©2021 Universal Orlando. All Rights Reserved.
The competition is ratcheting up in Central Florida, where Universal Orlando Resort has upped the ante on Walt Disney World.
Universal will open Epic Universe, a major expansion first announced in 2019, this May.
The theme park comprises five separate "worlds," including Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter's Ministry of Magic.
When Epic Universe opens its doors to these new worlds on May 22, it will mark a major shift for the local tourism industry — especially for its main competitor 15 minutes south down Interstate 4.
©2021 Universal Orlando. All Rights Reserved.
Walt Disney World Resort has reigned supreme in Central Florida for decades with four theme parks, two water parks, and related destinations like Disney Springs. Its flagship theme park, Magic Kingdom, recorded more than 17 million visitors in 2023, according to a report published by Themed Entertainment Association, Storyland Studios, and consulting firm AECOM.
The study said Universal's Islands of Adventure welcomed 10 million guests in 2023, while Universal Studios Florida counted over 9 million visitors.
However, Disney isn't resting on its laurels.
Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro unveiled a series of theme park expansions at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, which was held in August. Earlier that summer, members of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District's board of supervisors approved a $17 billion development deal with the entertainment maven.
The expansion will include a "land" based on Disney villains and new attractions based on Disney's "Cars" film series. Walt Disney World Resort's expansions will also introduce a new land to Animal Kingdom featuring "Indiana Jones" and "Encanto" attractions. The new land at Hollywood Studios will dive into "Monsters, Inc."
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Dennis L. Speigel, the founder of International Theme Park Services, Inc., said the dynamics between Disney and Universal have changed "dramatically" over the past decade.
"What comes into play here is Universal's ability to deliver story, product, and technology," he told Business Insider. "With their movies, content, IP, and technology, it's really an armaments war now in Orlando."
Speigel said his consultation company, which works with theme parks and other entertainment entities, believes Epic Universe could attract a minimum of 6 million guests in its first year.
"Now, in my opinion, Disney is going to get a chink in its armor," Speigel said.
When people travel to Florida for its theme parks, they have several options. They might spend a day at Disney's Magic Kingdom before flitting over to Epcot later in the week. They could explore Universal's Volcano Bay for two days, then visit SeaWorld's Discovery Cove.
Speigel said Epic Universe could reshuffle how guests choose to spend their time and money.
"Epic Universe is going to pull a day out from someplace," he said. "It could be Universal's Island of Adventures. It could be Animal Kingdom. It could be SeaWorld."
However, Spiegel said Universal Orlando Resort will unlikely overtake Disney anytime soon.
"Disney is not going to allow their mantle of dominance to be overturned," he said.
There is one clear winner in the battle between Universal and Disney: the local economy.
Jakob Wahl, the President of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, told BI the competition between Universal Studios and Walt Disney World is good for Central Florida.
"When you're running and someone's catching up with you, you run faster and try to beat them," he said. "I would say it actually benefits all guests because it helps develop better products."
Speigel agreed, saying, "The rising tide lifts all boats in the tourism industry. I think the length of stay for the tourists in Florida is going to increase dramatically. I think people are going to load another day or a day and a half during their visit because there's more to do."
Walt Disney World said it generated $40 billion in economic impact across the state and over 250,000 jobs in 2022. Epic Universe could generate $11.5 billion in direct and indirect economic benefits to Florida's economy, according to a study conducted for Universal.
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"Obviously, there's a lot of direct economic impact, but also a lot of indirect economic impact," Wahl said. "All those people want to eat somewhere. They need a rental car. They want to have activities before or afterward."
Wahl said the new attractions mean the industry is "alive and booming."
"I think the future is bright here for Orlando with everything coming in," he said.
