The theme park landscape in Central Florida has undergone a significant shift with the opening of Epic Universe at Universal Orlando. As the newest addition to the Universal Orlando Resort, Epic Universe has generated considerable buzz among theme park enthusiasts. But what impact has this new park had on Disney World’s crowds? While it’s still early to determine the full extent of its influence, industry experts and analysts have shared their insights, providing valuable context for understanding the potential implications.
Attendance Patterns and Crowd Predictions
Since its opening, Epic Universe’s attendance has been below half-capacity, with around 13,000 to 19,000 guests per day, despite having a theoretical capacity of 35,000 to 40,000 visitors. Meanwhile, Disney World’s attendance hasn’t seen a dramatic shift, but there might be a slight decrease in visitors, particularly at Animal Kingdom, as some guests opt to try the new park. Experts anticipate that Epic Universe will draw more tourists to Central Florida, potentially affecting Disney World’s attendance. However, Disney’s leadership believes that a new park like Epic Universe could actually benefit Disney World by attracting more tourists to the area.
Wait Times and Competition
Epic Universe has experienced unpredictable crowd levels, with wait times fluctuating significantly. Some days have seen average wait times of over an hour, while others have been relatively low. In contrast, Disney World’s wait times have been relatively stable, with Magic Kingdom’s crowds potentially increasing due to the debut of the Disney Starlight Night Parade. The opening of Epic Universe marks a significant expansion for Universal Orlando, potentially shifting the theme park landscape in Central Florida. With Epic Universe expected to attract 9 million visitors annually, Disney World might face increased competition, potentially impacting its attendance and revenue.
Industry Insights and Predictions
The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) Reports provide valuable data on theme park attendance trends. According to their 2023 report, Disney’s parks attracted 142.1 million tourists, with Walt Disney World being the most visited theme park resort in the world. Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger, and CFO, Hugh Johnston, have commented on the potential impact of Epic Universe, expecting a “small impact” on Disney World’s attendance and believing that Epic Universe will actually boost attendance in the Orlando area, potentially benefiting Disney World indirectly. Industry experts are divided on the potential impact, with some predicting that Epic Universe will draw guests away from Disney World, particularly Animal Kingdom, which is the least attended park. Others believe that the overall tourism industry in Orlando will benefit, and Disney World might see indirect gains.
Key Factors to Consider
The impact of Epic Universe on Disney World’s attendance will depend on various factors, including the new park’s appeal, Disney’s competitive strategy, and overall tourism trends in Orlando. Three key factors to consider are:
Ultimately, the impact of Epic Universe on Disney World’s attendance remains to be seen. Both parks will likely continue to adapt and respond to changing visitor preferences and attendance patterns. As the theme park landscape in Central Florida continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Disney World and Epic Universe shape the future of theme park entertainment.
