Report of Harry Potter park being a done deal for USF

[RSoxNo1]

Inflating your numbers is a poor way to explain your position. 112 million people? Try 44 million (according the 2006 attendance estimates).. Plus, Universal is only 2 parks. You're summing up the attendance of Disney's 4. So in that case, Universal DID see much more than a tenth of that.

You're right - I don't remember what that 112 million # was: Here are the 2006 attendance #s:
1.MAGIC KINGDOM 16,640,000
3.EPCOT 10,460,000
4.MGM 9,100,000
5.ANIMAL KINGDOM 8,910,000
6.UNIVERSAL STUDIOS 6,000,000
8.SEAWORLD FLORIDA 5,740,000
9.ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE 5,300,000

We're looking at 45,110,000 vs. 11300000
Even still that's a 4 to 1 ratio, I think if that increases to an 8 to 3 ratio that would be a success for Universal.

Edit: I believe the 112 million was Disney parks Worldwide

 

[Paixao]

Without a doubt Disney brings in the most visitors into Central Florida,but both Universal parks,Sea World and Busch Gardens have their own niche as well as being popular with many locals.Universal Studios just had their biggest attendance day ever since it was Spring Break combined with their Mardi Gras event which is very popular and seems to last for months and a Chris Daughtry concert.These other Florida parks also have offers that are much more consumer friendly than Disney such as the Orlando Flexticket that gets you 14 days of admission to these 4 parks as well as Wet n Wild, the fun cards for the Busch parks where you pay for one day and come back for the rest of the year are always popular.If Universal gets Potter and creates a one of a kind attraction, it will bring in people from Disney and Disney will come right back with something new,it will only benefit the consumer!

I think that one thing some people may be overlooking in their debate is that MOST people coming to Orlando for the first time HAVE NO IDEA which attractions they may have seen on TV are at which park. Frankly, they think Orlando is just one big walking-distance resort. I cannot tell you how many times I have been working (at uni and disney) and had a guest ask me how to get to a ride that is not at that park. Example: guest asked me at Universal, how to get to Tower of Terror. Also, at Disney during MMD, someone asked me where the nickelodian ride was. Just the other day someone stopped by BF at uni and asked him how to get to that upside-down building. He meant Wonder Works on I-Drive.

I think that sometimes people who are uber fans of theme parks (or anything else) tend to forget that the average person does not know or care that much. They just want to come to Orlando on vacation and have someone else find everthing for them. If guests could just ride a trolly from ride to ride in and out of every different park and I-Drive all day long, that would REALLY make them happy.

I guess the point is that Orlando, in general is the draw because we have everything so close by. Same for California. And whether guests are going to one park or another, Orlando benefits. I benefit! Competition is good. It isn't about one trying to crush the other, it is about the city making sure that both of their major employers and contributors to the economy are doing well and making money.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I had heard a $500 mil budget for the Harry Potter expansion, part of that could be R&D for the Kuka Arm, but if the budget approaches that this should blow us away.

 

[CTXRover]

I had heard a $500 mil budget for the Harry Potter expansion, part of that could be R&D for the Kuka Arm, but if the budget approaches that this should blow us away.

I read that number somewhere as well. Who knows how accurate it is or where it originally came from, but that much could buy them a very nice HP mini park (which I suppose is a possibility based on some rumors) and not simply a re-do of a land and a new attraction as rumored. Although it was 10 years ago, for perspective, the first phase of AK cost 800 million to build and I believe DCA cost slightly less than that (just the park, not the whole DL expansion). However, I imagine that any huge number like that includes the huge royalty fees that Universal is likely to pay in order to get the rights from JKR to create a HP attraction at its parks. I imagine it will cost them a lot.

 

[Tigerdaly]

You are all saying this is great for Disney as it will create competition.
I thought Disney were innovators and not followers.
What you are saying is Disney are just feeding the public a load od mundane blardy blardy and will only change in the face of competition.
That is not Innovative

 

[unkadug]

You are all saying this is great for Disney as it will create competition.
I thought Disney were innovators and not followers.
What you are saying is Disney are just feeding the public a load od mundane blardy blardy and will only change in the face of competition.
That is not Innovative

People as well as companies have a tendency to rest upon their laurels after a while.

This will inspire them to not get bed sores on their rear end! :lookaroun