HOW WILL UNIVERSAL'S EPIC UNIVERSE AFFECT WALT DISNEY WORLD?

["El Gran Magnifico"]

There is one thing I am really, really, looking forward to at EPIC. That is Dark Universe/Monsters Land. Been a while since I was that pumped up for a "new" Disney opening. SWGE was the last but the more the news leaked out about it the less excited I got.

Don't get me wrong. SWGE is a nice land. Theming is good. I just have no attachment to it due to the decisions Disney made with it. I don't think that will be the case with Dark Universe. I wouldn't doubt that it will be the first land to expand at EPIC. Just so, so much you can do with it.

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

Hate to break it to everyone. Rat, mickeys railway, midway mania, and both starwars rides are all sceen based. As are almost every new ride in the last 15 years for both WDW and UO. Especially since most of the physical effects on Rise rarely work. Not much difference between Tranformers and Rise in its current state.

Rise of the Resistance is not screen based.

 

[K&KDizFreaks]

it is a good mix of static props, projection mapping and screens. The fact that the guns don’t move anymore, Kylo rarely works, and other major effects down, turns this ride into a screen based ride. Next time you ride it, take note. basically the SW penguin ride mixed with star tours mixed with transformers with some flashing lights and impressively used screens. It is nowhere near splash, pirates, mansion, SSE at their peak. (No screens in those four).

***Opinion*** we can all have our own... not right or wrong…. Not a top 10 ride in Orlando. If I could ride any 10 rides in Orlando in one day, no lines, no geographic barriers, no time barriers. Rise is not on the list, neither are most of the coasters.

It is a mediocre ride with everything down. When running perfectly, it is a very good 8/10 ride.

Rise of the Resistance is not screen based

 

[yensid67]

Do you think EPIC after its open will take any tourist dollars away from WDW?

YES 100%
Will it last? Probably not, but again, with Disney construction timelines, if Disney doesn't announce something within they next year before EPIC U opens, I think it will last longer!

 

[mikegdis]

Where it will hit Disney is in the wallet if Uni becomes more of a resort destination and people choose to stay there for a week and maybe visit magic kingdom for a day.

While Disney will be OK in the short term the longer term impacts I think will bite more. People will gradually have less affinity for the Mouse and some will start to develop more affinity for Uni. As the gap narrows and the resorts become more similar where you stay and spend will come down more to personal tastes a bit like picking what Vegas theme you prefer your hotel to be - Rome or Venice or Paris.

what will be fascinating will be how Disney responds- will they get into a war to outgun Uni with something exciting or will the accountaneers say less people needs no need to build more so cut investment and milk what’s there some more

I did a bid for Epic before it was even know publicly and I have been very intrigued ever since. It's cool to see it come alive from the blue prints I used years ago to bid it and will be even cooler to go see it in person. That said, When it opens we are going to go and see how it feels. We like the Disney bubble and we want to see if UO can compete with the quality of service that Disney provides. We will probably get UOAP in '25 instead of Disney anyways. So if UO can provide that bubble we like, it imo will be tough to stay at Disney.

 

[mikegdis]

There is one thing I am really, really, looking forward to at EPIC. That is Dark Universe/Monsters Land. Been a while since I was that pumped up for a "new" Disney opening. SWGE was the last but the more the news leaked out about it the less excited I got.

Don't get me wrong. SWGE is a nice land. Theming is good. I just have no attachment to it due to the decisions Disney made with it. I don't think that will be the case with Dark Universe. I wouldn't doubt that it will be the first land to expand at EPIC. Just so, so much you can do with it.

I think people underestimate how good Epic is going to be and its potential to pull people away from the Mouse.

 

[Wilbret]

Do you think EPIC after its open will take any tourist dollars away from WDW?

Yes, even people with tons of $$$ don't have infinite time, they will spend fewer days at WDW.
Plus, a lot of people haven't tried Universal yet to see how it compares. Now they will, and they'll see how great the resorts and hotels are.

 

[Walter Elias Disney]

Yes...there are numerous individuals quietly concerned with the pull of Epic Universe next summer. I agree theming at their two original parks is a bit lack luster other than Harry Potter...but this is going to be at a new heightened level of theming. We need to start stepping up with some NEW promotions for summer 2025 to bring in the loyal fan base. This is going to be a game changer folks....