News, Analysis and Reviews of the Disney Entertainment Business
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The EPCOT construction walls have come down, not just around CommuniCore Hall, but alongside the Imagination pavilion. (Okay, if you want to be specific about it, there are now new walls up around Test Track, but the main dig site at the front of the park is “done.”)
On the path between the Imagination Pavilion and World Showcase, there’s a small, green space on the right which was recently reopened, providing a spot for guests to rest and recharge, or even let the kiddos run off some energy for a while.
The area is dotted with picnic tables with umbrellas for a bit of shade, and ringed by trees and short flower boxes. When there’s a festival going on, the location will serve as a nice spot to take your food tray and actually eat on a horizontal surface. But since there’s no festival going on right now, Disney has added a few oversized games like Connect Four and cornhole boards to entertain you.
The green space is a bit off the main thoroughfare, so the last few times we’ve passed it, it’s been pretty quiet, with just two or three families making use of the area. If you and the younglings are looking for a more active space to run off the ice cream and sugar, there’s also a slightly more well equipped playground just outside the doors of the Creations Shop, on the Odyssey side of the building.
While the playground is always a busy place, the picnic table area near the Imagination Pavilion side of the park is a bit more restful – for young and old alike. But all bets are off for how busy it will be once festival season starts again. There are at least two or three food booths nearby!
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Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.
Get The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution by Ray Keating. More information at
That scream you just heard was probably me from miles away from Disney World, tearing my hair out over today’s announcement that Disney’s Genie+/Lightning Lane/skip the line access plan will be changing yet again. And while it’s being touted as simplifying the program…. I’m not sure my friends and family see it that way.
For people who don’t come to Disney often – as in, for some of them it’s a once in a lifetime trip, and for other family members, it’s a once every 15 years trip – it’s again making the planning of a trip more convoluted. I can’t begin to tell you how many incoming guests I’ve had to explain the system to over the past few years, and try and walk them through it. The verbiage alone has overwhelmed some of them, and they’ve just turned their phone over to us and said, “Please handle it.”
For those of you who haven’t been to the parks in a while, Lightning Lanes are the descendants of the old, free FastPass and Fastpass+, and a way to pay to skip the longer stand-by lines. Individual Lightning Lanes are the pass for specific, individual attractions. There are only one or two of those in each park.
More than a year ago, Disney touted the fact that they would be updating the system, and now, the modifications are here.
Of the new changes, Disney says, “On July 24, Walt Disney World will introduce new, simpler names to provide more clarity for everyone. Disney Genie+ service will become Lightning Lane Multi Pass, while individual Lightning Lane will now be known as Lightning Lane Single Pass.”
Those are Genie’s simpler names? Alrighty, then.
The big bonus, and one that park guests have been begging for, is the ability going forward to make reservations for rides ahead of time, pre-booking attractions up to a week out for hotel guests, and three days out for off-site guests, rather than at 7 a.m. the day of your visit, as Genie+ currently allows. You can also choose your ride times with the new system.
In short, the Genie+ service where you book multiple rides throughout the day will now be called “Lightning Lane Multi Pass,” and the Individual Lightning Lane purchases (i.e., the “fancy rides” that you book à la carte, one at a time like Tron) will become “Lightning Lane Single Pass.”
Pricing will continue to vary by date, attraction and park.
Disney also dropped a YouTube video of how to tackle the new changes.
According to Disney, here’s how Lightning Lane passes will be changing, beginning July 24:
Lightning Lane Multi Pass
When you purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you may make up to 3 Lightning Lane selections in a theme park, in advance of your visit. You’ll also be able to choose available times as you make your selections.
On the day of your visit, once you use a selection, check the My Disney Experience app for availability to make an additional selection.
Lightning Lane Single Pass
Lightning Lane Single Pass will work much like it does today, where you can secure a time to ride one of our most highly demanded attractions, but you’ll now be able to make your purchase and plan in advance.
How to Plan Ahead
Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel and other select hotels will be able to plan Lightning Lane passes up to 7 days in advance, for their entire stay (up to 14 days). All other guests can plan up to 3 days in advance.
These advance purchase windows will let guests secure some of their must-do rides and experiences after they’ve had some time to decide what dining reservations they want to book and any other plans they may need to consider.
Guests may purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass, a Lightning Lane Single Pass or both. The app will also be updated to make it quicker and easier to purchase and plan, with fewer steps and a new option to purchase Lightning Lane Single Pass and Lightning Lane Multi Pass in one transaction.
Lightning Lane passes will blend features from our current services and the previously offered FastPass+ service, giving guests the choice to plan ahead and removing the hassle of planning during their vacation.
To dive into even more details, visit our website for the latest information on how to purchase, select and use your Lightning Lane passes.
Disneyland Resort will also use the new Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single pass names beginning July 24. Based on the different ways we know guests visit Disneyland Resort, the way guests purchase, select and redeem Lightning Lane passes at Disneyland Resort will remain the same.
The complimentary features of Disney Genie service will continue to be available in the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps. As you may have noticed, both apps have also gotten a series of upgrades over the last year to make features easier to use, including making dining reservations, mobile food ordering, and more.
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Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.
Get The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution by Ray Keating. More information at
When I was a little kid, we used to have Christmas in July parties in the pool in our backyard. We’d set up the fake Christmas tree on the pool deck, play Christmas carols, and crank up the oven and make Christmas cookies to munch on. We’d throw some garland around the pool fencing, and hit start on the blow up snowmen, and call it a party. Occasionally, friends would think it a bit weird, but we had fun all the same.
Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
Seems like Disney is aiming for the same vibe. They’ve just announced that it is “Halfway to the Holidays,” and with that comes the arrival of party dates and such. Ummm, they just announced the dates for the Halloween spooktaculars at Disneyland, including Oogie Boogie Bash, four days ago. Tickets for that event begin trickling out to various groups today (June 25). I’m beginning to get my holidays mashed!
So, if you are ready for the next set of Disney holidays, throw on a few Christmas carols in the background, and let’s get down to the details:
Disney Jollywood Nights is back at Hollywood Studios
Despite having a few bugs to work out in the beginning, the Jollywood Nights events at Hollywood Studios, by all accounts, seemed to be well-received by park guests, who were thrilled to get dressed up in their holiday finery for a fun night out. As a result, Disney is bringing back Disney Jollywood Nights on select nights November 9 through December 21. This festive, separately ticketed after-hours event runs from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and provides lower crowd access to the rides, as well as special event shows and live music.
This year, there will be a new skating spectacular, set to holiday music, on Hollywood Boulevard. Disney says, “Several times each evening, take in the grace and skill of international champion skaters in an awe-inspiring twist on the traditional ice show.”
There will also be more than 20 unique character experiences during the evening, including Phineas and Ferb, Santa Duffy and Santa Stitch, Bo Peep, Lotso, Baloo, King Louie, and Jose Carioca and Panchito from The Three Caballeros. Even if you didn’t sign up for the Memorymaker packages for your trip, PhotoPass digital downloads for the party are included in your event ticket.
“What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along,” “Disney Holidays in Hollywood,” and “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM” will all be back, and the Holiday Fiesta en la Calle will move to Animation Courtyard. “The Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club” in the Tower of Terror Courtyard and Jazzy Holidays at the Hollywood Brown Derby will also be returning.
Guests of select Disney Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels and Shades of Green can purchase tickets starting on July 2. For all other guests, tickets will go on sale July 10. To purchase tickets, visit DisneyWorld.com/Jollywood or call 407-934-7639.
Jollywood Nights 2024 will run:
• Nov. 9, 13, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30
• Dec. 2, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21
And if you aren’t heading to Hollywood Studios on a Jollywood Nights event, there are still holiday offerings for you: The yuletide projection show on the Hollywood Tower Hotel is returning, and Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear will be in their festive attire in Toy Story Land. (Look for the Christmas cookie of Hamm hidden along the path… he’s a family favorite decoration!)
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
The OG Christmas celebration at Disney World, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, will welcome parkgoers on more than two dozen nights in November and December. (The park closes early to regular guests on those nights, so if you are traveling to Disney World in November and December, don’t get caught off-guard – check those park hours early and often!)
These separately ticketed after hours parties run from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. on the following nights:
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show and Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration castle stage show will all be back during the parties, and you can continue to fill up on the complimentary cookies and cocoa throughout the party. Love those toy soldiers and dancing reindeer in the parade!
Guests of select Disney Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels and Shades of Green can purchase tickets starting on July 2. For all other guests, tickets will go on sale July 10. To purchase tickets, visit DisneyWorld.com/VeryMerry or call 407-934-7639.
And for those heading to the Magic Kingdom on non-party nights, the Magic Kingdom will once again be “Frozen” over – It will offer up the “Frozen Holiday Surprise” show in front of Cinderella Castle, featuring Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and those cute little Snowgies.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Starting November 29 and running through December 30, the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is a great way to usher in the season with your family and friends. Around World Showcase, you’ll find a nod to traditions from around the world with holiday storytellers, delicious dishes and childhood favorites from the Holiday Kitchens (food booths), and lots of unique entertainment for the season.
Perhaps the most anticipated event at EPCOT, though, is the sights and sounds of the traditional Candlelight Processional at EPCOT. A beloved part of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, the Candlelight Processional features a celebrity narrator telling the Christmas story, accompanied by a full orchestra and massed choir tiered on the stage. This year’s lineup of narrators will be released at a future date.
Animal Kingdom’s Salute to Winter Animals
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, the Merry Menagerie never fails to delight my family. The artisan-sculpted winter animal puppets will be brought back to life by their amazing puppeteers. (You’ll probably forget the puppets aren’t “real” animals, they are that skillfully handled, and you’ll find yourself reaching out to pet them!). The blue, silver and white décor on the buildings brings a snowy feel to warm weather Florida.
Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs
Disney Springs has become a favorite haunt for our family during the holidays. There’s lots of places to pick the perfect Christmas present, many of the restaurants offer holiday treats and specialty drinks, and it even “snows” on some evenings in the Town Center. (And we don’t have to shovel it to get to work in the morning!)
The best, though, is spending an afternoon (or evening, if you prefer the lighted version of the trees) taking in the dozens of themed trees along the Disney Springs’ Christmas Tree Stroll. Each tree is decorated to a specific Disney movie, ride, or location, and a daytime stroll will give you better visibility of the many unique details on the trees, while a nighttime stroll is more lit up and sparkly. You can also pick up a map to find all the trees spread out throughout the complex, and even earn yourself a little prize if you find them all and put the right stickers on your guide map.
Oh, and if you are looking for the Big Guy himself, Santa Claus always puts in a few appearances at one of the shops (typically Once Upon a Toy, but check back as the holidays get closer – there’s usually a virtual queue to set up a slot to meet him.)
Sometimes, you’ll find him sneaking in a stop in the theme parks as well. Never know where you’ll find that very busy elf that time of the year, so keep your eyes peeled!
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Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.
Get The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution by Ray Keating. More information at
It feels like the good old days, which weren’t that long ago. What do I mean? Disney/Pixar has a big hit on its hands.
Critics and audiences love Inside Out 2, and people are shelling out dollars (as well as foreign currencies) to watch in theaters.
Over at RottenTomatoes.com, critics love the movie (91% fresh), while audiences love it even more (96% fresh).
And then there’s the box office gross. Over at BoxOfficeMojo.com (on June 24), the worldwide gross for Inside Out 2, which was released on June 14, registered $724.4 million. That included $355.2 million domestic and $369.2 international.
Nice.
But what about those pesky runaway costs plaguing Disney? Well, it’s widely reported that Inside Out 2 carried a whopping production budget of $200 million. Yikes.
Once more, we need to do a little more digging. First, marketing/promotion costs have to be factored in, which can run anywhere from 50 percent to 100 percent of a production budget. Assuming a midpoint, then marketing/promotion costs would come in at roughly $150 million. That puts the total cost of Inside Out 2 at $350 million. Gulp.
Next, we need to isolate the studio’s take of both the domestic and international box office. As DisneyBizJournal has noted before, various industry reports point to studios taking in about 55 percent of the domestic box office, and anywhere from 20 percent to 40 percent of foreign ticket sales. As always let’s assume the best case. Therefore, 55 percent of the domestic $355.2 million and 40 percent of the international take of $369.2 million indicate a Disney share of the gross box office for Inside Out 2 at $343.1 million ($195.4 million domestically plus $147.7 million international).
Amazingly, that puts Inside Out 2, with a current gross box office of just about $725 million at a breakeven point right now for Disney. Now, this is a movie that apparently will have legs, so Inside Out 2 will prove to be profitable for Disney during its theatrical run.
At the same time, however, the numbers on this movie, once again, speak to Disney’s inability to control costs on its movies (and streaming shows). Inside Out 2 is a clear hit, so the cost issue hurts less. But it hurts, nonetheless. The notion that Disney, and much of Hollywood, must spend extravagantly to produce quality movies is absurd. The industry’s history shows otherwise, and the leaps forward in technology in the movie-making business should eventually reduce costs.
You can’t keep betting on hits the size of Inside Out 2 to deal with costs. It’s just not realistic – especially during creative lulls like the one Disney has been struggling through of late.
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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com; and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, the Alliance of Saint Michael novels, and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.
The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?
The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement and fun for Disney fans, including those who love Mickey, Marvel, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Pixar, princesses and more.
Never miss any new book by Ray Keating by joining the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship with Ray Keating at
• The Alliance of Saint Michael novels – Cathedral and Subversion – are at Amazon.
• Order The Weekly Economist III:Another 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist, The Weekly Economist II:52 More Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist, and The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist at Amazon.com.
We went to EPCOT recently, using it as our park hopping entry park in order to get in to the Passholder previews at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom. We didn’t need to be at Magic Kingdom until 1:00 p.m. for the virtual queue check in, so we decided to make use of the morning, and maybe grab some lunch at EPCOT before heading to Magic Kingdom.
The thing is, something felt “off” about EPCOT that day. The crowds were lower, there wasn’t as much energy, and the sound levels were even somewhat lower than normal. It was hard to put a finger on why it felt so different than any other summer day.
The park felt empty – more empty than just from the lower crowds. Sure, the construction walls were down, and that opened up a lot of space, and the new CommuniCore Hall was wide open, but it still seemed like more than that.
When we hit World Showcase, the answer became more obvious. The festival booths were closed up and shuttered. The buildings were still there, but the goodies they usually serve up were not being prepared. There were no food lines. There were no bands performing on the America Gardens Theatre stage. And there were no marketplace booths lining the pathways, selling event merchandise. For the first time in a long time, EPCOT was festival-less.
In the early days, there were fairly big breaks between festivals. There were fewer festivals to start out with, and the downtime between kick-offs was lengthy. There was time to eat at sit-down venues for meals, rather than snacking around the festival booths for the day. Over time, Disney added some of our favorite festivals to the lineup, including the Festival of the Arts. Now, there are four annual festivals: Festival of the Arts starts the year, Flower & Garden Festival ushers in the spring weather with fanciful topiaries, Food & Wine is the granddaddy of the festivals, and the Festival of the Holidays brings the Candlelight Processional and sparkling decorations to wrap up the year.
American Pavilion Food Booth During a Previous Festival
The Food & Wine Festival had gotten progressively longer over the years, particularly post-COVID, and had been running into the summer months the past few years. This year, though, Food & Wine returned to its earlier calendar schedule, making its start in a more fall-friendly time slot.
And that leaves the park feeling a bit empty right now without those food booths. Flower & Garden ended on May 27, and this year’s Food & Wine doesn’t start until August 29, thus leaving roughly three months of food-booth-less touring. That’s the way EPCOT used to be when we were traveling with little kids, but it sure feels odd now, when we are used to only a week or two of downtime while Disney switches over from one festival to the next.
The excitement of an ever changing offering of snacks and treats makes the festival repertoire enticing to park guests, and our family, too, looks forward to seeing what new and returning plates are coming with each opening date. But I will admit – it’s been a treat getting back to making actual dining reservations at the EPCOT table restaurants. We’ve revisited a few favorites that we’ve been away from for a while. But it still feels out of the ordinary to have the park as quiet as it is!
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Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.
Get The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution by Ray Keating. More information at
Should Disney and CEO Bob Iger feel angsty about Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe opening in 2025? Bob says “no,” but the answer is “yes.”
And it has been a “yes” for a while now, but after seeing Universal’s video introducing its Dark Universe at Universal Epic Universe, now it’s a BIG “YES.”
Watch the following video, and decide for yourself. But especially as a fan of the Universal monster movies, this looks, well, epic.
When asked about Epic Universe at the MoffetNathanson’s Media, Internet & Communications Conference in mid-May, Iger did what any good CEO should. He sounded reasonable and confident. As noted by CinemaBlend, Iger reportedly said, “As we’ve seen in the past, when Universal’s expanded it does bring more visitation to Orlando. That’s fine. We've had competition from them for a long time. I'm mindful of what they're doing. But I’m confident. I like our hand. I’m confident in what we’ve built and I’m confident in what we’ll continue to build. It's not something that should be distracting to us or anxiety-provoking.”
Well, okay. But given the creative lull – to be generous – that Disney clearly is currently suffering, I’m not sure Iger would say the same thing a few drinks in at a bar and the conversation off the record. (I’m buying, Bob.)
While that’s pure, tongue-in-cheek speculation, the reality is that Universal Epic Universe looks like a formidable challenge for Disney – more so than what it’s faced before from Universal Orlando – with five lands opening in 2025. Consider what’s coming.
Courtesy of Universal
First, Dark Universe, according to Universal, “will envelop guests in monstrous adventures across various attractions, shops, restaurants and character meet and greets that will thrill everyone from families to classic Monster fans alike.” Dark Universe will bring together legends like Dracula, The Wolf Man, Frankenstein’s Monster, and the Bride of Frankenstein, with a new generation of monsters and characters. And this promises to be family-friendly, but also pushing the boundaries of such friendliness with greater “intensity.”
Courtesy of Universal
Darkmoor is the “ravaged village within Dark Universe,” and among its features will be:
• “Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment – Universal Orlando’s most terrifying attraction yet, this state-of-the-art dark ride takes guests deep into the catacombs of Frankenstein Manor, where Dr. Victoria Frankenstein conducts her twisted experiments. In a vain display of her genius, she invites guests into her laboratory to witness a demonstration of her ability to control monsters – but her plans go awry when her attempts to control the most dangerous of monsters, Dracula, fails, unleashing a horde of enraged monsters. Guests are then thrust into an intense ride through the darkness as they try to evade the grasps of The Wolf Man, The Mummy, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Brides of Dracula and others.”
• “Curse of the Werewolf – Deep in the woods that sit on the edge of Darkmoor, guests will find Curse of the Werewolf, a spinning family coaster inspired by ‘The Wolf Man.’ Guests will enter the encampment of The Guild of Mystics where they’ll be greeted by the Maleva, the guild’s all-knowing seer and leader, who warns them that they bear the mark of the werewolf. Guests then board a wagon and venture into the forest – racing to escape the werewolves before they become one themselves.”
• “Das Stakehaus – Darkmoor’s most ominous restaurant, this establishment is a dining hall run by vampire ‘familiars’ who size up unsuspecting patrons to be part of the vampires’ feast. Surrounded by artwork and artifacts detailing the history of the village’s creatures of the night, guests can enjoy a menu of kebabs, burgers, sandwiches and more.”
• “The Burning Blade Tavern – Despite the blades of the windmill still smoldering and flaming periodically, Darkmoor’s monster hunters have transformed this old fiery mill into their favorite hangout. While enjoying a menu of burgers, wings, bratwurst, pretzels and specialty beverages, guests will hear stories of the infamous ‘Hounds’ – boastful hunters from beyond Darkmoor – all while surrounded by an impressive display of the monster heads they consider their ‘trophies.’”
And there’s more. Yes, Iger should feel anxious.
Courtesy of Universal
Consider some choice features for SUPER NINTENDO WORLD. Universal explains, “Inside SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, guests will be able to explore Super Mario Land – where they’ll enjoy adventures alongside Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and other characters; and Donkey Kong Country– where they’ll encounter thrills featuring Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong and other members of the Kong family.” Among the experiences will be:
• “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge: Guests are invited to join Team Mario and battle Team Bowser for the Golden Cup in this groundbreaking attraction that fuses augmented reality, projection mapping technology and elaborate environments to bring the fun of the Mario Kart video game series to life in a compelling ride-through experience. Guests up for the challenge will enter through Bowser’s Castle – where they’ll wind its corridors and get a glimpse of Bowser’s deceptive plans to stack the odds in his favor – before boarding their kart and heading to the starting line. Then, guests steer through a variety of Mario Kart courses – collecting coins, tossing shells at Team Bowser, dodging obstacles, and more – as they join their favorite characters and compete to help Team Mario win the race.”
• “Yoshi’s Adventure: The delightfulYoshi’s Adventure attraction will make its U.S. debut when SUPER NINTENDO WORLD opens at Universal Epic Universe. On this family-friendly ride, guests of all ages will enjoy breathtaking views of Super Mario Land as they join Yoshis and travel through Mushroom Kingdom landscapes in search of glowing eggs – encountering many familiar characters along the way.”
• “Mine-Cart Madness: Guests will hop into a mine cart and careen through the jungle to help Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong protect the coveted golden banana on this first-of-its-kind family coaster. Utilizing an unprecedented ride system, innovative technology and a unique coaster design, Mine-Cart Madness will send riders on a thrilling adventure where they will experience the jaw-dropping maneuvers that they’ve seen Donkey Kong and the mine carts perform in the video games – including getting blasted out of a barrel, seemingly jumping over gaps as they speed along a rickety track, and so much more.”
Hey, Bob, still no angst? Well, there’s still more. How about “dragons in a colorful, fully-alive world filled with Viking adventures in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk”? Among the experiences in this land will be:
• “Hiccup’s Wing Gliders – On this family thrill coaster, Hiccup invites brave new Vikings to take a ride in his latest glider contraption – a winged flying machine that launches aspiring Dragon Riders into the sky for a dragon’s eye view of Berk. Guests will fly alongside Hiccup and Toothless and reach speeds up to 45 mph as they soar around the perimeter of Berk – and even throughthe lagoon – while experiencing firsthand what it’s like to fly on a dragon.”
• “The Untrainable Dragon – Inspired by Universal Beijing Resort’s wildly successful ‘Untrainable’ show, this dragon-filled live spectacular takes guests on an unforgettable journey with beloved characters Hiccup, Toothless, Gobber, and Astrid as they work together to solve the mystery of The Untrainable Dragon. This heartwarming story comes to life with captivating musical numbers, breathtaking sets and life-sized dragons soaring overhead.”
• “Fyre Drill – Mischievous Viking twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut invite teams of Vikings to compete to out score and out-soak each other on this wet-and-wild boat battle. Guests will board a colorful dragon-headed boat and blast water cannons at flame-like targets to practice putting out fires – a crucial skill to master when living with dragons.”
• “Dragon Racer’s Rally – Berk’s new Vikings racers can practice aerobatic maneuvers and high-speed barrel rolls on two Viking-made dragon-riding trainers that reach heights of up to 67 feet in the air. Guests can control how ‘wild’ or ‘mild’ their experience will be as they perform high-flying, gravity-defying, swooping and soaring skills that are necessary to earn the accolades worthy of a true champion dragon racer.”
• “Mead Hall – The beating heart of Berk and the village’s main gathering hall, Mead Hall is where guests can feast like a Viking and enjoy a savory menu featuring a variety of meats, fish, sandwiches and more along with a collection of meads and ciders.”
And what about Celestial Park, which is referred to as “the heart of Universal Epic Universe and the first world guests will encounter at the new theme park.” What could possibly be included there that would warrant noting? Well…
Courtesy of Universal
• “Stardust Racers, a dual-launch racing coaster that sends guests rocketing through the skies aboard comets in a race to see who’s the fastest of them all. Reaching speeds up to 62 mph and heights up to 133 feet along 5,000 feet of track, Stardust Racers will be Epic Universe’s most thrilling coaster experience with unique maneuvers such as the ‘Celestial Spin,’ in which the two coaster vehicles perform an inverted crisscross while speeding through the air – creating an ‘out-of-this-world’ adrenaline rush.”
• “Constellation Carousel – the grand centerpiece of Celestial Park. Here, explorers of all ages will take a fantastical whirl aboard constellations that glide forward, backward – and even make 360-degree rotations – through the milky way in a choreographed dance of music and starlight.”
• ‘Astronomica,an interactive wet-play area that also doubles as a giant compass rose to the many wonders of Epic Universe, featuring crystal blue fountains that spring to life and dance around guests.”
• “An array of unique dining experiences” will include “Atlantic –a full-service restaurant set inside aVictorian aquarium complete with captivating views of Celestial Park.”
• Located “inside Epic Universe at the end of Celestial Park is Universal Helios Grand Hotel, designed to transport guests to a world where the heavens and earth unite – complete with 500 rooms, one-of-a-kind views and its very own dedicated entrance into the theme park.”
I admit that one word comes to mind: Wow! And we’re still waiting on key details for “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic” land.
Courtesy of Universal
Finally, while there is some truth in what Iger said about Universal’s expansion bringing more people to Orlando, and that can be good for everyone, including Disney, that effect only goes so far. Why? Because individuals and family budgets only go so far, especially given our inflation challenges over the past two-and-a-half years.
And it needs to be understood that Epic Universe will have, as Universal puts it, “more than 50 awe-inspiring attraction, entertainment, dining and shopping experiences.” Yes, given the size of Disney World, Universal is still playing catch up. But catch-up also can lead to leaping ahead in key areas.
As an economist, I understand the benefits of competition, and having businesses vying to better serve consumers. And Walt Disney World apparently is going to see a major step up by its chief competitor, and that’s good news for theme park lovers. Whether it will be good news for Disney depends on how it responds.
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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com; and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, the Alliance of Saint Michael novels, and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.
The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?
The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement and fun for Disney fans, including those who love Mickey, Marvel, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Pixar, princesses and more.
Never miss any new book by Ray Keating by joining the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship with Ray Keating at
• Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel is at Amazon.
• Order The Weekly Economist III:Another 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist, The Weekly Economist II:52 More Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist, and The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist at Amazon.com.
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