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Disney World’s Worst Nightmare Has Finally Arrived

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Before the grand opening of Epic Universe, there are signs that it might be causing a significant shift in tourism focus from Walt Disney World towards Orlando. With vast amounts of money at stake and attendance figures causing surprise, experts predict that Universal Orlando Resort’s enormous new park could lead to a prolonged attendance predicament for Disney – a theory backed by the numbers.

As a devoted supporter, I’d like to share some exciting news about Universal’s growth. Over the past six years, our parent company Comcast has invested more than $10 billion in developing Epic Universe and expanding our global theme park network. This ambitious project, known as Epic, is set to revolutionize Universal Orlando Resort with its five breathtaking themed lands: Celestial Park, Dark Universe, Super Nintendo World, Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk. These captivating realms are projected to boost our annual attendance by a staggering 10 million guests, marking a phenomenal 50% increase from our current numbers. It’s an exhilarating time to be part of the Universal family!

Now, compare that with Disney.

Over the next ten years, The Walt Disney Company plans to invest a massive $60 billion in their Parks, Experiences, and Products division. However, this significant investment does not seem to be spurring immediate growth at Orlando as anticipated. On the contrary, Disney World’s attendance is forecasted to stay level from 2024 to 2026—a stagnation that stands in sharp contrast to Universal’s upward trend.

Based on MoffettNathanson’s research report from May, it is projected that Epic Universe, when it opens in 2025, will attract approximately 5.2 million guests in its first year, with this number increasing to 9.2 million in 2026. The other Universal Orlando parks – Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay – are anticipated to welcome around 18.9 million guests in 2025 and 18.4 million in 2026. This means that the total number of visitors to Universal Orlando in 2025 will be approximately 24.1 million, rising to 27.6 million in 2026.

During the same timeframe, it’s estimated that about 54.9 million visitors will flock annually to Disney World, distributed across its four theme parks and two water parks.

Although Disney continues to have the highest total attendance, its growth rate remains stagnant, which is the key point. On the other hand, Universal is experiencing a significant increase in visitors, mainly due to a new entrance, while Disney’s $60 billion investment hasn’t shown much impact yet. With no similar expansion plans for Disney in sight, momentum is rapidly shifting towards Universal.

Furthermore, analysts predict that Universal’s other theme parks in Orlando will experience a minimal drop in visitor numbers as Epic Universe opens, suggesting that it’s not merely transferring the same audience – it might be attracting fresh visitors who could previously have chosen Disney.

Although these statistics suggest a potential challenge for Disney Parks from Universal’s Epic Universe, Josh D’Amaro, Disney Parks Chairman, has openly downplayed the threat. Earlier this year, he stated that the opening of Universal’s new park might even be advantageous to Disney, as he reasoned, “If something is built in Central Florida, like Epic Universe, that tourist will likely visit Disney’s Magic Kingdom as well.

However, while D’Amaro expresses high spirits, many industry analysts are quite reserved. Professor Carissa Baker, a theme park researcher at the University of Central Florida, points out that new entrances to such parks can lead to some competition among existing ones. Yet, Epic’s allure could potentially rearrange tourist travel plans entirely.

The baker herself has been to Epic Universe on no less than seven occasions, emphasizing that the massive appeal of Super Nintendo World is one of its standout features.

Each visit I’ve made, the place has always been bustling with people, she shared with Fast Company. “It seems everyone is adorned with Nintendo souvenirs.

Instead of focusing solely on crowd size, it’s essential to consider demographics as well. MoffettNathanson’s research indicates that Epic’s intellectual property (IP) territories are now contending with the same family base that Disney once held a near monopoly over. Notably, Nintendo and How to Train Your Dragon tap into childhood nostalgia and current youth interest—sectors where Disney has traditionally reigned supreme. The strategic actions taken by Comcast suggest their intention is to court these families.

While Disney plans to invest around $60 billion over the next ten years, the question still lingers: Is this investment sufficient to shift the current direction? At present, no major gates are being developed for Walt Disney World. Apart from minor expansions and rethemes such as the forthcoming Cars, Monsters Inc., and Encanto sections (which have garnered criticism due to replacing cherished attractions and areas), there’s no announced project of the magnitude of Epic Universe on the horizon.

It’s worrying to some that Disney’s approach seems to be merely responding, and perhaps not enough, given the circumstances. The Orlando area is undergoing rapid transformation, and for the first time in many years, it appears that Disney World might no longer hold its position as the dominant attraction in the region.

The Epic Universe isn‘t simply a new amusement park; it’s a strong statement of ambition that’s garnering attention, challenging predictions, and compelling Disney to engage in a battle they might not be fully prepared for.

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2025-07-03 16:56

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