In 2010 when Harry Potter opened up it was supposed to be the end of the attendance dominance at WDW. It didn't. Now, eventually you figure that Universal will really narrow this gap, and this could be it, but we have heard it for a while. Volcano Bay was supposed to be the thing too. I just think it is great that there is a place that tries to outdo Disney. Because Universal is a sight to see and it seems to get better.
It changed the guest spending ratios. Which is the biggest want. Attendance is slow growing and guest spending is more immediate. Notice the amount of hotels and variety that have gone up since then. A water park was built,. Then more hotels in the works. Guests are spending time all or mostly at Universal, and not giving Disney as many days, and mom and dad are not spending as much on their kids at Disney because they want their merch budget for Universal too. More of it than ever. Three Days at Universal is what many will spend now, so why stay in the Disney Bubble we are just going there for a day at Magic Kingdom anyway? Let's shift our stay to a hotel that gives us more perks and convenience for our time we are going to spend more at? This has happened a lot. This is why International Drive ancillary business of tourist traps took off well but 192 has died even further. Where people are staying has clearly shifted in the last ten years.
The attendance has shifted more recently, as reputation of one brand increases and the other has fallen a bit.
Even with Star Wars, Universal had property beat DIsney.
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