In just a few months, Universal will open the highly-anticipated, technologically advanced Epic Universe. The new theme park seems destined to permanently alter the travel patterns of tourists visiting Orlando-area theme parks. However, perhaps due to previous historical precedent, Disney doesn’t seem all that concerned.
Over the last year, several Disney executives – – up to and including Bob Iger – – have commented on Epic Universe in public settings, with some sounding a bit nonchalant about the new park and what if any, effect it may have on Disney World.
The latest Disney executive to speak publicly about the park is Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle. While speaking at an Orlando Business Journal event, Vahle was asked his thoughts on Epic Universe opening this year.
He responded with, “Our focus is to remain the number one reason people visit Central Florida. At the same time, you have to respect the big swing that Universal is doing with Epic Universe, that’s a huge investment in our community. I think if you see an investment like that it’s going to benefit all of us.”
The result seems to jive with the idea that Disney believes that Universal opening a new park will actually benefit them (at least in the short-term), similar to what happened when Islands of Adventure opened in 1999 when many guests extended Disney World vacations in order to add a day to visit Universal’s new park.
A similar theme was repeated by Disney CFO Hugh Johnston during the company’s 2025 Q1 earnings call. When asked about Epic, he responded with “As we built our plans, we anticipated some small impact for Epic Universe opening, and we effectively hedged in the guidance we provided.” He further said that “bookings are up in the summer right now, and we’re certainly feeling positive. The outlook is good in that regard.”
As for Iger, he was arguably even more dismissive of Epic Universe’s potential impact on Disney World. In early 2024, Iger said that Disney had been aware of Universal’s plans for some time and had built attractions including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Pandora: The World of Avatar, Toy Story Land, TRON Lightcycle / Run, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, as well as the overall the “reimagining “ of EPCOT as a staggered way to beef Walt Disney World in preparation for the new park. Furthermore, during the Q4 2024 earning call, the CEO emphasized the aforementioned idea that anytime a major attraction had been built in the Orlando area since Disney World opened, it has actually been beneficial for Disney’s bookings and overall numbers, with many travelers extending Disney vacations to add time to visit another attraction as opposed to skipping Disney entirely.
At least publicly, Disney continues to speak positively about Universal’s Epic Universe and the effect the new park will have on the Orlando tourism market in the months leading up to the park’s May 22nd opening. Stay tuned to AllEars for more Epic Universe Opening coverage.
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How do you think Epic Universe will affect Disney World? Let us know in the comments below!
Iger and company may be saying that publicly, but some of the recent deals they are have extended through the summer and the recent Wall Street Journal about internal Disney execs questioning their higher prices have them saying something different privately.
This is different that when IoA opened over 25 years ago. Since then Universal has added more hotels (and less expensive) hotels, a world-class water park (much better than their previous one), and now a brand new theme park where every area is immersive and not just one land in each park like Pandora in AK or Galaxy’s Edge in HS. Universal is now a full-week destination, and with a week the amount of time that Orlando visitors have to spend on their vacation, Disney shouldn’t take Universal lightly and not appear to be over confident.