WSJ: Even Disney Is Worried About The High Cost Of A Disney Vacation (gift link)

[Cmdr_Crimson]

The change is Disney stopped being a resort and evolved to just more and more theme park destinations with on-site housing.

I want and Miss this.. A Warm, Comforting, a place I can unwind from the parks and listen to Stacy 24hrs a day telling me everything I already know..

What I DON'T Want!!!
Cold, Sterile, Hostipital-esque. Needing an IV to keep me alive during the treacherous hiking from the Skyliner and be forced to Eat Frozen Nation Pizza and watch Appliance Direct ads over and over...

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

I still remember all the hype around "Kong" leading up to it's opening debut. What a disappointment that turned out to be.

I don’t think it’s a horrible ride but it was definitely overhyped.

Compared to something that is several times worse..

 

[mightynine]

… and watch Appliance Direct ads over and over...

Let the wakkie nu nu wash over you….

 

[Jrb1979]

Seems to me to be more of a typical Universal park with a Future World-like spine that is similarly mostly devoid of attractions and very much visually cut off from the lands where the attractions reside.

What did you expect? It's Universal not Disney

 

[James Alucobond]

What did you expect? It's Universal not Disney

I wasn’t saying I expected anything, just that I think the casual observer’s frame of reference might be EPCOT rather than MK as you mentioned.

 

[Tha Realest]

For all those clamoring that this is an “underbuilt” park, I’d argue it has a more impressive Day One launch lineup of attractions and experiences than just about any other Disney or Universal park.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

Anyone who can look at EPIC and not get excited is badly blinded by pixie dust.

Not a huge fan of the ticketing structure. But. Yeah. But then again I got excited when Pipeline and Penguin Track opened at SeaWorld. And when the Pirate boat ride opened at Legoland.

 

[lazyboy97o]

For all those clamoring that this is an “underbuilt” park, I’d argue it has a more impressive Day One launch lineup of attractions and experiences than just about any other Disney or Universal park.

That other parks have insufficient capacity is irrelevant. The park lacks capacity.

 

[JoeCamel]

Seems to me to be more of a typical Universal park with a Future World-like spine that is similarly mostly devoid of attractions and very much visually cut off from the lands where the attractions reside.

I think this park will skew towards the experience of being in the park and exploring ala Diagon vs pounding out rides. Maybe a "different" theme park but I'm sure things will change a couple of years past opening.

 

[Tha Realest]

That other parks have insufficient capacity is irrelevant. The park lacks capacity.

Read what I wrote. I said in terms of launch lineup. It has a very impressive Day One lineup than just about any other park I could recall.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Read what I wrote. I said in terms of launch lineup. It has a very impressive Day One lineup than just about any other park I could recall.

Even for its opening it lacks capacity, especially given its cost. It has significantly less capacity than Universal Studios Beijing, the last park to hold the title of world’s most expensive theme park.

 

[DisneyHead123]

Indeed. I’m developing a hypothesis that Universal is heading towards their Euro Disney moment. A great park beset with missed executive expectations.

There were certain metrics set to approve this project. But now we’re starting the race with attendance down 10%, maybe even 15%, like Disney. They are shooting themselves in the 7-day vacation foot with their opening ticketing model. They’ve overbuilt hotels. Orlando is in a current downturn. They are trying to keep lockstep pricing with Disney. The park is way more expensive than what was pitched a decade ago. They don’t have attraction monetization like Disney to fall back on. Plus their two other parks are struggling to keep pace. All while the parent company is dealing with a major core business model transition.

It feels like a pending recipe for a dark period of underinvestment, which we are already seeing evidence of. As @lazyboy97o has said, they are speed running all of Disney’s past and present mistakes.

I am not a fan of lumpy investment. It always feels good in the moment and then really bad in the aftermath.

I see this as a potential seat at the table for Universal, not an out-of-the-gate equalizer by any means. Disney is a lifestyle brand for people in a way that Universal isn’t (outside of Potter World, that may be an exception.) I don’t think we’re going to see Pandora, Loungefly, Lululemon and Bath and Body Works collabs for Epic Universe the way we do for Disney. I don’t think people are going to start Universal ball cap collections next to their ear collections, or join a mom Facebook group dedicated to Universal (I mean maybe a few people will, but on the whole.)

That said, this is a potential foot in the door moment for them when it comes to playing at the uppermost level of theme parks. The biggest crowds may build over time if they provide a great park and are consistent with their investment in it. I’m more of a Disney person myself, but if Universal brings the goods I’d be happy to have another favorite park in Orlando.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

Anyone who can look at EPIC and not get excited is badly blinded by pixie dust.

I’m trying my best to not be absolutely hyped (I’ll be there on opening day) but it’s important to be realistic and temper expectations.

My expected disappointments: As lazyboy mentions, they’re spending an astronomical amount of money on a number of rides that nearly all have very limited capacity. I think Celestial Park looks like Disney Springs with lipstick, and they’re badly trying to sell us the Bellagio as the centerpiece. I’m pessimistic on how Universal will maintain the park over time, as they’re famously good at doing so. I already think Super Nintendo World is a disappointment and won’t bother with the Mario section on my visit. I think the Chronos is ugly. I think the whole name and “theme” of the park is incredibly lame and I think it’s a lazy way to make an IP park look cohesive when it’s no different from IoA or Hollywood Studios — and in many ways, the lack of transitions or interesting layouts detracts from the park.

But I still can’t wait lol

 

[DarkMetroid567]

I want and Miss this.. A Warm, Comforting, a place I can unwind from the parks and listen to Stacy 24hrs a day telling me everything I already know..

What I DON'T Want!!!
Cold, Sterile, Hostipital-esque. Needing an IV to keep me alive during the treacherous hiking from the Skyliner and be forced to Eat Frozen Nation Pizza and watch Appliance Direct ads over and over...

I think it might be a generational difference because I genuinely prefer the latter by a million times.

 

[Agent H]

I’m trying my best to not be absolutely hyped (I’ll be there on opening day) but it’s important to be realistic and temper expectations.

My expected disappointments: As lazyboy mentions, they’re spending an astronomical amount of money on a number of rides that nearly all have very limited capacity. I think Celestial Park looks like Disney Springs with lipstick, and they’re badly trying to sell us the Bellagio as the centerpiece. I’m pessimistic on how Universal will maintain the park over time, as they’re famously good at doing so. I already think Super Nintendo World is a disappointment and won’t bother with the Mario section on my visit. I think the Chronos is ugly. I think the whole name and “theme” of the park is incredibly lame and I think it’s a lazy way to make an IP park look cohesive when it’s no different from IoA or Hollywood Studios — and in many ways, the lack of transitions or interesting layouts detracts from the park.

But I still can’t wait lol

I think it looks really cool but all the uninformed people saying “epic universe is gonna destroy Disney!” In every corner of the internet make me roll my eyes every time I hear the name

 

[Nunu]

I think it might be a generational difference because I genuinely prefer the latter by a million times.

Me too.

 

[Agent H]

I think it might be a generational difference because I genuinely prefer the latter by a million times.

Eh I could go either way what I’m noticing is both have bland walls just in different colors in fact if you count the headboard the newer one actually has more theme on the walls the only other difference is the beds

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I think it might be a generational difference because I genuinely prefer the latter by a million times.

It’s a balancing act… I think they went a little too modern and sterile with pop century and all stars. But they certainly needed a refresh.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Anyone who can look at EPIC and not get excited is badly blinded by pixie dust.

Is there no end to your ad hominem attacks?

BTW, I'm on record saying that I hope EU will be successful and that HTTYDLand will be a hit.

 

[Centauri Space Station]

I think it might be a generational difference because I genuinely prefer the latter by a million times.

The top pic looks like a child’s bedroom to me