Universal Orlando Resort Expansion (Part 1)

[Nick]

Yeah, she left unceremoniously last June. But she is still being questioned about the implementation of the MM+ program. She had some rather incomplentary things to say about Staggs and it may have come up in last yearly review.

You can't blame her about MM+ though, that wasn't her doing. Staggs and Iger wanted it so bad they set up models based on every aspect of it so they could pitch to the board, no?

 

[Mad Dog]

You can't blame her about MM+ though, that wasn't her doing. Staggs and Iger wanted it so bad they set up models based on every aspect of it so they could pitch to the board, no?

Yeah, that sounds like that's what Disneyhead was referring to and saying.

 

[IzzyB]

Well, normally I would say that to weather the storm, they would make cuts, and raise prices. But a huge part of the problem is that they have already cut too much and raised prices too high. The only prudent course of action they have is to pump obscene amounts of money into the place. They know this and the poop storm coming to WDW is unprecedented. There is a boat load of firings on the horizon. Meg isn't happy with the results of the policies she put in place and she is in a throw people under the bus mood.

If Disney doesn't quickly implement an aggressive expansion and refurb across property plan, then it's going to get really ugly.

If you want to know where Disney is at, 2 weeks ago they dropped the CM blackouts for the entire summer, yesterday they dropped all the summer blackout days for APs AND started an offer for 35% off all the resorts but all stars are 25% off for THE ENTIRE SUMMER!!! Apparently, not one WDW resort is booked up this summer.

AP Silver is still blacked out for the summer. I imagine a lot of Gold Pass people would be very upset if Silver was allowed in over the summer since that outside of photopass would make the two tickets equal and gold paid way more for their passes. Universal also changed their blackout periods and CM blackouts. So I am not sure that says Disney is doing awful. I mean I know Disney is not doing well or they would not be cost cutting and adding events.

 

[Mike S]

Comcast be like...

 

[epcyclopedia]

Universal's blackout date changes seem to focus on avoiding the backlash from not letting pass holders and TM's experience the new attractions which have had a few minor delays.

 

[UK-Trigg]

The difference between WDW & Universal. Last Fall I came home from my WDW vacation tired and worn out. Unable to change things on the fly and stuck with a planning regimen sucked the fun and leisure out of the vacation. I just came back from my Universal vacation. I'm well rested and relaxed. Vacation like vacation is meant to be. I must have changed what I was doing, time & place, a bunch of times every day. My Vacation credo: "GO SLOW".

Like your drinking vacation like you mean it eace:

 

[IzzyB]

Universal's blackout date changes seem to focus on avoiding the backlash from not letting pass holders and TM's experience the new attractions which have had a few minor delays.

That makes sense. But I also think June is a slower month as people tend to no start their vacations the minute kids get out of school. But I still haven't seen anything on Disney website about Silver pass blackout dates changing. I will be in line with other gold pass people if they do to complain to Disney that I want money back. You can't make Gold and Silver the same 6 months after you introduced them and people have been paying the higher price so they can get summer.

If they want to add a week or two to the Silver pass fine, but don't remove all the black out dates.

 

[UK-Trigg]

Been looking at tickets and found these "lite" tickets very interesting

• Orlando Freedom Ticket Lite -Available for a Limited Time Only
  A great option for the price savvy thrill seeker or those looking for just a taste of Florida’s major theme parks. Attraction Tickets Direct has specially created the Orlando Freedom Ticket™ Lite that offers admission to both Universal Orlando® Parks, SeaWorld®, Aquatica™ and Busch Gardens® plus your choice of two Walt Disney World theme parks. 2016 departures only.

• Disney & Universal Combo Ticket Lite - Available for a Limited Time Only
  This Lite version of the Disney & Universal Combo ticket is a great option for those with limited time or more budget conscious wanting to experience just a sprinkle of Disney magic at Walt Disney World plus all the thrills and spills of Universal Orlando® Resort. Enjoy admission to your choice of 2 Walt Disney World theme parks over 2 days plus unlimited admission to Universal Studios®, Universal’s Islands of Adventure® for up to 14 consecutive days. 2016 departures only.

I have never seen tickets offering less than 14 days at Disney like this, have these been around before or is a a sign the UK market is struggling to sell Disney tickets?

 

[graspthesun]

Disney P&R tends to recruit from within, right? That can be a problem, like we've seen at Target over the past few years. Their insular nature has put them way behind in e-commerce and left them more vulnerable to that data breach than most other national retailers of that size and prestige.

 

[Mad Dog]

Comcast be like...

Exactly. That's how they went from being a tiny inconsequential cable company in a state that had much larger competitors, to a monster corporation in a fairly short amount of time.

 

[Mad Dog]

Like your drinking vacation like you mean it eace:

Sounds familiar!!! Wait, didn't we just do that. Drink around the world with the English. Go Derby (typo edit) football!!!

 

[Scott W.]

Been looking at tickets and found these "lite" tickets very interesting

• Orlando Freedom Ticket Lite -Available for a Limited Time Only
  A great option for the price savvy thrill seeker or those looking for just a taste of Florida’s major theme parks. Attraction Tickets Direct has specially created the Orlando Freedom Ticket™ Lite that offers admission to both Universal Orlando® Parks, SeaWorld®, Aquatica™ and Busch Gardens® plus your choice of two Walt Disney World theme parks. 2016 departures only.

• Disney & Universal Combo Ticket Lite - Available for a Limited Time Only
  This Lite version of the Disney & Universal Combo ticket is a great option for those with limited time or more budget conscious wanting to experience just a sprinkle of Disney magic at Walt Disney World plus all the thrills and spills of Universal Orlando® Resort. Enjoy admission to your choice of 2 Walt Disney World theme parks over 2 days plus unlimited admission to Universal Studios®, Universal’s Islands of Adventure® for up to 14 consecutive days. 2016 departures only.

I have never seen tickets offering less than 14 days at Disney like this, have these been around before or is a a sign the UK market is struggling to sell Disney tickets?

This is very interesting. I was just about to start looking at tickets. Cheers, mate!

 

[UK-Trigg]

This is very interesting. I was just about to start looking at tickets. Cheers, mate!

Seems like it's targeted at people like us.

I never seen them before, looks like they are trying to entice people who are turning their backs on Disney?

 

[UK-Trigg]

Sounds familiar!!! Wait, didn't we just do that. Drink around the world with the English. Go Darby football!!!

Derby, and for the record they just lost in the play offs missed out on promotion again.

 

[Scott W.]

Seems like it's targeted at people like us.

I never seen them before, looks like they are trying to entice people who are turning their backs on Disney?

Same thing but £24 cheaper.

Orlando PassPort Mini

 

[Vyrus]

If you want to know where Disney is at, 2 weeks ago they dropped the CM blackouts for the entire summer, yesterday they dropped all the summer blackout days for APs AND started an offer for 35% off all the resorts but all stars are 25% off for THE ENTIRE SUMMER!!! Apparently, not one WDW resort is booked up this summer.

Where is this said? I'm looking for it

 

[Teebin]

Been looking at tickets and found these "lite" tickets very interesting

Problem is, I don't want to go to most of those parks. I will stick with FREE passes if I am down for a limited time. Those are the best value!

 

[IzzyB]

Where is this said? I'm looking for it

I couldn't find it either, so if you find it please post it.

 

[UK-Trigg]

Problem is, I don't want to go to most of those parks. I will stick with FREE passes if I am down for a limited time. Those are the best value!

Agreed, the only draw next trip would be ROL at AK, luckily I have a couple of cast member friends who an usually comp me in for a day

Be a while before I renew my Disney AP,unless they offer the $399 DVC one again, don't see that happening again soon though

 

[Teebin]

If you want to know where Disney is at, 2 weeks ago they dropped the CM blackouts for the entire summer, yesterday they dropped all the summer blackout days for APs AND started an offer for 35% off all the resorts but all stars are 25% off for THE ENTIRE SUMMER!!! Apparently, not one WDW resort is booked up this summer.

This is shocking. How are UOR's bookings? I haven't seen many if any WDW tv ads up here. It's SW and UOR that are going hog wild. The bucks they must be spending on these campaigns.