But in reality, IOA opens WWoHP, WDW opens new Fantasyland with 2 brand new attractions (not 1 and a rehash of two others), starts on an entire new land for DAK, and puts out an RFID system that the other place won't be able to clone like they did FP.
And going into the Holidays, WDW actually does something, unlike Universal.
I am sure Fantasyland will look much better in 2013 than it did in 2009, but I wouldn't place what Disney is doing in the same UNIverse as what WWoHP has done in O-Town. It has raised the bar completely for what an immersive themed family entertainment area should be. Not just my opinion. Not just all those folks who have visited and pushed UNI's financials into the stratosphere, but talk to any creative in the business today (even an Imagineer, provided they aren't working on say something for FLA) and they'll tell you the same thing.
Yes, you can play the 'only one REAL NEW attraction game' with Potter, but when you do you should also explain that it is the new BAR for top attraction in O-Town (or anywhere) and is just incredible. And let's not forget the entire area is themed to the nines ... something Disney no longer does. You don't see Seuss merchandise or UNI logo merchandise for sale in the Potter shops. The whole being transported to a different world happens there (remember when that line was used by Disney all the time ... just like the exceeding guests expectations?)
As to the brand new attractions at MK, well, sure they're new. But there is nothing groundbreaking or special about Mermaid. It is simply a bit of a plussed dark ride that fell flatter with me in Anaheim than I expected. It ain't all that ... and worse, in O-Town they'll have FP, so instead of the typical 20-minute or less waits in Anaheim, you'll have another absurd TSMM situation. Nothing like getting a FP at 10 a.m. for a ride at 5 p.m. and waiting for a very ordinary attraction.
And the mine train coaster? I get a kick when I hear it referred to as a D-Ticket. If you call Mermaid a 'D' (and I'll be liberal and go along with that), then the coaster is likely something of the B-C caliber. At best.
I won't point out ... oh hell, yeah I will ... that HPatFJ is unique in the world to IOA and nowhere else. Mermaid exists at DCA and will be open for 18 months or more at DCA before MK's opens ... and the coaster is going into Shanghai (even if 99.999% of people here will never see it there).
By the time, the first shovel of dirt is moved for Avatarland, Potter's massive Phase II will already be well underway with multiple attractions (one that is on par -- some have told me much better -- than FJ), dining and shopping. That doesn't include non-Potter additions such as Transformers, which is about to debut in Singapore.
And RFID -- a giant data-mining expedition by Disney or a way to micro-manage a visit down to toilet times -- just isn't something I can argue as a reason why anyone should visit WDW or why it makes Disney so much more MAGICal than UNI.
As for the holidays, UNI decorates, UNI offers seasonal entertainment (thus, ruining so many once in a lifetime visits, I'm sure). I'm not sure what the point is since you've said more than once that you are against seasonal entertainment and overlays. While WDW does plenty for the holidays, they seem to cut back annually and they do less than ANY of Disney's other resorts worldwide for the holidays (all of which don't force you to pay a second admission fee to experience it).
~GFC~
