Well, here it is.
There's pros and cons in this, for sure. The announcement itself is pure Universal: vague, dull and boring. While there's still an entertainment and shopping element yet to be announced, I still feel a tinge of disappointment. It's not that the hotels themselves look generic, but that there doesn't seem to be a huge difference from each other. However, it could be easily absolved by viewing them as a single resort piece instead of two fractured elements. Like Disneyhead, it is a bit surprising that they aren't as ambitious but it is what it is. Obviously many aspects such as names, restaurants, amenities and room types have yet to be specified.
The big shocker is the rates, below $100. Holy crap. This is a property set to be complete in 2020 and they're still promising rates that low. Disney in the meantime will be throwing its doors open to lavish, pricey new DVC resorts and wings, values turning into moderates and more skyrocketing prices. This will make Universal look like an effing bargain at a crucial moment when it's their new Potter attractions vs Star Wars Land (Nintendo will have yet to be open)... and hell, mom and dad can afford to stay at Universal, and side one day over for DHS. Major win for Universal, that's the game-changer everybody is overlooking.
So while the announcement feels ho-hum, there's so much more going on beneath the surface.
There's pros and cons in this, for sure. The announcement itself is pure Universal: vague, dull and boring. While there's still an entertainment and shopping element yet to be announced, I still feel a tinge of disappointment. It's not that the hotels themselves look generic, but that there doesn't seem to be a huge difference from each other. However, it could be easily absolved by viewing them as a single resort piece instead of two fractured elements. Like Disneyhead, it is a bit surprising that they aren't as ambitious but it is what it is. Obviously many aspects such as names, restaurants, amenities and room types have yet to be specified.
The big shocker is the rates, below $100. Holy crap. This is a property set to be complete in 2020 and they're still promising rates that low. Disney in the meantime will be throwing its doors open to lavish, pricey new DVC resorts and wings, values turning into moderates and more skyrocketing prices. This will make Universal look like an effing bargain at a crucial moment when it's their new Potter attractions vs Star Wars Land (Nintendo will have yet to be open)... and hell, mom and dad can afford to stay at Universal, and side one day over for DHS. Major win for Universal, that's the game-changer everybody is overlooking.
So while the announcement feels ho-hum, there's so much more going on beneath the surface.