Comments on: Rumor SPOTLIGHT for November 15, 2013: The battle for 2017, when Disney strikes back

By: fnlala

fnlala — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 07:33:43 +0000

This is off by a year but above you said Star Wars Land, whenever completed will be mostly stores, snack stands, and meet and greets….sounds rather much like diagon alley. I found this VERY underwhelming and disappointing. Great if you are an avid HP fan and want to buy overpriced merchandise…if not it is basically just a walkway.

By: guest

guest — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 15:45:32 +0000

“speeder bike rides, a Mos Eisley cantina restaurant…, which should prove to be every inch as captivating as
Universal’s dual Wizarding Worlds”- Are you kidding me??? Disney better be putting a heck of a lot into Pandora, because this SURE isn’t going to come close to matching what Universal has. Disney is fine if you have young kids, but they seem to either be giving up on or not caring about their audiences once they hit teens, or even preteens.

By: CaptainAction

CaptainAction — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 01:21:14 +0000

In reply to CaptainAction.

Well, we just have to see if a significant momentum is reached with guests finding themselves having to explore Diagon Alley, London, Hogwarts Train and station, Gringott’s coaster, Transformers, Diagon Alley, Simpson’s Land, etc.
Guests who haven’t visited Universal may find themselves wanting to try a bunch of new stuff that all sound fairly unique.

By: Cassy

Cassy — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 02:29:36 +0000

In reply to CaptainAction. I was in Orlando from 9/18-10/1. I went to MK four of those days and never had to wait in a long line. I actually was really lucky on my Day at IOA. It was overcast, which kept a lot of guests away, but it didn't actually rain.

By: OrlandoInformer

OrlandoInformer — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 22:48:50 +0000

In reply to CaptainAction. @Cassy When were you there?

By: Cassy

Cassy — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 22:27:02 +0000

In reply to CaptainAction. OrlandoInformer CaptainAction It isn't always busy at MK. I was there two months ago and the Pirates ride always had a wait time of 5-15 min when I went by except for during the MNSSHP night. In fact, I don't think that I waited more than 15-20 min for any ride at WDW other than Toy Story. The wait times were comparable to the times I had at IOA during that same week.

By: OrlandoInformer

OrlandoInformer — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 21:22:07 +0000

In reply to CaptainAction.

@Cassy CaptainAction As long as Universal is making enough revenue to keep their current track record going, I wouldn’t want attendance to increase by four to five million. I like how there are definitive busy and slow times at Universal. As I mentioned awhile back, I just stopped going to Magic Kingdom this year because it’s basically always busy. I appreciate classic attractions as much as the next guy, but I’m not going to wait an hour for Pirates, etc.
https://orlandoinformer.com/wpold/2013/big-5-top-five-reasons-disney-fans-should-love-universal-orlando/

By: Cassy

Cassy — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 20:52:54 +0000

In reply to CaptainAction.

CaptainAction
I certainly would like Disney to move a little faster building new attractions. I am a huge Star Wars fan and can’t wait to see that added to the park.
That said, it is highly unlikely that either UOR will pass AK or DHS in attendance even without the expansions in those parks. That would require the UOR parks to obtain 2-3 million more visitors. I understand that you are a huge UOR fan, but do you seriously think that either park could surpass Epcot? That is a 4-5 million increase. Possible? Maybe, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.

By: CaptainAction

CaptainAction — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 19:02:27 +0000

In reply to Cassy.

Hi Cassy,
Trying to encourage WDW to become a better park for you.
If Universal gets close to or passes Epcot, AK, or Studios in attendance in 2015 – then maybe some heads will roll at WDW and we can have a real competition for the guests.

By: Cassy

Cassy — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 14:11:58 +0000

In reply to CaptainAction. CaptainAction I was wondering how long it would take for you to show up.

By: CaptainAction

CaptainAction — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 11:45:56 +0000

In reply to James Malin. When guests grow older than 6 is about the time they want to start moving toward Universal now. There are a lot of folks who are over 6. Boys have had it tough at WDW too. WDW is mostly for little girls.

By: CaptainAction

CaptainAction — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 01:09:57 +0000

Naw, WDW will cheap out like they have been doing the last 10 years. Star Wars Land, whenever completed will be mostly stores, snack stands, and meet and greets. WDW has resorted to pushing guests to go to old lame attractions with their armbands. Nobody needed fast passes for Imagination, Spaceship Earth, Muppet Movie, etc.
WDW has become more about pushing timeshares than E ticket attractions. They spend 3-4 years building a kiddie coaster and only after everyone went berserk that they ripped out Snow White and added the lamest dark ride of the last 20 years in Little Mermaid.
This is not your fathers’ WDW anymore.

By: Diane Judith Hewson

Diane Judith Hewson — Sat, 16 Nov 2013 09:53:12 +0000

Disney parks are a magical place. They should stay true to walts dream. There is no other place like it.universal lost its lustre fr us when they got rid of the back to thr future ride.WHY? The ride itself is still there everything about it is bttf just the animation is Simpson’s:-)

By: KevyB

KevyB — Sat, 16 Nov 2013 00:59:38 +0000

Personally I think the Star Wars stuff could put a dent but I don’t think Avatar has a chance. The rides for Avatar just don’t seem that exciting and I don’t think there’s enough of a geek crowd for the property yet. And I don’t think there ever will be. Though, luckily for Disney, people are more into Pandora than they are into the characters or story (warmed-over Dances with Wolves), and that kind of stuff works perfectly for the people who are already geeks for Disney World. But there’s little there that will excite people who are into the wilder fare that Universal has been putting out there lately, like Forbidden Journey and Transformers.
In fact, I don’t think Universal is taking away much from WDW. Yes, there are those who do both when they visit Orlando, but Universal Orlando has seen massive jumps in attendance and WDW has been flat or slightly up. I think Universal isn’t stealing business from WDW but is instead encouraging families with teenagers who have outgrown WDW to come back to Orlando. Which they will continue to do as long as Disney keeps adding A-, B-, C- and D-Ticket attractions every decade or so and Universal keeps throwing out E-Tickets on a yearly basis.

By: Penny Woodard

Penny Woodard — Sat, 16 Nov 2013 00:45:33 +0000

Can’t wait!! Guess we found our next date to go to Disney!!

By: rachie7

rachie7 — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 21:57:20 +0000

Can’t wait to see what both (Universal/Disney) do next. I think (and hope) you are correct about the competitiveness of both! V excited now (even more than before) I’ve read this

By: Ben Calderbank

Ben Calderbank — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 20:38:37 +0000

It’s a great big beautiful tomorrow! As they say

By: Aquila Harward

Aquila Harward — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 19:04:06 +0000

Disney is building an Avatar-land in Animal Kingdom. I can’t imagine that would appeal to many 6 year olds. BTW, we LOVE Disney and everything they do!

By: rachie7

rachie7 — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 18:51:36 +0000

Very interesting thank you! !

By: Rachel Cairns

Rachel Cairns — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 18:22:04 +0000

star warsland could be awesome (& cars land)

By: Melissa McLaughlin

Melissa McLaughlin — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 18:13:54 +0000

Some people like Disney some people like Universal its just the way it isk

By: Tim Hunt

Tim Hunt — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 18:12:08 +0000

How about an OZ themed section or a tron ride, they seriously need to up their game, I’m not much of a fan of harry potter bit at least it appeals to both kids and adults.

By: James Malin

James Malin — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 18:08:56 +0000

I am beginning to get bored with the constant criticism Disney receives. Universal is doing some good stuff at the moment but we waited long enough for them to actually do something. The comment that
Disney needs to appeal to a wider audience goes to Universal too! What does it offer to anyone under the age of 8 years old. A Barney show and a lame Cat in the Hat Ride. Wake up people.

By: Luis Lauranzon

Luis Lauranzon — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 18:00:02 +0000

Disney really needs to step I yup as far as construction too.

By: Stuart Nielsen

Stuart Nielsen — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 17:53:38 +0000

All these Disney announcements don’t amount to a lot if they continue to be a park for 6 year olds. They have to stop limiting who they appeal too.

By: Jim Wentworth

Jim Wentworth — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 17:48:05 +0000

King Kong would be nce then after that return JAWS

By: Jim Wentworth

Jim Wentworth — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 17:47:35 +0000

Harry Potter is only intresting to those who are fans which im not! as far as King Kong id love to see that happen!

By: Melissa McLaughlin

Melissa McLaughlin — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 17:44:21 +0000

Avatar was an ok movie but it just have a cult following like Harry Potter does. Sure it made lots of money lots of movies made lots of money doesn’t mean every movie that made lots of money should have a section in a theme park.

By: Lee Boofle Webster

Lee Boofle Webster — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 17:40:21 +0000

God no. They will have to pull out something extraordinary

By: Michael Aaron Futterman

Michael Aaron Futterman — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 17:40:00 +0000

I also herd USO is looking into making a hobbit based theme park

By: Melissa McLaughlin

Melissa McLaughlin — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 17:38:32 +0000

Imo Avatar is not going to have the same impact that Harry potter has had for Universal.