Can Universal Orlando take over Disneyworld as best place to vacation in Orlando?

[disneyboi92]

In a few more yrs with all of these new attractions Universal Orlando Resort are doing can they possibly take over Walt Disney World's place as the #1 place to travel when you go to Orlando? Since Walt Disney World didn't add anything new like in a couple of years?

[JoseyDisney]

don't ask such silly questions! :P

[disneyfann121]

WDW did add TSM this year, and I think that WDW is so far ahead that Universal would need many years to catch up. But there are two current threads on the dearth of new attractions in the pipeline for WDW. I do believe it is a mistake, and WDW could certainly lose some ground to Universal for that reason, at least in the next few years.

However, I think for most theme park patrons, a visit to both resorts is mandatory whenever visiting Orlando. So even though WDW is #1, a visit to one will usually entail a visit to the other. There is almost a symbiotic relationship between the two parks; they are not competing as much as feeding each other their customers.

That being said, would WDW mind becoming #2 in this market? They sure would, and if it does happen one day, they only have themselves to blame.

[TDLFAN]

Ok. This thread's headline was good enough to a hearty belly laugh.

[TDLFAN]

Of course, if the quality at WDW keeps going down and the prices up... yes, it could happen.

[Krankenstein]

[DarkwingDuck79]

Originally Posted by TDLFAN

Of course, if the quality at WDW keeps going down and the prices up... yes, it could happen.

Oh please. No it won't.

Universal will never come close to matching what WDW offers. Never.

[Mr. Eggz]

The phrasing of the topic is extreme, but I have to admit there is a trend in that direction. I do think we will see IOA and USF beating DAK and DHS in attendance in the years to come. This should be a real concern to Disney executives.

[TDLFAN]

Originally Posted by DarkwingDuck79

Oh please. No it won't.

Universal will never come close to matching what WDW offers. Never.

May I remind you... "The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman" Ride is much better than most of the dark rides at the MK and EPCOT so far? So yes, Universal has an edge, especially since many Disney imagineers have jumped over to that side of the fence. Even Islands of Adventures has better theming than some areas of the MK IMHO... and I know many of those Micechatters here would agree.

[k_peek_2000]

Originally Posted by DarkwingDuck79

Oh please. No it won't.

Universal will never come close to matching what WDW offers. Never.

Yeah I am not so sure if that is true. Like TDL fan mentioned The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman is amazing, plus the new roster of attractions coming to both universal parks (Florida and Hollywood) is pretty heavy with almost no response from WDW, because the projects have been delayed at Disney World due to the financial crisis, and poor planning.

There is more a competition between Universal Orlando and DCA

[AstroBlaster]

Originally Posted by TDLFAN

May I remind you... "The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman" Ride is much better than most of the dark rides at the MK and EPCOT so far? So yes, Universal has an edge, especially since many Disney imagineers have jumped over to that side of the fence. Even Islands of Adventures has better theming than some areas of the MK IMHO... and I know many of those Micechatters here would agree.

I would agree with you at least with the initial IOA offering. As far as the future I'll with hold judgement because IOA was allowed to basically rust years after it opened. Only now is it seeing some investment. Once that investment dries up and the park starts seeing some increased revenue will we see that revenue reinvested into the parks. We'll have to wait and see. Universal has previously spent money and then not reinvest much into the park. We'll see in four or more years if that mentality has actually changed. Amazing Spider-Man was real amazing but what has Universal made to top it? Men in Black?

[k_peek_2000]

Originally Posted by AstroBlaster

Amazing Spider-Man was real amazing but what has Universal made to top it? Men in Black?

Aha! But the real question is... What has Disney made to top Men In Black? Buzz Lightyear?



I'd say Universal is almost (ALMOST) on par with Disney.

[WDWmemories]

Reasons how it could happen:
- I think a key to survival in the theme park business is continuous improvement. Right now Universal is investing huge amounts of cash in a major expansion. If you don't invest you fall behind.

Reasons why it probably won't happen:
- Disney targets a more family-friendly market and younger kids, while Universal targets a more teen and adult market. They are different things to different people.
- Universal is very land locked - they don't have the room to expand like Disney.
- Disney has a huge head start and the 'first mover' advantage. Very often (but not always) in bueinss, those who get there first stay ahead.
- But Disney continues to grow their parks too, but not at such a rapid rate. I've read that they want to focus on getting more from their current investment, which is smart for any business. The just need to be smart about it, and they have lots of smart people.

Overall I think the competition is a good thing. Both resorts push each other to improve. We are all the winners!

[TDLFAN]

Originally Posted by WDWmemories

- Disney targets a more family-friendly market and younger kids...

Reason enough for me to place Disney apar with universal. By catering to just "kids", Disney has made some stupid decisions that leave those of us adults scratching our heads.. like the JonBennet Boutique among other ill-fated decisions that only help bring in money from them families with "kids", and do absolutely nothing to further Disney into more truly inspiring ideas for their theme parks. Wait until IOA opens their harry potter attraction.. and will see how WDW responds to that.

I am sorry Memories, but your outlook on this and other issues on Micechat so far feel like rehearsed spiels from the inside of Team Disney building. So tell us.. what role do you play for the Mouse? Because you appear to be a CM who loves Disney no matter what.

We are all winners!

"We" as in guests? or.. "we" as in 'us who work in the theme park industry'? Because since Disney no longer caters to me as an adult without "kids", I do not feel like a winner at all.

[OFTEric]

I think that is is a VALID questions. While for almost all of us, Walt Disney World, and pretty much ANY Disney theme park hold a near and dear spot in all of our hearts, you must look at those born, and raised with the Universal Parks as a key to what the future trends hold as far as this is concerned.

Overwhelmingly people who first visit Universal Orlando PREFER Universal Orlando Resort to the Walt Disney World Resort and vice versa.

So if UO continues on their path of great quality of show, attention to detail, constant refreshing of the parks, and they tell great stories, I think that the people might make Universal Orlando THE destination in the World.