascape did start it and it wasn't innocuous to begin with.

 

[Nubs70]

UNI is keeping visitors onsite by building attractions and accommodations which is wholly different than WDW.

 

[Mike S]

 

[EpcoTim]

Universal only has only a fraction of the rooms Disney has even with the new hotel.

And apparently they want people to "stay in them".

 

[BigTxEars]

Good for WDW, sounds like the resort business is good Also hope that Uni is doing well. Heck if Sea World had rooms I would cheer them along as well. As a fan of Orlando parks in general the better they do the happier I am.....

 

[cw1982]

Universal has implemented other strategies designed to steer visitors into spending more time in its theme parks. Just before Wizarding World opened in 2010, Universal introduced a new price scale — modeled after Disney World's — that offers three- and four-day passes with cheaper per-day prices than one-day tickets.

Therefore, does anyone still doubt that Universal is doing the same thing Disney is? They want people to stay on site, locking in their entire vacation. This is what you are all saying is wrong and Disney is wrong for doing it.

I haven't heard anyone come out and say Disney is "wrong" for trying to get guests to stay on site for the entire duration of their trips. Of course Disney wants to get all of their guests' money. Why would they want any less?

People are saying Disney is wrong for not investing in the parks in a way that justifies guests spending entire trips onsite. If I was spending 7 days in Orlando and had been to Disney World enough times that I knew my way around and knew what exactly I wanted to do, why would I need more than about 5, maybe 6, days in the Disney parks? If I was a seasoned guest and the newness factor had worn off, I can promise you there wouldn't be enough in the Disney parks to keep me there. I would absolutely want to get out and explore.

The guys up the street, on the other hand, are spending money on hotels. But they are also spending money in their parks in much more obvious and efficient ways.

 

[BigTxEars]

So Universal is trying to get people to spend more time there. And that is bad because? Theme Park growth is bad because?

The difference is Universal wants your time, Disney just wants your money.

Universal is far more interested in becoming a vacation destination than Disney is concerned. Universal is investing in their parks and focusing on growth.
While Disney is barely maintaining their parks. Hollywood Studios is sad, Epcot is sad, MK hub is being destroyed! Yup, I said it, destroyed! and dont even get me started on the "world class" animatronic that has been broken for 7 years in AK!
Disney quality is getting worst every year. DVC will take over because it is quick money, cuts on entertainment and recreation, and "$60+ packages."
I'm still trying to wrap my head around 2 table service credits for lunch at Biergarten and reserved seats for the Eat to the Beat concerts, that are hardly ever crowded.

Was Disney the first multi day theme park destination? sure. So of course any company that followed the idea of a "multi day theme park destination" appears to "copy" them.
But Universal is definitely heading in a far better direction than Disney.

Why would you not consider NFL, Disney Springs and Avatar for example as growth at WDW? I certainly would.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

Why would you not consider NFL, Disney Springs and Avatar for example as growth at WDW? I certainly would.

Well I was specifically talking about the parks. Which is why I left out DS, but you wish to count that, then we must talk about CityWalk's makeover too.
I can't pat WDW on the back for Avatar just yet, AK needed help long ago.

Disney waits entirely too long to improve their parks. They do the bare minimum for years then act as if we should all be pleased. They let rides sit in terrible shape for years. Buzz lightyear was just disgusting when we visited in May.
NFL was an investment. But was it worth the money?
It is beautiful, but the LM ride is terrible! 7dmt seems to not be worth the wait. Be Our Guest & Gaston's food is hit or miss. But you're right, it was an investment, it is growth.
I'm dumbfounded that NFL cost just under double what Diagon Alley cost and yet Diagon is much more well executed.

 

[Thrill]

I can't pat WDW on the back for Avatar just yet, AK needed help long ago.

When Avatar opens, Animal Kingdom will be nearing 20 years old. The only additions in that time? Kali River Rapids (within a year of park opening, so it's more of a Phase 2 than anything), Chester and Hester's Dinorama (we all know how everyone feels about that), Festival of the Lion King, and Expedition Everest. 19 years. Tokyo DisneySea has had more expansion in 13 years, and that park opened to a $4 billion budget. Hard to expand a park that's near-perfect.

Disney waits entirely too long to improve their parks.

They have for at least 20 years. EuroDisney failed? Let it sit. California Adventure is a dud? Let it sit. Walt Disney Studios Paris is a dud too? Let it sit. Harry Potter is stealing guests? Stand pat. Fix it in 5-10 years. You'll note that the only resort which hasn't stagnated in recent memory is Tokyo's. The Oriental Land Company expands and expands, without so much as a Universal park within 3 hours. It pays off, and they keep investing and cashing out.

They do the bare minimum for years then act as if we should all be pleased. They let rides sit in terrible shape for years. Buzz lightyear was just disgusting when we visited in May.

Buzz has been atrocious for as long as I can remember. Expedition Everest is finally getting back in shape, after 5 years where nearly every effect was in pieces. I've seen things break on Pirates of the Caribbean that shouldn't be broken while guests are in eyeshot.

NFL was an investment. But was it worth the money?

Yes. Could have been done cheaper, but it'll pay off.

It is beautiful, but the LM ride is terrible! 7dmt seems to not be worth the wait. Be Our Guest & Gaston's food is hit or miss. But you'reright, it was an investment, it is growth.

Little Mermaid isn't terrible. It's a fair cut above your usual Fantasyland fare. If and when lines cool down on the Mine Train, it's a pretty good ride.

I'm dumbfounded that NFL cost just under double what Diagon Alley cost and yet Diagon is much more well executed.

Part of that is that Disney has a thing for using actual AAs. I was extremely impressed with the facades and shops in WWoHP. Wasn't terribly impressed by Forbidden Journey. The queue was spectacular; the ride is little better than Soarin' with nausea and some puppets. I wasn't able to ride the Gringotts ride, but I'm getting 3D Mummy vibes from it.

Bottom line is, screens are cheap. When you're building physical sets, you'll rack up a budget a lot more quickly. That aside, WDI is still less efficient than Universal Creative. WWoHP has more to offer in terms of detail when you exclude rides from the equation.

 

[BigTxEars]

Well I was specifically talking about the parks. Which is why I left out DS, but you wish to count that, then we must talk about CityWalk's makeover too.
I can't pat WDW on the back for Avatar just yet, AK needed help long ago.

Disney waits entirely too long to improve their parks. They do the bare minimum for years then act as if we should all be pleased. They let rides sit in terrible shape for years. Buzz lightyear was just disgusting when we visited in May.
NFL was an investment. But was it worth the money?
It is beautiful, but the LM ride is terrible! 7dmt seems to not be worth the wait. Be Our Guest & Gaston's food is hit or miss. But you're right, it was an investment, it is growth.
I'm dumbfounded that NFL cost just under double what Diagon Alley cost and yet Diagon is much more well executed.

No doubt areas of WDW need attention and upgrades as you posted, but some has already occurred (TT comes to mind) and more is on the way. But area of Universal need it as well, ET is is horrible shape, the Disaster attraction is sadly out of date as in the Terminator attraction. And Seuss land badly needs a coat of paint, just some of the areas that come to mind. But we still enjoy both sets of parks

As to NFL vs HP 2.0 I think we are enter an area of "what is better" that is completely subjective. No firm answer to which is better IMO.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

No doubt areas of WDW need attention and upgrades as you posted, but some has already occurred (TT comes to mind) and more is on the way. But area of Universal need it as well, ET is is horrible shape, the Disaster attraction is sadly out of date as in the Terminator attraction. And Seuss land badly needs a coat of paint, just some of the areas that come to mind. But we still enjoy both sets of parks

As to NFL vs HP 2.0 I think we are enter an area of "what is better" that is completely subjective. No firm answer to which is better IMO.

I'm probably alone in this but kind of like Disaster
ET definitely needs some love.
Terminator can go, I won't miss it.
Seuss could definitely use fresh paint.

I'm not saying Universal has no faults because they definitely do. I just can't understand why Disney is letting things get so bad... I can't understand why their maintenance isn't what it used to be. It is disappointing to Disney lovers like myself.

And I didn't say DA was "better" I said it was "much more well executed."
I'm not talking about the experience, I'm talking about the level of detail, immersion, and layout. It also took less time and money.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

When Avatar opens, Animal Kingdom will be nearing 20 years old. The only additions in that time? Kali River Rapids (within a year of park opening, so it's more of a Phase 2 than anything), Chester and Hester's Dinorama (we all know how everyone feels about that), Festival of the Lion King, and Expedition Everest. 19 years. Tokyo DisneySea has had more expansion in 13 years, and that park opened to a $4 billion budget. Hard to expand a park that's near-perfect.



They have for at least 20 years. EuroDisney failed? Let it sit. California Adventure is a dud? Let it sit. Walt Disney Studios Paris is a dud too? Let it sit. Harry Potter is stealing guests? Stand pat. Fix it in 5-10 years. You'll note that the only resort which hasn't stagnated in recent memory is Tokyo's. The Oriental Land Company expands and expands, without so much as a Universal park within 3 hours. It pays off, and they keep investing and cashing out.



Buzz has been atrocious for as long as I can remember. Expedition Everest is finally getting back in shape, after 5 years where nearly every effect was in pieces. I've seen things break on Pirates of the Caribbean that shouldn't be broken while guests are in eyeshot.



Yes. Could have been done cheaper, but it'll pay off.



Little Mermaid isn't terrible. It's a fair cut above your usual Fantasyland fare. If and when lines cool down on the Mine Train, it's a pretty good ride.



Part of that is that Disney has a thing for using actual AAs. I was extremely impressed with the facades and shops in WWoHP. Wasn't terribly impressed by Forbidden Journey. The queue was spectacular; the ride is little better than Soarin' with nausea and some puppets. I wasn't able to ride the Gringotts ride, but I'm getting 3D Mummy vibes from it.

Bottom line is, screens are cheap. When you're building physical sets, you'll rack up a budget a lot more quickly. That aside, WDI is still less efficient than Universal Creative. WWoHP has more to offer in terms of detail when you exclude rides from the equation.

Animal Kingdom a perfect park? I can't say I agree, but that's merely my opinion.
Disney may use real AAs but they struggle with the maintenance on them. Yeti & Snow White?
Gringotts the ride doesn't have any AA's but the queue and money exchange do. I have seen ride videos of Gringotts, it definitely is Mummy like.

I still think the Little Mermaid wasn't executed well. It looks unfinished and again with AAs Ursula's eyes were broken for a good two months this year, but of course most guest won't notice.
That is what I hate, that Disney lets things sit broken with the hopes that guest won't notice.
I just found out a month ago that the first scene in the GMR used to spin and no to mention that the alien animatronics don't jump out anymore.

 

[71jason]

Why would you not consider NFL, Disney Springs and Avatar for example as growth at WDW? I certainly would.

NFL: yes--the bulk of it opened 2 years ago.

Disney Springs: a Starbucks and a restaurant. So no, not really, just standard shifting of tenants.

Avatar: At least 3 years off. So no, not at the moment.