3. More thrill rides at Universal's parks?
Traditionally, Universal's parks have had a much heavier focus on thrills than Disney's. In recent years, though, the company has sought to appeal more to the family market, as demonstrated by the construction of the soon-to-open Cabana Bay Beach Resort at Universal Orlando.
If it owned them, though, it would make no sense for Disney to cannibalise its own audience with family-friendly attractions at Universal's parks. Much better to compete with Busch Gardens and Six Flags with amazing new thrill rides. Universal is hardly short of these today, but could it perhaps have had even more?
2. Higher prices?
A Disney-Universal deal could have raised anti-trust concerns, so dominant would Disney have become in the theme park industry. Less competition might have led to higher ticket and hotel prices, while wages for staff at the two resorts could have fallen or stagnated.
1. Less innovation?
Universal has traditionally pushed the envelope in its ride design, because the company knows that it needs to do something spectacular to be noticed while Disney is around. That, in turn, has often pushed Disney's Imagineers to scale new heights. Without the competition between the two firms, would we have amazing rides such as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey?
What do you think?
What would Disney have done with Universal's theme parks if it had acquired the company? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Comments
I totally agree with points 1 2 & 4 and possibly three. Another possibility could have been that Disney would have closed the Universal parks to eliminate the competition as Cedar Fair did with Geauga Lake.