Universal Q2 2026 Results

[Brian G.]

I’m skeptical of the idea that the World Cup hurt attendance this year. I’d think, if anything, it’d be a boost — at least to Hollywood. I could see Orlando being a push.

Yeah I think there are obviously larger reasons at play but I can see it, at least with Orlando, that any travel plans from international tourists may have been more keen to visit WC cities instead.

I’m definitely not pointing to it as the sole, biggest answer. Just that, yeah - it played a part.

I’m sure Hollywood was hoping there would be a nice, new coaster to experience with all that influx…

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I said this last year, but Disney does a fantastic job of announcing ticket and vacation package deals a year plus in advance. I’m sure that’s made more of an impact to UOR than the World Cup.

 

[Brian G.]

I said this last year, but Disney does a fantastic job of announcing ticket and vacation package deals a year plus in advance. I’m sure that’s made more of an impact to UOR than the World Cup.

Except they're having a soft summer, too.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Except they're having a soft summer, too.

Yes, but the deals have been able to soften a massive drop. USF appears to be struggling more than the other parks.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I’m skeptical of the idea that the World Cup hurt attendance this year. I’d think, if anything, it’d be a boost — at least to Hollywood. I could see Orlando being a push.

Why not? Universal pulls more from international guests than other destinations, lots of the folks who could afford to visit the USA this year chose to spend that money on tickets to games in other cities. They noticed soft attendance starting in June? What started in June? I feel that this is a larger contributing factor but not the only one.

 

[Jake S]

Why not? Universal pulls more from international guests than other destinations, lots of the folks who could afford to visit the USA this year chose to spend that money on tickets to games in other cities. They noticed soft attendance starting in June? What started in June? I feel that this is a larger contributing factor but not the only one.

Because the people with the money to travel here for the World Cup and the inclination to visit theme parks could have done both. And that’s if you assume the people traveling here for the tournament are the same as those who would ordinarily come here for a theme park vacation.

Not saying it wasn’t a factor (I obviously don’t know), just that it’s not the assumption I’d make without more information.

 

[Mad Dog]

Plus....Q2...except for those two weeks around Easter, and a few days before/after Memorial Day, the parks appeared slower than in the past, also. March was pretty soft too. This is longer term than even Universal wants to admit .

 

[Jerroddragon]

Can't speak on Orlando, but will say for Hollywood and Six Flags MM Both got wayyyy more crowds after the world cup

Now I will say that June is normally soft for USH as well and its the 4th and after it gets bad but for sure the world cup did have a small effect on softer crowds because the days I went when a game was on was like wayyyy less crowded then even a normal summer day

But anyway USH and Six Flags MM are busy now, not sure what the factors are since June has nicer weather but from what I've seen both from others and in person some parks are busier now then June and early July for whatever reason but also feels like mostly another slow summer and the parks need some better deals or better summer events to draw people in

 

[MAC]

I forgot my crystal ball. But... we know the F&F coaster is on for sure. Probably yes to Epic expansions in Monsters and Potter. They know they have to do that.....They can drag their feet on Supercharged replacement, though if they decide on just an overlay, that would probably be budget friendly. ....We still don't know if they got an extension on the Simpsons contract, or not. ....LC at IOA will take a good while anyway....They're smart in adapting the WDW model of refreshing existing attractions (Jurassic & Horror Make Up and perhaps ET). They really can't stand still since WDW has sooo much terrific stuff coming due in the next few years. But the near future does look a bit tenuous. They really need to figure out that AP problem with Epic before they bleed anymore AP's. ....Those delays on good new attractions for USF and IOA are biting them in the butt now. They kind of painted themselves in a corner, so it would be disastrous if they went into a full cost cutting mode. They have no choice but to bring new significant attractions on board so they don't lose market share to an expanding WDW.

I think Simpsons extension would make sense for both Disney + UO right now. Disney isn't going to invest heavily in a new Simpsons experience/attraction in time for the next movie opening so having it at UO helps them, gives them a source of revenue, and saves UO from having to put money into redoing the area.

I don't think we see a replacement for Supercharged anytime soon.

F&F coaster for sure is happening. I think LC replacement continues as planned. But I think those will be the only new things coming to those parks for a minute.

 

[DOOMBOT]

I think Simpsons extension would make sense for both Disney + UO right now. Disney isn't going to invest heavily in a new Simpsons experience/attraction in time for the next movie opening so having it at UO helps them, gives them a source of revenue, and saves UO from having to put money into redoing the area.

I don't think we see a replacement for Supercharged anytime soon.

F&F coaster for sure is happening. I think LC replacement continues as planned. But I think those will be the only new things coming to those parks for a minute.

I hope we see some show quality improvements to Simpsons if it ends up sticking around. It's the absolute least the park can do to improve that area short-term.

 

[MAC]

I hope we see some show quality improvements to Simpsons if it ends up sticking around. It's the absolute least the park can do to improve that area short-term.

I can definitely see that happening. If it's going to stick around for 3-5 years, refreshing it makes sense (and I imagine Disney will secure those kind of concessions). Nothing too extravagant, but enough to make it feel fresh.

Of course, the downside is if Pokemon was planning to go in that spot, delaying that will feel like a punch in the gut considering the money Pokemon could bring in.

 

[Jake S]

Of course, the downside is if Pokemon was planning to go in that spot, delaying that will feel like a punch in the gut considering the money Pokemon could bring in

I don’t think Pokemon is going in that spot, for what it’s worth.

 

[Mad Dog]

I hope we see some show quality improvements to Simpsons if it ends up sticking around. It's the absolute least the park can do to improve that area short-term.

I was surprised with the ride during our June vacation. On previous trips, Thanksgiving and Mardi Gras, they were only running 4 of the 10 queue slot lines in the main theater, and just a couple on the secondary theater. In June it was full throttle. Every queue line was open in both theaters, and the lines moved quickly. Our family rode it around 8 times over a two week period, so apparently the working indoor queue lines were not an anomaly. Also, and I don't know how recent it may have been, but the ride vehicles in the smaller theater were as clean and spiffy as the interiors on the always immaculate water taxis. Were they just repainted/refinished possibly? Screen still a tad dark though, so projectors probably need new bulbs.

 

[MAC]

I don’t think Pokemon is going in that spot, for what it’s worth.

I personally don't love that spot for Pokemon. I think keeping it for Simpsons is something I'd like. I'm not sure what the best spot is for it in USF (I'm assuming Zelda still goes in IOA) now. I would've thought the Kids Area would've done well (and expand it out to the old Hard Rock Cafe possibly), but with Dreamworks going back there, that doesn't seem likely. The very back of the park (take out Fear Factor) would also be an idea, but I don't want to lose MIB for it. And Fear Factor has always been earmarked as a HP expansion zone, though they haven't really done anything with it so not sure if they ever will (at least for HP).

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Because the people with the money to travel here for the World Cup and the inclination to visit theme parks could have done both. And that’s if you assume the people traveling here for the tournament are the same as those who would ordinarily come here for a theme park vacation.

Not saying it wasn’t a factor (I obviously don’t know), just that it’s not the assumption I’d make without more information.

There's enough evidence around several entertainment and tourist industries that saw weak summers! The World Cup had games near NYC and Broadway still saw a decrease in spending! There's a finite amount of entertainment money and a lot of it went to the World Cup, not theme parks.