In a Q&A on the UBS International 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 numerous 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 response to 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 effective” with customers since.
That continues to be to be seen as only a couple weeks in the past, these worth hikes hit because the parks’ most in-demand season—the vacations—started. Not 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 reference to Disney’s official stance on whether or not it’s feeling frightened concerning the extremely anticipated Epic Universe opening—an occasion that might doubtlessly 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 essentially the most half, in relation to IPs (wink at Marvel) they don’t essentially compete; Disney is engaged on incorporating experiences and sights based mostly on current hit movies reminiscent of 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 Practice Your Dragon (in time for the live-action movie), Nintendo, and the Common Monsters’ Darkish Universe—although the corporate’s greatest IP in the meanwhile 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 enable for extra visits to embody each resorts. Nonetheless he additionally added that regardless of extra summer season bookings at Walt Disney World, the corporate remains to be “cautious and conservative” concerning the upcoming 12 months and have allotted “some adverse” into the books.
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