In a brand new video forward of the grand opening of Epic Universe, Karen Irwin, President & COO of Common Orlando pitches their three theme parks, water park, leisure district, and resorts as a vacation spot resort. She additionally reveals that Common is already wanting down the street, past Epic Universe at what’s subsequent in 2026 and past.
That is the newest in a line of current appearances geared toward each producing pleasure about Common Orlando, and cementing it as an equal to Walt Disney World worthy of trip time, and never only a diversion. We’ll cowl that over the course of this submit, however let’s begin with Irwin’s quote about Common Orlando’s future growth plans:
“There are already so many issues within the works now. Now we have a slate of latest sights that have been already in growth on for each one among our parks. We’re already planning the subsequent factor at Epic!”
This follows a current piece within the New York Occasions, “Common’s Theme Parks, Lengthy in Disney’s Shadow, Broaden at Dizzying Tempo.” The article is basically what the headline suggests, spelling out how Common goes after Disney with new parks in Florida and Texas. plus growth elsewhere and new sights at its present gates.
The quick model of the story is that when Mark Woodbury turned Common’s theme park chief in 2022, he noticed an excellent greater alternative to raise Common out of Disney’s shadow after the theme parks had turn into a shock progress engine for NBCUniversal. “How can we turn into the vacation spot of selection in every of the markets that we function in and in the entire markets that we select to increase into?” he stated throughout an interview with NYT.
This isn’t hyperbole. Common is within the midst of unprecedented growth, even earlier than Epic Universe. The corporate opened one other fully-fledged theme park, Common Studios Beijing, only a few years in the past. Along with Epic Universe, the Florida advanced has debuted a number of resorts and new sights lately.
Then there’s the upcoming Common Youngsters Resort in Texas, new everlasting Halloween Horror Nights-style expertise in Las Vegas, and recently-opened Tremendous Nintendo Worlds in California and Osaka, Japan. Common additionally has plans for “Depraved” sights, growth in Hollywood, and a serious park for Britain, too.
“We’re going to roll these out throughout the nation and the world,” Woodbury advised the NYT when describing the cheaper regional ideas slated for Las Vegas and Texas. With regard to Epic Universe, he hopes to reverse a longstanding enterprise dynamic with Walt Disney World. Woodbury desires households to view the Common Orlando Resort as a weeklong vacation spot and never only a one- or two-day add-on to a Disney trip. “We wish folks to consider us first,” he stated.
The clear takeaway from current media is that NBCUniversal has excessive expectations for Epic Universe, sees ample alternatives for additional progress of its theme park enterprise, and can proceed to maneuver aggressively to seize extra market share from Disney (one thing that has already occurred within the final decade).
Turning to commentary, this sentiment doesn’t shock me within the least. Common management expressing this now additionally doesn’t imply it’ll occur. A lot hinges Epic Universe and the way effectively it’s obtained upon opening. Particularly, whether or not its first couple of seasons exceed investor expectations or fall quick. Not whether or not followers prefer it or if Common executives do a public victory lap, each of that are givens.
In some ways, the debut of Epic Universe jogs my memory of the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Clearly, the dimensions and scope are greater–however so too are the stakes. No matter statements on the time by The Bobs, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge fell wanting inside expectations. There’s a cause why we by no means heard one other phrase about Galaxy’s Edge coming to Paris, because it was shelved earlier than COVID.
In case you can do not forget that far again, you may recall rumors that different tasks for Walt Disney World have been already on skinny ice–or nixed fully–pre-COVID. Clearly, the closures exacerbated every part and resulted in much more cancellations, however it’s not likely the purpose to relitigate the influence of COVID on Disney’s growth. It’s that what Common is planning in the present day may find yourself being very completely different based mostly on how the primary yr goes with Epic Universe. I’m not suggesting a preemptive cutback–I’m saying that the vary of outcomes continues to be unknown. Ambitions may very well be scaled down…or ramped up. Each are potential!
Whether or not it really happens or not–and no matter ambition ranges–growth and reimaginings want to occur at Common Orlando.
I’ve but to expertise it, so clearly I can’t converse to the “want” for extra sights at Epic Universe. On paper, the journey roster does look on the sunshine facet to me, however that’s pretty typical of latest theme parks post-Euro Disneyland. The one current exception to this has been Shanghai Disneyland, which was an anomaly.
In any other case, the identical criticism may very well be levied at Hong Kong Disneyland, Animal Kingdom, Disney California Journey, and even the beloved Tokyo DisneySea at opening. Heck, you would make the identical critique about Animal Kingdom in the present day, over twenty years after it opened. Epic Universe does have loads of growth pads between its worlds, and I think not less than a kind of can be put to make use of earlier than 2030. Truthfully, I’m extra curious as to whether or not they’ll have to deal with crowd circulation constraints first.
Enlargement at Epic Universe strikes me as ‘drawback’ to have. If that’s fast-tracked, it’ll presumably be that the park is such a smash success that it wants extra to assist soak up crowds and improve capability. It’ll be as a result of overwhelming demand and issues about Common leaving cash on the desk, not the opposite approach round. Type of like what we’re presently seeing at Magic Kingdom, however with a brand new park as a substitute of a 50+ yr previous one.
Alternatively, redevelopment on the two present gates, particularly Common Studios Florida, is crucial. It wants to occur, and as quickly as potential.
At any time when followers hype up Epic Universe and declare that it’s going to be what places Common Orlando excessive to say Walt Disney World’s throne, or no matter, I can’t assist however marvel once they final visited Common Studios Florida. To explain a number of of its lands as in want of refreshes can be an understatement. It makes Tomorrowland at Disneyland seem like a fairly good land. Dino-Rama can be proper at house in USF. (Okay okay, maybe that’s going too far.)
Common Studios Florida has obtained a few placemaking tasks lately, neither of that are something particular. Incremental enhancements completed shortly and cheaply, so not less than there’s that. Islands of Journey is usually in higher form with a greater journey roster and superior placemaking, however related (albeit way more restrained) criticisms may very well be levied at that park, too.
The “drawback” that Common Orlando goes to have is that, the higher Epic Universe is, the more serious the 2 present theme parks will look by comparability. The present plan is to push dear trip packages to “power” folks to go to Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey, however that’ll solely work for thus lengthy.
Ultimately, natural demand goes to do its factor. And it’s protected to say that, when that does occur, attendance at Common Studios Florida and (to a lesser extent) Islands of Journey will drop for a few years. There can be some cannibalization of attendance, which is to be anticipated.
How dangerous it’ll be in all probability will depend on the standard disparity between Epic Universe and the prevailing gates, phrase of mouth amongst vacationers who go to Common Orlando for the primary time within the subsequent couple of years, what Common Orlando does within the meantime to assist entice friends to USF and IoA, and what Walt Disney World does to seize those self same vacationers’ time and {dollars}.
We already know that Rip Trip Rockit is being changed. It’s additionally our understanding that Common Orlando intends upon returning to its cadence of an annual new main opening. That is in keeping with current precedent previous to Epic Universe, and with what executives have urged on earnings calls and in interviews. It’s additionally what Walt Disney World can be doing as soon as once more beginning in 2027. There’s each cause to consider the rivals will undertake the same method. Epic Universe can be the marketable attract Central Florida for a few years, however Common clearly doesn’t need their pipeline operating dry as Disney begins bringing new sights and lands on-line.
There are rumors that Springfield is subsequent on the chopping block, to get replaced by a Pokémon-themed space. With out realizing something or having any insider connections, my guess is that Common Orlando will transfer as shortly as potential to construct new Nintendo sights in every of the prevailing parks. Nintendo goes to be the marquee draw that will get households reserving journeys to Orlando, so Common may as effectively borrow a web page from its personal Harry Potter playbook and unfold Nintendo out amongst all 3 gates. That’s much more efficient of a approach to entice vacationers to go to all three parks than forcing them to purchase packages. Gotta catch ’em all!
Want journey planning ideas and complete recommendation in your go to to Central Florida? Make sure that to learn our Common Orlando Planning Information for every part about Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. Additionally try our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Information for every part about these parks, resorts, eating places, and a lot extra.
Your Ideas
What do you consider the bold plans for additions at Common Orlando? Count on it’ll be full steam forward on growth and redevelopment at Epic Universe, Islands of Journey, and Common Studios Florida? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation in regards to the want for brand spanking new sights and refreshed areas on the two present gates? Any questions we may help you reply? Listening to your suggestions—even whenever you disagree with us—is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!