Epic Universe: Disney’s Biggest Threat?

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Ever since Universal Destinations & Experiences disclosed their plans for constructing a novel theme park at Universal Orlando Resort, the theme park community has been eagerly anticipating its development. With more information emerging about this new park, officially titled Epic Universe, it’s evident that Universal is assembling a new realm designed to explore the boundaries of technological innovation.

With Epic Universe being over two decades more advanced than the latest park in Walt Disney World, fans pondered whether Epic’s grandeur and allure could potentially attract Universal guests who may have otherwise chosen Disney. Might the impact of Epic Universe be significant enough to outshine Disney World?

I’ve visited Epic Universe and let me tell you, it’s fantastic! I’ve explored its lands, experienced all its attractions, and yet, I firmly believe that Disney World will continue to thrive in the coming times. Now, don’t get me wrong, Epic Universe is truly exceptional, but what it represents – the direction any theme park, particularly Disney World, should be heading towards – is even more impressive.

No, Epic Universe Isn’t Going To Kill Disney World

It’s evident that Universal Destinations & Experiences aims to expand its presence worldwide within the themed entertainment sector. Currently, they have four ventures at different development stages, such as Epic Universe, and a newly announced Universal UK set to open in 2031. By establishing a park in Europe and another in Florida, Universal intends to challenge Disney’s dominance in the market. However, they are also venturing into uncharted territories by creating attractions like Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas and the Universal Kids Resort in Texas, which deviate from Disney’s established strategies.

Disney’s dominance in the theme park industry isn’t likely to be toppled by these recent additions. It’s like the 900-pound gorilla, tough to beat, and it requires more than just a sleek new theme park to dethrone it. Disney boasts a wealth of resources, a rich history, and a devoted fanbase that spans generations. Universal Studios can eventually reach the same level, but it’s a long-term goal, perhaps requiring several decades.

Additionally, history indicates that fresh theme parks in Florida generally stimulate tourism overall. It’s likely that many people who travel to Orlando over the coming months to visit Epic Universe will also stop by Disney World, at least temporarily.

In the competitive theme park industry, Disney World could potentially face defeat if Disney fails to adapt or innovate. This can occur when Disney becomes complacent, assuming it’s invincible without taking action. However, after exploring Epic Universe, I observed a few areas where the park excels that other Disney parks might want to consider emulating.

Audio-Animatronic Technology Adds Something Screens Can’t

If you frequently socialize with enthusiasts of theme parks (apologies), it’s quite possible that you’ll often hear them praising animated characters over the employment of screens to narrate a tale. Ever since Walt Disney brought Abraham Lincoln to life through audio animatronics, there has been an affection for this technology he named. Although I believe there are certain truly beneficial and practical applications for screens, both Monsters Unleashed: The Frankenstein Experiment and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry demonstrate exceptionally well how animatronics can enrich a storyline.

In the case of Monsters Unleashed, it stands out remarkably, for within the preamble to the journey itself, two of the most captivating animated characters I’ve encountered are showcased. Dr. Frankenstein exudes a deep emotional range, and surprisingly, Frankenstein’s Monster displays the ability to walk!

The original concept for the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind pre-show included animated versions of Rocket and Groot, but this feature was ultimately dropped. Although the current version is still enjoyable, it lacks the excitement present in shows like Monsters, Unleashed due to their use of animatronics.

Live Entertainment Is Still King

Enthusiasts of theme parks often prefer animatronics to screens because they offer a more authentic, immersive experience. However, an additional layer of realism could be achieved by using live actors instead.

It seems like live entertainment is declining in Disney Parks, particularly at Disneyland Resort. For instance, Avengers Campus at Disneyland has been losing its live performances, with one set of characters after another gradually vanishing. The Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure hasn’t had any shows since the short-lived run of Rogers: The Musical. Instead, the Fantasyland Theater is now hosting more character meet-ups rather than live stage shows.

At Epic Universe, two extraordinary events that stand out aren’t roller coasters or slides, but rather spectacular shows. The spellbinding “Untrainable Dragon,” loosely based on “How To Train Your Dragon,” and the breathtaking “Le Cirque Arcanus” from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter are shows you should make a point to see. With their blend of live human acts, puppetry, and animated characters, these performances are truly remarkable.

Live shows tend to be costlier due to the continuous payment of performers, a necessary expense. However, this investment is worthwhile as no technology can match the vibrant energy of a live act.

Short-Term Savings Mean Long-Term Struggles

Based on available information, it’s reported that Universal spent approximately $7 billion constructing Epic Universe. On the other hand, when considering the cost of Disney California Adventure – the most recent park constructed by Disney, adjusted for inflation – its estimated construction cost was around $1 billion. Including the 2007 update expenses, as Disney later acknowledged that they had kept costs low initially, brings the total to approximately $2.5 billion in today’s dollars.

The term “no expense spared” seems fitting for Epic Universe, and from my perspective, it seems they truly lived up to this phrase. It’s evident that a significant investment has been made here, and I must say, I’m quite impressed with the final product. What stands out isn’t just the sheer amount of money spent but the fact that Universal invested the necessary funds to turn the park into everything it could potentially be.

Disney California Adventure serves as a clear illustration, but it’s not the only instance, of Disney seeking cost-cutting measures that unfortunately impact the overall quality of their final offerings. This can be seen in various aspects such as the removal of attractions from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the delayed construction of an E-Ticket attraction at Avengers Campus, and the removal of animatronics from Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Regrettably, this trend has led to Disney often failing to meet expectations in terms of their attractions, with the primary aim being to present a more appealing financial picture to investors.

Regrettably, budget limitations can cause problems with the smooth operation of Rise of Resistance for extended periods, or even the cancellation of planned attractions altogether. Although financial restrictions might occasionally spur creativity, they usually lead to subpar outcomes instead.

Investing in quality from the get-go pays off in the long run, as it reduces costs related to maintenance and upkeep. In other words, a modern, state-of-the-art product or structure will remain relevant for a longer period before requiring updates or replacement.

Healthy competition is beneficial. While Epic Universe isn’t flawless, it excels in many areas and truly shines in some aspects. It’s evident that Universal Creative took note of Disney’s strengths when developing Epic Universe, aiming to surpass them in certain respects. Now, it’s Disney’s turn to learn from this and strive for even greater heights.

Over the next ten years, Disney is set to invest around $60 billion across all their parks, including the expansive DisneylandForward project. This means there will be numerous opportunities for creating something extraordinary. When it comes to envisioning the next major development, I fervently hope that Disney takes to heart the lessons from their Epic Universe endeavor.

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2025-04-17 00:07