What impact will Universal Epic Universe have on Walt Disney World? One expert thinks it will force a fifth gate at Walt Disney World.
As some prepare for their visits to Universal Epic Universe, the brand-new theme park at Universal Orlando Resort, many media members went for a visit on March 6. The staff at CNN Travel participated in this media adventure. After their experience, CNN Travel constructed an article that described many positive things about the Universal Epic Universe.
In fairness, they participated in a special media event almost two months before the new theme park opens. They also received accommodations at a newer Universal Orlando Resort hotel near Universal Epic Universe, like Universal Terra Luna Resort. Everything for the media would be as perfect as possible. We would like to remind the reader of this detail since media events can differ significantly from reality. As people who have attended many media events, including those at Universal Orlando Resort, we have some insight into the difficulty of being objective about things. Also, comparing your media experience to what guests will face in later months ranks as a tough challenge for a reporter.
Having said all of that, the CNN Travel team’s article offered an interesting perspective about the new theme park’s impact. In an article after their visit to Universal Epic Universe, they expressed some interesting thoughts and quoted others about its effects on Walt Disney World.
Universal Epic Universe
Universal Epic Universe theme park covers 750 acres, including guest areas and backstage space for team members. According to Dennis Speigel, owner and founder of the consulting firm International Theme Park Services, it is believed to be the largest theme park in the world and is estimated to have cost up to $7.7 billion to build.
Universal Epic Universe Expected Top Attractions
Universal officials told CNN the company invented new technology and secured patents for Epic Universe experiences, including special animating effects, ride design, and robotics. The CNN Travel staff stated that the results are most obvious on two rides guests are most likely to talk about after their visit: Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry.
They said, “The Harry Potter ride feels like an experience that combines elements of Universal’s existing Spiderman ride and Disney’s Rise of the Resistance. It features trackless ride systems, augmented reality, and high-resolution projections in new ways.” That sounds like an impressive list of top headliner attractions for this new theme park.
Universal Epic Universe Impact on Walt Disney World
In addition, CNN Travel claimed that theme park industry insiders are looking closely to see Disney’s reaction to the first major theme park built in the Orlando area in 26 years. When speaking with Dennis Speigel again about Universal Epic Universe, they quoted him saying something most Orlando theme park fans would love. However, many doubts will arise, at least following his suggested timeline. Speigel said, “Disney and Universal are in the greatest boxing match they’ve ever been in at this point in time, and it’s a slug fest,” Speigel said. “I believe that within 12 to 16 months, Disney will announce its fifth gate theme park, because it’s necessary.”
However, Speigel also cautioned those who think this will cause Universal to take a dominant position in the Orlando market. “Is [Epic Universe] going to put Disney out of business? Absolutely not. Is it going to put a chink in their armor? Yes, it will,” Speigel said.
Rising Tide?
“Everybody subscribes to a rising tide floats all boats, but it does eat up some of the market too,” said Speigel. He added that he expects 2025 to be a year of heavy discounting by all parks, not just to compete with Epic Universe, but to anticipate a worsening economy. “Even with the stock market roller coasters and Goldman Sachs predicting that recession odds are rising, Speigel predicts at least 6 million guests will visit Epic Universe within its first year.
Whether any of Speigel’s thoughts turn out to be valid remains to be seen. Nevertheless, Alicia Stella, Orlando Park Stop, was also quoted in the CNN Travel article. Stella focuses on the Orlando theme park market, earning respect from many for her work.
Will Universal Epic Universe Tip More Vacation Money Away from Walt Disney World?
She had the following thoughts, as quoted in the CNN Travel story. Stella believes the typical family vacation, where previously most of the theme park vacation time might have been spent at Walt Disney World, with a small portion of the week at Universal Orlando resort, the existence of Universal Epic Universe may shift the balance
“I could definitely see it being, ‘Well, we need two or three days at Universal, so we’ll only do two or three days at Disney,’” Stella said. “If they’re coming to Orlando anyway, or if they’re coming to Epic Universe on purpose, will they decrease their stay elsewhere, like Disney? Will they skip Sea World altogether?”
Those remain the questions many of us have been asking since Universal Epic Universe received an announcement. Without a doubt, Universal Epic Universe will tip additional vacation money spent in the Orlando market more towards Universal Orlando Resort for some time. No one at this point has any idea how much impact Universal Epic Universe will have on the Orlando travel landscape, and no one knows how long it will last.
Fifth Gate?
Will Walt Disney World announce a fifth gate? If so, how long will it take before guests enter it? Will Universal Epic Universe run smoothly, like during a media event, or will it face the disappointment of previous Universal theme park openings in the Orlando market? If Universal Epic Universe performs very well, how quickly will it expand utilizing the current potential expansion pads around the theme park?
While more of us visit Universal Epic Universe in the upcoming weeks, we shall see if this new theme park matches the hype. So far, we possess no reason to doubt Universal Epic Universe’s success. We would love it if a fifth gate at Walt Disney World Resort were announced. Will it be announced in 12-18 months? If we had to guess, that would be a negative response. Like Disney, we will all wait and see about the Universal Epic Universe theme park.
Universal Orlando Resort released information about other aspect of Univesal Orlando Resort including:
Also, for more theme park-related news and information, visit MSM News.
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