Articles tagged “universal studios”

Universal Orlando is building a fourth complex in Florida, with a "celestial" park as its hub. But it remains to be seen if visitors believe the $1 billion Epic Universe theme park can outshine the magic of the company's larger rival, Disney.

Universal is on the offensive, and it's looking to England for its next possible theme park location.

The idea that a giant tourist attraction like Disney could fall victim to price sensitivity, especially under the current macro economic conditions, is telling. It further underscores that if theme parks are going to charge an arm and a leg, they need to deliver an experience worth the price tag, to remain competitive.

The pandemic slammed revenue at amusement parks, but it was a one-off problem. Looking ahead, operators must market the appeal of season passes to help cope with flatlining attendance.

The pandemic is handing an edge only to those rare theme park operators with cash cushions to invest in new tech.

Universal theme parks are expanding in the U.S. and around the world even as larger rival Disney continues to pour money into growing its parks and resorts. As long as returns are healthy, expect the theme park wars to rage on.

Theme park watchers have long been waiting for Universal to announce plans for another Orlando park. While Thursday's comments don't amount to an official announcement, executives sure sound positive about the prospect.

Universal parent company Comcast may want to get more theme park bang out of the bucks it has spent on intellectual property, just like Disney is milking its Marvel and Star Wars acquisitions. But that doesn't mean Universal will turn its back on the cash cow that Harry Potter has become.

We've been wondering for years what Universal will do with the land it was buying up in central Florida — and we continue to wonder with this latest purchase. Given what is already known about the theme park operator's plans and recent growth, we expect the Orlando theme park wars to never end.