Universal Could be Hurting Next Year

[timeman]

According to the Orlando Sentinel Universal Orlando may be facing a cash squeeze next year.

The article states that the companies that hold and operate the resort must repay or refinance $950 million worth of loans by April 1, 2010. If they are unable to meet the deadline, another half-billion-dollar loan would suddenly come due, as well.

Universal's attempts to refinance are further complicated by its 22-year-old consulting contract with Spielberg. Spielberg has been receiving annual consulting fees in which last year he took in almost $20 million. A provision that takes effect in June 2010 gives Spielberg the right to demand an immediate buyout that analysts say would likely cost Universal several hundred million dollars.

If they are unable to refinance the loans they may have to slash spending on new attractions, seek more money from the owners or sell off part of the resort.

Here is the link to the article about this.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-bk-universal-orlando-finances-040709,0,2569937.story

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I hope not!

In fact, I hope it kills WDW in attendance and sales.:drevil:

 

[crazydaveh]

A lot of large companies are in similar debt situations, though the deal with Speilberg is unique to Universal, but I don't think General Electric will let the parks go under. Sure, we might not see a lot of capitol improvements after Harry Potter, at least for a few years, but it will drive attendance as will the new coaster.

It's just a sign of the times.

 

[EpcotServo]

I can't imagine all these big expensive additions are helping too...
:lol:

 

[khelinski]

I figured Dreamworks and Disney would/may affect Orlando.

 

[jonnyc]

I hope Potter proves a huge draw to cover these debts. Disney would be able to slack if Uni stopped investing in attractions.

 

[khelinski]

You can compare one park attractions to another parks attractions but fact is, Universal tends to hide from their own history – whereas, Disney cherishes its history.

I love The Simpsons, as well as the idea of Harry Potter Land. But I often wonder if that is Universal related? If you ask any Universal Team Member, I doubt they would even know who is the creator of Universal Studios. Or would they also know the idea of a Universal theme park started with the King Kong attraction back in the 80s?

Universal is trailing further away from their own history. It’s not so much that they don’t have any recent hits or draws. They don’t even care about their history anymore.

It would be nice to see a fresh coat of paint (it’s sad when you start noticing peeled paint waiting in line for Spiderman). E.T. could be fresh again, with NEW animotronics (same goes with JP). They have enough space in Jurassic Park to maybe create a simulator.

Would be cool to see like a Universal museum or library somewhere in City Walk or Universal entrance. They should also go back to their back-catalogue and cherry pick their own titles. The Simpsons Ride is a fantastic satire, and does fit with the Universal theming well – but it’s not UNIVERSAL. Some have suggested Fast and the Furious. I suggest a Serenity-related simulator. They could change the Van Helsing set in Horror-Makeup Show to EITHER an upcoming movie ORRRRR a classic horror movie set/bone-yard (though, Monster Café does a great job at that). I thought The Thing haunted house was great a couple of years ago. They should’ve transported Horror Makeup Show into something like The Thing attraction.

And there is just the concept of making things digital. Flat-screen TVs in the queue lines of Spiderman/E.T./Jaws/Jurassic Park/and others that have TVs. Make the 3D print in T2 digital (I do believe they replaced the screens during the pre-show, which is nice).

Instead of focusing on new attractions, it really doesn’t cost THAT MUCH to take one attraction a year (or every six months or so), and fix it up a bit (i.e. The Disney Way). But we are talking about Universal Studios Orlando, here! I love the place. But I can’t pixie-dust the mediocre management that runs it down.

 

[kcnole]

Instead of focusing on new attractions, it really doesn’t cost THAT MUCH to take one attraction a year (or every six months or so), and fix it up a bit (i.e. The Disney Way).

Did you really type that line with a straight face?

 

[JT3000]

You can compare one park attractions to another parks attractions but fact is, Universal tends to hide from their own history – whereas, Disney cherishes its history.

I love The Simpsons, as well as the idea of Harry Potter Land. But I often wonder if that is Universal related?

What's Disney's relation to American Idol? Star Wars? Indiana Jones? The Twilight Zone? Or any of the properties in The Great Movie Ride? USF has just as many attractions based on the company's own properties as DHS, if not more.

Would be cool to see like a Universal museum or library somewhere in City Walk or Universal entrance.

Something along those lines already exists in the lobby of the Horror Make-up Show. A larger one is in place at USH.

They could change the Van Helsing set in Horror-Makeup Show

As I noted above, this is already long gone.

Instead of focusing on new attractions, it really doesn’t cost THAT MUCH to take one attraction a year (or every six months or so), and fix it up a bit (i.e. The Disney Way).

Come again? :lookaroun

 

[JROK]

What's Disney's relation to American Idol? Star Wars? Indiana Jones? The Twilight Zone? Or any of the properties in The Great Movie Ride? USF has just as many attractions based on the company's own properties as DHS, if not more.



Something along those lines already exists in the lobby of the Horror Make-up Show. A larger one is in place at USH.

As I noted above, this is already long gone.

Thanks for posting this... As I was reading khelinski's post I had the exact same thoughts... The Halloween Horror Night/Classic Movie Props have been in the Horror Makeup lobby for almost a year now and it's very well done...

http://www.hhnvault.com/horror_revisited/articles/legacyofhorror.htm

 

[MagliteL13]

You can compare one park attractions to another parks attractions but fact is, Universal tends to hide from their own history – whereas, Disney cherishes its history.

They also hide from it. Rocket Rods, anybody?

I love The Simpsons, as well as the idea of Harry Potter Land. But I often wonder if that is Universal related? If you ask any Universal Team Member, I doubt they would even know who is the creator of Universal Studios. Or would they also know the idea of a Universal theme park started with the King Kong attraction back in the 80s?

The founder of Universal Studios was Carl Leammel (sp?). Oh, the the idea of a Universal theme park started way back during silent films where tourists were invited to the set to watch the filming. This evolved into the tram tour and from there, the rest is history.

Universal is trailing further away from their own history. It’s not so much that they don’t have any recent hits or draws. They don’t even care about their history anymore.

Instead of recapatalizing on the same movies and characters year after year, they're moving forward and daring to be different. The history is still there for those who want it.

It would be nice to see a fresh coat of paint (it’s sad when you start noticing peeled paint waiting in line for Spiderman). E.T. could be fresh again, with NEW animotronics (same goes with JP). They have enough space in Jurassic Park to maybe create a simulator.

It'd be nice to see a working Yeti too. You do know about the large construction project in the back of IOA, right? BTW, have you looked at the paint on Small World lately?

Would be cool to see like a Universal museum or library somewhere in City Walk or Universal entrance. They should also go back to their back-catalogue and cherry pick their own titles. The Simpsons Ride is a fantastic satire, and does fit with the Universal theming well – but it’s not UNIVERSAL. Some have suggested Fast and the Furious. I suggest a Serenity-related simulator.

Try USH if you want the history.

They could change the Van Helsing set in Horror-Makeup Show to EITHER an upcoming movie ORRRRR a classic horror movie set/bone-yard (though, Monster Café does a great job at that).

Done.

I thought The Thing haunted house was great a couple of years ago. They should’ve transported Horror Makeup Show into something like The Thing attraction.

Riiiigggghhhhhttttt....:lol:

And there is just the concept of making things digital. Flat-screen TVs in the queue lines of Spiderman/E.T./Jaws/Jurassic Park/and others that have TVs. Make the 3D print in T2 digital (I do believe they replaced the screens during the pre-show, which is nice).

Okay, now you're nitpicking.

Instead of focusing on new attractions, it really doesn’t cost THAT MUCH to take one attraction a year (or every six months or so), and fix it up a bit (i.e. The Disney Way). But we are talking about Universal Studios Orlando, here! I love the place. But I can’t pixie-dust the mediocre management that runs it down.

Is this where I bring up JII? Or Pirates? Or The Country Bear Vacation Hoedown? Or Disneyland's recently redone Small World? Need I mention the Yeti? Universal, I think likes to keep things fresh. Earthquake/Disaster, BTTF/Simpsons, Hannah Barbara/Jimmy Neutron, etc...

 

[Duckberg]

Universal BUDGET Issues

SURPRISED this thread hasn't attracted more responses. Some on this board have held the Universal Park up as an example of how WDW should run there parks. From a FINANCIAL point of view this article makes you wonder :veryconfu:veryconfu:veryconfu Duckberg :lookaroun

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

SURPRISED this thread hasn't attracted more responses. Some on this board have held the Universal Park up as an example of how WDW should run there parks. From a FINANCIAL point of view this article makes you wonder :veryconfu:veryconfu:veryconfu Duckberg :lookaroun

You must be switched on about corporate finance, so Id benefit from your explanation on how Disneys decision to sit on existing cash assets (which will be gaining minimal interest) while their parks decline and labour material / costs are significantly lower, is a shrewder move than Universals, given that the majority of the debt mentioned seems to be historic and not solely driven by Potter World and recent park activity.


That is of course if we ignore that the article is riddled with speculation and even ends by contradicting most of its earlier scaremongering.

But then its just a bash is it not?

 

[EpcotServo]

I suggest a Serenity-related simulator.

Yes. A Thousand times, YES.

I'd buy a Universal AP INSTANTLY if they put all this Potter effort into that...
:lol:

 

[khelinski]

Man oh man, let the hate reply's commence!

What's Disney's relation to American Idol? Star Wars? Indiana Jones? The Twilight Zone? Or any of the properties in The Great Movie Ride? USF has just as many attractions based on the company's own properties as DHS, if not more.

You make a fantastic point, but those attractions did not REPLACE classic attractions, did it?!?! I can't see them replacing say, It's a Small World or Haunted Mansion - because it is part of the history of the park/company. That's all I am saying...

 

[Chape19714]

American Idol replaced Superstar Television, which was really at the heart of the meaning of MGM Studios.

And there is always much to learn from anyone in the same business as you...whether competition or not.

 

[jeffk410]

What's Disney's relation to American Idol? Star Wars? Indiana Jones? The Twilight Zone? Or any of the properties in The Great Movie Ride? USF has just as many attractions based on the company's own properties as DHS, if not more.



Something along those lines already exists in the lobby of the Horror Make-up Show. A larger one is in place at USH.



As I noted above, this is already long gone.



Come again? :lookaroun

Well you just listed either televison or movies. It relates to WDW because DHS is supposed to bring out the magic in all types of movies. Therefore you need a big range.....=-D

 

[JT3000]

You make a fantastic point, but those attractions did not REPLACE classic attractions, did it?!?! I can't see them replacing say, It's a Small World or Haunted Mansion - because it is part of the history of the park/company. That's all I am saying...

Besides Back to the Future, the only other defunct attraction that was considered "classic" by most was Kongfrontation, which was replaced by a Universal property. Kong was, in fact, not related to Universal in any way. The 2005 remake was the first of Universal's involvement with the franchise. It may have a historical link to Universal's parks, but Disney has closed many more attractions that were either "classic" or held some sort of historical link to the company. Why not chastise them?

And for the record, Harry Potter isn't even replacing any attractions.

Well you just listed either televison or movies. It relates to WDW because DHS is supposed to bring out the magic in all types of movies. Therefore you need a big range.....=-D

Read what I was replying to. Those franchises were not created by Disney. They are borrowed.