Although Disney Parks leader Josh D’Amaro states that Walt Disney World is going on the attack against Universal’s Epic Universe, a recent action taken by Disney suggests they might be adopting a more defensive strategy instead.
On May 22, as Universal prepares for the grand opening of Epic Universe, Disney has indicated that it will be an unrestricted day at Walt Disney World. This means visitors won’t need park reservations to explore any of the four Orlando theme parks. This quiet move subtly indicates a change in Disney’s strategy for managing crowds, reflecting increased competition.
2024 saw Disney introduce “Ready-to-visit” days, where park entry didn’t require a separate reservation. Recently, May 22nd was added to this list, leading some to wonder if Disney might be gearing up for less demand due to Universal launching its $7 billion park nearby.
Interestingly enough, a look at Disney World’s theme park reservation schedule reveals that there are no fully booked days for any single park throughout the entire summer – this includes traditionally busy periods like Memorial Day Weekend and July 4th, which are usually among the busiest days at Magic Kingdom.
Previously, Fourth of July reservations used to get filled up fast, leading to park entry restrictions because of capacity limits. However, it seems that this pattern has changed. Nowadays, fewer visitors are making reservations ahead of time, and the crowds over the past few years have been significantly lighter compared to historical data.
Regardless of the indications, Disney executives present an assured exterior. In recent remarks, Josh D’Amaro, Disney Experiences Chair, expressed that the company is unperturbed by the competition posed by Epic Universe.
Looking back only a few years, at Walt Disney World, we’ve consistently taken the initiative, D’Amaro stated. If something fresh like Epic Universe arises in Central Florida and attracts more tourists, it’s highly probable that the new visitor entering the market will inevitably find themselves drawn to the Magic Kingdom.
D’Amaro’s remarks mirror Disney’s approach of capitalizing on the broader tourism expansion in Orlando, regardless of whether it’s fueled by Universal. However, designating May 22nd as a “safe to visit” day and having an open summer schedule with two national holidays that aren’t already booked could hint at revised expectations from the company.
In the meantime, it’s predicted that Universal’s Epic Universe will attract significant numbers of visitors and garner nationwide interest. This expansive park includes five themed areas, three hotels, and marquee attractions linked to Nintendo, Harry Potter, Universal Monsters, among others.
Although Disney is working on long-term expansions featuring a new Villains land and an area inspired by Monsters Inc., there are no upcoming attractions set to open at Walt Disney World in 2025. Instead, some popular experiences like The Rivers of America, MuppetVision 3D, Dinosaur, and It’s Tough to Be a Bug are either closing or undergoing renovations.
With the summer tourist season just around the corner, everyone is eagerly waiting to see how the competition between Orlando’s theme parks unfolds. The question on everyone’s mind is: will Disney’s existing approach continue to thrive amidst Universal Studios’ latest, highly anticipated project?
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2025-05-21 15:13