Just a Theory

[stlbobby]

Is it possible WDW's strategy in dealing with Harry Potter at Universal is to do nothing? I know they announced the FLE and Star Tours, but they had nothing prepared to go head to head with Potter, and even the announcements seem quiet. They haven't really hyped them up, which isn't unusual when attractions are far from ready, but they could be used as a larger counter to the Potter hype.

Is this a considered move, by not reacting to Universal's huge expansion they are belittling it? Had they prepped a huge counter move and it didn't beat Harry in the inevitable comparisons they would have looked like failures. This way they avoid the possibility of falling flat. WDW has everything to lose in such a head to head clash, so by not even acknowledging the expansion with their own project Disney sent the subtle message to Universal, the industry, and the public that the two parks aren't even playing in the same venue.

I'm not saying it is true, or this is a good strategy, but is it possible this was Disney's thinking?

 

[misterID]

I think TDO is just cheap.

There's no way it was strategy. We've heard from insiders that there were plans to counter HP but TDO said no.

If it was a strategy to belittle HP, it was a miserable failure.

 

[joe80x86]

As much as some fans and the press would like it to be so I really don't think either Disney, Universal, or BG/Seaworld are playing a game of 1 up. If they were though we would have a heck of alot of new rides to choose from!

Now that is not to say that they don't compete but it is not just my new land or ride is bigger than the new land/ride you opened yesterday type of competition, its more of a subtle competition. Also it seems to me that what is good for one park is generally good for others because it brings in people to the Orlando area.

This is of course totally my opinion and my view of the matter and may only reflect reality in my own little world. :lol:

 

[Grizzly Hall 71]

Is it possible WDW's strategy in dealing with Harry Potter at Universal is to do nothing? I know they announced the FLE and Star Tours, but they had nothing prepared to go head to head with Potter, and even the announcements seem quiet. They haven't really hyped them up, which isn't unusual when attractions are far from ready, but they could be used as a larger counter to the Potter hype.

Is this a considered move, by not reacting to Universal's huge expansion they are belittling it? Had they prepped a huge counter move and it didn't beat Harry in the inevitable comparisons they would have looked like failures. This way they avoid the possibility of falling flat. WDW has everything to lose in such a head to head clash, so by not even acknowledging the expansion with their own project Disney sent the subtle message to Universal, the industry, and the public that the two parks aren't even playing in the same venue.

I'm not saying it is true, or this is a good strategy, but is it possible this was Disney's thinking?

According to a lot of people up here. Disney doesn't need to counter anything.

 

[kaos]

This will be debated ad nauseum for eternity- Potterville is only the latest chapter of the novel. While they do compete for customers, truth is, they pull the same customers on different days. It's a nice fit, and what it boils down to, if one wanted to start a one-up campaign, the other will respond, and then both companies will be in a financial situation like that of Six Flags.

 

[floridabill]

TDO is cheap CHEAP CHEAP!!!

TDO is cheap plain and simple!!! They knew it would be a big hit! They instead jack prices to counter act the loss from potter...So they don't have to build anything knew, and I DO NOT COUNT FANTASY LAND AS ANYTHING NEW!!!!!! So in my mind disney still isn't offering anything new!!! Walt would be so sadden by there cheapness and cost cutting measures!! They don't care about the customer anymore,they grope people, they don't take care of the parks and then charge and arm and a leg to get in!!! They have gone off track and I Just hope that they go back to what they use to be I miss the old disney!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Grizzly Hall 71]

TDO is cheap plain and simple!!! They knew it would be a big hit! They instead jack prices to counter act the loss from potter...So they don't have to build anything knew, and I DO NOT COUNT FANTASY LAND AS ANYTHING NEW!!!!!! So in my mind disney still isn't offering anything new!!! Walt would be so sadden by there cheapness and cost cutting measures!! They don't care about the customer anymore,they grope people, they don't take care of the parks and then charge and arm and a leg to get in!!! They have gone off track and I Just hope that they go back to what they use to be I miss the old disney!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Agreed. But don't forget, a new Star Tours is on the horizon. Not saying that one ride will match an entire immersive world but it should creat an increase in MGM's attendance.

 

[stlbobby]

I think TDO is just cheap.

There's no way it was strategy. We've heard from insiders that there were plans to counter HP but TDO said no.

If it was a strategy to belittle HP, it was a miserable failure.

I hadn't heard this, what were the plans that TDO scrapped?

 

[CDavid]

Is it possible WDW's strategy in dealing with Harry Potter at Universal is to do nothing? I know they announced the FLE and Star Tours, but they had nothing prepared to go head to head with Potter, and even the announcements seem quiet. They haven't really hyped them up, which isn't unusual when attractions are far from ready, but they could be used as a larger counter to the Potter hype.

Is this a considered move, by not reacting to Universal's huge expansion they are belittling it? Had they prepped a huge counter move and it didn't beat Harry in the inevitable comparisons they would have looked like failures. This way they avoid the possibility of falling flat. WDW has everything to lose in such a head to head clash, so by not even acknowledging the expansion with their own project Disney sent the subtle message to Universal, the industry, and the public that the two parks aren't even playing in the same venue.

I'm not saying it is true, or this is a good strategy, but is it possible this was Disney's thinking?

I think you are giving Disney way, way, way too much credit. After all, this is TDO we're talking about. Rather than a clever strategy, it is so much easier to believe they were just arrogant, unimaginative, and shortsighted.

 

[kaos]

they grope people

DAMMIT!!! The fun stuff NEVER happens to me at WDW!!! I'd wait in line for a good grope!!! :drevil:

 

[Grizzly Hall 71]

DAMMIT!!! The fun stuff NEVER happens to me at WDW!!! I'd wait in line for a good grope!!! :drevil:

Uhhhh ok :lookaroun.

 

[nepalostparks]

TDO is cheap plain and simple!!! They knew it would be a big hit! They instead jack prices to counter act the loss from potter...So they don't have to build anything knew, and I DO NOT COUNT FANTASY LAND AS ANYTHING NEW!!!!!! So in my mind disney still isn't offering anything new!!! Walt would be so sadden by there cheapness and cost cutting measures!! They don't care about the customer anymore,they grope people, they don't take care of the parks and then charge and arm and a leg to get in!!! They have gone off track and I Just hope that they go back to what they use to be I miss the old disney!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TDO gropes people?

While I agree that Disney management as a whole is definitely dropping the ball on a number of things, and in many instances is turning their back on the ideals Walt set for Disney parks, let's not get silly.

How can you not consider any of the Fantasyland Expansion as new? If you don't like what they're planning and building, ok... but they are constructing NEW rides, attractions, restaurants, meet & greets, etc.

 

[stlbobby]

DAMMIT!!! The fun stuff NEVER happens to me at WDW!!! I'd wait in line for a good grope!!! :drevil:

In Vegas you have to pay extra for that.

 

[Grizzly Hall 71]

TDO gropes people?

While I agree that Disney management as a whole is definitely dropping the ball on a number of things, and in many instances is turning their back on the ideals Walt set for Disney parks, let's not get silly.

How can you not consider any of the Fantasyland Expansion as new? If you don't like what they're planning and building, ok... but they are constructing NEW rides, attractions, restaurants, meet & greets, etc.

2 rides, 4 or 5 m&g's, 1 restaurant. That's it. Nothing special. And with budget cuts looming over. I see that dwindling down.

 

[wm49rs]

2 rides, 4 or 5 m&g's, 1 restaurant. That's it. Nothing special. And with budget cuts looming over. I see that dwindling down.

What budget cuts?

I guess Univeral AP holders aren't that interested in the comments today about the FLE from Tom Staggs. That's understandable though....

 

[nepalostparks]

2 rides, 4 or 5 m&g's, 1 restaurant. That's it. Nothing special. And with budget cuts looming over. I see that dwindling down.

Check out this thread: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=617444 and the link to the article.

"Staggs said the project’s price tag will “not materially” change with the revisions, though a slight increase is likely because of certain additions."

And like I said, we can debate over whether or not the expansion is "special" or not... but it is new construction.

 

[misterID]

I hadn't heard this, what were the plans that TDO scrapped?

Man, Marni knows what all the additions are. Some that I remember were:

New Imagination ride at EPCOT

A Mountain Project at AK (don't really know what that was) and I think a hybrid Mysterious Island.

The real Space Mountain refurb that was going to be huge for MK, but was horribly slashed and watered down.

And the Monsters INC coaster at DHS.

There was more, I can't remember what they were, but I think there was a new night time show for EPCOT. I don't think the FLE was ever intended to counter Potter.

And UNI is sending out surveys focused on a Lord Of the Rings/Hobbit ala Potterland expansion. :lookaroun

 

[Grizzly Hall 71]

What budget cuts?

I guess Univeral AP holders aren't that interested in the comments today about the FLE from Tom Staggs. That's understandable though....

I guess you really do like following me huh?

Well haters do me me famous :sohappy::sohappy::sohappy::wave:

Please keep hating.

Sorry I don't stay here all day and night and watch over WDW like a hawk.

 

[wm49rs]

I guess you really do like following me huh?

Well haters do me me famous :sohappy::sohappy::sohappy::wave:

Please keep hating.

Sorry I don't stay here all day and night and watch over WDW like a hawk.

Yeah....I posted that an hour ago....

And only in your own mind.

 

[Grizzly Hall 71]

Yeah....I posted that an hour ago....

And only in your own mind.

Clearly if you copy and paste and link me to me my own words your hating.


So please keep hating I love it :sohappy::sohappy::sohappy:!!