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
Apparently all that lobbying money and fundraiser donations to political candidates isn’t doing much to help Walt Disney World. The US Embassy denied a travel visa to a 9-year old boy in Britain whose grand parents wanted to take him on a surprise trip to… Read More »US policies denying 9-year old Britons from visiting Disney World
Some beautiful photos of a Steampunk Wedding over at the fan run Disney Wedding Blog. Turns out the Victorian styling of the Grand Floridian offer the perfect backdrop to Steampunk goodness. And check out this cake. Congrats to Cheryl and Adam and be sure to… Read More »Steampunk Disney Wedding
Apparently the New York Times quoted my article published November 28th, 2010 where I was reacting to the news that while Universal Orlando was having a banner year, Walt Disney World actually decreased in attendance. Here’s the full context:
The first was an Orlando Sentinel story on the flat attendance at Walt Disney World. I have to think that given the poor state of the economy, Disney would have been happy to have not lost any ground. But the reality is Disney did lose ground to Universal Orlando (despite their attempts at hiding the figures). Harry Potter is drawing guests away from the mouse house and Disney still has no answer lined up. That’s very troubling.
I then went on to talk about how Osceola County can capitalize on increase in attention that’s coming Central Florida’s way with LEGOLAND Florida and the Orlando Thrill park.
Like Disney states in the NY Times article, I believe that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a net gain for Orlando tourism business. Unlike Disney World officials, I do believe that there is a high risk of guests shifting their attendance to Universal away from Disney resulting in a net-loss for Disney. Universal is already siphoning off the teens and twenty somethings and LEGOLAND Florida threatens to do the same for the 6 to 10 year old set.
Look at all the Hogwarts scarfs and t-shirts you see next time you’re at WDW. Those guests all visited Universal before coming to Disney. The money they spent there on broomsticks and Butterbeer will not be spent on mouse ears and popcorn. That doesn’t include the guests who are spending a day or two at Disney and then visiting Universal. I can’t understand why Disney doesn’t appear to be worried.
Read More »Does Disney World have an answer for Universal Orlando?
Just a quick follow up on yesterday’s post. Disney and the Services Trade Council have agreed to extend the current contract yet again. Union reps hope that Disney will evaluate their latest offer allowing the union members to vote on something different than what was… Read More »Disney, Union extend contract after meeting with mediator
Walt Disney World and its largest union group, the services trade council, heads back to the negotiating table with a federal mediator today. While no one is optimistic that the differences can be resolved today, no one is worried about an impending strike either. The… Read More »Disney World and Largest Union Group return to negotiations today
If you’re like me and your budget didn’t allow for purchase of one more annual pass at the end of last year, or you just plain forgot, you’ll be happy to hear that LEGOLAND Florida has extended their special offer for discounted day and annual passes through April 30, 2011. With LEGOLAND scheduled to open in October 2011 and the pass valid through the end of 2012, you’ll even get a few extra months of value if you act soon.
“Our strong sales numbers have proved to us that people are excited about the opening of LEGOLAND Florida,” Director of Sales and Marketing, Kim Isemann stated. “By extending these special rates through the early spring, we want to allow our future guests the opportunity to lock in their tickets and annual passes before the Park opens.”
Available only at www.LEGOLAND.com, general admission tickets are $65 for adults and $55 for children and seniors. Standard Annual Passes are offered at the children’s prices of $99 with no Blackout Dates! Plus Annual Passes and Ambassador lifetime passes are also available at the non-discounted rates of $159/$129 and $2,500 respectively. These passes includes unlimited admission, discounts on preferred parking, special events, plus discounts on food and merchandise. (Prices do not include sales tax.)
Read More »LEGOLAND Florida extends early-bird deal through April
The last thing you want to happen on one of the busiest days of the year is to have one of your major attractions go down for an extended period of time. Unfortunately SeaWorld Orlando’s Manta Roller Coaster did stop with passengers stuck 100ft in… Read More »SeaWorld says “Don’t Forget About Us”