Universal Orlando Getting Bigger, Better, Wetter, Wilder

[Rutt]

This is not what Disney was always about....Disney used to try and appeal to all markets and did a d@m^ good job of it...if they are now only about pixie dust and princesses they are stupidly limiting their market.
Pixie Dust and princesses was Fantasyland not all of WDW. Definitely not EPCOT or what DHS or DAK were meant to be.
BTW....universal may have some thrills in Harry Potter but make no mistake how broad the appeal of that acquisition is.

What thrill rides was Walt building?

 

[Tony Perkis]

but you can pretty much say the same thing about OU...and don't get me wrong I love OU for the great content and dialogue

Don't say anything bad about my college. Boomer Sooner!

 

[Mike S]

What thrill rides was Walt building?

While it may be a little tame by today's standards, this right here is the grand daddy of the modern roller coaster. First one to ever use tubular steel track.

 

[TimeTrip]

also not sure what they plan to do about parking for it, as if they have to build parking on the site that leaves even less room for the park itself, and from a roadway standpoint this location seems hard to get to.

I'm pretty sure that the word for a while over at OU was that patrons would be bussed over from the main garages.

my primary objection is to the location chosen, as it doesn't really connect well with the rest of the property, and when people are going to be given directions its like oh its out behind cabana bay, rather than letting it be the main attraction, and the entrance will have to be off of a non universal road "Turkey lake" which ruins the resort illusion.

With patrons being brought over from the main garage, this shouldn't be an issue. In addition word at OU is also that the road that appears to be an extension of Wallace road (and therefore a candidate as the "entrance" if it was needed) is only temporary.

 

[shernernum]

Space Mountain was planned from very early on. And if you are going to invoke Walts name and then think he would be happy with the current state of WDW then I think there is little else to discuss.

 

[ford91exploder]

It's sad that you think this. And I don't mean that in an insulting way. I mean it's really sad. Because I'm afraid you're missing out. I have 8 year old twins who have preferred Universal since they were 4.

Like Minion Mania or Shreck, Twister or even MIB is all about testosterone - no they are just fun, Yes there is HULK for a Coaster for the coaster fans in the family but UNI recently is doing a LOT better than Disney on the fun for the WHOLE family front than WDW.

Fun for the WHOLE family does not mean a toddler can ride every ride it means a mix of attractions with something for EVERYONE.

 

[Tony Perkis]

Says who?

My wife is impressed, my kids are impressed, Disney wallets are impressed. You're not happy with what they're doing, I think they could do so much more than they do.

Guess what? We might just be wrong here.

Sounds like a positive to me. Disney spent tons of money building the massive advantage they currently have. How did Universal allow themselves to fall so far behind? Why weren't they building long before now?

Disney has not only let Universal catch up to them creatively (I'd argue that the truly last great, innovative Disney attraction was built in 1994), but many past Imagineers now work for Universal Creative.

If you can't see that as an issue for Disney, then there's not a whole lot I can say to convince you.

Both companies' wallets are happy these days. But only one of these two resorts could be doing more to further the industry.

 

[squidward]

Says who?

My wife is impressed, my kids are impressed, Disney wallets are impressed. You're not happy with what they're doing, I think they could do so much more than they do.

Guess what? We might just be wrong here.

Sounds like a positive to me. Disney spent tons of money building the massive advantage they currently have. How did Universal allow themselves to fall so far behind? Why weren't they building long before now?

It was never supposed to be a race. It was never even supposed to be real competition. Universal was supposed to be a 1 day break from Disney. The better question is, how did Disney sit by and do nothing while Universal became a multi-day destination unto itself while pulling guests away from Disney?

 

[ford91exploder]

It was never supposed to be a race. It was never even supposed to be real competition. Universal was supposed to be a 1 day break from Disney. The better question is, how did Disney sit by and do nothing while Universal became a multi-day destination unto itself while pulling guests away from Disney?

Because Iger decided that TWDC would please Wall St instead of the guest.

 

[Mike S]

Disney has not only let Universal catch up to them creatively (I'd argue that the truly last great, innovative Disney attraction was built in 1995), but many pay Imagineers now work for Universal Creative.

If you can't see that as an issue for Disney, then there's not a whole lot I can say to convince you.

Both companies' wallets are happy these days. But only one of these two resorts could be doing more to further the industry.

Slight correction there since I loved Indiana Jones Adventure out in Disneyland, which opened in '95

 

[ford91exploder]

View attachment 84786
While it may be a little tame by today's standards, this right here is the grand daddy of the modern roller coaster. First one to ever use tubular steel track.

Precisely - once again the embodiment of the concept of fun for the ENTIRE family.

 

[Rutt]

This is the EXACT problem with Disney right now. They don't have to. They think since they're on top, they can continue to rest on their laurels. They need to stop looking at the actual attendance numbers, and look at the percentages by which each park is rising. If they do that, they should be worried. I said this on another thread - There are reports that Universal Studios will have higher attendance this year than Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. It should have NEVER come to that. It was Disney's laziness and cheapness that has brought this about. While Universal wanted to challenge Disney, Disney has been satisfied to sit by and create lackluster attractions, while closing perennial favorites. Universal closes favorites, but always replace it with something even grander.

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.

 

[Tony Perkis]

Slight correction there since I loved Indiana Jones Adventure out in Disneyland, which opened in '95

You're right. I didn't account for the California resort. It's a shame how bad Dinosaur is in comparison.

 

[Donald Razorduck]

What thrill rides was Walt building?

Boy, Space Mountain in the 70's was about as thrill as you could get for the time until Arrow mass produced corkscrew and loop coasters. Now, what Walt would consider building at his parks today would be pure speculation

 

[Rutt]

View attachment 84786
While it may be a little tame by today's standards, this right here is the grand daddy of the modern roller coaster. First one to ever use tubular steel track.

So again, it's already there AND one of my favourite rides. How many of those do they need?
And was Walt part of that process?
And yes, when I think thrill I think more than EE.

Regardless of what we all think (and while I may be wrong, I would gander the large part of we all is middle aged or younger men, at least from the same discussions IRL), there does not appear to be any real threat from Uni against Disneys real bread and butter, which ain't me.

 

[danlb_2000]

It's not wrong though, Disney is not struggling.

It's funny because my wife gets it right off the bat. It's not a competition between Dis and Uni. They're two totally different markets.

Uni is all about thrills and macho and testosterone.

Disney is all about Pixie dust and princesses and larger than life kiddie rides and characters.

You have definitly gotten the wrong impression of Uni. I am not a thrill ride fan, won't ride a coaster more intense then Big Thunder, I won't even go on Space Mountain, yet I can spend 3 days easy at Uni, and my wife loves it to. Last time I was there I saw plenty of women, and they seemed to be having a great time. Disney does have more for the real little ones, but beyond that, Uni and Disney are competing for the same audience.

 

[ford91exploder]

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
Worlds Largest Stroller parking lot, Home to a couple of unfinished D tickets

mM+ (like it or not)
Buggier than a $2 hotel room

DVCs
High Prices - and as a long time DVC owner property maintenance is slipping BADLY (damaged furniture and appliances which necessitate multiple trips to desk to get fixed) while MF's climb at an obscene rate.

Avatarland
Meh - we'll see what it looks like if it opens.

Star Wars
Press Releases ONLY

DHA rebuild
Once Again Press Releases and work has begun on TSMM third track.


So far color me underwhelmed with what Disney has done at WDW.

 

[Rutt]

You have definitly gotten the wrong imoression of Uni. I am not a thrill ride fan, won't ride a coaster more intense then Big Thunder, I wont even go on Space Mountain, yet I can spend 3 days easy at Uni, and my wife loves it to. Last time I was there I saw plenty of women, and they seemed to be having a great time. Disney does have more for the real little ones, but beyond that, Uni and Disney are competing for the same audiance.

But the 'real little ones' is a fairly big audience cash wise? Especially the girls.
But yes, beyond that huge demographic that Uni ignores, they are.

 

[Mike S]

So again, it's already there AND one of my favourite rides. How many of those do they need?
And was Walt part of that process?
And yes, when I think thrill I think more than EE.

Regardless of what we all think (and while I may be wrong, I would gander the large part of we all is middle aged or younger men, at least from the same discussions IRL), there does not appear to be any real threat from Uni against Disneys real bread and butter, which ain't me.

Are you really asking if Walt built the Matterhorn at Disneyland?

 

[ford91exploder]

So again, it's already there AND one of my favourite rides. How many of those do they need?
And was Walt part of that process?
And yes, when I think thrill I think more than EE.

Regardless of what we all think (and while I may be wrong, I would gander the large part of we all is middle aged or younger men, at least from the same discussions IRL), there does not appear to be any real threat from Uni against Disneys real bread and butter, which ain't me.

That was not EE in WDW, That was the Matterhorn in DL which WAS the first tubular track coaster.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matterhorn_Bobsleds