Originally Posted By dshyates I just wish Disney would fix or remove the busted ToT billboard near DHS's main entrance. Driving by it in all it's busted glory sets the tone for the entire day.
Originally Posted By ChiMike I didn't know it was broken. I haven't been to WDW sans EPCOT in a long while. What's wrong with it?
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<I just wish Disney would fix or remove the busted ToT billboard near DHS's main entrance. Driving by it in all it's busted glory sets the tone for the entire day.>> It was working when I was there in January. Dead in July.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>It was working when I was there in January. Dead in July.<<< It was working perfectly in June... Love that thing.
Originally Posted By DlandDug When I saw that ToT sign it had wires hanging out of it and it was rocking and tipping from side to side. Guess it was busted...
Originally Posted By DlandDug Glad to see the question mark at the end of this topic title. A paradigm shift is a radical change in the way things are viewed-- a change of perception that alters the way things are done. As much as I am impressed with the Uni Resort (and I have spent time there), I don't see a paradigm shift. I do see Uni stepping up the competition, but that's about it. But why take my word for it? Look at the latest numbers released by TEA. The public has not "shifted" that much. They still go to the Disney Parks over the Uni parks by an overwhelming margin. The tremendous increase at IOA doesn't reflect a shift away from Disney, just the acknowledgement that there is a good reason to go to IOA (finally). Even with the 30% increase in attendance at IOA, it still pulls about a third of the number of guests that go to the MK. Among the top ten theme parks in the ENTIRE WOLRD, four are on property at Walt Disney World. (MK at #1, Epcot at #5, DAK at #7, and DHS at #8). In the top ten, Uni Florida has... zero. IOA is #12 and the Studios is at #13. So, while Uni Florida has every reason to be proud of their accomplishment, and while fans of the Uni parks have every reason to cheer, there's nothing remotely approaching a "paradigm shift" in all this. (And the Portofino Bay is a lovely, lovely hotel. I've stayed there, loved the food, enjoyed the room. Can't compare it to any of WDW's high end properties, as I've never stayed at one.)
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>ENTIRE WOLRD<< See what happens when you type in ALL CAPS? WOLRD= WORLD (Duh.)
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper See, Dug, i can't agree. Not with the fact that people aren't going to stop going to Disney, but with the fact that people are now looking at Universal Orlando Resort in a whole new way. Only a few years ago, UOR was floundering with no real direction. Maintenance and attendance were flailing, and the place just looked sad. Once the Potter announcement and construction came, the place seemed to gain new life. Things that were broken for years were fixed, people got interested, and TMs could take more pride in their jobs. Now that Potter has opened, I know (and obviously this is a personal story) at least 40-50 people that have visited the resort and RAVED about every moment of it. And many of these people were the kind that would have never given Uni a shot because they were "Disney people". People have become smitten with the resort. And with the terrific word of mouth it's getting (not to mention the additions that will be on their way) things are just going to get better, and people will continue to see Universal in a new light. Will they overtake the Magic Kingdom or Epcot? No. Neither park has the capacity to do that, but no one is expecting them to. (I do think the IOA could eventually overtake DAK or DHS) But if Universal continues on its current track, more and more people will be flying into MCO for their Orlando Theme Park Vacation (I.E. Universal/Disney) rather than just the regular Disney Vacation.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper Should say that I disagree that people "aren't" looking at Universal in a brand new way.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>But if Universal continues on its current track, more and more people will be flying into MCO for their Orlando Theme Park Vacation (I.E. Universal/Disney) rather than just the regular Disney Vacation.<< I would tend to agree. And if (the pesky "if") this happens, then there would be a paradigm shift, and the question mark could be dropped from the title.
Originally Posted By dshyates What Hokie said. The paradigm shift is the way people travel to Orlando is shifting from WDW only to a much more open mind about doing things off property (gasp!). And it extending beyond Potter and Spiderman. It is spreading to the restraunts in CityWalk and to the resorts. Even the restraunts on Sand Lake are seeing an increase in tourist traffic. And about the numbers. I expect IOA/USF to be pretty solid this year. I am hoping they can stay flat for 2012. They have the Hollywood Drive In Mini-Golf, Dispicable Me, and the Spiderman upgrades. It will be interesting to see what WDW numbers look like this year. For 2012 I think MK will see a solid gain over this year because of the FLE. I think the coming FLE is most likely hurting their numbers this year because some people may be postponing their WDW vacation until next year. Back to the paradigm shift thing Potter is the obvious thing to point to, but let's not forget the impact of that other theme park complex in town. SeaWorld's first shot across to bow was Discovery Cove. We know Disney noticed. 2008 was solid because of Aquatica. They rocked 2009 with Manta. 2010 was really bad because the trainer was killed. But don't count SeaWorld out. I am hearing they have something up their sleeve for 2013. But the point is SeaWorld is producing good solid themed entertainment and people are noticing them also. I have actually heard people saying unthinkable things like this year was the first time they came to Orlando and didn't go to Disney.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "I have actually heard people saying unthinkable things like this year was the first time they came to Orlando and didn't go to Disney." Well how many times can you stroll down Main Street and ride Pirates, Mansion, Space Mountain and watch Tinkerberll zipline over the park? Seriously. This is exactly the reason why I haven't been to a Disney park in three years. It's like watching the same movie or reading the same book over and over again.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost >>>When I saw that ToT sign it had wires hanging out of it and it was rocking and tipping from side to side. Guess it was busted...<<< Very few things get me to LOL while reading a web site, but that did. Very funny, DlandDug!
Originally Posted By CDF1 Whereas in the past Orlando visitors would certainly visit Disney and then consider other parks only as secondary optins, now Orlando visitors might be thinking "Potter first, other parks secondary" - that is a big change and a coupe for Universal.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Whereas in the past Orlando visitors would certainly visit Disney and then consider other parks only as secondary optins, now Orlando visitors might be thinking "Potter first, other parks secondary" - that is a big change and a coupe for Universal.<<< Right. That's the shift. They have a premium and popular product. And it can only get better as they expand. They have our attention now. (Notice how they use Social Media in the RIGHT way..)
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "The bar staff at the Steakhouse 55 bar are just embarassing. And I remember well the last visit there with out of town friends where a manager type in polyester slacks one size too small was bellowing behind the bar about breaks taken and tasks completed. Stay classy Disneyland Hotel management! The bar staff at the Hearthstone Lounge is a tad better, and yet still lacks polish and the sharpness you expect in a hotel that looks that great and charges those prices." Don't know how many times you've been to these places within the last year but I've been several times (not to mention many times over the past several years) and never found anything remotely like either of these examples. We've enjoyed everything about both of these places and would recommend to anyone.
