Universal Orlando feeling the pressure to compete with YOAMD??

[perculata]

OR is it that, for the past few years, the competition hasn't done anything particularly competitive?

And thanks for, in a backwards way, agreeing with me that, at least in the past, Disney has felt the heat from its competitors, and made decisions based on that feeling of direct competition. And that's not to say that WDW will never feel that heat again, even if they're currently not feeling it. That's why I made my point about internal pressure. Now that they're so far ahead of any current vacation resort, there is a pressure to make sure they always stay that much farther ahead of the curve. To lose any ground is akin to failure. They may be able to build at their own pace now, but if Uni or any other resort started to get more aggressive, who knows how they'll react? Because really, when you think about it, most of Disney's innovations of late hasn't been making people WANT to only stay on-site, they're just making it more convenient to do so. For now, feel free to scoff or disagree. But as it's been pointed out, there are rumors of big and interesting things on Uni's landscape. If the rumors of a Harry Potter attraction (or a whole section of one of the parks) and a Simpsons attraction are true, I'd bet a shiny nickel Disney will step up and try to counteract with something of the same size and scope. Until then, catch you on the flip-flop.

Yea, that's mostly true. I think we finally got somewhere. All I'm saying is that right now Disney is in a good place. They're feeling no pressure right now compared to that of its competition. In the past it may have felt some, but right now they're sitting pretty.

If Universal does in fact fufil these rumors, I'll be ecstatic. I'd love to ride a harry potter ride or watever. Then maybe Disney will feel the pressure and the need to respond. That's when both parks are at their best. But unfortuneatly, Universal hasn't been holding up its end of the bargain.

 

[JT3000]

Ok...

I ran accross this while looking up some information for the closing of the Back to the Future the ride...


I just gotta wonder is this a silly attempt by Universal to compete with YOAMD? <--- old line

Re edit to say ---> Looks like Universal is getting into the giveaway game!

Here is the blurb:

THE UNIVERSAL $50,000 SWEEPSTAKES!

Visit the Universal $50,000 Sweepstakes and enter for your chance at the $50,000 grand prize!

Plus, once you register online, you’ll also have a chance to instantly win one of over 1,000 Universal DVDs and a trip to Universal Orlando® Resort or Universal Studios HollywoodSM.

Enter the sweepstakes now, then send this page to a friend so they can enter too!


I mean it is not a night in the castle or anything remotely cool like that but...


I just had to share because it for some odd reason seemd funny to me!:shrug: <--- Old line


Re edit to say... I just wanted to share to start some discussion!

YOAMD is more "silly" than this, by a long shot. A night in a fake castle or lots of money... hmm... that's a hard one.

 

[JT3000]

If disney isn't number one, that's fine, they'll still exist. But if Universal falls further and further behind, then they'll cease to exist

Wishful thinking on your part. Does NBC-Universal ring a bell? Big conglomerate. Owned by GE. Even bigger conglomerate. Bigger than Disney. Parks not going anywhere.

By the way, the Disney Empire came close to collapsing around the time Epcot was built - when they had no real competition. Might wanna read up on it.

Maybe they should take the $50,000.00 and reinvest it in the park. Maybe buy some paint for Jaws or something???

Why would they do that? The entire ride was just rehabed and looks great. The antithesis of the Haunted Mansion.... and everything else in the Magic Kingdom.

 

[beyondthepalace]

i really wish these threads would come to an end....after all...business wise...Disney is good for Universal....Universal is good for Disney. Having these major theme parks and other attractions in the Orlando area generates a ton of money for the city and employs a significant amount of people. I work at UO and have annual passes to WDW, I understand nothing would be happening around here, I wouldnt have a job if it was not for Walt. Let there be the competition...because eventually every dollar a guest spends at WDW theme parks, trickles down into my paycheck somehow.

 

[perculata]

Wishful thinking on your part. Does NBC-Universal ring a bell? Big conglomerate. Owned by GE. Even bigger conglomerate. Bigger than Disney. Parks not going anywhere.

By the way, the Disney Empire came close to collapsing around the time Epcot was built - when they had no real competition. Might wanna read up on it.



Why would they do that? The entire ride was just rehabed and looks great. The antithesis of the Haunted Mansion.... and everything else in the Magic Kingdom.

How is that wishful thinking on my part? Universal may not be my favorite resort, but it's still a great place to go. Plus, if Universal goes away, who is gonna compete with Disney to keep them at the top of there game.

O and I realize Universal's owned by GE. It's funny, even though they're a huge company with deep pockets, none of that money has gone into the parks. In fact, they've done nothing but implement cost cutting measures. In fact, there was a point wher GE was considering selling off the properties. It doesn't matter if they're bigger than Disney if they're not as dedicated to the parks.

I realize that the chances of Universal actually ceasing to exist are slim to none. i was just speaking hypothetically. Disney and Universal are going to coexist for a nice long time, and Orlando should be a great place to vacation for years to come.

Frankly you don't seem to post much of any value. maybe you should take your rude rantings somewhere else.

 

[sknydave]

Universal Orlando isn't owned by NBC/GE per se, it's also owned by a private investment group.

 

[Lynx04]

Universal Orlando Resort is 50% owned by Universal and 50% percent owned by The Blackstone Group.

Then only way any one can beat Disney in their game of being a week long all inclusive resort, they will have to buy 43 square miles of land and start building. Universal gave up the fight once the company was sold to GE. The Lockheed site held a resonable amount of size to put up a notable competion with Disney, however the land was sold shortly before the purchuse I believe.

Having said that, Universal is a strong competitor in proliferating great attraction that rival Disney. That is where Universal can fight Disney and claim points. It is just a shame they haven't added any new attractions to IOA in awhile.

 

[JT3000]

Frankly you don't seem to post much of any value. maybe you should take your rude rantings somewhere else.

Nah, I think I'll stay. Someone has to keep your laughably biased and often ridiculous rantings in check.

 

[MainStreetMouse]

We are Disney nuts and we just got back from Orlando and spent 3 days at Universal / IOA. We had a great time. While the Disney magic was missing they have a lot of incredible rides and it was a nice change from the Disney scene.

Having more options in the Orlando area just make it an even better travel destination for us. We took advantage of Universal's online 7 day ticket deal. As long as there is competition for our travel dollar we will benefit.

Gary

 

[perculata]

Nah, I think I'll stay. Someone has to keep your laughably biased and often ridiculous rantings in check.

Lol, biased rantings. Yea admitting that Universal Orlando is a great place to spend a few days away from Disney is extremely biased. I mean i really hate great rides like Hulk, Spiderman and MIB :lol:.

Seriously dude, when u make a good point that actually makes some sense, you let me know. Until then, keep attacking poster's instead of their actual arguments.

 

[DisneyYorkian74]

Nah, I think I'll stay. Someone has to keep your laughably biased and often ridiculous rantings in check.

I just looked at your post history and basically all of your posts have to deal with Universal or defending Universal.

Talk about being biased.:dazzle:

BTW: I'm almost positive that there are actually Universal fansites on the internet.

Why not join them since you obviously have nothing nice to say about Disney.

 

[JT3000]

Join them? Already have. Much nicer people than this site. Not nearly as snobby and paranoid.

 

[perculata]

Lol, then y post here if we're so snobby and paranoid. It seems like you're just posting here to cause some sort of trouble. I mean if you're not enjoying discussing on this site, then why do it in the first place. I mean it's not like you'd miss us or we'd miss you, so why continue to be a nuisance.

 

[Legacy]

Lol, then y post here if we're so snobby and paranoid. It seems like you're just posting here to cause some sort of trouble. I mean if you're not enjoying discussing on this site, then why do it in the first place. I mean it's not like you'd miss us or we'd miss you, so why continue to be a nuisance.

Because there are several of us who like to discuss Universal as well as Disney.

 

[Paixao]

How is that wishful thinking on my part? Universal may not be my favorite resort, but it's still a great place to go. Plus, if Universal goes away, who is gonna compete with Disney to keep them at the top of there game.

O and I realize Universal's owned by GE. It's funny, even though they're a huge company with deep pockets, none of that money has gone into the parks. In fact, they've done nothing but implement cost cutting measures. In fact, there was a point wher GE was considering selling off the properties. It doesn't matter if they're bigger than Disney if they're not as dedicated to the parks.

I realize that the chances of Universal actually ceasing to exist are slim to none. i was just speaking hypothetically. Disney and Universal are going to coexist for a nice long time, and Orlando should be a great place to vacation for years to come.

Frankly you don't seem to post much of any value. maybe you should take your rude rantings somewhere else.

I very rarely post around here, mostly just like to read what is going on. As such, I have read this entire thread and think that you have been really leading these people on. By that I mean that you are pushing them to respond to you with ever negative remark you make. Honestly, you cannot make the kind of comments you have (which I interpret as being a bit harsh or inflamitory) and then expect people not to respond in a similar manner. I don't know and can't say that you intend to come off the way you do, but frankly you sound a bit close-minded and unrelenting. It would appear that you only conceed ground and start being polite when someone tries to call you out. You make a comment that you like Uni or agree that it is good for Orlando, and then proceed to restate that Disney is still superior in every way and that Universal is pathetic in camparison. Whether or not that is true is not up to us, it is up to the guests. It really doesn't matter either way. But to get mad at the people who express their frustration with your comments is just silly and not very diplomatic.

 

[Paixao]

Universal Orlando isn't owned by NBC/GE per se, it's also owned by a private investment group.

Yes, it is owned by GE/NBC. Blackstone agreed to purchase a 50% (in partnership with a company called RANK) stake in what was at the time called Universal Escape. They did so in 2000 (before GE/NBC) when the company was still owned by Seagrams. This is even before Vivendi. As for more recent information, I can't find any. So, your statement in a bit misleading.

Source:

NBC Universal wholly owns Universal Studios Hollywood, which includes Universal CityWalk. In addition, the company has significant interests in Universal Orlando, a world-class destination resort featuring two parks (Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure), three premier hotels, and CityWalk, the 30-acre nighttime entertainment complex; Universal Studios Japan in Osaka; and Universal Mediterranea near Barcelona, Spain.

http://www.nbcuni.com/About_NBC_Universal/Company_Overview/overview07.shtml





New York, NY, June 2, 2000 ? Blackstone Capital Partners III (“Blackstone”)
announced today that it has signed an agreement with The Rank Group Plc
(“Rank”) to purchase Rank’s 50% interest in Universal Studios Escape
(“USE”) for $275 million in cash. In addition, Rank could receive additional
consideration subject to certain performance criteria being met.

Universal Studios Escape is a tourist attraction in Orlando, Florida, jointly
owned with Seagram Company Ltd., consisting of two theme parks
(Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure) and an entertainment
center (Universal Studios CityWalk). The transaction does not include
Rank’s interest in the three hotels adjacent to USE or its investment in
Universal Studios Japan.

read more:

 

[Paixao]

Universal Orlando Resort is 50% owned by Universal and 50% percent owned by The Blackstone Group.

Then only way any one can beat Disney in their game of being a week long all inclusive resort, they will have to buy 43 square miles of land and start building. Universal gave up the fight once the company was sold to GE. The Lockheed site held a resonable amount of size to put up a notable competion with Disney, however the land was sold shortly before the purchuse I believe.

Having said that, Universal is a strong competitor in proliferating great attraction that rival Disney. That is where Universal can fight Disney and claim points. It is just a shame they haven't added any new attractions to IOA in awhile.

Universal Pictures did not own Universal Parks. The Universal brand is divided up among many, many larger entities. Vivendi still owns the music and video game brand. GE/NBC owns the parks and a stake in the film brand (among others things) in partership with other companies. Before GE, it was Vivendi, before them it was Segrams. Check your facts. The last time the entire brand was run by the same entity, Carl Laemmle had just commisioned the park. (Someone can check me on that.)

 

[sknydave]

Yes, it is owned by GE/NBC. Blackstone agreed to purchase a 50% (in partnership with a company called RANK) stake in what was at the time called Universal Escape. They did so in 2000 (before GE/NBC) when the company was still owned by Seagrams. This is even before Vivendi. As for more recent information, I can't find any. So, your statement in a bit misleading.

Source:

NBC Universal wholly owns Universal Studios Hollywood, which includes Universal CityWalk. In addition, the company has significant interests in Universal Orlando, a world-class destination resort featuring two parks (Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure), three premier hotels, and CityWalk, the 30-acre nighttime entertainment complex; Universal Studios Japan in Osaka; and Universal Mediterranea near Barcelona, Spain.

http://www.nbcuni.com/About_NBC_Universal/Company_Overview/overview07.shtml





New York, NY, June 2, 2000 ? Blackstone Capital Partners III (“Blackstone”)
announced today that it has signed an agreement with The Rank Group Plc
(“Rank”) to purchase Rank’s 50% interest in Universal Studios Escape
(“USE”) for $275 million in cash. In addition, Rank could receive additional
consideration subject to certain performance criteria being met.

Universal Studios Escape is a tourist attraction in Orlando, Florida, jointly
owned with Seagram Company Ltd., consisting of two theme parks
(Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure) and an entertainment
center (Universal Studios CityWalk). The transaction does not include
Rank’s interest in the three hotels adjacent to USE or its investment in
Universal Studios Japan.

read more:

How is my statement misleading? The only way a person can find my post misleading is not understanding what per se means.

 

[perculata]

I very rarely post around here, mostly just like to read what is going on. As such, I have read this entire thread and think that you have been really leading these people on. By that I mean that you are pushing them to respond to you with ever negative remark you make. Honestly, you cannot make the kind of comments you have (which I interpret as being a bit harsh or inflamitory) and then expect people not to respond in a similar manner. I don't know and can't say that you intend to come off the way you do, but frankly you sound a bit close-minded and unrelenting. It would appear that you only conceed ground and start being polite when someone tries to call you out. You make a comment that you like Uni or agree that it is good for Orlando, and then proceed to restate that Disney is still superior in every way and that Universal is pathetic in camparison. Whether or not that is true is not up to us, it is up to the guests. It really doesn't matter either way. But to get mad at the people who express their frustration with your comments is just silly and not very diplomatic.

Lol, when did I ever say Universal is pathetic. I've said I don't like what their management is doing and that, right now, they aren't challenging Disney because they're resting on their laurels. I really don't appreciate you misquotin me like that. I have nothin against the Universal theme parks at all, just their management, similar problems exist within disney, just not to as much of an extent.

I have no problem with debate, but JT3000 doesn't seem interested in debate. If you simply look at his post history you'll see that he has a way of attacking anything and everything disney and bashing those who like it. I've only responded harshly to him because he really is a nuisance here. however, my responses to others have been civil, at least i intended them to be. I have no problem with people who disagree with me.

Anyways, if I offended you i didn't intend to. It's just that JT3000 continued blatant attacks on other posters is frankly annoying.

 

[Paixao]

How is my statement misleading? The only way a person can find my post misleading is not understanding what per se means.

Thanks, I do know what it means. What I am saying is that Blackstone (to the best of my research knowledge) does not A) Act as a managing partner, making policy, etc, and B) it would seem that in the press release I cited, that Blackstone is less of an owner and more of an investor. Yes, they hold 50% of the interest in the park.

I simply thought that it was misleading to state that GE really only controls 50% of the company. Really, they are, to my knowledge, the primary controler of the property. At least in terms of policy, etc.