Will Epic Universe affect Walt Disney World’s summer crowds?Living in Central Florida, there is a lot of talk about Epic Universe right now. It’s been years since a full theme park opened here, and it’s exciting! The fact that early reviews are spectacular is adding to the buzz. There’s no doubt that Universal Orlando Resort will see an uptake in visitors this summer. But what about Walt Disney World? Will everyone head to Universal, and stay away from Disney? Remember, this is 100% my opinion. I don’t have a crystal ball.
I don’t think that Walt Disney World is trying to compete with Epic Universe this summer. After all, while Universal gets five themed lands, Disney adds a couple of shows and a nighttime parade. There isn’t even a new ride coming! It looks like Walt Disney World is handing Universal the win.
But not so fast. You can purchase single day tickets for Epic Universe. Many tourists will just add an Epic day to a Walt Disney World vacation. Instead of spending an off day at Disney Springs, they’ll head to Universal. That’s what happened when both sides of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened. People flocked to Walt Disney World, but added a Universal day or two to their vacations.
There are also a lot of people who don’t realize that Universal is not part of Walt Disney World. I’m sure that travel agents are getting plenty of requests right now to book Walt Disney World vacations that include Epic Universe, not realizing that they’re miles apart.
It’s also not going to hurt Walt Disney World that Epic Universe isn’t connected to the rest of Universal Orlando Resort. People are going to have to travel one way or the other, it might as well be to Walt Disney World!
I also expect to see an uptake of visitors to SeaWorld Orlando this summer. SeaWorld has the biggest thrills, and Universal has the second biggest. With three full parks and Volcano Bay water park, I think some tourists will decide that a day at SeaWorld will be a great choice for an extra day. I’m not saying that Walt Disney World is without thrills, but the coasters aren’t on the same level.
I could be wrong about the crowds. People might plan their entire vacations around Universal Orlando Resort and forget about Walt Disney World altogether this time. I’m sure that’s what Universal wants to happen! But there are many people who can’t go to Orlando without seeing Cinderella Castle or dropping 13 stories. For many, Walt Disney World and Orlando are synonymous. I think that Epic Universe will bring larger Walt Disney World crowds, not smaller.