Universal Studios Orlando's Attendance Has Plummeted
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ย. 2024
- Universal Studios Orlando has recently faced a surprising trend: a noticeable drop in attendance. While many might see this as a cause for concern, especially in the fierce battle of Disney vs Universal Orlando, there are reasons why this downturn might be a positive development for the theme park giant. As the amusement park industry continues to evolve, both Universal Studios Orlando and its competitors, like Walt Disney World and Disneyland, are constantly adapting to meet the changing needs of their guests. With the much-anticipated Epic Universe Orlando set to open soon, Universal is in the midst of a significant transformation. This new addition to Universal Orlando is expected to redefine what a theme park can be, offering cutting-edge attractions, immersive experiences, and a fresh take on entertainment that could challenge the status quo of Universal vs Disney.
The current dip in attendance at Universal Studios Orlando may actually be a strategic move. With Epic Universe on the horizon, Universal might be shifting its focus towards creating an unparalleled experience at this new park, temporarily diverting attention from its existing attractions. By concentrating resources on Epic Universe, Universal Studios is positioning itself for a monumental comeback that could reshape the landscape of theme parks in 2025. Moreover, fewer crowds at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure can lead to a more enjoyable experience for those who do visit. Shorter wait times, less crowded spaces, and a more relaxed atmosphere might be exactly what Universal Orlando 2024 needs to set itself apart from the bustling environments often found at Disney parks. In the grand scheme of Disney vs Universal, the temporary decline in attendance could be a sign that Universal Studios is playing the long game. By focusing on the future and preparing for the debut of Universal Epic Universe, the park is setting the stage for a resurgence that could see it rise to new heights, challenging even the most iconic Disney destinations.
Sources:
Theme Index Report 2023: aecom.com/them...
Theme Park Attendance Rankings: en.wikipedia.o...
1998 Theme Park Attendance: www.tampabay.c...
1997 Theme Park Attendance: www.deseret.co...
1996 Theme Park Attendance: www.tampabay.c...
Six Flags 2022 Earnings Report: investors.sixf...
Video Credit:
Universal Epic Universe - How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk: • Universal Epic Univers...
Introducing Universal Epic Universe: • Introducing Universal ...
Virtual Tour of Walt Disney World Resort: • Virtual Tour of Walt D...
Islands of Adventure Universal Orlando Theme Park Tour: • Islands of Adventure U...
Islands of Adventure Footage Best Park at Universal Orlando: • Islands of Adventure O...
Universal Studios Florida Orlando Theme Park Tour: • Universal Studios Orla...
Universal CityWalk Orlando Florida 2024: • Universal CityWalk Orl...
Universal Epic Universe - Celestial Park Animated Fly-Through: • Universal Epic Univers...
Disney's Animal Kingdom Orlando, Florida Walkthrough: • Disney's Animal Kingdo...
Velocicoaster Universal Orlando Jurassic World Roller Coaster: • Velocicoaster Off-Ride...
Villain-Con Minion Blast Universal Studios Orlando 2024: • Villain-Con Minion Bla...
Flying Over Empty Theme Parks Universal Orlando Shutdown: • Flying Over Empty Them...
Universal Epic Universe Dark Universe: • Universal Epic Univers...
Universal Epic Universe The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Ministry of Magic: • The Wizarding World of...
Introducing SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at Universal Epic Universe: • Introducing SUPER NINT...
Introducing Dark Universe at Universal Epic Universe: • Introducing Dark Unive...
SeaWorld Orlando Theme Park Tour Rides & Animals: • SeaWorld Orlando Off-R...
Disney Hollywood Studios Theme Park Tour: • Disney’s Hollywood Stu...
D23 Expo 2024 Disney Experiences Showcase Parks Panel: • D23 Expo Disney Experi...
Twitter: / attractionidea
everyone’s waiting for epic universe
Nah, doubt that has really any effect. I'd say the surge from covid restrictions being lifted and normalancy returning to be the main reason. That and families are strapped for spare money. That and the fact Jimmy Fallon, Comic Blast, Fast & Furious, Transformers, Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket etc. have all been very mediocre additions. So 10+ years with.... 1 good addition? Gringotts?
Can confirm, we didn't renew our passes this year and we're waiting for next year so we can experience Epic Universe
@@jonny-b4954it 100% it is that’s what I’m doing and I know lots of freinds that aren’t enthusiasts that are holding off and I’m from England all travel agents advising people to wait
@@jonny-b4954 For my family and I, it's definitely a combination of waiting for Epic to open, and to a lesser extent trying to save money. Not that we couldn't afford a Universal trip, but we'd rather just wait for Epic. Plus my niece is finally old enough for her first Disney World trip (but too young to *fully* enjoy Universal), and for five adults and one kid, it's costing close to $12k for a nine day DW trip next month. And obviously for nine days the six of us are probably going to be totaling at least another $2k when it comes to food, drinks, souvenirs, and lightning lanes.
So I pretty much skipped a Universal trip the past couple years to put money away for Disney PLUS a trip to Epic next fall (assuming it opens in the summer). And with Epic being brand new, I definitely want at least a 7-8 day trip there, because I know Epic is going to be packed to high heaven and I really want to have at least 2.5-3 days just at Epic to experience and see everything.
People are without a doubt, excited but both universal and Disney are aware of inflation and they are preparing for a big recession in the next few years. We’re already kind of in one now.
I’m from England, and EVERYONE including me is waiting for epic universe. Freinds that I know that know nothing about theme parks are waiting because all travel agents are advising people wait or even wait until 2026 for crowds to die down. So everyone is waiting 😂 with the ticket bundle deal all the parks are gonna go up in attendance so much 😂
As a guy who lives 25 minutes away from either park, I was afraid of all the locals swarming and making a 8 hour line to get in, not even thinking the whole world is gonna swarm.
@@matthewzepess5721 the IPS have had such mass appeal that everyone is seeing stuff about it. Particularly Nintendo
Gonna take more than 2026...
Nah, the legacy parks will continue an attendance collapse. Epic Universe will draw the crowds, but Universal is not going to get the extra day it hoped for. They are already planning massive budget cuts as contingency. Do not expect any new major attractions or renovations at the legacy parks until 2027 at the earliest - and Epic Universe is very likely to not hit its attendance goals - especially when people realize how much it was made on the cheap with cookie cutter rides.
@@MrMac1138On the cheap? How so?
Ah, the way the tide sucks in before the tsunami..
Exactly how I pictured it
lol…who the heck can afford Universal or Disney right now?! Most can afford the bare necessities much less overpriced park tickets, food, travel, etc…
I can but I didn't reproduce either. I don't care how much it is, it's on my bucket list and frankly if at the end it winds me up in a homeless shelter, worth it, this will be the most amazing park ever. I mean Mario, monsters, vikings, old Paris... you just can't beat those themes. 💖💖💖
@@someoneout-there2165 🤣🤣🤣
I think social media existing today while it didn’t in the late 90s is a huge factor, if the general public are that much aware of Epic Universe opening. And then you have all of the influencers on TH-cam. Word of mouth spreads a lot faster these days.
When Disney was building Animal Kingdom, they advertised the crap out of it. They knew it wouldn’t be opening for many years, but they were advertising it with all their 25th anniversary specials. So two years before it ever opened, if you had the Disney Channel, or watched any Disney park special on ABC, you knew. They even had characters on Sabrina the Teenage Witch, a popular prime time sitcom of the time, take a school field trip to the unopened park (opened in the show) for educational reasons.
Meanwhile, IoA didn’t really have anything promoting it. It just sorta happened, and we all finally understood why we weren’t ever getting a Jurassic Park ride at the OG park.
Its the lack of money with the rise of prices many just dont have the income for fun
All thanks to the cackler. You know who I’m talking about
@@CobbleBompster just b/c you're a loser others aren't . Get a better job Trumpkin.
Disney shills gonna be distraught when Epic opens
Epic Universe will actually help Magic Kingdom’s attendance. It will hurt all that other parks in Orlando. Apart from the “Jurassic Park” and “Harry Potter” sections are the only interesting parts of the two current Universal parks. Minions Land could have been great, but the entire budget was only spent on the facade. It needs a dark ride with animatronics and a roller coaster.
Why make it a Disney versus Universal thing? Parks fan we all win when competition emerges.
@@ChienaAvtzon That remains to be seen..I have my doubts. UO will also make it so families have to visit all parks, not just EU as part of their stay. There's plenty to do at all parks as well as VB.
@@ChrisLucas3 Usually it's Disney pixie dusters that make it a Disney vs Universal thing. It's like they're afraid of what will happen once EU opens.
@@ducktails1695 - Universal Studios Florida is a horrible and outdated theme park. The only reason anyone sets foot into it is because of Diagon Alley. Even with Epic Universe, the most time anyone will spend at Universal is two days. Since Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida can easily be done in a single day. There just is not enough for guests to constitute the price. Meaning, a second or third day in a theme park would be attributed to Magic Kingdom. Just because people stay in the Disney and Universal resort hotels, does not mean their entire trip is dedicated to the theme parks. There is plenty of stuff to do in Orlando, and some people just want to relax and enjoy hotel amenities. It is partially why the cruise industry is so popular.
1:25 "You'd probably call me insane or mentally deranged, and though I will not contest either of these statements, what I will say is that you cannot deny that I could very well be correct"
There's lots of data coming out pointing towards a recession right now. This just adds to that pile.
That would suck if shit hit the fan right before Epic Universe opened. Stuff like that happened to theme parks back in '08.
Go to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge TN yearly to visit family over Labor Day weekend. Typical years, on Fridays when we arrive, the place is a parking lot and stays that way all weekend. This year, Friday the area was pretty dead, and Saturday traffic picked up, but not anywhere near typical. Also hear from some work folks that the local churches were packed and the preachers were all surprised, as most folks travel away from our town not to it. Not this year though. Everyone is trying to pinch pennies as best they can.
Yep that’d definitely be bad for universal if they spend all this money and by the time people start coming again it’s old news.
Welp good, I hope Disney flushes itself down the toilet
Please don't watch fox New and Republikkkans interest rates are getting ready to go down end of Nov
It would be amazing if it hits early next year when I'm there. Recessions are the best time to go to the park, hands down. ('08 was a great time to go, apparently)
Prices are ridiculous. You can go to Europe for what it costs to go to a theme park.
tbh its even better if the park is losing people that means when i go in a few months with my family there will be less queue times and i can see more of the park, even tho it would make me feel a bit empty inside without seeing all the people
Trust me people WILL be there no matter what day you go. No empty feel whatsoever.
I definitely wouldn't feel empty not seeing people, families, kids, strollers all in my way. I'd welcome that scenario any day!
@@n.d.7931 Exactly
@powerfulcornelius3285 idk. I'm at disney right now, and it feels like a ghost town most of the day. I've never seen it like this.
Lol
I think this also has to do with guests being a lot smarter and aware when a park is not being invested in. My local park CA Great America is in a big slump right now because management has done very little to invest in the park. They've added a scrambler and a small spinner ride, and people have noticed. This is on top of getting rid of their major halloween event which has probably costed them greatly in overall attendance. Guests can tell when management is not putting in the effort or holding their purse strings.
Well it is going on to the chopping block too in a while since the land had been sold off so what's the point of investing on it since it might dissappear anyways soon.
@@jonathanmendezperez7818 what's weird is they've (management ) said they want to keep the park open, but it doesn't seem they're willing to do the work. Very weird predicament.
Kings Dominion is my local park, and let me tell you, when they took volcano out, the park was a ghost town for a while, people were *PISSED* about that removal
They’re literally investing major money in opening a whole new park in that area. Epic universe is supposed to open next year and will be another park in the area similar to islands of adventure or volcano bay
I think you also have to consider the economy is rough, I shortened my annual Horror Nights visit because the economy is uncertain. So that’s why I think families are cutting back spending and saving for when epic universe opens
I personally went in 2022 and 2023, but skipped 2024. Why? because there wasnt anything new I wanted to see, im gonna hold off until 2025 and get one of those 3 day epic universe packages.
Why do you need new stuff? The parks are amazing even without new rides.
@@greatone33jI just felt like I’d had my fix for a while, and I’m not too eager to get back until there’s something big, which I think seems to be a lot of people’s positions.
People have had enough of the prices… sea world especially needs to cool it down and now they have their tip screens lmao
Agreed they likely will make more money if they lower the prices , more people = more money overall, as much as I love universal the most , the food prices and drink prices are insane , if I didn’t bring any company/Family with me I likely would skip out on eating in the parks
And there’s only one way to fix it.
F SeaWorld. Corny-ass animal abusers. Let's go, Epic Universe 🎉
Yes--the prices are outrageous beginning with the parking fee.
I went to seaworld for my gf and I's anniversary and a bottle of coke was SEVEN dollars. Absolutely insane.
You forget that when the previous parks in FL opened up, the access to information for the general public was far less than it is today. The marketing happened for universal just from word of mouth ever since Epic Universe was announced. The info is just there nowadays.
I think a couple years of getting epic universe stable and on its feet , the main focus will be going back and refreshing and replacing some stuff in the OG parks
Toon lagoon - bikini bottom pls
Leave toon lagoon alone! It’s perfect as is + nostalgia, they should make a bikini bottom in the studios park, Studios side needs more love or in place of Kong skull island
@@EmillioMelendez yk fair enough ! I’ll take Nickelodeon in the parks In any way . I just was think the water theme would be a easy convert :)
After checking out METV TOONS, I legit want see more toons within the lagoon. Especially after seeing the canned plans for a park in Germany, where it had Darkride to Casper and a babe-themed Petting Zoo.
@@user-bi2wn4vn3bthe current toon lagoon IPs was outdated when the park opened , but that’s what makes it fun, it pays tribute to the cartoons of yesteryear and gives a fun history lesson, now one thing they can do is demolish the amphitheater that has been practically abandoned and turn that into a ride of some sorts, but yeah studios side can definitely use a water attraction, studios been lacking lately and is no longer the park to go to when going to universal Orlando resort, maybe except for HHN
Need the Krabby Patty to end up being the best theme park burger
It 100% has to do with social media. The last big name park in the states to open was California adventure in 2001. It’s easier than ever to gain access to information and theme park fans even just casuals have at least seen some info on Epic universe because of TH-cam tik tok instagram etc. Universal themselves certainly helped with their promos, but independent creators have made content on their own which has built the hype up to something not possible before widespread social media access.
I mean when we got a giant new theme park coming in less than a year, everyone is waiting to go to universal until Epic Universe drops.
(And even with these drops they are still beating out Epcot, Hollywood Studios, AND Animal Kingdom. And if those are the numbers before Epic Universe, oh boy.
Yeah there are a few newer rides at the first two parks I haven't done yet and while I wanna do them now, better just wait until the new one opens.
Middle class America has to buy groceries and gas instead of vacations
Minor point, but in commenting on consumer behavior back when past parks opened vs. now, keep in mind the Internet essentially didn't exist then. Consumer knowledge, hype, behaviors are likely different now.
Larger point, the drop in attendance at Animal Kingdom should have Disney very nervous. What they have announced for that park will not move the needle much. Indy is not the IP powerhouse it was decades ago (i.e., minimal interest in new movie), and it replaces an existing attraction. The Encanto attraction will probably be cool but a Mystic Manor-type dark ride is not going to be a massive attendance driver. In the face of Epic Universe, and with Animal Kingdom bottoming out, they should have announced $1-1.5 billion in investment at that park alone to go up against Universal. That's two lands with four total attractions. Zootopia and Lion King are obvious green-lightable projects. That park is going to be *hurting badly* in 2025 and 2026 and by the time they open Tropical Americas, it's possible UniversalStudios and Islands of Adventure will have their own upgrades with Zelda, Pokemon, etc. Animal Kingdom will be behind a cycle and at the bottom of the parks pile, unless they do a cycle-jumping infusion.
I made a video about putting Lands of Zelda in the Lost Continent with a spinner coaster and dark ride. It would slap.
If their attendance has plummeted how come I still have to wait at least an hour for hagrids every time
They reduce trains & staff
I went to Universal in 2010 and 2013 with attendance around 5-6 million per year. Could not figure out why Mummy or other rides were 30 minutes when half the food stands were closed and some streets were empty. After 300 theme park videos watched, I realized (like @matthew) that really low attendance is worse that medium levels -- and beer is harder to buy late afternoons
@@ericstratten5653 True, best time to go is on Tuesdays when they have a solid workforce but low attendance.
Going on the weekend is the worst because that's when you have more incompetent groups and lower quality staff.
I went on a Tuesday a few weeks ago and most of the load staff were speed walking to ensure everyone was loaded timely all families/groups were much more competent as well. Saturday went from a 30 minute wait on the app went to over an hour because the load staff were running poorly plus you have a higher percentage of express passes on the weekend inflating waits.
Honestly best times to go is during Florida college semester breaks (between summer and fall) on weekdays since they have a higher number of staff (lots of UCF students work there) and its before they reduce park hours/staff since summer is over.
I went to Spain for vacation back in June for 11 days. It cost me about $3,600. That's less than or at least about the same as going to Universal or Disney. Why would I waste that money going to an amusement park when I could juat go and explore real places? I'm not hating on amusement parks since I am here. But these prices are ridiculous. Might as well go somewhere real than aome place fake for all that money.
You go and explore Spain, and let other people spend their money on whatever they want. You’re comparing apples and oranges here, Orlando and Spain do not compete, they offer entirely different experiences.
The drop in attendance is due to Epic Universe opening next year. It’s not because it’s become too expensive for people.
Honestly its just people waiting for epic tbh
Also the widespread use of the internet and the fact we are able to talk about these things likely makes the hype far bigger. Unless im wrong, we havent had a massive theme park open in Orlando when the internet was widely used for talking about these kinda of things, as while it was used before it wasnt to this level
The calm before the storm, the sea resides before a tsunami.
the reason why it was different for animal kingdom is because during animal kingdoms area the internet wasnt there so if your from out of town planning a trip it is way less likely you hear of the park coming out compared to now to where you hear of a new park coming out from social media the news is way more accessible now compared so thats why
disney will see these numbers and be like 'lol git gud'
Tourism has dropped 10% - 15% over the last year everywhere.
I decided on an opposite strategy. I'm visiting the theme parks in a couple weeks, to do what I missed since 2019. That should satiate me enough to wait it out until 2027 or 2028 to visit epic universe, once the hype has died down. Never understood why people like to go at park opening. Did we forget the 11 hour Hagrid lines?
Next year is going to be crazy for attendance, I myself am planning on going twice. The people are waiting for Epic
Inflation
And you know what that means
Initiate orange man protocol
@@CobbleBompsterhi cobble 👋, you watch this guy too?
@@justgarfield9721I’ve been watching him for a while
With the cost of everything….we are waiting for Epic Universe. I would go every year if I could.
A huge reason why attendance didn't drop leading up to IoA or Animal Kingdom's opening is because those opened prior to social media and the internet completely overtaking cultural discourse. The amount of free press TikTokers and TH-camrs like Alicia Stella have given Epic Universe far exceeds how many people they had to pay to reach through television ads and print media back in the 90's. Universal is saving SO much money on marketing, and even this short term loss will be worth the gains they make in 2025!
We live in NC. I went to Universal/SeWorld back in February. My youngest son and I will be going back, probably in November. Our whole family will be going October 2025 after Epic universe opens. This really isn't a big deal. Inflation/prices are still high and a lot of people are saving their vacation money for Epic's opening.
Yeah I’m thinking families are saving their money til epic universe opens
Also, we should not forget that in general, since 2019, Disneys public image has plummeted
I’m from the UK and have been following epic for a good year odd now and I’m waiting to 2026. I think waiting for Epic is a big part but also the cost of living crisis overall
dude, i watch/listen to a lot your videos, but you're just rambling and babbling on the same points repeatedly for the first 7 minutes, and it's not the first time you've done this. just give the script another once over or edit it down a little more for a little better presentation
I booked my vacation for Dec of 2025, for Epic Universe.
just checked. Attendance drops are normal during the school year. Their numbers during the summer were completely fine. When will people stop click baiting shit.
That's simple math. In 2020 and 2021 NO international guest was able to come over because of covid. When the travel ban was lifted every one who already had booked for those years went in 2022 instead (me included as I'm European from Germany). Then you have to add those who wanted to do something after the pandemic. That's why nearly every Theme Park around the world had more visitors in 2022. For those people wasn't added much since than plus the fact Epic Universe opening next year. With that in mind it was clear from the start that attendance will be down in 2023 and 2024.
We're waiting for Epic, but going to HHN Hollywood next month. Waiting until next fall.
They DO need to replace obsolete or closed attractions.
Wow, looks like the Walt Disney parks are not the only theme parks to have a bad time! 🤷🏻♂️
Attendance is down for all amazes,ent parks and even local State and County fairs. Many have not changed their prices from the previous years. I think it’s the economy, inflation, and uncertainty about the election that has taken the biggest bite out of attendance this year.
Universal hasn't really been promoting Epic? Really? Lol.
Social media, paid vloggers, merch, and a brick-and-morter store with a detailed model of Epic Universe are pretty heavy promotion considering the park still doesn't have a firm opening date.
The Epic hype train left the station months ago, it'll just keep gathering speed from here. This video itself is promotional hype disguised as news (intentional or not).
Based on spending across the country I'd guess the decline is tied closer to the current economy than anticipation for the new park.
I'm looking forward to Epic too but I've still been to Studios and Islands multiple times within the past year...and I'm not a local.
i think with the increase in prices adds into people saving their trips for epic universe. from what i understand, people with out ap are going to have to buy a three day pass just to get into the park. they haven’t put out one day passes that get u into epic universe. plus people are gonna want to buy express so they can try to ride everything (most people don’t know how to plan out an effective park day). just going to epic universe is gonna be expensive, plus all the new merchandise and food. idk. that’s my thought.
Enjoyed your analysis. People are waiting, they know what's coming and times are kinda tough right now, totally understandable. If Universal forces bundled packages when Epic opens with the other parks, those parks attendance will benefit from the overflow in interest in Epic, but all their flaws will be highlighted in comparison. Universal needs to raise the quality of their existing parks asap, which is the subject of all my current videos.
The Universal number will go up minimum like 50-60% when Epic Universe opens!!!!
Theme park attendance .. does not mean high profits...guest experience and higher spending guests are the key to long sustained profitability.
It seems like everywhere. I’ve got friends at Disney saying it’s pretty empty as well
This video could literally just be summed up by saying “Universal’s opening a new park so people are waiting to go next year.”
Waiting for epic universe plus people are broke… not many people can afford vacations right now.
It’s why Disney refuses to announce anything… they are worried people will hold off their trips.
But yes epic universe excites me.
For my Family it is Epic Universe, we postponed our trip to 2025 or 2026. Disney's poor reviews and lack of new offerings also contributed to 2025-2026 backing off. We would like to be happy later than disappointed now,....inflation at the parks and hotels prices also gives us something else to do. Disney and Universal do not seem to love me like in the old days. No magic at Disney and nothing new to do at both Universal and Disneyland....I do not see how bloggers go day after day to do the same things at higher prices, and less and less quality.
The only magic you can find at Disney now is emptying your wallet sadly.
If you’ve been to Disneyland and DCA there is no need to visit Hollywood Studios. There are only two rides, Slinky Dog Dash and Rockin Roller Coaster, that we don’t have at least a version of in California. So when I took my first trip to Disney World a couple weeks ago it was easy to cut Hollywood Studios from my trip. There was no need.
However, Animal Kingdom was my favorite park by an absolute landslide. If I were a local I’d be there every day. It was incredibly stunning and I was actually sad to leave. Dinosaur and Flight of Passage were my favorite rides. I’m heartbroken to know I’ll never get to ride Dinosaur again.
It’s pretty obvious that it’s Epic universe. Whether or not it’s a good thing is debatable. The drop absolutely provides strong evidence that Epic Universe is more likely to cannibalize its own parks more than the Disney parks, especially the original aging, screen-based, run down Universal Studios Florida. It’s like for the last 10 years they’ve put everything into building islands of adventure and now they are putting everything into epic and they forgot about USF. It’s so sad in there. Epic universe is going to end up finishing off USF.
Should see more coverage on this, because if it was Disney dropping this much, it would be everywhere
Epic universe is definitely is being planned for next year
Funny how you don´t consider the Exchange Rate of the Brazilian Real and the US Dollar... Massive drop of attendance of Brazilian guests. It´s not just Epic Universe.
We're 100% waiting till Epic Universe opens up LOL
I’m not going personally until Epic Universe, why waste the money?
A people are saving up money, B its September besides HHN most people avoid Uni with families specifically because its halloween, and C its close to a recession so people probably cant afford it. Probably explains why they had a really good deal that for 200 bucks you buy a ticket and can visit the parks until december for florida residents.
Apparently that deal has been going on years prior as well. I saw some people in comment sections on other videos say that they took advantage of this last year or a couple years before.
I'm 100% sure disneys attendance will be very high In 2025
My husband and I are going to Universal in Orlando next early February for the first time. If it is half dead that is a win for us! LOL If this trip is fun we will go back a year or two later because we both love horror films and want to see Dark Universe at Epic.
Early February always has low crowds! That’s when I plan on going as well to experience Mardi Gras at US
Ehh. This kinda comes off as cope. You literally outline how historically a new park opening soon doesn't deter people from coming enough that it makes an actual impact on attendance but somehow come to the conclusion that Epic Universe opening next year is the reason LAST year's attendance was down?? I love Universal, it's my favorite, but this sounds like cope.
economy, kids back to school, epic universe opening next year. Universal will still be packed all october for HHN, i just spent $200 per express pass for a Thursday night.
I feel like I spent half this video waiting for "waiting for epic". I think everything you described about it having a huge opening is correct. There's no way that park fails in at least 5 years and there's going to be a ton of spillover, though I don't know how much is going to be "people resorting to the other Universal parks because Epic is crowded/sold out and they're disgruntled and not spending money". I think we're seeing a pendulum swinging and the end result will be somewhere in the middle. Universal has to thread a needle between "competing against Disney's response to Epic" and "not announcing expansions so soon that people continue to hold off in an announcement cycle".
There are also definitely some larger economic factors in play. I work in hospitality, and expendable income is definitely feeling a major crunch as the relative lack of inflation in wages compared to costs for everyday needs, utilities, clothing, mass entertainment, etc has finally dried up the savings that were propping up the middle class the last couple of years. Spending and total visits are both down pretty much everywhere that isn't a discount store.
on one hand waiting for Epic Universe, on other hand - it is too expensive. even local discounts dont help
It’s so expensive to go to either Universal or Disney that many people decided to just travel internationally this year for the same price.
If you really think about epic is gonna have more people then the existing parks.
So I guess it would be a perfect trip around that time
It's September, it's expected.
I really do believe this is more to do with the economy rather than Universal themselves. We might have to wait for the election result to see if this is going to get any better.
It's probably a combination of Universal and IoA suffering from deferred maintenance and consumer budgets being tight. The MBA caste and shareholder supremacy mean that things probably won't get better...
1. Waiting on Epic
2. Terrible Economy (leisure gets cut first)
3. Leveling off a bit from all time highs
4. They will settle a bit around 9 million per park which is still above where they were in the aughts
universal studios hollywood is also beating disneyland again with more new attractions in the near future
I'm surprised at IOA drop, more than USF. Arguably three of better coasters in US, and two good-great dark rides (spiderman/Forbidden J),
I think a majority is the Epic effect. But... Millions (?) of Universal attendees watch youtube regularly, and know crowded dates to avoid after 2020. And... more people after 2020 realize they can move vacations around to avoid crowds ,versus just going during giant crowds on school breaks and just "taking it". The number of theme park "normies" that used to "suffer" through whatever is dwindling along with Epic effect.
1. Disney/Universal nickel and diming guests
2. Epic Universe
LOL.."nickel and dining"
male Nickel and Dining a restaurant
On one hand guests are holding off their trips, on the other hand they literally can’t afford to go twice and THAT’S what might show the difference between pre-covid precautions & post precaution removal. Before 2020 mores people had more money to go before the new park and back later to see the new park. In the last 4 years so much wealth has been transferred from the working class into the pockets of billionaires. The money that families might usually save toward a once a year vacation, now is going to groceries and the vacation gets pushed to every other year or just whenever they can.
The reservation system is more of a factor.. why Mgm and Animal Kingdom went down.. people that wanted to go to disney couldn't go to Magic Kingdom
Tbh it’s mostly just the economy… if I can’t afford basics (rent, food, etc.) how am i supposed to go on vacation
for me and my son to go for a week from the uk means buying a 14 day 3 park ticket which is £350 each .£700 is another holiday somewhere else. plus their food,drink and merch are to expensive for what it is. we got uber eats most nights there. they should bring back the week tickets for a start which might steal some of disneys numbers. people from the uk used to do a week at universal a week at disney. also with hhn nights you get kicked out the park early unless you pay more money for hhn. so you end up with a better deal after hhn is done. the dollar to pound exchange rate is terrible atm. £8 for popcorn is daylight robbery. uk guests just go to walmart tbf get more stuff for less
Ehhh I believe that hardcore people are waiting for Epic Universe, is there evidence for this for casuals? Another compelling argument is that Orlando park attendance is down across the board because of a combination of pent up demand from the pandemic has dried up combined with price increases making alternative destinations more compelling for families.
Its because a lot of people are saving to wait and save for the new epic universe that’s opening in 2025
Simply put...guests are waiting for EU to open. The floodgates will open once the ticket ordering banks open.
You're comparing the bump after covid.... to the lull before epic.
Times are tough for a lot of people.
I ad dispoasable income up until a few years ago. Even up until the last year or so... guess ive been going through a lot of my savings.
Credit card debt it highest in history. That alone tells you all you need to know.
Universal is expensive. A day out at the beach is cheap.
The average person is trying to not spend too much money lately.
I kinda knew where you were going with this video. I definitely agree that attendance is dropping because people are saving up to go to Epic Universe as soon as it opens.
Since the drop is around 9% it could be a lot of enthusiast in addition to a little of the GP. Enthusiast, real enthusiast were aware.
They raised their prices faster than people could afford. In 2023, Disney still led the market, so Universal took the harder hit. Epic will eat away attendance from the bottom two DIS parks once it opens. Consumers' lack of discretionary funds will be an issue for some time.
I can't believe it was low last year. I did hhn 10 nights out of an 18 night stay. And you couldn't move. Some houses getting upto a 3 hr wait. That was busiest I'd EVER seen universal
Of course! We have just been there in July, but can't wait to go back when Epic Universe is open!
11:27 “The fact that so many people are holding off on their trips two years in advance for this park (Epic Universe)-“
I believe that could also be because theme parks have become more expensive over the years. Families and casual theme park fans are probably aware of much money goes into a multi day vacation, and because some of these families may not always have time or the money for it, I think many of them would rather save up money in anticipation for Epic Universe, which I’d say is a pretty smart move if they want to visit all three Universal parks + Volcano Bay.
I visited Universal 3 times in about 15 months. One time, I went to the Orlando Informer after hours thing. Then, I finally activated the Universal season pass I bought in the summer of 2022 in February 2023. (The people I was supposed to go with in 2022 and I had conflicting vacations/roadtrips, and we never seemed to be free the same weekends.) Then I went again February 2024. I was given the opportunity to renew at a discounted rate and get an extra 3 months, but I felt like that meant I would have to justify another 2 trips in those next 15 months. Between being slightly sick of the parks, and wanting to take a wait and see approach to Epic, I decided to let my pass expire.
I'm going next January, have not been since the Harry Potter section opened back in 2010, the new offerings just did not interest me at all. We bought tickets back in 2020 before COVID was a thing but have not used them yet at all. Mainly just going to meet all the characters since they have added far more offerings compared to the last time I went. Just did Universal Japan last month and that was a far more disappointing experience than I expected
I’m sure Universal predicted this. They know we’re all waiting for Epic Universe.
I think a drop two years before the park opens is a little more alarming. I would expect it in 2024 because of all the hype but I think all of the people in 2023 were going to Disney. Universal isn’t doing anything exciting with their existing parks till after Epic. I’m worried what the numbers will look like for 2024, could be looking at another 10% drop.
Money grabs like building a ride that requires purchase of tickets to both parks and pay-to-line cut really sour the experience and give me no desire to return.
They dropped cause people finally boycotting Fast n Furious we are over family.
They should add a giant animatronic head of vin diesel at the end like Kong, problem solved 👍
Reality is a hard pill to swallow! Not many people are interested in Universal and Islands anymore. If you want to chalk it up to everyone is waiting for Epic to come out, sure yeah, but it's still not good that two years before attendance is down over 2 million between both parks. You're comparing Universal and Islands, which are just attractions, and thats it; to Disney being attractions, amazing food, fluid transportation, great hotels, and character experiences. I understand being upset that Universal and Islands will never be Disney, but it seems you can't talk about Universal's achievements without mentioning Disney... Sounds like you're trying to compensate for something lol.