Since Common Orlando introduced its third theme park, followers have been followers have been anxiously awaiting a solution to this query: how will Walt Disney World reply Epic Universe? Properly, CEO Bob Iger supplied that response and Disney has since provided follow-up. Honest warning: I don’t assume that is going to be even remotely satisfying to these of you who’ve been asking.
The newest improvement comes by way of a brand new article within the Wall Avenue Journal over the weekend that addresses the risk Epic Universe poses to Disney, principally by way of an outline of current and upcoming additions, in addition to quotes from followers who’re pissed off by Disney’s torpid tempo of building and lack of a direct “response” to Epic Universe within the type of one thing huge opening in 2025. It’s nothing you haven’t heard when you’ve learn current posts right here about Common and the accompanying reader feedback.
There may be one tidbit from Walt Disney World within the article: “Epic [Universe] is Common enjoying catch-up on a decade of nonstop improvement at Walt Disney World,” mentioned a Disney spokesperson. The corporate signifies that it has been providing a gradual stream of recent and reimagined sights, pointing to well-liked rides which have been added or up to date within the final decade. That is additionally nothing new, and echos what CEO Bob Iger mentioned lately about Epic Universe.
Iger’s reply was a literal one, coming throughout the Q&A portion of the shareholder assembly. Particularly, this query requested: “With Epic Universe opening at Common Orlando in 2025, why hasn’t Disney ready something or positioned greater than only a handful of sights within the pipeline to be prepared in 2025 at Walt Disney World?” In response, Disney CEO Bob Iger gave the next clarification:
“That couldn’t be farther from the reality. We’ve been conscious of Common’s plans for a brand new park for greater than a decade. We now have a complicated strategy to analyzing the wants of all our companies, and strategically deploying capital.
I simply need to remind you of some issues that opened at Walt Disney World throughout this similar interval: Pandora – World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom; Toy Story Land and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Hollywood Studios. We additionally accomplished our multi-year, multi-billion greenback transformation of EPCOT, which included Remy’s Ratatouille Journey, Journey of Water Impressed by Moana, and the nice Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. We additionally opened TRON Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom.
By staggering these main new launches, we’ve been capable of commercially and operationally optimize our new choices over time relatively than all of sudden. Based mostly on the visitor suggestions we’ve heard about by all of those additions I’ve talked about, we all know they’re extraordinarily well-liked and serving our visitors very effectively.
By the way in which, the settlement we reached with the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District final week will additional allow us to pursue the sorts of funding in our Florida parks that you just’re speaking about. We achieved a win-win outcome with that deal by way of our skill to pursue future improvement alternatives, but in addition by way of the 1000’s of direct and oblique jobs and financial alternatives in Florida that can outcome from our funding in new tasks.
As we’ve mentioned concerning our $60 billion capital expenditure plans, there’s a lot extra coming to our parks world wide–together with Walt Disney World in Florida.”
A minimum of partially, we all know what Iger is saying is true about Disney’s desire for staggering openings as a result of we lived by this taking place–in a foul manner.
Bear in mind every thing that was speculated to debut “in time for Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary?” Now bear in mind when all of that truly opened? Walt Disney World took tasks that have been speculated to all debut by 2021 and unfold them out into 2022 and 2023.
They didn’t try this primarily on account of pandemic-induced building delays, labor shortages, and so forth (though that undoubtedly performed a contributing issue). They did it as a result of slow-rolling the opening of sights was strategically advantageous, particularly as a result of they shelved a number of different tasks that have been speculated to open within the years after 2021.
That strategy has been a sore topic with this weblog, however at the least from a monetary perspective, Disney performed its playing cards effectively. Properly, principally. I nonetheless preserve that it was short-sighted to scale back the dimensions of the unique EPCOT Competition Middle and to delay that undertaking for years as an alternative of fast-tracking it. I believe this viewpoint has been vindicated by EPCOT attendance and crowds because the World Celebration building partitions have (principally) come down, however that’s one other subject for an additional day.
One other factor we all know is true is that the decision of litigation will facilitate additional Florida investments. I don’t need to fixate on it an excessive amount of as a result of I’m very completely satisfied to shut this chapter and never report on CFTOD vs. Walt Disney World or Iger vs. DeSantis, however it’s price touching upon these feedback briefly since there have been extra developments since our early reporting on the settlement agreement between Disney and CFTOD.
That very same afternoon, Governor DeSantis held a press convention throughout which he struck a extra conciliatory tone in direction of Disney, whereas additionally mentioning Epic Universe. DeSantis referred to as the brand new Common park a “game-changer” for Central Florida, whereas including that he’d welcome Disney constructing a fifth gate. When that occurs, he mentioned that the district can be able to work on one thing that’s “good for the state” and for jobs, amongst different issues.
It wasn’t a lot, however it was two very huge issues which are a whole 180° change from this similar time final yr when DeSantis was joking about constructing a jail at Walt Disney World. It was optimistic as an alternative of adversarial, and it was about working in direction of development within the area as an alternative of hamstringing Disney. DeSantis additionally differentiated between Walt Disney World and company Disney in Burbank, which I view as a purposeful distinction–even when it’s all the identical firm, he can forged the Californians because the dangerous guys and the Florida staff as the great guys.
Along with this, we’ve discovered extra about management modifications on the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District which are extra skilled and friendlier to Disney. These competent people will truly be sure that the CFTOD works because it ought to, and achieve its function.
There’s been plenty of political reporting that has characterised this as a win-win in consequence. A few of that’s in all probability face-saving on account of prior breathless commentary about how Disney would win in court docket, however there’s additionally validity to it. Our commentary has lengthy targeted on the political theater angle of this (final yr), and why it’s advantageous for everybody to maneuver on and work collectively in direction of mutually-beneficial ends (this yr). It seems that’s what’s going to occur, which paves the way in which for the $17 billion funding in Walt Disney World over the subsequent decade. However we will see.
One factor to not anticipate is a fifth gate, regardless of DeSantis welcoming one and lots of followers wanting a brand new theme park. Our view on that continues to be unchanged–it completely gained’t occur. (Right here’s Why a 5th Theme Park Will NOT Be Built at Walt Disney World in the Next Decade.)
Actually, I don’t need a fifth gate to occur anytime quickly. This isn’t as a result of I believe Walt Disney World is ideal as-is or that one other park wouldn’t be cool. Fairly the opposite! It’s principally as a result of 3 of the 4 present parks want plenty of assist (Magic Kingdom doesn’t, however is getting it anyway). That $17 billion could be much better spent bettering what’s already there relatively than sinking billions into new infrastructure and different issues that aren’t new or reimagined rides.
As we’ve additionally mentioned earlier than, it seems more and more doubtless that Walt Disney World goes to “sit out” 2025 and never attempt to compete with Epic Universe. (I stay of the idea {that a} reimagined Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster would be the tentpole addition of 2025. That plus possibly a few redone issues in EPCOT. Sufficient to be marketable, however to not truly compete with Common.)
In actuality, Disney gained’t have any official reply to Epic Universe past the above feedback about Common enjoying catch-up. They gained’t acknowledge the undertaking as a risk. These are all phrases we’ve written earlier than in earlier posts, most notably Is Universal “Beating” Walt Disney World? (Likewise, what follows is commentary reiterating what we wrote there.)
This lack of an “reply” to Common’s Epic Universe might be a giant a part of why disillusioned Walt Disney World diehards are actually claiming that Common is “successful,” “going to destroy,” or “beat” Disney. Followers are pissed off at Walt Disney World’s seeming complacency or conceitedness, and need to see them “punished” for it in consequence.
I can perceive the place many disenchanted Walt Disney World followers are coming from and agree with loads of that sentiment. As a longtime fan, one among my fears for some time has been that Disney is inflicting long-term model harm for short-term achieve. There’s a laundry list of complaints about Walt Disney World. To not point out Disney’s falling reputation, which is predicated on the entire above plus different points. We’ve mentioned all of this at size–no sense in belaboring the purpose right here.
I don’t agree with the entire complaints. Citing excessive crowds as a motive for Disney’s downfall is mainly a Yogi Berra quote expressed unironically. I additionally don’t agree with the quantity or depth of the frustration. However there’s a motive visitor satisfaction scores have been down, and in addition why Bob Iger is working to undo harm and lure again former followers.
With that mentioned, plenty of the above is wishful considering on the a part of disillusioned Disney followers. We’ve been down this street earlier than, and a majority of these predictions or sentiment have been fallacious time and time once more. This time is completely different. Besides, it by no means is. Studies of Disney’s demise are, and all the time have been, vastly exaggerated.
Wanting again even additional to the final time Common Orlando debuted a game-changing addition can be instructive. When the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (WWoHP) opened at Islands of Journey in 2010, the fan dynamic was much like what it’s now, simply dialed again because it was earlier than social media.
Beginning in 2007 when WWoHP was first introduced, there was a relentless drumbeat from followers about an “reply.” The important thing distinct then was that Walt Disney World hadn’t actually executed something within the decade prior. Followers on the time have been starved for brand new sights, because the interval between the 9/11 tourism slowdown and the Nice Recession had been fairly darkish.
There was a way more rational foundation in these expectations, as Walt Disney World was struggling and will use new additions. Consequently, there have been excessive hopes for a “Potter Swatter,” and radio silence from Disney for nearly two years.
Then Disney lastly introduced New Fantasyland. For a lot of followers, that wasn’t sufficient. It didn’t initially embrace Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare–and as an alternative had a bunch of subsequent technology meet & greets (like Enchanted Tales with Belle, however extra of them). It was additionally slated to open after the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Within the lead-up to WWoHP, Walt Disney World’s public place was that “a rising tide lifts all boats” — {that a} stronger Common was helpful to Disney as a result of it attracted extra individuals to Central Florida. In truth, Common Orlando’s attendance soared by 1.7 million visitors the opening yr of WWoHP, with Islands of Journey seeing 30% development. Three of Walt Disney World’s parks dropped by 1-1.5%, whereas Animal Kingdom elevated by 1%.
The next yr (2011), 3 of the 4 parks at Walt Disney World have been up by 1% every, whereas EPCOT was flat. Islands of Journey as soon as once more surged–one other 29% enhance–however each Common Orlando parks had decrease total attendance than any Walt Disney World park. In 2012, Walt Disney World’s parks every elevated by ~2.2%. (New Fantasyland started opening on December 6, 2012–too late to have a significant influence on that yr’s numbers, particularly since all 4 parks have been up pretty evenly.)
Walt Disney World’s rising tide thesis was right: Common had considerably elevated its attendance by attracting a wholly new viewers to Central Florida, which in flip benefited each (however Common far, way more). Quick-forward over a decade, and each Common and Disney have skilled large development, to the tune of hundreds of thousands of visitors per yr every. The marketplace for theme parks in Central Florida has gotten bigger.
Wanting ahead, a brand new evaluation from MoffettNathanson, a agency that gives impartial evaluation to Wall Avenue institutional buyers, concludes that Epic Universe may trigger Walt Disney World attendance to say no by about 1 million guests within the two years spanning 2025 and 2026. Conversely, it may increase total attendance at Common’s three parks by greater than 8 million. Notice that this final quantity consists of Epic Universe, which means that–at the least in concept–the brand new park may cannibalize attendance from each Walt Disney World and Common Orlando’s present two gates.
Additionally notice that these are a number of the similar huge brains that steered each Disney and Comcast ought to go all-in on streaming again in 2020 as a result of it might take journey at the least 5 years to recuperate. Prevailing knowledge on Wall Avenue on the time was that journey might by no means attain the identical post-pandemic heights because it had in 2019, and that streaming was the long run. Leisure journey recovered in 2 years, and buyers soured on streaming in that very same span of time. So not like these dudes have crystal balls (working ones, at the least).
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was “solely” one land again then, however it was a revolutionary one with a large built-in viewers. Epic Universe is a wholly new park, so the dimensions and scope is completely different–greater. Disney has in all probability concluded that the one technique to “win” is to not play the sport–to fall again on the “rising tide lifts all boats” mantra. Iger’s feedback take this a step additional, suggesting that Disney already performed the sport, however did it over the past decade and as they strategically noticed match.
No matter whether or not that’s spin, the easy truth stays that no new experience or land goes to meaningfully compete with a brand-new theme park. Sitting out this spherical of the theme park wars and conceding the highlight for a yr is likely to be one of the best hand that Disney can play. No Disney fan needs to listen to this, however is likely to be the smarter transfer than making an attempt to steal Epic Universe’s thunder. Nothing Disney can do will high Epic Universe.
As followers, it’s additionally essential to have self consciousness. We’re not the one sort of visitors who go to Central Florida’s theme parks. If something, we’re outliers. For theme park followers or frequent guests (like readers of this weblog), there’s a greater likelihood that blockbuster new additions are probably the most compelling attracts–a brand-new theme park goes to be of extra curiosity to you than ones which are unchanged and also you’ve skilled a number of occasions earlier than.
That brand-new park would trump absolutely anything for you, and that features a new land at Walt Disney World. In case your time is proscribed, you’re nonetheless allocating it in direction of the brand new park over no matter Walt Disney World would add.
However for many common visitors, the brand new additions from a single yr or two don’t exist in a vacuum. They aren’t the one promoting factors of the theme parks. Most individuals visiting in 2025 aren’t going solely on the premise of what’s brand-new.
Even for followers who go to semi-frequently, there are plenty of different current, new-to-them additions. The whole lot from Hagrid’s and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to Tiana’s Bayou Journey will nonetheless be “new” to some followers in 2025. That’s a variety of choices spanning a number of years, however not everybody visits yearly. Most individuals–even those that would self-describe as lovers or followers–don’t.
Then there’s the largest demo of all: first-timers. For this group, every thing at each theme park in Central Florida is essentially new. When selecting which parks to go to, they aren’t merely choosing the brand-new additions, though these in all probability are granted extra weight due to advertising and marketing. They’re wanting on the full menu, and what appears to be like most interesting.
It shouldn’t be contentious to say that Walt Disney World is the extra established and time-tested theme park advanced. Even after Epic Universe, Walt Disney World nonetheless has another park, a dozen-plus extra resorts, and extra recreation.
No matter how you’re feeling about current films, it additionally shouldn’t be controversial to contend that the Disney’s secure of characters created and bought within the final ~100 years is extra well-liked and enduring. Common has made large strides with well-liked character mental property within the final couple of many years, however they’re nonetheless not on stage enjoying fields.
That is the place issues get extra attention-grabbing by way of competitors for 2025 and 2026. Each Walt Disney World and Common Orlando have been aggressively including within the final decade. Lots of Common’s latest sights are improbable–Hagrid’s and VelociCoaster are two of one of the best curler coasters anyplace. Regardless of this, Walt Disney World has inarguably spent extra money on new sights and lands within the final decade.
It’s simple that the bump will disproportionately profit Common Orlando. It could be true {that a} rising tide lifts all boats, however it doesn’t achieve this equally. Share development for Common Orlando as an entire will outpace Walt Disney World as an entire in 2025-2026.
If historical past repeats itself, Disney’s parks may see slight decreases–however the losses is not going to be commensurate with the expansion at Common. Acknowledged in a different way, Tremendous Nintendo World and Epic Universe as an entire will develop the viewers for Central Florida theme parks, even when theme park diehards (such as you!) visiting Common and skipping Disney results in a slight drawdown in attendance.
Nevertheless, I wouldn’t essentially guess on Walt Disney World seeing a drop in 2025. Epic Universe has all-ages enchantment, however I’d hazard a guess that the park’s predominant attracts (Tremendous Nintendo World, Find out how to Prepare Your Dragon, and Harry Potter) skew in direction of households. Not solely that, however they achieve this to a far larger diploma than Common’s two present gates.
The argument may very well be made that, as an entire, Walt Disney World does a greater job of catering to this crowd than does Common Orlando. On the premise of recent additions, I believe you may fairly argue that Common has been chasing Disney’s demographics over the past decade and Disney has been chasing Common’s.
Nonetheless, the repute nonetheless exists that Common is the place for youngsters and thrill seekers, and Walt Disney World is extra family-friendly. Accordingly, I might hazard a guess that lots of the households planning 2025 journeys to see Common’s “new Nintendo and dragon park” can even embrace visits to “Disney World” (Magic Kingdom) and “Star Wars and toy park” (Disney’s Hollywood Studios).
Undoubtedly no more than they go to Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida–comfort is large, as are trip packages–however presumably sufficient that at the least these two parks and possibly even EPCOT don’t lose attendance in any respect in 2025. However, the scenario is simply going to worsen earlier than it will get higher for Animal Kingdom. No denying that one. Tropical Americas must be fast-tracked in the identical manner Tiana’s Bayou Journey has been.
In the end, my view is that Disney and Bob Iger are doing a little bit of posturing and a little bit of truth-telling. (After all Iger isn’t going to say that Disney is scared of Epic Universe in that state of affairs, however it’s additionally good that he wasn’t utterly dismissive.) In actuality, Walt Disney World gained’t have a direct response to Epic Universe as a result of they already did over the past decade, but in addition as a result of they will’t have a significant one. The streaming boondoggle, amongst different issues, type of took most choices off the desk.
Even so, Walt Disney World gained’t haven’t any response to Epic Universe in any way. Whereas our above commentary is considerably dismissive of diehards and theme park regulars, they (we!) do exist in significant numbers, and not simply on the margins. Whereas it’s not possible for Walt Disney World to “beat” Epic Universe subsequent yr (each as a matter of timing and significance), it is nonetheless doable to debut marketable additions to lure locals, theme park followers, and different fence-sitters to Walt Disney World. That can be an essential oblique response even when it (honest warning) quantities to plenty of stuff that will get scorned or ridiculed. (E.g. “Common is opening an entire new park and Disney is simply doing [insert small scale thing] in response?! SAD.”)
As we’ve mentioned earlier than, Common will not be “beating” Walt Disney World or vice-versa. That gained’t change in 2025 whilst the previous additional comes into its personal as a bona fide theme park vacation spot resort. There’s house within the Central Florida marketplace for each to proceed rising and thriving. That’s (considerably sadly) very true when enlargement is centered round mental properties–like Mario, Harry Potter, Star Wars or Marvel–that develop the viewers for theme parks, relatively than reallocate the prevailing pool of visitors.
My expectation is that Epic Universe is improbable and envelope-pushing. I hope it grows the viewers for Orlando theme parks even additional and erodes a bit little bit of Walt Disney World’s market share. (Not an excessive amount of to provide them chilly ft about that $17 billion!) For my part as a long-term Disney and theme parks fan, that’s one of the best of each worlds. It places Disney again on their heels and feeling the should be extra aggressive, whereas additionally justified to take a position as a result of it demonstrates that there are methods to develop the pie–not simply battle over the identical sized one. Competitors like that’s good for everybody, particularly us followers.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save cash on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips put up takes a singular have a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for every thing you’ll want to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you concentrate on Disney CEO Bob Iger’s “reply” to Epic Universe? Assume what Disney has opened within the final decade counts for the common visitor, even when it doesn’t for you personally? Will the opening of Epic Universe in 2025 will result in the “demise” of Disney? Or do you typically agree with the angle {that a} rising tide lifts all boats? Assume rising the marketplace for Central Florida theme parks is an ‘everyone-wins’ finest case state of affairs? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Every other ideas or commentary so as to add? Any questions we may help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
