In a Q&A on the UBS World Media and Communications Convention, Disney CFO Hugh Johnston participated in an viewers dialogue in regards to the Walt Disney Firm’s plans for the long run in its varied divisions throughout leisure. Speak quickly turned to how Disney Experiences is gearing up for the opening of Walt Disney World competitor Epic Universe at Universal Studios Orlando.
In line with a report from Blog Mickey, the dialogue supplied 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 superb” with shoppers 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. A minimum of Southern California residents can partake in a ticket bundle deal proper now on the Disneyland Resort as the brand new yr 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 Might 15, 2025.
With regard to Disney’s official stance on whether or not it’s feeling apprehensive in regards to the extremely anticipated Epic Universe opening—an occasion that might 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, in relation to IPs (wink at Marvel) they don’t essentially compete; Disney is engaged on incorporating experiences and sights primarily based on latest hit movies resembling Encanto in subsequent yr’s new parade, and a 3D Zootopia present by the top of subsequent yr.
When requested head-on, Johnston shared that general regard towards Epic Universe is extra of a welcoming feeling. Common’s theme park is ready to open with lands impressed by Harry Potter, Learn how to 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 mean 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 folk having extra motive to go to Orlando might permit for extra visits to embody each resorts. Nevertheless he additionally added that regardless of extra summer time bookings at Walt Disney World, the corporate remains to be “cautious and conservative” in regards to the upcoming yr and have allotted “some destructive” into the books.
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