Well, I don't know if Disney will stay on top. I came from Europe for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Of course I also visited Disney, but besides the waterparks it did not add much to the Disneyland Paris experience I already had. Universal on the other hand was a completely new experience and definitely a reason to come back to florida.

There are two bookends that tell the story: Pop Century and Harry Potter. We all know how the 9/11 attacks affected tourism and put a stop to the Disney Decade's intense growth. The area remained relatively stagnant (look at how Pop Century languished as a construction project reclaimed by the jungle) until Harry Potter changed everything and affected tourism for the better for the entire region.

Universal will remain in second place because of property. Property here has multiple meanings. First, the physical property is limited as you have noted. Riding a bus a few miles is hardly magical, as we monorail fans understand.

Second, the properties on which attractions are based differ widely. Universal has made some good investments in licensing, but Disney has its own properties and - with the exception of Avatar - has been able to plan all its expansions around properties it already owns and cross-promotes. Universal doesn't make money when people buy a new Harry Potter whatever, but Disney profits from Star Wars movie tickets, Star Wars toys at Christmas, and sales of old Star Wars products. As a total package, Disney is better able to exploit these properties, and the theme park experience is only a slice of the pie.

Third, Disney's philosophy is not just to get people into the park, but to get them to stay on the property. Those people visiting Universal are frequently staying in Disney's hotels. They are eating at least some meals there, and possibly buying souvenirs at the hotel. Universal's lack of hotel diversity - dictated by its smaller footprint - keeps it from being the #1 resort even if it has the #1 attractions.

here's a idea ---enclosed park here in New York to use year round--- can keep the size of amazing just like now but in this region ---not everyone wants to go to Florida --the heat -humidity -the snakes -gators etc....corner the NY market people can come and have a wonderful vacation without the worry of flying -driving-critters ---I would bring my family to vacation here along with lots of others and look how many jobs you would be creating --also tax free for 10 years for businesses brought here-

I would love to see a sci-fi theme park based on star trek I know would be awesome cause I like so much better than star wars

It seems as if this subject has gotten confusing to people. So let's ask the question, what constitutes a theme park "gate"? I would have to say that any separately paid entrance into a theme park of any kind is a fair definition. With that being set, Universal's 3rd gate is 100% with out a doubt going to be Volcano Bay. Yes it's a water park, but it's a themed water park. Separate ticket, separate "gate", Universal built, owned, and operated. Universal also publicly stated that it's 3rd on-property park, is going to be Volcano Bay. With that being said, I can't agree more that Universal will build a 4th park. It has a need to increase capacity and by doing so it will catch up to Disney's attendance numbers.

It's also ironic that Universal is so adamant about the Skyplex area not being built. Funny how that's so nearby to Wet N Wild and could complicate expansion plans if that area is indeed where a third gate could go.

If Universal really wants to come after Disney then they should open a 3rd park and make it primarily Marvel themed. Think about this. Everytime Disney puts out a new movie they would be pushing people to want to go to a Marvel themed Universal park. In a sense, every movie that is released is a marketing arm for a new Universal's Marvel world. What tween wouldn't want a ride based on Iron Man, Thor or Guardians of the Galaxy. This could be just the thing to make Universal on par with Disney and they would be doing it using a Disney intellectual property.

In reply to by Charles (not verified)

I believe the contract restricts Universal from doing something like this.

In reply to by Charles (not verified)

They wouldn't be able to do an entirely Marvel themed park because Disney now owns Marvel. They would have to get Disney's permission to build something like that, which I highly doubt they would because that would create more of a market for them. Yes, they still have the Marvel section in Islands of Adventure but I'm sure the only reason it's still there is they had it before Disney bought the rights and it would have been dumb go remove it.

In reply to by Charles (not verified)

A third park using Marvel, while it sounds great just would not be legally possible. Besides Disney would be getting a big chunk of every ticket sold without spending a dime on development.

In reply to by Charles (not verified)

They can't build a Marvel park. Disney bought the rights to Marvel.

In reply to by Charles (not verified)

Due to the contract they have with Disney over the Marvel properties, they aren't allowed to do that. Disney can't use Marvel in its Orlando parks at all right now, but Universal can't expand on what they already have because the properties are no longer theirs to work with.

WDW and Universal may be rivals, but I love going to both the Disney theme parks and the Universal theme parks. A third Universal theme park would be exciting; I just hope it doesn't raise the price of annual passes too much!

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