What can Disney do to steal the thunder from Epic Universe?
As a long-time Disney and Universal theme park goer, I have witnessed the ongoing battle for supremacy between these two giants of the industry, with Florida being the epicenter of this conflict since 1990. While both parks have their unique offerings, it’s undeniable that Universal has taken the lead in recent years with innovative attractions such as Harry Potter and Marvel rides. But now, Disney is responding with the announcement of its Epic Universe park.
As Universal’s Epic Universe continues to make progress, the main concern becomes how Disney will react to this latest move in the intense competition among theme parks. Could Disney introduce a new attraction as a countermeasure, change their business strategy, or is this the moment for them to officially unveil a fifth gate in Florida?
As a gamer, I’ve often discussed the theme park rivalry between Disney and Universal, focusing mainly on the heated competition in Florida. In California, however, it’s not as intense because Universal Studios is still primarily a tram tour experience, and both parks face challenges from other attractions. The real battleground is Orlando, where this feud has been raging since the early 1990s.
Universal has made significant strides despite having only two theme parks compared to Disney’s four. The allure of its Harry Potter and Marvel attractions has drawn considerable praise, with Disney seemingly experiencing a plateau. Universal’s latest announcement of the Epic Universe park set to open soon raises intrigue, leaving us pondering Disney’s reaction.
Disney has faced numerous challenges over the past few years, with the COVID-19 pandemic being a major blow to its theme parks and halting progress on several new attractions. Adding to these woes have been internal issues such as Bob Chapek stepping down as CEO and Bob Iger’s return, as well as fan criticisms of cost reductions in creative endeavors paired with price increases. It appears that Disney is prioritizing the expansion of Disneyland over addressing concerns in Orlando.
From a devoted fan’s perspective, the age-old wisdom goes, “The best strategy to emerge victorious isn’t always about participating in the game.” Disney exemplified this when they launched the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, giving Orlando tourism a significant boost and attracting additional visitors. Instead of engaging in a direct competition with Universal at that moment, when their creative energy seemed to be dwindling, Disney opted for a more strategic approach. They took their time to regroup and came back strong with Pandora and Galaxy’s Edge. In my opinion, allowing Universal to invest heavily now for a massive influx of visitors is a smarter move than trying to confront them head-on.
In contrast to 1999 when Disney responded to the debut of Islands of Adventure by adding numerous new attractions throughout Walt Disney World, some critics argue this is because Disney is being more frugal and overly reliant on intellectual property. Nevertheless, Disney has other means to divert some focus from Universal.
What Disney can do to fight Universal
Based on my experience working in the theme park industry and observing market trends, I believe that logistics are crucial for Disney’s success in opening Epic Universe by 2026. However, given the current circumstances, it seems highly unlikely that they will be able to make significant progress before Universal takes the lead with their new theme park expansion.
An option for paraphrasing the given text could be: Disney is inclined to increase its investment in drone shows like Dreams That Soar and additional festivals. While these may seem excessive for some visitors, they attract more tourists and add a unique touch to make a trip memorable.
As a dedicated Disney fan, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news: Disney is reviving various shows and street performances that were put on hold due to the pandemic! It’s like a magical dose of nostalgia for me, bringing back the Hollywood Studios’ enchanting street performers, Jedi Academy, and other beloved little acts that add charm to the park experience. Of course, there are still many new adventures to explore, but reintroducing these treasured elements is an essential part of preserving the Disney magic.
Reuse Star Wars Cruiser
The Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser may have been a noble failure as the price was too high for some guests. Yet a massive spaceship-designed building themed to Star Wars should not be going to waste. Rumors abound Disney may rework it from a hotel to a dinner/theater show which would be a much better fit for fans. They’d get the Star Wars experience at a shorter time and cheaper price and mix it with some great elements for the movies.
Disney has the opportunity to make some adjustments to Galaxy’s Edge, perhaps introducing a fresh storyline for Falcon Smuggler’s Run that aligns with the original Star Wars films. This could provide an enhanced guest experience and allow Disney to rectify any past errors within the Star Wars franchise.
Ride rethemes
An intriguing new development at the Magic Kingdom is the transformation of Splash Mountain into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, adding excitement to the park. Test Track is set for an upgrade with advanced technology, promising a more refreshing ride experience. The revamping of a ride can bring about the same level of enthusiasm as a newly created attraction, and there are several areas in Disney World that could benefit from this.
Revitalizing the Rock n Roller Coaster with a modern music artist, such as Taylor Swift, could be an effective update. Additionally, consider refreshing the Journey Into Imagination at Epcot, a cherished tradition that unfortunately didn’t bounce back from its disappointing 1999 makeover. The massive success of “Inside Out” might serve as inspiration, although many fans would rather see Figment return instead.
Disney may eventually bring updates to Spaceship Earth at Epcot, which was previously planned but not yet implemented, to give the iconic ride an updated appearance. Additionally, some rides in Fantasyland and Big Thunder Mountain could benefit from technological enhancements. Although the cancellation of a project like the Mary Poppins ride for Epcot is unfortunate, giving an older ride a facelift can be just as exciting for visitors as a completely new attraction.
The fifth gate
Disney could attract visitors away from Universal by introducing a new, fifth gate. The nature of this addition is unclear – it might be based on a specific theme or a combination of attractions. This expansion could include popular lands from abroad, such as Zootopia and World of Frozen, and provide Imagineers with an opportunity to bring long-planned rides to life.
Based on my own experiences and observations, I strongly believe that opening a new theme park is a significant endeavor that requires a great deal of time, resources, and patience. Having waited for years for Epic Universe to materialize when it was first announced, I can attest to the fact that the anticipation and excitement surrounding a brand-new Disney World park can eclipse that of a Universal one.
Bring Back Quality
In the end, Disney could regain its competitive edge against Universal by enhancing the park experience once again. Extended hours, reinstating the Magical Express shuttle service from the airport, simplifying the use of Lightning Lane, eliminating hidden fees, and reducing food prices are effective steps in this direction.
Disney’s fiscal thriftiness has negatively impacted consumer trust, which is detrimental for any business. To regain confidence from their guests, Disney must focus on rebuilding trust first. Reviving the charm that initially made them popular is a significant step in this direction. By offering more affordable experiences than Universal, Disney can attract visitors and divert attention from their competition.
Although Universal’s new project, Epic Universe, has been receiving a lot of attention lately, Disney should not be underestimated in the Orlando theme park scene. They may find clever ways to capture visitors’ interest and ultimately maintain their reign as dominants in this competitive market. So keep an eye on Disney as well.
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2024-07-24 16:27