Disney World vs. Universal Orlando

[eltororider]

I was having an interesting discussion on a non-coaster website about the state of Disney World vs. Universal Orlando so I thought I'd bring that discussion here because I'm curious to see how strongly people feel on 1 side or the other.

 

I don't consider myself bias towards either park since I love both. I went to Universal in 2011 and the last time I've been to Disney World was 2001 but I'm going back there in May for the first time in 12 years and I'm very excited about that.

 

It seems to be that WDW is on the decline since Universal struck gold with Harry Potter and have several plans for expansion. Universal I believe is stealing a lot of teenagers and international travelers since A LOT of people came from England when I was at Universal along with other European countries and Canada. Plus, WDW really doesn't have any major expansion plans despite Fantasyland which most people consider a refurbishment of a section already in the park.

 

With this said, I believe Universal is on the rise mostly due to Harry Potter BUT I think Harry Potter made people more aware of Universal overall because that park has so many great things about it BESIDES Harry Potter. Universal to me attracts a wider variety of people since they have thrill rides for teenagers and young adults, several different themed sections and rides for people who like different things and have probably the best diversity of quality rides in a park. They have room for more potential and can still steal A LOT more people from Disney.

 

With that said, I think Disney is still ahead of them and I think most people feel this way. Disney just has this "magic" type of atmosphere that has allowed them to build-up a loyal fanbase that will keep coming back. Disney also has a HUGE advantage when it comes to land considering they have several acres unused, have 2 more theme parks and 1 more waterpark than Universal and have simply been around longer so Universal hasn't had the same opportunity to build that fanbase quite yet. Disney to me is a place where you can take a week vacation and feel like it's not enough time. Universal may be a 3-day vacation. Trust me, you DON'T want to stay at Universal for 8 days. I've done it and got tired of it after day 3 even though I love it.

 

I think in order for Universal to even have a chance at passing Disney, they need to continue to expand and not rely solely on Harry Potter. If they do that, people will get tired of it eventually and the guests that chose them over Disney will go back to Disney. Universal would probably have to build a 3rd park eventually if they want to get more people to stay at their hotels since right now, they're not a park that you can really stay a week in. I think a 3rd theme park on their land would help them get towards that. By the way, I'm not talking as if Universal is in trouble or NEEDS a lot more people, I'm just talking as if they want to pass Disney.

 

As for Disney, I think they will need a response to Universal once they expand because I would consider them a serious threat. I've heard some die-hard Disney fans say they should build a 5th theme park. While that would be nice, I don't believe it's a necessary answer to Universal. I just think they need another major ride or 2. A thrill ride would be good to possibly steal back some teenagers from Universal. I realize they have Hollywood Studios for that but I don't think Rock'n Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror are enough to keep teenagers away from Universal which has 3 high quality roller coasters plus the Lex Luther Drop of Doom to answer Tower of Terror. If they added another big ride to Animal Kingdom, I think that would be a TREMENDOUS help since almost nobody likes that park nearly as much as the others.

 

I just want to see what you guys think of this. Comment on what side you're on, if you agree with me and suggestions to keep Disney above Universal or to get Universal eventually above Disney. I think Universal has potential to pass Disney but it will be almost impossible in my opinion without some MAJOR expansion.

[Hilltopper39]

 

It seems to be that WDW is on the decline since Universal struck gold with Harry Potter and have several plans for expansion.

 

I see what you are trying to do here, but this statement is completely false. The WDW property looks better now then it ever has, and is in no way in a "state of decline". Lock it up.

[ernierocker]

Yeah, I don't think we really need to get in this debate. There are obviously people who prefer UO and there are people who prefer Disney. Let's just leave that fact out there and not get into a huge flame war about it.

[BeemerBoy]

Plus, WDW really doesn't have any major expansion plans despite Fantasyland which most people consider a refurbishment of a section already in the park.

Well, they do...sort of. http://themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=44560&start=550

 

No, it's not along the lines of your discussion, but it's a major "expansion" nonetheless. It's pretty much an unfair argument any time these threads pop up discussing which company is "better off" at any given time. And that's mostly because their properties expand beyond just their theme parks, yet most people fail to acknowledge the ongoing improvements to the entire property each year.

 

To me, every Central Florida park continues to handle their growth perfectly in order to stay on par which each other (WDW, SWO, UO, BGT, and even LegoLand now). Universal invests in what they feel is profitable, and Disney does likewise. Some people like one style, others like another, but they're both FAR from overall decline in any major category.