The house modeled after the home from the Pixar movie Up is turning into the little home that could for the community of Herriman, Utah. Originally built as a hook for a 3-week Parade of Homes event, the cute little home from the movie continues… Read More »Pixar Up House Still Drawing Tourists to Town
It’s taken a few years for word of the retro and outdated status of the cinematic climax of the Norway Pavilion at EPCOT Center to percolate back to the rocky and troll infested shores of Norway itself. But finally, reality is sinking in and people… Read More »EPCOT’s Shabby Norway Film making waves in Norway
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?
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?
The latest player on the amusement park scene in Orlando still has to cross quite a number of hurdles before construction can even begin, but the people behind it are busy talking up its features and its benefits to the community. A good plan that… Read More »Orlando Thrill Park – More details emerge, why Disney should take note
It seems like every year some writer or another gets the assignment to visit Disneyland and write a story. More often than not that story takes the form of “how can a jaded reporter visit Disneyland and not come away even more cynical.” Here’s this… Read More »Is Disneyland for Grown-ups?
Answering the challenge set by SeaWorld”s Central Florida parks (including Busch Gardens) Walt Disney World resorts has decided to offer up to two free days of admission to European travelers stranded by the Volcanic Ash cloud. This is a great move that will help make… Read More »Disney World joins SeaWorld and offers free admission to stranded Europeans