Universal to Invest $1.5 Billion in Orlando Resort

[bubbles1812]

Last time I was at Universal was probably around 2001 or 2002. It just never did anything for me the times I have been, never found myself enjoying any of the rides and overall was underwhelmed. I understand that I haven't been there since Potter has been and I fully accept that I will simply LOVE it. Doesn't mean I still like anything else that is offered on property. I will try to go with an open-mind for the rest of it but...Universal has just left a continual bad taste in my mouth.

During the early 2000s, I would probably have had the same attitude at you. The parks were poorly run by a management team that didn't care (sound familiar?) and were only there til they could pass Uni off to someone knew. Things very much were falling apart. But again, I have to emphasize that Universal as of now has a completely different vibe. Potter is only part of it, though a very big part of course. But the cash it's brought in has allowed for improvements in other areas of the park. Case in point again...the painting. They are actually taking the time to blast old paint off the sidewalks in Seuss Landing so they can repaint rather than just have a sloppy presentation. And they are doing it all overnight to maintain show quality for guests. Last time you were there, that wouldn't have even been possible. They didn't have money or the right people in place who cared enough about their product. I am glad to hear that you will try to keep an open mind. I'd encourage you to look at Universal just on it's own, let it stand on it's own without comparison to Disney. There are some truly great rides. Some that need work or even replacing, yes, but then the same could definitely be said of Disney too.

I fully agree that a new E-Ticket for MK would be nice, and I fully support that. Personally, since SDMT is technically a mountain, add a mountain to Adventureland and then every land has a mountain. Or the villian's subland I suggested in another thread. The only reason why I think NFE is great is because, to me, Fantasyland was always kind of dull (imo) and now it looks like what Disney should look like to me. I'm sold on what I have seen with BOG and Gaston's alone. And the Little Mermaid ride, while not an E-Ticket, I personally love an nice relaxing omnimover in the AC.Sometimes I just want to relax and enjoy something whimsy. Little Mermaid provides that AND that que looks awesome. Maybe one of the best I have seen.

I wasn't trying to say that NFE is awful by any means. Sorry if I came across that way. The area is lovely. I'll be the first to say that. That Mermaid que? Amazing attention to detail. Truly beautiful. And I don't even mind nice relaxing omnimovers. Mermaid is really nice that way (I do have some problems with the storyline and ride design but that is neither here nor there). But I look at the land and see that there was so so so much more potential that they could have realized if they'd only been willing to spend the money. I wish they'd been willing to spend on one ride that shows what WDI used to really do best...as in shock the heck out of everyone with unique ride experiences, developing new ride systems...all things that WDI has plans for...but all things that never get green lit. Again, I'm sure I'll enjoy the area but I expect more of Disney that adding a restaurant, a quick service snack station, and three rides, two of which are clones.

I agree with you that Harry Potter is here to stay, but I think the books and movies will endure longer than the rides. WWoHP is just one area of an otherwise crappy park (imo). I'm glad Universal is putting money into sprucing up the place but still... Until recently (like when they tore down Jaws, replaced Back to the Future) the park had the same rides forever that weren't even that entertaining after the first time. I feel like I can ride anything at Disney multiple times and get something out of it.

Not sure what you mean by your first sentence there. If the books and movies endure, it would stand to reason that the world based on them will endure as well. Disney is the perfect example in that respect. Peter Pan came out 50 years ago and the ride still endures. I think Potter will do just fine. And with the development of new technology, there is always the chance that Uni can "plus" FJ like they did Spiderman. I guess I feel I can ride Disney's rides and Universal's rides multiple times and get something out of it. Otherwise I would not return to either park...but I do I think I'm very confused about what bothered you about Universal's rides. What exactly didn't you like about them?

No, I didn't mean adding stuff just to add it but I think a park with Disney's history will always been added to. Didn't Walt say WDW would never be completed? I don't argue they don't have serious problems, and I haven't been down there since I moved out of the state but I just hate all the doom and gloom I see on this forums. "Uni has Potter and Transformers! The end is nigh!" Please! Also, we don't know what is in store for the future. Stagnation now doesn't mean stagnation forever. I have high hopes and thinks the future is bright for the parks! I think NFE, just in detail and design, combined what was done with Carsland and what Disney has always done best. Attention to detail and creating "love notes" to their own properties.

It's true Walt said WDW will never been completed... though I'm not sure if the current management team knows that. For years, they have seemed more content to cut things than to add. NFE was literally forced on them by Burbank. Doesn't exactly seem like a recipe for success when you don't want to expand.

You will never hear me say "Uni has Potter and Transformers! The end is nigh!" and it's true we don't know what the future is like. You are even right that stagnation now doesn't mean stagnation forever. I perfect example of that is actually Universal! Right now though, I am going off of what current Disney management seems to follow as a pattern. And that pattern has been to cut and cut and cut while raising prices and trying not to encourage the "Big" projects the parks really need because they are so risk averse. I forget where the quote is but Iget talked about how their goal is to reduce spending at the parks over the next years. To address your final sentence... NFE is again, beautiful. The attention to theme and presentation is astounding and is something they have always done best. The problem is, their competition is learning to do that too. But said competition is also developing the rides that will keep the crowds coming. Disney needs to realize you can't just look pretty and run on nostalgic fumes. There also has to be some action, some big draws. That they realize not all guests are blind deaf and dumb when it comes to the problems that exist in the world. I hope they are finally waking up to that.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

While FLE is great, once you see Carsland then you realize Disney still has it.

Disney never lost it. They always could do it right. The question is would they? In California the answer is yes. In Florida? No.

FLE is all cute & sweet. I like the pics and video I've seen. Would I describe any of it as amazing, groundbreaking, or worth making a trip to see? Not for me. Adding a new hat to a beat up, faded, over-worn, outdated outfit doesn't really change a whole lot for me.

I'll be more convinced about the rest of WDWs rumored future when I see it. The powers-that-be in Orlando have earned a reputation of announcing things that don't happen and seriously watering down what does.

 

[bubbles1812]

And that's kind of my point. Disney is in this to make money, and in any market, competition drives innovation. I think we are going to be seeing interesting 10 years. We really don't know what all is planned for WDW but I am excited to see what is coming down the pipe!

It is my dearest hope that what is going on at Universal will steer Disney to make the changes they need to. I hope it will be an interesting 10 years and that we do get some good theme park wars going! Right now I'd say Universal is on the battle field while Disney is still trying to recruit troops (and panicking quite a bit as they do it). Hopefully they'll get their butts kicked enough that it spurs them to action...because I think that is what it is going to take for Disney to truly make the changes it needs. Nothing less. So...to Universal continuing to kick and take names and to (hopefully) an interesting 10 years because of that Georgia!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Love that last one, too, Bubbles! Between you and Spirit I'm flipping out looking for my AMEN button.

I, too, hope this is the fire that gets WDW cooking again. It's not just adding new stuff, it's committing to the show quality overall. When they talked about stripping paint before going down with fresh coats in that article I was cheering! Working during after hours??? I was dancing! It's the little things that add up to a sum of consistent dedication to show. Without that a park is just another park. If you want to be the best you have to earn it by staying 100% committed 100% of the time. No excuses. Do it right or don't. I'd love to see WDW return to that level of excellence and dominance. I wiiiiiiish.....

 

[cheezbat]

I just visited the Magic Kingdom and got to experience the entirety of the FantAsyland Expansion. It's very pretty, but Mermaid is an exact clone of Cali's ride....a very nice restaurant, and a circus themed area. Disney has the theming down, but the area is severely lacking that true anchor E-ticket. It's a shame how little they got for how much they spent.

As for those of you who seem to despise Universal...I laugh at you. They have numerous rides and lands on par with Disney. Mummy is one of my favorite coasters...Men in Black- best shooter ride ever...Spider-Man- need I say more? IOA is so richly themed not only in WWOHP, but in areas like the Lost Continent(even though there's no good attractions there), Jurassic Park(I always feel like I've stepped into one of the JP movies), and Seuss Landing- with all the trees and fresh paint the place looks great!

Disney does great work still...we just hardly ever get any of It here in Orlando...and with Universal really stepping up, they better stop worrying about DVCs and get back into the reason people even visit WDW: the theme parks!

 

[GeorgiaPinesRJB]

I think I'm very confused about what bothered you about Universal's rides. What exactly didn't you like about them?

I know what you meant, I was just defending the omnimovers haha I understand we all have come to expect a lot from Disney over the years and some people are feeling let down. I totally get that.

As for Universal, when I went there when I was younger, the rides were just too scary (for a five or six year old). As I got older, the rides still did nothing for me and I always found myself comparing it all to Disney. Look at the ET Ride which is the only original ride that opened with Orlando that's still there. The point when you get the ET's planet looks so goofy and the animantronics look so stiff and wooden and static. Great example where Disney does it better. Pirates and HM, which were older than ET by 20 years still look great in comparison!

I always felt the theming to the rides, ET another great example. The outside they're filming the movie? The inside you're in the movie? Disney, even to this day, never made me question what message or theme they were trying to convey to me in a ride. Space Mountain? Check, in a space station! Peter Pan's Flight? Well hot darn I'm with Peter. I think because Disney always put those little details into the things that we don't even notice sometimes to make things really immersive.

The Jaws ride is another great example of theming that just seemed off to me...like the ride was trying to convince too much that no shark has been seen since 1974 and everything... I don't know, just seemed way too contrived for my taste. I guess what I appreciate about Disney rides like, Jungle Cruise is that I KNOW I'm supposed to be in the 1930s but it's never spoon fed to me, just hinted at, so my imagination can play with it a bit more when standing in the queue, etc. I guess what I am saying is Disney is great at showing and not telling which is important to me.

Those are just some of the things that stand out to me with Universal. Now, if you say it's changed, I'll believe you and take your word for it. Heck, it might even changed so much that I will like it when I visit it there. Came for the Wizard, stayed for the ambience? haha seriously though, I'm just speaking from what I have experienced in the past.

I'll climb down off that soapbox now and sorry for giving a longer answer than you expected!

 

[GeorgiaPinesRJB]

It is my dearest hope that what is going on at Universal will steer Disney to make the changes they need to. I hope it will be an interesting 10 years and that we do get some good theme park wars going! Right now I'd say Universal is on the battle field while Disney is still trying to recruit troops (and panicking quite a bit as they do it). Hopefully they'll get their butts kicked enough that it spurs them to action...because I think that is what it is going to take for Disney to truly make the changes it needs. Nothing less. So...to Universal continuing to kick and take names and to (hopefully) an interesting 10 years because of that Georgia!

True! I am glad there is competition and the next decade looks great. I still think Disney has been doing it better and longer and when it comes to the clambake, they'll still outdo Uni haha (maybe I'm just a fanboy? Don't care!)

 

[VoiceInTheCrowd]

Universals main problem from day one has been establishing its own identity. For years Disney has just swept them under the rug and it's been allowed to happen. I've always found the universal parks to be cutting edge, they just had a problem of actually giving people a reason to visit. That all changed with the boy who lived.

I often feel spoiled that I was fortunate enough to experience Disney in it's prime. For anyone who wasn't able to visit pre 1995, you have no idea what you missed. Not just phenomenal attractions but outstanding maintenance. Quality. As all of that slowly diminished from Disney low and behold it has gradually appeared at universal. Universal is now using Disneys old principles to not only combat the competition but more importantly to improve their company. I am extremely excited about all of this money being poured into the parks.

Whenever I see dvc billboards with the tagline, ” Disneys best kept secret” I can't help but think that for years Disneys real best kept secret has been universal. A company whose presence Disney has refused to acknowledge and fans have been hellbent on staying away from. Now with universal establishing it's identity the secret is out.

 

[bubbles1812]

True! I am glad there is competition and the next decade looks great. I still think Disney has been doing it better and longer and when it comes to the clambake, they'll still outdo Uni haha (maybe I'm just a fanboy? Don't care!)

I think Disney has been doing it longer (obviously) and they even had done it better...up until the te management got somewhat complacent and sat back on their heals. That has only been a relatively recent thing (past decade or so). If you'd asked me circa 1995, I would have agreed with everything you've said. But universal finally brought their A game while Disney dropped theirs to a C

 

[Thrill Seeker]

I'd have to disagree, as beautiful as it is, I am very underwhelmed for reasons I have posted several times so I'm not going to repeat myself

I can't disagree with you. Personally I really like New Fantasyland, but it's trying too hard to be like WWoHP. It's not for a number of respects.

1. One new ride (until 2014) and a fancy meet and greet can't compare to 2 (technically 3) coasters and Forbidden Journey, a groundbreaking attraction.

2. Mermaid is great (they fixed my one issue with it over the week), but it's nothing new. The queue is awesome, but not as awesome as walking through Hogwarts.

3. There is only one merch shop and it doesn't sell anything exciting.

4. Gaston's and Be Our Guest are better than Three Broomsticks and Hog's Head, but aside from Mythos, Universal isn't known for their resturaunts...

5. LeFu's Brew is good, but it's no Butterbeer.

There you have it in a nutshell. New Fantasyland is a solid addition to MK, but it isn't anywhere close to Potter.

 

[marni1971]

That is why the battles between WDI and James Cameron are worth watching

That it is.

 

[lazyboy97o]

And that's kind of my point. Disney is in this to make money, and in any market, competition drives innovation. I think we are going to be seeing interesting 10 years. We really don't know what all is planned for WDW but I am excited to see what is coming down the pipe!

This only works if there is a proper recognition of the competition. Even with the growing panic, I am not sure Disney is properly aware of why their big ship in Orlando is leaking so much.

 

[flynnibus]

Sure.

They're just plans. But UNI has a history of following through ... or more to the point doesn't have Disney's history of seeing some of WDI's best plans/ideas wind up as coffee table book filler and no more.

I believe we're more likely to see UNI do most of what is planned than I do of Disney following through with things they've announced (like say blue alien sex kittens at DAK!)

I think people are just getting googly over seeing a billion dollar number. But when spread out over 10 years is it even really a number of significance? How does it compare to normal yearly capital investment by disney?

I think it's great news UNI is willing to put forward a policy of continuing improvement and keeps the pressure on Disney. I just don't put a lot of weight into a budget number without any specifics that will tie money into that exclusively and for ANY budget plans that reach beyond the fiscal horizon.

 

[flynnibus]

It appears Comcast "gets" the message. An amusement park's life blood is its attractions. Introducing new attractions on a regular basis is what gets the headlines, draws people in, and keeps them coming back.

Ask any investor of Six Flags how that formula works for them.

Look at DL's pace of additions post HM. Continually adding is not sustainable, nor is it profitable. The key is in what you put in, and keeping it fresh and relevant. Sometimes that means adding attractions - other times it means simply creating an environment people want to experience. When you vacation at the beach or mountains.. you don't say 'damn, when are they going to add something new to this boring ocean??'

DL is a prime example of building something people want to experience.. vs simply trying to lure people with a carrot of 'new!!'

 

[GLaDOS]

Ask any investor of Six Flags how that formula works for them.

Look at DL's pace of additions post HM. Continually adding is not sustainable, nor is it profitable. The key is in what you put in, and keeping it fresh and relevant. Sometimes that means adding attractions - other times it means simply creating an environment people want to experience. When you vacation at the beach or mountains.. you don't say 'damn, when are they going to add something new to this boring ocean??'

DL is a prime example of building something people want to experience.. vs simply trying to lure people with a carrot of 'new!!'

Considering the projects I've seen from Universal in the past decade, save for Rip, Ride, Rockit, I'm fairly certain they'll be putting out things that people want to experience.

 

[danlb_2000]

I think people are just getting googly over seeing a billion dollar number. But when spread out over 10 years is it even really a number of significance? How does it compare to normal yearly capital investment by disney?

I think it's great news UNI is willing to put forward a policy of continuing improvement and keeps the pressure on Disney. I just don't put a lot of weight into a budget number without any specifics that will tie money into that exclusively and for ANY budget plans that reach beyond the fiscal horizon.

There was a conference call with Jay Rasulo a few months ago where he said that the yearly capital budget for Disney Parks and Resorts would be greater them 1 billion, but far less then two.

 

[lazyboy97o]

There was a conference call with Jay Rasulo a few months ago where he said that the yearly capital budget for Disney Parks and Resorts would be greater them 1 billion, but far less then two.

But that means that money is spread out over the Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Hong Kong Disney Resort, Shanghai Disney Resort (maybe), the four cruise ships and their home port facilities, and I believe even Disney Vacation Club is included within Parks and Resorts. That is money being spread out a lot further than one two park resort.

 

[AndyMagic]

Ask any investor of Six Flags how that formula works for them.

No one is saying big theme parks like Universal and Disney should be adding a new mega-ride every year no matter what. We are talking about investing in quality attractions on a semi-regular basis however. Magic Kingdom hasn't added an E-ticket ride in over 20 years. TWENTY YEARS! That's completely insane to me. No other park in the world could get away with it. Luckily Disney has decades of consumer confidence and support on their side but in the real world, yes, you have to add new attractions every now and then to keep guests coming back. It is how it has always been done since Disneyland opened. Also, adding a new ride once a year doesn't bring a big return on investment for Six Flags because they add carnival rides and an occasional standard roller coaster. Apples and oranges here.

 

[WDW1974]

Universals main problem from day one has been establishing its own identity. For years Disney has just swept them under the rug and it's been allowed to happen. I've always found the universal parks to be cutting edge, they just had a problem of actually giving people a reason to visit. That all changed with the boy who lived.

I often feel spoiled that I was fortunate enough to experience Disney in it's prime. For anyone who wasn't able to visit pre 1995, you have no idea what you missed. Not just phenomenal attractions but outstanding maintenance. Quality. As all of that slowly diminished from Disney low and behold it has gradually appeared at universal. Universal is now using Disneys old principles to not only combat the competition but more importantly to improve their company. I am extremely excited about all of this money being poured into the parks.

Whenever I see dvc billboards with the tagline, ” Disneys best kept secret” I can't help but think that for years Disneys real best kept secret has been universal. A company whose presence Disney has refused to acknowledge and fans have been hellbent on staying away from. Now with universal establishing it's identity the secret is out.

THIS!!!

So much truth in it. WDW addicts should print this out and read it daily.

On a side note, I can't tell you how happy I am when I see UNI doing things like stripping paint down (something Disney long ago gave up in favor of the 'stick another coat on top as quick as you can' method) and doing the work at night to not disrupt park ops (something WDW also gave up sometime in the late 90s).

 

[TalkingHead]

I think people are just getting googly over seeing a billion dollar number. But when spread out over 10 years is it even really a number of significance? How does it compare to normal yearly capital investment by disney?

I think it's great news UNI is willing to put forward a policy of continuing improvement and keeps the pressure on Disney. I just don't put a lot of weight into a budget number without any specifics that will tie money into that exclusively and for ANY budget plans that reach beyond the fiscal horizon.

I actually think a bilion dollars for Uni is more exciting than a billion for Disney, because Uni seems to get incredible bang for their buck.

Transformers at USO is supposedly costing $40 million -- now the design was already there from Singapore, but can you imagine Disney adding a $40 million E-ticket? Mermaid alone cost more than that.