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Theme Park Wars: Disney Edging Out Universal, But Everybody Is Losing

April 17, 2009 RSS Feed Print

It's The Mouse Vs. The Movies in the theme park fight, and right now the rodent seems to have a slight upper hand (paw?).

On its blog (sub. req.), Pali Research analyst Richard Greenfield takes a look at theme parks through the lens of GE's earnings (home to the NBC Universal Studios park franchise), and sees Disney coming out ahead in what looks to be a very difficult 2009.

Pali says GE theme park attendance declined 11 percent year-over-year, while Walt Disney World managed to hold traffic flat with a year ago during the March quarter. Pali says Disney is stealing visitors from NBC Universal and Seaworld, and luring a good chunk of vacationers with aggressive promotions.

But Pali is keeping its "sell" rating on Disney, predicting tough times at theme parks won't bottom until fiscal '10 with operating income at parks dropping by half. At least the lines will be shorter.

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If you have young children (under 7 years old) than Disney is the park for you but if you have older children (especially boys) they are most likely going to find Universal more thrilling and adventurous. Check out the exhibits online for both before going so you know what to expect. For sure, if you're an adult, Universal all the way, hands down. Citywalk alone will keep you busy for a couple of nights. Also, adults are able to enjoy a drink at the park. And, by the way, I didn't see anyone behave inappropriately due to alcohol during my week-long stay there during spring recess, which is peak season.

Spitfire of NJ 4:08PM April 05, 2010

Universal only has the thrill rides and those alone are keeping them afloat, they charge just under Disney prices for 2 parks, they close those 2 parks at sundown unless they have a special event like Halloween Horror Nights. Have you seen Universal Orlando? The Parks there are not kept clean to what many people have come to expect from a theme park. Disney has the resorts, the marketing, the customer service and other things that they perfected. And not to mention that even Universal makes fun about how Disney strives for cleanliness. Ask 99% of the visitors to the Orlando area why they came and the answer will be Walt Disney World. Face it, Universal has gone down hill and there is no turn around in sight. And recently Universal has lost one of its big advantages with Disney's purchase of Marvel and all its characters. That will take away about 25% of what Universal has to offer when their current contract with Marvel expires. Melissa fron RI you must have went through Disney World blindfolded if you think that Disney's parks and resorts are inferior to Universal.

JDC of FL 12:32AM January 01, 2010

In my opinion Universal blows Disney out of the water. It has all the thrill rides people are looking for, and envelops a memorable experience to share with the entire family. Disney parks get more attendance because they are geared towards the younger crowds. Disney may be doing aggressive promotions right now, but the quality of hotels and parks is inferior to Universal.

melissa of RI 7:19PM April 27, 2009

Theme Park Wars: Disney Edging Out Universal, But Everybody Is Losing

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