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Post by jedimom3 on Apr 29, 2024 20:27:27 GMT -5
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Post by tomandrobin on Apr 30, 2024 7:27:30 GMT -5
And again....Universal is upstaging Disney World. WDW management keeps shrugging it off, and downplaying what their neighbor is doing.....but what else can they do? They can't admit they are getting bashed over and over, and because of finance issues, etc they are stuck in neutral.
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Post by baymaxfan on Apr 30, 2024 10:50:37 GMT -5
Universal's big step is the 3rd park
This current update really isn't much. The Dreamworks land sounds like it only has one ride. The nighttime shows sounds pretty cool, but can anyone tell me what great nighttime show they had prior to this? If Disney did an update like this, they would be highly criticized.
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Post by tomandrobin on Apr 30, 2024 12:29:01 GMT -5
Universal's big step is the 3rd park This current update really isn't much. The Dreamworks land sounds like it only has one ride. The nighttime shows sounds pretty cool, but can anyone tell me what great nighttime show they had prior to this? If Disney did an update like this, they would be highly criticized. This is true....But my point is that they are adding and upgrading experiences, while Disney keeps throwing money at Disney+ and all the other related media stuff.
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Post by baymaxfan on Apr 30, 2024 12:38:17 GMT -5
Since 2010 (when the 1st Harry Potter land opened), Universal has opened:
1. Despicable Me - 2012
2. Kang and Kodos - 2013
3. Transformers - 2013
4. Diagon Alley (Escape from Gringotts and the Hogwarts Express) - 2014
5. King Kong - 2016
6. Race through New York (Jimmy Fallon) - 2017
7. Fast and Furious - 2018
8. Hagrid's Motorbike - 2019
9. Velocicoaster - 2021
Race through New York and Fast and Furious are so poorly reviewed that I'm not sure they should even be counted, but I will for the sake of comparison.
WDW has opened:
1. Little Mermaid - 2012
2. 7 Dwarves - 2014
3. Frozen - 2016
4. Pandora (FOP and Navi) - 2017
5. Toy Story Land (Slinky and Alien Saucers) - 2018
6. Star Wars Land (Falcon and Rise) - 2019
7. Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Train - 2020
8. Remy - 2021
9. GoG - 2022
10. Tron - 2023
Objectively, Disney has produced more attractions/rides since 2010, but they have 4 parks to Universal's 2 parks. So they should open/rehab/refurbish/reskin more than Universal. I obviously didn't include shows or meet and greets or "interactive" experiences. Based on this list and the perception of quality, has Disney kept pace or not?
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Post by brp on Apr 30, 2024 13:13:35 GMT -5
Based on this list and the perception of quality, has Disney kept pace or not? Clearly depends upon who you ask 
Cheers.
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Apr 30, 2024 15:20:23 GMT -5
Not familiar with Universal (well we went a lot in the 80s and 90s but I'm sure little from 1995 still exists) I had to go through that list and punch the rides up on youtube.
I feel no need to go to Universal.
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Post by baymaxfan on Apr 30, 2024 15:28:46 GMT -5
Not familiar with Universal (well we went a lot in the 80s and 90s but I'm sure little from 1995 still exists) I had to go through that list and punch the rides up on youtube. I feel no need to go to Universal. I really enjoy Diagon Alley with Escape from Gringotts. I also like Hagrid's Motobike, the Velocicoaster, Hogwarts Express, and the Hulk coaster. ET is nostalgic. There are a TON of 3-D motion simulators, of which, Spiderman is my favorite. That sums it up for me. I do like Universal and am really looking forward to the 3rd park. There is no way I could go there again and again and again. But that's just me. |
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Post by brp on Apr 30, 2024 15:45:23 GMT -5
The HP stuff was pretty nice. It was done to Disney quality. The rest of the attractions were not. Exposed ducts and infrastructure. Jerky motion. Reduced theming. Only the Potter stuff is done to Disney standards. And that's just not enough.
Even the main HP ride in Hogwarts (forgot the name) is just a shake box with a screen. The castle theming is great. The ride, not so much.
Escape from Gringott's is really good.
So, they can build a lot of stuff. But, at this quality, it's just attraction names on a spreadsheet.
Cheers.
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Post by jedimom3 on Apr 30, 2024 17:35:35 GMT -5
ooh, now there's a tease/rumor, they'll be making an Epic Universe announcement this week. It'll probably be another video about one of the new lands, but we'll see. I'm excited to see what's next!
So far, for this year, I've decided to renew my Universal AP, but not my Disney AP. We have a one-week Fall break trip planned for October. DH just renewed his Disney AP, since he's also planning a second trip in Feb, but so far, I"m leaning towards possibly only doing like 1 or 2 nights of after hours events in Oct, maybe if HS is doing one, maybe MNSSHP. Hate not having an AP though....Might check out SeaWorld's Howl-o-scream.
I do plan on one night at HHN, maybe 2, so will definitely be spending 1-2 night at Universal. They've really upped their games on special events like Mardi Gras, Halloween, and Christmas.
The Dreamworks land is not really anything we'd be frequenting, since no little kids, but I'm glad they'll have it. We spent a LOT of time in that Curious George playland area when the kids were too short for all the rides, and at Universal, that's almost all of them. It's good to have places for them to just run around, get wet, etc.
We're not big parade or show people, so those announcements weren't as exciting as something related to Epic,but still glad to see something new.
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Post by MinnieMom on May 1, 2024 7:45:19 GMT -5
Disney may be looking at a rising tides situation with Universal. Once Epic Universe opens, along with those additional hotels, I could see some guests coming to Orlando for Universal then adding a day or two at Disney. That's a weird reverse, but still helps Disney without costing them construction or development dollars. I'm guessing some part of that thought is why Disney is back on board for a potential sunrail station at Disney Springs. I've read stories Disney played hardball to try to be the only theme park station on the route, but Universal threw in some land and money to get the station. Once that decision was made, perhaps it was better for Disney to be a second station than not on the route at all.
Once the 3rd park opens, I expect Universal ticket and hotel prices to jump up a lot. The last I looked, an AP for Universal was maybe 1/3 the cost of a regular Disney AP. My guess is that price gap closes to 50% to 75% of Disney pricing over the next few years.
Has UO announced if the new Grand Helios resort at Epic Universe will include Front of the Line pass like the high end resorts in walking distance of the first two parks? I could see our family doing a quick trip to enjoy just the new park at the brand new resort with that perk. Maybe even picking that over APs again for UO.
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Post by Brian5581 on May 1, 2024 22:39:41 GMT -5
Hooray for more competition. That said, nothing that appeals to me at all.
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