Universal Orlando starts pitching Epic Universe with details about Celestial Park

I think people sometimes get focused on theme park growth at WDW and miss the other growth on property. DVC has expanded significantly since first introduced. I read there are over 250,000 DVC members, and the average start up cost for DVC is about $32,000. No wonder those sales booths are all over the parks (and in the hotels). They are raking in cash off that alone, I'd estimate it in the Billions.

Take a look at the growth of Disney Springs over the past 20 years. I would love to know what the lease revenue is for that place...and you almost never see vacancies. In fact, I believe getting a space there is "by invitation only". Most Disney guests have no idea there is a 980 acre residential development (managed by Disney) on property with homes in the single digit millions up to nearly $20 million (calling a Four Seasons resort "neighbors").

And, while they have not added a gate in a long time, the growth and improvements inside the park aren't nothing. Tron, Guardians, Moana/Innovention reimagining, Ratatouille...and not that long ago Galaxy's Edge and Toy Storyland. For better or worse, upcharge stuff like the festivals at Epcot and Genie+ aren't hurting the bottom line either.

Finally, I really have to wonder...what is the rush? Disney will presumably be around long after the rest of us are gone. They have a LOT of land in Orlando...but it is not limitless. Do they really need to develop a 5th park today, or even tomorrow, just because Universal is opening #3? I don't think so.

wahoo skipper:

Do they really need to develop a 5th park today, or even tomorrow, just because Universal is opening #3? I don't think so.

This is always the head scratcher to me when someone says Disney is toast since they have not announced another park. Universal is still behind Disney when comparing offerings each resort has, including a whole other park. So Disney will be just fine until Universal builds two more parks, another water park, 198 more hotels, an airline, and takes over the government.

Just as an aside: When you add the original Universal property to Epic Universe, Universal will now own about 1300 acres in Florida. Disney owns 28,000 acres.

It's not the size that counts, it's how you use it. Giggity.

Universal will now own about 1300 acres in Florida. Disney owns 28,000 acres.

I was going to do a breakdown of acres at each resort, number of hotels, number of dvc, and etc, but worldwide.

But hell DLP has 1700 acres as well, compared to the 400 or so Uni bought in the UK.

Then remembered Disney bought part of a whole other island in the Caribbean just cause one whole island was at capacity for the cruise line.

I have no idea what you're talking about.

In regards to the competition, Comcast CEO Brian L. Roberts said "We’re doubling down on theme parks. We think that there is a lot of 'there' there in the theme-park business for many years to come and that we have a low market share — and only one way to go."

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/os-xpm-2014-01-07-os-comcast-theme-parks-20140107-story.html

They bought a relatively small portion of South Eleuthera and had to engage in a 50-year seabed lease. Castaway Cay is on a 99-year lease.

Disney's size I feel is its biggest asset and its biggest liability. Park hopping at world is a chore, and driving around there is too. Much prefer land/Uni for park hopping.

It's weird to hear that sentiment as someone who literally went to Epcot for lunch last week. Not saying it isn't a thing, just that maybe I'm used to it.

The bus system is improving, and I think upgrades like the dedicated lanes outside of Disney Springs helps. I've said before, the Skyliner is a game changer. We have decided to take our new dog up to Art of Animation with us largely because of the ease by which we can travel to/from Epcot or Studios to take care of him throughout the day.

If/when they add a Skyliner line from the Epcot Resort area to Animal Kingdom, via Coronado Springs, the circulation on property will be hard to criticize. To that end, I think the land immediate north of Coronado Springs (and to the west of the termination of Epcot Center Drive is a likely place for Gate #5.

If you are park hopping using Disney Transportation, it will never be as easy as walking from UO to IOA, except maybe the walk from Studios to EPCOT. But if you are using a car, its very easy and quick to move around property.

WDW park hopping may be improving but you can't beat the 317' park hopping at DLR.

Epic Universe is technically going to be park hopping every time you enter a new themed area. I'm really curious to see how well the facial recognition tech works for them. I've read they're starting to implement it at their existing parks, presumably so they can get the bugs worked out.

They were using it pre-Covid for Express Pass, to prevent anyone from swapping credentials.

Are we sure that Celestial Park will be open to the public? I know that was the plan at one point but heard that it was deemed too impractical.

I don't even understand what that means. It's the hub area of the park, you can't not go through it. It's the thing they talked most about in their announcement video last week.

Anyone can go into Celestial Park, even without a ticket. You'll be scanned for a ticket every time you enter a portal to a specific themed area.

Same idea as City Walk? Although I would assume you would need a ticket for the couple of rides in Celestial Park.

That seems like a colossally stupid thing to do, but the big roller coaster is in that area too. Are you sure this isn't something an enthusiast came up with that festered into fact?

PhantomTails:

I'm really curious to see how well the facial recognition tech works for them

They were doing it with 100% of admissions a couple months ago and the lines were worse than I’ve ever seen to get in. They are pitching it as faster than before, but it is certainly not faster than before. The fingerprint read was way quicker.

PhantomTails:

You'll be scanned for a ticket every time you enter a portal to a specific themed area.

Good for marketing, instead of having one new park they have 6 or whatever. They can market 9 gates instead of 4!