Originally Posted By dshyates So it's been just over a year since Potter opened and as we all know that Uni. Creative knocked one out of the park. It's happened before when IOA opened and debut The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman along with a whole new park. And they barely made a blip on the WDW radar. But since Potter opened things have changed. Why now? With only one new attraction, Potter should have been even less of a blip, but "the boy who lived" has a special kind of magic. Luck and talent are a formidable combination. He has ushered in a paradigm shift that has changed the way people vacation in Orlando. More importantly though, he changed the way people THINK about vacationing in Orlando. And here is how he did it. Talent: First and formost the Harry Potter is the most popular literary property on the planet. The films are visually lush, and the park designers translated all that beautifully. Luck: Aside from skill Harry would be the first to tell you he has always been very lucky. After years of negotiating, Uni. got the rights and budgeted it right before the economy crashed. So they could open it just as the recession was receding and people were itching to go on a much needed vacation. The economy while was still bad so people were looking for cheaper alternatives to how they traveled prior to the crash. And while Uni.'s one day one park ticket is the same as Disney's, a Uni. Vacation is significantly cheaper than a WDW vacation. Potter is also lucky that WDW has done very little in many years to attract that ever important repeat customer. So while WDW fails to add anything new and continually cuts at the quality. Universal is kicking it way up. And the economy and Potter's popularity are forcing people's hands into giving it a go. And people are liking what they are finding. Particularly the "on property" folks that Disney has trained how to live the magic. They are actually staying "on property" at URO and finding out just how bad the WDW resorts really are. Bottom line Potter, the economy/ WDW high price, and WDW's staleness have created a paradigm shift in the way people visit O-Town. Now, I am not saying that the mouse is dead or any other such nonsense, just that Disney is no longer the only game in town.
Originally Posted By PotNoodle And what has been their response? Princess meet and greets and arts and crafts sessions for the Kyleighs, Rylees, and Madysyns whose moms refer to as "princesses". A family coaster that only came into being being because people kicked up a fuss. Not one, but two (!) Dumbos. Oh, and don't forget--an overhyped little mermaid ride. Wow, I'll bet Universal is quaking in their boots.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: Actually, the did away with the princess meet and greets that they had originally planned. They replaced all that with the Seven Dwarves coaster ride.
Originally Posted By ReelJustice And Universal is just getting started. That should cause some disquiet at TDO.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Fantastic post. Shows perfectly that one company is being dynamic, creative, and smart, while the other is resting on it's laurels and treading water.
Originally Posted By ChiMike ...one is more concerned about creating fake fans online while another is focused on trying to get new fans through new atttractions that have mass appeal. One is more concerned about their internet presence the other keeping effects working on the attractions they have.
Originally Posted By TP2000 >>"Princess meet and greets and arts and crafts sessions for the Kyleighs, Rylees, and Madysyns whose moms refer to as "princesses".">> BWAHAHA! That one made my whole night. And it's funny only because it's so very true, even if the reality is utterly annoying and gag-inducing. Princess Madysyn. BWAHAHA!
Originally Posted By CDF1 IMO: 1. Potter attraction is a "perfect storm" situation where Universal has tied into the most popular brand of the last two decades. Disney was the bomb with offerings like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Cars for 80's and 90's, but Potter has been the hot ticket for the last two decades. For once, Universal has synergy between a brand and their park offering that only Disney really enjoyed before. 2. Universal has taken the steps to upgrade their park technology to at least the equal (if not better) than Disney's. POTC and later the Haunted Mansion were landmarks in their time for attraction automation robotics; Universal, with Spiderman and Potter, seems to have found a type of presentation that goes into cinematic animation combined with physical sensations which, ironically, Disney has tried to do better in with their Star Tours redo. 3. I don't really see much difference in what it might cost per day between WDW resort days or Universal resort days in Orlando - you have options at either location but you are still looking at $75-a-day park tickets and $250-$400 a night hotel rooms at the on-site resorts. The cost of traveling to Orlando will be the same for either resort - if anything, the only cost reduction at Universal versus WDW is that WDW has two more theme parks, another waterpark and more recreational facilities (golf, boating, etc.) onsite than Universal has. What has changed now is that while it may have been a possibility in prior years that an Orlando vactioner might spend a whole week at Disney without leaving the WDW property, chances are now that any vactioner to Orlando will spend at least one or maybe even two days with Universal as a destination if only for Potter at IOA. That's a big change. 4. How soon before some enterprising designer at Universal builds a "Gringot's Vault" indoor coaster ride at IOA - talk about a made-for-a-themepark attraction!
Originally Posted By ReelJustice ^^great post and brings up many good points. <<4. How soon before some enterprising designer at Universal builds a "Gringot's Vault" indoor coaster ride at IOA - talk about a made-for-a-themepark attraction!>> already done (or very close to being done.). Work on Phase 2 will commence when Sinbad closes.
Originally Posted By MousDad Take out Magic Your Way, and get DVC'ers to start spending as much in Uni parks as they do in Disney parks on an annual basis, and they've pretty much won.
Originally Posted By LadyandtheTramp Cost per day depends on how you look at we. We just bought Annual Passes to Uni. yesterday, and paid $159 (for a renewal). Includes both parks and parking. Non-renewal would have been about $220. Compare that with the prices WDW charges. (And I don't buy the 4 parks vs. 2 parks argument, since I can only be in one place at a time anyway.)
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<What has changed now is that while it may have been a possibility in prior years that an Orlando vactioner might spend a whole week at Disney without leaving the WDW property, chances are now that any vactioner to Orlando will spend at least one or maybe even two days with Universal as a destination if only for Potter at IOA. That's a big change.>> Once IoA opened, I stopped spending my entire vacation on Disney property. I began to split my time equally between WDW and UO, and have never regretted this decision. And FWIW, I find the Royal Pacific to be a better value than any WDW resort. The restaurants are better, the theming is better, the cleaniness and overall quality of the rooms is better. And the parks are close by, along with CityWalk, so I don't waste precious vacation time traveling between my hotel room to the parks and shopping district, which typically run around 2 hours each day. IMHO, Uni is now where WDW used to be, in terms of quality and value. Disney has an unbelievable amount of catching up to do, and it's painfully obvious that they would rather spend capital on marketing spin and advertising, than actually improving their property a la Potter additions, as Uni is doing. Disney is getting by now, mostly on reputation. Uni is working to improve their reputation by creating new worlds and enhancing visitor experience. Therein lies the main difference between the two.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<And FWIW, I find the Royal Pacific to be a better value than any WDW resort. The restaurants are better, the theming is better, the cleaniness and overall quality of the rooms is better.>> I spent a few hours touring the Royal Pacific and Portafino Bay this past week, and wow, both blew me away. Both are easily better than any of WDW hotels, IMO. Class, class, class emanated from the place left and right. The restaurants were spectacularly beautiful, and the pool facilities were great. Portafino alone is now my favorite resort in Orlando. From the opera singer at dusk to the great quick pizza and gelato I picked up, the place truly blew me away. Not to mention the indoor corridors that are reminiscent of World Showcase.
Originally Posted By Manfried Like I've been saying, if you don't like the product, don't buy it. Complain all you want, but if you buy the passes then you are not speaking the language American business understands. Don't buy their product, they get the message.
Originally Posted By ChiMike Hokie, I have posted this recently, but needs to be said again. Since my first stay at the Portofino over a decade ago, I have never looked back. What you get for your dollar there over anywhere at Disney is night and day. One of the best resort experiences in Orlando hands down. I also like the Royal Pacific which is my backup resort at Universal or the one I choose when traveling with other families. While my heart will always be with the old Polynesian Resort, the Royal Pacific is a wonderful Loews update to the concept. In 2011, it absolutely delivers what the Polynesian Resort should but won't. The building is less charming than the Polynesian, but the common areas, pool area, restaurants are all top notch, very very comfortable and filled with great staff who know how to take care of "G"uests. The hospitality industry IS these staff members (team members) business, they aren't some college intern who will be working at the All Stars a month later, and than 3 months later be back on Greek row. Loews is a phenomenally run hotel and resort company. The first class service, the emphasis on returning, loyal, guests all comes directly for the top. James Tisch exuberates and his leadership is the epitome of first class service, taste, and the ability to make money by offering quality and class. Disney would be so lucky to have the leadership skillset and ability to comprehend one's product that James Tisch and the executive team of Loews possess.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Since my first stay at the Portofino over a decade ago, I have never looked back. What you get for your dollar there over anywhere at Disney is night and day. One of the best resort experiences in Orlando hands down.>> I plan on staying at Royal Pacific or Portofino next time I'm in town, which most likely won't be for a while, considering I should be starting up a job soon. Both were amazingly detailed, and I was blown away by the approach to both from the water taxis, whether it was the large puddle jumper plane in Royal Pacific's bay, or the multitude of little boats in Portofino's. Sure, I'll still go to Disney for a day or two(most likely just for a day in Epcot and one split between MK and DHS), but the majority of my time will be spent on UOR. <<I also like the Royal Pacific which is my backup resort at Universal or the one I choose when traveling with other families. While my heart will always be with the old Polynesian Resort, the Royal Pacific is a wonderful Loews update to the concept. In 2011, it absolutely delivers what the Polynesian Resort should but won't. The building is less charming than the Polynesian, but the common areas, pool area, restaurants are all top notch, very very comfortable>> I completely agree. Aside from the buildings, RP blew the Poly out of the water in every aspect. Loved the one bar/longue(I believe it was called Jay's American), which gave off such an awesome vibe.
Originally Posted By ChiMike The Sushi bar, Orchid Court Lounge, up near the lobby is also a nice hidden, understated gem. Really good sushi!
Originally Posted By ChiMike Certainly not, Skinner! A great recommendation. And a big reason why I am glad I don't have to plan my dining habits half a year away anymore. Tchoup Chop represents what kind of great dining on vacation I am use to. No hassle, reasonable prices, and a great atmosphere with great guests surrounding me.
Originally Posted By dshyates Last Fri. After making mad OT for Casey and the last shuttle launch I got home and told my 2 daughters, put on a dress, we're going out. We went to Tchoup Chop and had some apps and I had a couple 1944 Mia Tias. A great way to come down off the roughest week in local news EVER!
