I don't disagree about Disney's mammoth prescence in O-town. But I think there is a point being missed and that is Disney losing guests to UNI ... And once you do, it takes a helluva lot to get them back, something Walt understood but the arrogant leaders of WDW today do not. Five more years of next to nothing new at WDW while UNI is constantly adding AND pushing the bar of immersive themed attractions/parks can (and will, IMHO) alter vacation habits.
Just because a company has been on top doesn't mean it always shall be.
WDW's definitely losing guests to Uni and has been since 2010. The speculation/guess/opinion is which way will it go in the future? Will Uni win more "WDW days", lose more, or maintain?
Uni faces two basic groups that are the source of the lost vacation days.
The first is the Pixiedust Brigade. There are a lot of adults who spent their childhoods at WDW and want to share that experience with their children. They go perhaps once every 2 or 3 years and, for them, every day at WDW is precious. They are not going to switch loyalties just because Uni comes out with some fantastic attractions. IMHO, half of them go to WDW for the Mickey Ice Bars (even though they taste identical elsewhere), the Dole Whips, Main Street USA (even if it's only a shell of its former self), and the Monorail (even if it's starting to show its age). Right now, they're giving Uni a try to checkout WWOHP. But I don't see them flocking there for Despicable Me (which my family really likes). I really don't know which way Transformers is going to go but it's not going to be another WWOHP.
TWDC's plans for the next several years are going to be more than enough to keep the pixiedusters happy. Gee, they're going to think a new parade at MK is the greatest thing ever and the "kiddie coaster" (
) is the most amazing attraction since Tower Of Terror. Heck, they got excited about a bathroom, that's how well Disney has trained them to lower expectations.
And the Pixiedust Brigade is much larger than any equivalent brigade at Uni.
The second is the casual Orlando vacationer. They don't have particular loyalties and will chase after the latest whiz-bang. They're going to have a great time at Uni for the next 5 years. However, Comcast can't keep pumping money into Uni forever. At some point they are going to be pressured to cut back on capex. Once Comcast does, the casual Orlando vacationer is going to hear about those additions at WDW and will want to check those out. By then, WWOHP Parts 1 & 2 will be old news, as will a lot of Uni's additions. It's the bane of all amusement parks. At some point Uni's going to run out of steam. If WDW continues to sit on its hands, then Uni has a chance. But with TWDC creating a DHS redo, moving forward with Avatar, throwing in a couple of new or updated attractions at MK and Epcot, expanding DTD, they're eventually going to return to WDW for the latest whiz-bang.
Both crowds already are giving Uni days. They'll continue to do so as long as Uni builds. But Uni can't build forever. Uni doesn't have Cinderella's Castle. Uni doesn't have those meet and greets that turns some adults into
blithering children. (You've seen them; the ones that act like 2-year-olds when some guy walks by dressed as Goofy.) And Uni doesn't have Mickey Mouse. Is Uni ever going to be able to get more than a couple of days out of, after all, what really is a WDW vacation for most Orlando tourists?
I'm just not seeing it. WWOHP Part 2, expanded Jurassic Park, a leveled Toon Lagoon all sound great. There's a reason I'm renewing my Uni AP. But, in the end, I don't think Uni's ever going to be more than a couple of days, especially if Iger & co. actually start trying to do something with WDW. At least, not until Uni figures out a way to create its own Magic Kingdom.
