MM+ Why we can't have nice things.

[wdisney9000]

I can't fault someone for steering people to WDW. Despite it's recent declines and price increases, it's still can be an enjoyable vacation especially if you get some good guidance before going. I still enjoy going to WDW and I would still encourage other to go also. I would also encourage them to check out Uni.

Make sure yo get your travel agents license so you cant get the valuable information that Disney ONLY sends to travel agents and doesnt disclose on their own website.lol.

 

[asianway]

Make sure yo get your travel agents license so you cant get the valuable information that Disney ONLY sends to travel agents and doesnt disclose on their own website.lol.

The airlines had the right idea by cutting the travel agents out.

 

[wm49rs]

The airlines had the right idea by cutting the travel agents out.

It wouldn't surprise me in the least if one of the money-saving features for MM+/MDE was for Disney to do the same....

 

[Jimmy Thick]

Aside from your stupid tag line this is one of the better posts you've made. You spelled out your opinions and whether we agree with them or not, you at least put it out there. Using this as a jumping off point, can we have an actual discussion about this?

I agree that since the initial failures of Islands of Adventure, Disney didn't really view the Universal parks as a threat. However, the relative attendance gains since Harry Potter cannot go unnoticed. With that said, I ask the following questions to you:

• Do you or Disney think Universal can ever or will ever be a threat to Disney?
• What would they have to do in your mind to be regarded as a threat?
• Can Universal leverage a quicker turnaround time on newer Intellectual Property can that be deemed a competitive advantage?

Looking strictly at attendance figures in the theme park world, Universal is not even close to being a legitimate number 2 and have no chance of usurping Disney any time soon, even with a whole theme park dedicated to Potter. Any attendance gains associated to Potter can simply be attributed to Potter being a fad audience, there is really nothing to support Potter being anything more than that as long as no new books or films are made. There is no proof other Rowlings properties will draw money that don't include Harry Potter somewhere. Iam forced to think any gain in attendance is strictly a fad audience until proven otherwise.

Universal will never be a threat. They don't have the land to be a threat. People can think they can buy all the land they want in Orlando, but people have to want to sell, and if Universal wants to keep building and actually improve their parks in a vain effort to compete with Disney, why would anyone want to sell? Plus, I and investors question the future of Comcast's stability in terms of cash. Cable television, the bulk of Comcast revenue is not long for this world.

All Universal does is build from IP's, which is fine. To think they can acquire or create something remotely deemed worth of creating a competitive advantage is rather pointless unless they acquire more land for which to put them, or they will have to tear down and build anew, which can cost money Comcast may not have due to cable being phased out within the next few years.

In closing, Universal has far to many holes in their wall than most people want to think or actually know to be a threat to anything other than a day or two out of Disney's pocket. Its nice they build attractions, but short term is being sacrificed for long term problems. Look at Comcast's debt to equity ration and compare it to Disney's, then let people continue to talk about how bad a job Iger is doing.

Will Universal ever be a threat to Disney?

Not in anyone who posts here's lifetime.

Jimmy Thick- Jimmy Thick "tag lines" are some of the most waited for contribution's to Wdwmagic!!! Truth!!!

 

[Jimmy Thick]

Universal has said that all of their investment in the parks will be IP driven. I don't think Disney has made any such declaration and if you look at the last decade of experiences many of the major additions are not driven by IP (most notably Soarin', Test Track, Mission: SPACE, Expedition Everest). There is one big thing at play here when it comes to the character infusion that was the heated debate a few years ago (remember the good old days): Characters aren't necessarily the problem, but they're the easiest thing to blame.

It's hard for people to effectively explain why the like or dislike an attraction because more often than not, describing components is difficult. However, if you can relate something (Such as a character) that makes it easy. The opposition I had with Character Infusion in many situations was that they were nothing more than cheap overlays (or at least they felt that way). When an attraction or a new story is forced into an area that was designed from something else, it's much harder for it to work as effectively as the original. This, more than character infusion are the "problems" at Stitch's Great Escape and The Seas with Nemo and Friends.

There is absolutely no way Disney makes a new attraction without an IP attached to it. I just don't see it happening anymore.

Jimmy Thick- Sadly.

 

[JenniferS]

Jimmy Thick- Jimmy Thick "tag lines" are some of the most waited for contribution's to Wdwmagic!!! Truth!!!

I think some of your tag lines are incredibly clever. Others - not so much.
On the plus side, you're clearly having fun.

 

[asianway]

It wouldn't surprise me in the least if one of the money-saving features for MM+/MDE was for Disney to do the same....

I think if every lifestyler business went under the entire national economy would collapse at this point

 

[wm49rs]

I think if every lifestyler business went under the entire national economy would collapse at this point

Well, there's a large number of agencies out there falling outside that characteristic. And I can easily see Disney culling all but perhaps the largest of them, saving money and keep the cuts quiet...

 

[twebber55]

Looking strictly at attendance figures in the theme park world, Universal is not even close to being a legitimate number 2 and have no chance of usurping Disney any time soon, even with a whole theme park dedicated to Potter. Any attendance gains associated to Potter can simply be attributed to Potter being a fad audience, there is really nothing to support Potter being anything more than that as long as no new books or films are made. There is no proof other Rowlings properties will draw money that don't include Harry Potter somewhere. Iam forced to think any gain in attendance is strictly a fad audience until proven otherwise.

Universal will never be a threat. They don't have the land to be a threat. People can think they can buy all the land they want in Orlando, but people have to want to sell, and if Universal wants to keep building and actually improve their parks in a vain effort to compete with Disney, why would anyone want to sell? Plus, I and investors question the future of Comcast's stability in terms of cash. Cable television, the bulk of Comcast revenue is not long for this world.

All Universal does is build from IP's, which is fine. To think they can acquire or create something remotely deemed worth of creating a competitive advantage is rather pointless unless they acquire more land for which to put them, or they will have to tear down and build anew, which can cost money Comcast may not have due to cable being phased out within the next few years.

In closing, Universal has far to many holes in their wall than most people want to think or actually know to be a threat to anything other than a day or two out of Disney's pocket. Its nice they build attractions, but short term is being sacrificed for long term problems. Look at Comcast's debt to equity ration and compare it to Disney's, then let people continue to talk about how bad a job Iger is doing.

Will Universal ever be a threat to Disney?

Not in anyone who posts here's lifetime.

Jimmy Thick- Jimmy Thick "tag lines" are some of the most waited for contribution's to Wdwmagic!!! Truth!!!

James I will say you re one of my favorite posters but never say never.....IMO all but the MK are within reach of the two universal parks...not saying it will happen but there is a chance....im sure Microsoft said no way apple will ever catch them as well

and even of they don't catch them in terms of numbers that's ok....they just want to take more market share

 

[Jimmy Thick]

@Jimmy Thick , I'm hoping you can answer an honest question from me, foregoing any snark or hyperbole.
Why do you think a growing majority of posters have such positive things to say about Uni when compared to WDW?

How many people are this "majority"?

I personally know of people who have no clue Universal even exists let alone want to spend money to actually go there. The "majority" is a very very small "minority" posting here on this forum. 50? many 60? Hardly a majority. If this majority was as actually substantial as some would like or want to believe, Universal parks would be dominating the attendance figures, sadly they are nowhere near the top, and they never will be.

Why?

Florida is Disney, people got to Florida for Disney and spring break or to retire. You could take Universal out of Florida and WDW would keep chugging alone, take WDW out of Florida, and Universal would die within 6 months.

People just want Disney to build more, but they don't have to. They have the better product and they always will, and guess what?

The numbers back me up 100%.

Jimmy Thick- Universal still has to figure out why both of their parks combined cannot out draw MK...

 

[Jimmy Thick]

I think some of your tag lines are incredibly clever. Others - not so much.
On the plus side, you're clearly having fun.

Everyone should be having fun posting here.

Jimmy Thick- If not, you should not be posting here!!!

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

delusional

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

delusional

 

[wdisney9000]

The airlines had the right idea by cutting the travel agents out.

I was referring to what @WDWDad13 said about him getting a travel license not to profit but to be able get info that they send to travel agents...yeah right. You are correct about the airlines though.

 

[Jimmy Thick]

James I will say you re one of my favorite posters but never say never.....IMO all but the MK are within reach of the two universal parks...not saying it will happen but there is a chance....im sure Microsoft said no way apple will ever catch them as well

and even of they don't catch them in terms of numbers that's ok....they just want to take more market share

All Disney parks I feel will draw over 10 million this year.

None of Universals will draw 9.

The market share they are getting is based upon a fad audience, they are building based on gains from a fad audience. Disney has a core audience. Big difference.

Jimmy Thick- Microsoft has 80% of OS market share, Apple 8%...

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

trying too hard, desperation oozes from every orifice.

 

[WDWDad13]

I was referring to what @WDWDad13 said about him getting a travel license not to profit but to be able get info that they send to travel agents...yeah right. You are correct about the airlines though.

You just know everything don't you?

I have a full time job...a good one...and I certainly don't need to make money from helping people out...but of course you won't believe me so why bother.

If you have a problem with me and others doing that why don't you start calling out other travel agents that do it JUST for profit. Enjoy

 

[wdisney9000]

The market share they are getting is based upon a fad audience, they are building based on gains from a fad audience. Disney has a core audience. Big difference.

I agree Disney has a much much larger core audience but I wouldnt call Harry Potter a fad by any means. Its actually still growing. If you were referring to something else I apologize.

Jimmy Thick- Microsoft has 80% of OS market share, Apple 8%...

When you factor in the higher premium you pay for Apple products, that 8% is a big number. Im not an Apple fan though, Droid all day! There market share is probly around 1%. lol

 

[xdan0920]

You just know everything don't you?

I have a full time job...a good one...and I certainly don't need to make money from helping people out...but of course you won't believe me so why bother.

If you have a problem with me and others doing that why don't you start calling out other travel agents that do it just for profit. Enjoy

It's just that you are contradicting yourself. You can't say on one hand you do it "just" to help people. Then also take a profit.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Im sure the CEos of GM & Ford thought these foreign chappies with their little cars were just a passing fad, just sayin like.