Disney Is aware of You are Extra Excited for Common’s Epic Universe Subsequent 12 months

In a Q&A on the UBS World Media and Communications Convention, Disney CFO Hugh Johnston participated in an viewers dialogue concerning the Walt Disney Firm’s plans for the long run in its varied divisions throughout leisure. Discuss quickly turned to how Disney Experiences is gearing up for the opening of Walt Disney World competitor Epic Universe at Universal Studios Orlando.

In keeping with a report from Blog Mickey, the dialogue offered new perception on how Disney Experiences, the Walt Disney Firm’s theme park and cruise model, is planning on tackling decrease demand as price increases hit at each the Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts. Johnston admitted that declined attendance in the summertime of 2024 was a “hiccup” however that issues are “doing wonderful” with customers since.

That continues to be to be seen as only a couple weeks in the past, these value hikes hit because the parks’ most in-demand season—the vacations—started. No less than Southern California residents can partake in a ticket bundle deal proper now on the Disneyland Resort as the brand new 12 months begins. The “Get a 3-Day Ticket for $67 Per Day” promotion is available for purchase now; it permits three visits between January 1 and Could 15, 2025.

With regard to Disney’s official stance on whether or not it’s feeling frightened concerning the extremely anticipated Epic Universe opening—an occasion that would probably have an effect on attendance at Walt Disney World in Orlando—Johnston affirmed even earlier than the query got here up that Disney’s parks division is an “asset of 1.”

For probably the most half, relating to IPs (wink at Marvel) they don’t essentially compete; Disney is engaged on incorporating experiences and points of interest based mostly on current hit movies resembling Encanto in subsequent 12 months’s new parade, and a 3D Zootopia present by the tip of subsequent 12 months.

When requested head-on, Johnston shared that general regard towards Epic Universe is extra of a welcoming feeling. Common’s theme park is about to open with lands impressed by Harry Potter, How you can Prepare Your Dragon (in time for the live-action movie), Nintendo, and the Common Monsters’ Darkish Universe—although the corporate’s greatest IP in the intervening time is Wicked (which currently is without plans to be featured at the parks despite demand).

Johnston shared that there’s a way of “rising tide lifts all boats,” positing that people having extra cause to go to Orlando might permit for extra visits to embody each resorts. Nevertheless he additionally added that regardless of extra summer season bookings at Walt Disney World, the corporate continues to be “cautious and conservative” concerning the upcoming 12 months and have allotted “some destructive” into the books.

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