Does Disney Have An Answer For Epic Universe?

I applaud Disney for being so bold as to finance their competition through the purchase of Hulu 😂

Nope. Disney is not going to do squat. Doesn't matter what they announce as it's just empty promises. And if they do deliver, it will be a fraction of what is needed. I honestly think they need to announce very little and do more to improve their maintenance to current attractions and parks. The parks are falling apart. They need to replace the monorail trains and make repairs to the beams. Spend time repainting and repairing in every land in every park and resort hotels. You get the idea.

Oh, yeah, they've got some REALLY exciting new wraps in mind for the monorails & buses! Maybe even a reservation-only bathroom system. Plan wisely! 🤣

Here’s the thing. Epic Universe is big. It’s gonna be huge. It’s gonna be popular. And I don’t necessarily blame Disney for not wanting to “play the game” when it comes to that. HOWEVER, we are not talking about only one park!! Not only is Universal literally building Epic Universe with its expansions in the future, we are also seeing IN REAL TIME that they are also expanding and updating ALL of their parks at the SAME TIME with new shows, nighttime spectaculars, and brand new rides. And not to mention a tiny little detail, THEY ARE CURRENTLY BUILDING ANOTHER WHOLE PARK IN TEXAS!! So no, Disney, this isn’t just about Epic Universe. Yes it’ll be the biggest blow but it’s still only one piece of a huge sprawling puzzle!! And DISNEY IS DOING NOTHINGGG????? No. That’s not an option Disney. Playing the game is the only option. As my favorite comment about this rivalry has stated, “compete you cowards!”

I imagine post-Iger Disney may finally fully eat its humble pie and recalibrate in earnest. It all depends on who succeeds Iger, though. If his successor is anything like Iger, they'll remain wildly out of touch with the Disney brand and continue treating its consumers like idiots.

sadly all think disney is doing this year is more blue sky!

Also: you were right on the money when you said around the 4:30 mark that Universal isn't going to rest on its laurels with the completion of Epic Universe and that it is just the tip of the iceberg.  Poseidon Entertainment did this excellent video essay about two years ago or so which was partially about Epic Universe but, more specifically, about how Epic Universe will all but certainly completely reshape the long-detached International Drive corridor and be the catalyst of a new massive entertainment and tourism district and contrasting that with U.S. Highway 192 as a case study in how the business decisions and influence of major theme parks can either lift all boats around it or conversely wreck them. Even once they complete Epic Universe, Universal will still have a LOT of land at their disposal which they can EASILY expand upon. They're playing the long game ever still even with soooooooo many chips on the table for Epic Universe. With Disney parks as landlocked as they are in comparison, I strain to see how Disney will keep up. It's certainly not impossible, but I'd dare say improbable.

Disney will make new popcorn buckets

Disney’s answer to Velocicoaster was Galactic Starcruiser! An immersive LARP experience that is thriving to this very….oh…wait….well this is awkward…. My guess is Disney will do what they always do: raise their prices while offering nothing to justify the price hike. If anything, they’ll probably cut back on things to save more money. Pay more, get less should really be Disney’s new slogan.

The only way Disney is gonna have a answer to Epic Universe is if Disney cleans house.

No parks are expanding until Epic is complete.....epic is currently pulling all the trades people, artists, and contractors....this is a fact....I have insider info...once epic is complete...more tourists will go to central FL....bringing more people to Disney also...then they will expand..just like in the 90's

Disney needs to add a whole new land at each of its parks. And in each park have a POP UP entertainment venue along the lines with the Encanto Show at Epcot. You should have something that will put a smile on your face every sixty feet you walk through the parks. The middle of Sunset Blvd at Hollywood studios needs something like that for instance.

What I don't see a lot of people talking about is that Epic Universe will be great for families with older kids and teens something for everybody. Something I wish Disney had more of.

I agree with you and this article. Disney has not done anything that can even remotely come close to answering to Epic Universe. It’s sad to see Disney in this downswing era, but more power to Universal. I am incredibly excited for Epic, and I will wait to go to Disney. They really have to start paying people again, because without the shows, experiences and characters, they really don’t have that Disney advantage anymore.

I’m not anyone who has direct sources but everything I hear from those people pretty much indicates Disney won’t be doing anything truly massive until after Epic’s done their expansions.

Universal had always been a 1 or 2 day visit in conjunction with days at Disney (or something else if it's not your thing) when vacationing from out of state. So an added feature like Harry Potter world has been a boon for Disney attendance as well. The big difference now is that Universal will have enough there with 3 parks to justify spending your entire vacation there.

Magic Kindom needs its own version of Fantasy Springs with Frozen, Moana and something else.

I have an idea. Stay at a Walt Disney World hotel for five or more days and get free lightning multipass.

Given recent history? Disney will likely respond by raising prices, cutting out more services, closing outdated rides to "improve them for a modern audience", and most important of all, insult any and all people who criticize such "creative" decisions.

Disneys answer: raise prices.