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In a surprising twist, Disney is viewing Universal’s much-anticipated Epic Universe not as a competitor, but as a potential catalyst for increased attendance at Walt Disney World Resort.
Credit: Universal
How Universal’s Epic Universe Will Actually Boost Attendance at Walt Disney World in 2025 and 2026
Universal’s new theme park, set to open in May 2025, is expected to bring a fresh wave of visitors to the Orlando area, and Disney is forecasting a positive outcome for its own parks as a result.
This revelation came during The Walt Disney Company’s Q4 2024 earnings call, when Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston shared the company’s optimistic outlook for Walt Disney World despite the upcoming addition of Epic Universe to the local theme park scene. According to Johnston, Disney has already accounted for the opening of Universal’s new park in their projections for Disney Parks & Experiences, expecting a 6%-8% increase in operating income for the segment. The bulk of this growth is expected in the second half of 2025, when Epic Universe will begin to make its impact.
Epic Universe: Universal’s New Frontier in Orlando
Universal Orlando Resort has been planning the launch of Epic Universe for several years, and the park is shaping up to be a game-changer. Spanning over 750 acres, it will introduce visitors to immersive new worlds, including a Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon land, and a Universal Monsters area. Epic Universe promises to be the most expansive and ambitious theme park Universal has ever built, and it’s expected to draw millions of visitors looking to experience the next big thing in the theme park world.
Credit: Universal/ Dreamworks/ Nintendo/ Canva
With such high expectations, the opening of Epic Universe could shake up the Florida tourism scene. However, Disney isn’t fretting over the competition. In fact, the company sees the new park as part of the larger ecosystem that makes Central Florida such a popular destination for tourists.
Disney’s Forecast: A Bright Future with New Competition
The opening of a major new park like Epic Universe could traditionally be seen as a threat to established parks like Disney’s, but Disney isn’t concerned. During the earnings call, Johnston revealed that the early bookings for Walt Disney World Resort in the summer of 2025—which coincides with the debut of Epic Universe—are “actually positive.” This indicates that visitors are still eager to experience the magic of Disney, even with the new park on the horizon.
Johnston further emphasized that Disney has long been aware of Universal’s plans for Epic Universe, with CEO Bob Iger stating that Disney has known about the project for over a decade. As a result, Disney has had plenty of time to prepare for the competition, and the company believes that Universal’s new addition will not detract from its own attendance but rather help drive it up.
Credit: Universal
In fact, Johnston noted that historically, new theme parks opening in Florida have been beneficial for Disney. When another major attraction enters the market, it often draws more visitors to the region, which in turn benefits Disney as travelers seek to maximize their vacations by visiting multiple parks. According to Disney’s projections, the opening of Epic Universe will likely have a similar effect—boosting the overall demand for vacations in Orlando and encouraging families to visit both Universal and Disney parks.
The Ripple Effect of New Attractions
While it may seem counterintuitive, new attractions and parks in Central Florida often lead to a surge in tourism, not just for the park that is opening but for the entire region. With Universal opening Epic Universe, more people will likely be drawn to Orlando to experience the fresh offerings, but many visitors will want to explore the other world-class parks nearby, including Walt Disney World.
In fact, research has shown that when families plan vacations to Orlando, they often want to visit more than one park. The presence of multiple high-quality theme parks in the area makes it more likely that people will book longer trips, stay in Orlando for more days, and visit Disney’s parks alongside Universal’s. Disney stands to gain from the increased tourism brought on by Epic Universe, as visitors will be more likely to split their time between the two major players in the area.
Credit: Disney
Early Bookings and Financial Performance: Positive Signs for Disney
The early booking data for Walt Disney World Resort, especially around the 2025 summer period, is one of the key indicators that things are looking up for the company. Despite the looming opening of Epic Universe, these early signs show that Disney is still a top contender for tourists’ vacation plans. Visitors seem just as excited about the timeless magic and immersive experiences Disney offers as they are about the new thrills coming to Universal.
Financially, Disney’s Parks & Experiences segment showed a slight uptick in revenue, reaching $8.24 billion in Q4 2024, compared to $8.16 billion in the same quarter last year. While modest, this increase underscores the strength of Disney’s brand and the enduring appeal of its parks, even as competition grows in the region.
The Perfect Balance: Disney and Universal Cater to Different Audiences
What may be working in Disney’s favor is the fact that Universal’s new park isn’t likely to lure away Disney’s core audience. Universal’s Epic Universe will bring in visitors with a taste for more thrilling rides and blockbuster franchises. Families with older children or adults looking for intense roller coasters and cutting-edge experiences might find Universal more appealing. On the other hand, Disney’s parks—Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom—are often more oriented toward younger children and families seeking more family-friendly adventures and iconic characters.
Credit: Inside the Magic
In this sense, the two companies cater to different segments of the market, which means visitors to Orlando may still choose to experience both parks during their stay. With both Universal and Disney offering unique experiences, families will likely opt for a multi-park vacation, increasing the amount of time and money they spend in the area.
Why Central Florida’s Theme Park Industry Thrives Together
In the world of theme parks, competition often leads to growth. For Disney, the opening of Epic Universe is not a threat but an opportunity to strengthen the region’s tourism industry as a whole. When Universal brings in more visitors to the area, those visitors are more likely to visit Walt Disney World as well. This creates a win-win situation for both companies, as well as for the local economy, which benefits from the increased influx of tourists.
Disney’s projection of increased attendance in 2025 and 2026, despite the new competition from Epic Universe, reflects the broader trend of Central Florida becoming a more attractive destination for global travelers. Visitors planning a trip to Orlando for one park are likely to end up visiting several, and Disney’s reputation and diversified offerings mean that it will continue to be a major player in the region.
Credit: Scott Smith, Flickr
Looking to the Future: More Growth Ahead for Disney Parks
With Disney continuing to roll out new attractions and experiences, the outlook for its parks in the coming years remains strong. The opening of Epic Universe will no doubt shake up the theme park landscape, but Disney has positioned itself as a key part of that larger picture. As both Universal and Disney continue to grow, Central Florida is likely to remain the ultimate theme park destination.
So while Universal’s Epic Universe might be the new kid on the block in 2025, Disney is poised to thrive alongside it. The increase in tourism will likely benefit both parks, and visitors to Orlando will find themselves enjoying the best of what both Universal and Disney have to offer. Ultimately, it’s the strength of the entire region’s theme park ecosystem that will continue to drive tourism—and that’s something Disney is more than happy to be a part of.
