Universal Orlando Getting Bigger, Better, Wetter, Wilder

[Tony Perkis]

No it isn't. There's far more to Disney than you seem to think.

Yeah, awesome. I'm waiting for the day when they prove this in practice.

 

[Tony Perkis]

Head to head. Studios park against studios park. USF vs. DHS. Walking through the gates today.

Some people actually think this is a real comparison.

 

[squidward]

But they're not 'resting on their laurels'.

NFL
mM+ (like it or not)
DVCs
Avatarland
Star Wars
DHA rebuild

Disney is constantly spending money. Not like they used to but that's because they DID spend it before.

Most of the big stuff Uni is being lauded for Disney has already done.

It's like saying 'I can't believe the Yankees aren't putting new seats in with TWO cup holders like Baltimore is', even though the Yankees have had them for years. (It's an analogy folks, please don't go all realistic on me).

Man, I can see how people get all Disney defending now. I love both companies but this is getting ridiculous lol.

NFL = Total disappointment. 1 would be E-ticket that isn't, and a D-ticket that is cheaper than the current dark rides. Other than that, more shops that are clones of other shops.

MM+ = Epic fail that the far majority of people dislike intensely.

DVC's = Adds absolutely nothing to the appeal of WDW except for specific group, and now, that's only a super wealthy group.

Avatarland = Possibly, but the problem is, nobody really cares.

Star Wars = All rumors at this point. I'm a huge Star Wars fan and would love to see this done well. Personally, I'd feel better if it was in Universal's hands at this point.

DHA Rebuild = Are you talking about the Studios? Again, all rumors at this point. And not exactly good ones. The Studios doesn't need a rebuild. The theme there is wonderful. It simply needs more attractions.

 

[WDWLover#1]

The waterpark is sure to be a disappointment.

View attachment 84753

What I've heard is that if u add blizzard beach and typhoon lagoon together it won't even equal what universals water park is going to be.

 

[SJN1279]

NFL = Total disappointment. 1 would be E-ticket that isn't, and a D-ticket that is cheaper than the current dark rides. Other than that, more shops that are clones of other shops.

MM+ = Epic fail that the far majority of people dislike intensely.

DVC's = Adds absolutely nothing to the appeal of WDW except for specific group, and now, that's only a super wealthy group.

Avatarland = Possibly, but the problem is, nobody really cares.

Star Wars = All rumors at this point. I'm a huge Star Wars fan and would love to see this done well. Personally, I'd feel better if it was in Universal's hands at this point.

DHA Rebuild = Are you talking about the Studios? Again, all rumors at this point. And not exactly good ones. The Studios doesn't need a rebuild. The theme there is wonderful. It simply needs more attractions.

And Diagon Alley is basically a Harry Potter mall with a very underwhelming E-ticket where the queue is better than the actual attraction.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

And Diagon Alley is basically a Harry Potter mall with a very underwhelming E-ticket where the queue is better than the actual attraction.

The queue IS part of the attraction.

And if Gringott's is "very underwhelming", then I would love to hear your thoughts on UtS:JotLM and 7DMT.

 

[flyerjab]

When did that happen?

From Orlando Theme Park News the day the most recent art and 40 second video was released:

"Yesterday afternoon, the Disney Parks Blog released a great new artwork depicting a gorgeous part of the new Pandora: The World of AVATAR themed land that is expected to open in 2017 at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. As you will see in this new image (as well as in the new video was released in conjunction with the artwork), the size of the floating islands and plants that will populate this area will be truly massive."

His curmudgeony-self is getting the best of him.

 

[SirLink]

From Orlando Theme Park News the day the most recent art and 40 second video was released:

"Yesterday afternoon, the Disney Parks Blog released a great new artwork depicting a gorgeous part of the new Pandora: The World of AVATAR themed land that is expected to open in 2017 at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. As you will see in this new image (as well as in the new video was released in conjunction with the artwork), the size of the floating islands and plants that will populate this area will be truly massive."

His curmudgeony-self is getting the best of him.

Nah hes not wrong Robert Niles of Theme park insider had commentated to say Disney might open the land in late 2017 and the rides open the year after in 2018.

 

[danlb_2000]

And Diagon Alley is basically a Harry Potter mall with a very underwhelming E-ticket where the queue is better than the actual attraction.

Gringotts has it's flaws, but it's still a great ride and something I would go on every time I go to Uni, and you attempts to diminish what Uni has achieved with Diagon Alley is laughable. I go to a theme park to be transported to and immersed in another world, and the immersion doesn't require a moving vehicle. Diagon alley is the most totally immersive environment I have ever seen in a theme park. I spent hours just walking around that are, enjoying the environment, exploring all the little details, watching the entertainment, and enjoying the atmosphere. Not matter what you may thing of Gringotts, Diagon alley is an un-questionable success.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Gringotts has it's flaws, but it's still a great ride and something I would go on every time I go to Uni, and you attempts to diminish what Uni has achieved with Diagon Alley is laughable. I go to a theme park to be transported to and immersed in another world, and the immersion doesn't require a moving vehicle. Diagon alley is the most totally immersive environment I have ever seen in a theme park. I spent hours just walking around that are, enjoying the environment, exploring all the little details, watching the entertainment, and enjoying the atmosphere. Not matter what you may thing of Gringotts, Diagon alley is an un-questionable success.

So successful, in fact, that after their amazing 4Q numbers came in they held an emergency meeting to green light projects with all the extra money.

Got to spend it before Uncle Sam gets his hooks into it.

They had the same cash dump problem after Hogsmeade opened and that resulted in Transformers (with it's legendary construction overtime budget), Springfield, and Cabana Bay.

 

[danlb_2000]

So successful, in fact, that after their amazing 4Q numbers came in they held an emergency meeting to green light projects with all the extra money.

Got to spend it before Uncle Sam gets his hooks into it.

They had the same cash dump problem after Hogsmeade opened and that resulted in Transformers, Springfield, and Cabana Bay.

So you are telling me that people aren't refusing to go on the Gringotts ride because it doesn't feature Harry? There aren't massive lines of people at guest services demanding their money back because they require a park-to-park ticket to ride Hogwarts Express? Diagon Alley isn't a ghost town because no one cares about Harry Potter anymore?

 

[Mike S]

So successful, in fact, that after their amazing 4Q numbers came in they held an emergency meeting to green light projects with all the extra money.

Got to spend it before Uncle Sam gets his hooks into it.

They had the same cash dump problem after Hogsmeade opened and that resulted in Transformers (with it's legendary construction overtime budget), Springfield, and Cabana Bay.

If it's leading to a lot of new fast tracked projects I wouldn't necessarily call that a "problem"

 

[Mike S]

Spirit said the plans for Star Wars Land could be final by May with the announcement at D23. That doesn't sound like something not opening till 2022.

Just want to correct myself a little here. Spirits original post on this said late spring/early summer, not May. Guess my mind somehow mixed that info with my next trip to WDW. Also he said that Star Wars will be announced at D23 for the USA parks. That doesn't sound at all like "only for Disneyland, DHS later"

 

[flyerjab]

Nah hes not wrong Robert Niles of Theme park insider had commentated to say Disney might open the land in late 2017 and the rides open the year after in 2018.

I still hold on to the 2017 opening.

But I still like @ford91exploder, if for no other reason than he is curmudgeonly.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

If it's leading to a lot of new fast tracked projects I wouldn't necessarily call that a "problem"

I have a feeling that now would be the right time to drop that "Wicked" bomb.

You want more estrogen in your theme park experience?

 

[SirLink]

I still hold on to the 2017 opening.

But I still like @ford91exploder, if for no other reason than he is curmudgeonly.

Well it can open in 2017 but if you can just walk through it, has it really opened?. But to the bold - best way to be.

 

[Mike S]

I have a feeling that now would be the right time to drop that "Wicked" bomb.

You want more estrogen in your theme park experience?

I do like Wizard of Oz and it would be nice to finally see the show. Even if it is a shortened theme park version.

 

[FrankLapidus]

And Diagon Alley is basically a Harry Potter mall with a very underwhelming E-ticket where the queue is better than the actual attraction.

You're getting desperate now. Its about as faithful to the source material as anyone could have hoped it to be.

 

[danlb_2000]

You're getting desperate now. Its about as faithful to the source material as anyone who could have hoped it to be.

Getting?

 

[FrankLapidus]

Getting?

I had the same thought just as I made that post.