Okay. Here’s the problem with private equity firms, they’re only in it for the money. That’s not a secret, but it is problem if your brand depends on consistency of service. That’s exactly the situation Universal Orlando Resort faces now that the Blackstone Group has… Read More »Universal Orlando Faces Forced Sale by Private Equity Firm
There is little doubt Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter addition was the main driver behind the park’s reported 20% attendance growth and a profit of $261 million, which is more than the estimated cost for the whole addition. While it’s unlikely Universal Orlando… Read More »Will London Harry Potter exhibit slow Universal Orlando’s growth?
The boy wizard from the mind of J.K. Rowling just gave Universal Orlando it’s best year since 2004. Not only that, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is fattening the long-slimmed wallets of Orlando’s hotels. Particularly those near Universal. Wizarding World’s success has spilled beyond… Read More »Harry Potter pulls Universal Studios, Hotels out of Recession
Walt Disney World and Disneyland aren’t the only parks eexperiencing high attendance this time of year, Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios Orlando has had to close its gates for the first time in its existence. This is, of course, largely due to the popularity… Read More »Islands of Adventure closes gates due to high attendance
SeaWorld announced today that they will lay off 129 people in their Orlando theme parks. No word on which kind of employees, but one assumes salaried cuts provide the most bang for the buck. Disney reported essentially flat attendance for the most recent quarter, while… Read More »SeaWorld to lay off 129 in Orlando
It’s not just Disney’s theme parks that are struggling with competition from the wizard kid Harry Potter. Despite pulling in over $69 million in Holiday weekend box office cash, Tangled failed to overcome part one of Harry Potter’s final film. In it’s second weekend Potter… Read More »Tangled bests all new films at Box Office, fails to beat Harry Potter
Dr. K writes blog that looks at popular culture through the twin lens of fandom and an anthropological eye. A four part analysis of Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure Wizarding World of Harry Potter themed district is definitely a new take on what I’ve read… Read More »Harry Potter’s Wizarding World through an Anthropologist’s Eye
LaughingPlace.com has some interesting news about the changes coming to the popular Star Tours attraction. Pixar and Lost composer and Academy Award winner Michael Giacchino will be scoring the soundtrack for Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, the new version of the attraction coming in 2011.… Read More »Michael Giacchino to compose Star Tours soundtrack