Today is the Walt Disney Company’s quarter four earnings call, and we have been standing by to listen to all the updates!
©Disney | Walt Disney Company Headquarters
Typically, during these earnings calls, Disney gives us a look into how the company as a whole is doing. Disney has so many new projects on the horizon, including new movies and TV shows, new attractions, lands, and restaurants in the parks. Plus, more Disney cruise ships are on their way! There is a lot to look forward to at Disney World, but soon, another theme park will open in Central Florida, and Disney addressed it today during the call.
It has been a long time coming, and soon, Universal Orlando will have a brand new theme park called Epic Universe. The park is set to have five different lands: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe.
©Universal
The new park is in high demand, and Universal has implemented different ticket restrictions to help with the demand. When tickets and bookings for the new hotels went on sale, we experienced issues with the website being down since so many people were trying to secure their spots to be one of the first groups of people to experience this highly anticipated theme park.
©Universal
Disney fans have started to wonder how Disney World will compete with the new park and if it will affect attendance. While Disney World is not building a fifth gate, many projects are in the works for new lands and attractions across all four parks. Some of these projects will be completed in 2025, and we can expect Disney World to be under construction for multiple years before all these new projects are open for visitors to enjoy.
©Disney || Tropical Americas Land coming to Animal Kingdom
So how will Epic Universe affect Disney World? Well, today, Hugh Johnston, Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of The Walt Disney Company, said this about Epic Universe during the quarter four earnings call, “The early bookings that we have next summer are positive. The history of other non-Disney parks opening in Florida has been positive for Disney bookings.”
Magic Kingdom
So, it seems that Disney World is not too worried about the Epic Universe; instead, it sees it as a good thing as it will drive more tourists to visit both parks. Epic Universe officially opens on May 22nd, 2025, right before the busy summer season starts for Central Florida’s theme parks.
Epic Universe
We will have to wait and see how crowds are this summer at Disney World, and if Epic Universe has any effect on attendance, but for now, the Walt Disney Company does not seem too worried. To stay up to date on all the latest Disney and theme park news, make sure to continue to follow along with the Disney Food Blog!
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Cautiously optimistic for now.
I would agree with that comment If there weren’t going to be so many construction walls up in almost every park. Not to mention rides missing due to construction or refurbishing. I predict wait times and attendance will continue to drop for WDW in 2025.