Guests are pouring into the highly anticipated Epic Universe, snapping up tickets to preview days and during the park’s first summer at a record rate for Universal. However, the park’s potential success could soon fall victim to issues out of Universal’s control.
Why could go wrong? Issues with Epic Universe’s technologically advanced rides? Disney loyalists not visiting Universal’s new park? Not quite. The actual problems could have nothing directly to do with theme parks at all.
A mixture of intertwined political and economic factors are likely going to affect theme park numbers for both Disney and Universal in the near future, including Epic Universe.
The tariffs laid down by the Trump Administration will likely have a two-pronged effect on Americans. First, as prices go up on most goods, the amount of discretionary income available to many Americans will decrease, in turn affecting plans for vacations and day trips to theme parks.
Secondly, many of the goods available in theme parks – – from souvenirs produced in China to coffee ingredients imported from Europe – – will be subject to Tariffs, which in turn will lead to higher prices within the parks, making a visit even more prohibitively expensive than they are now.
In addition to the financial issues plaguing domestic travelers, political issues are affecting international travel. According to Tourism Economics, a tourism research group, they’re expecting a 12% drop in international travel to the United States. According to Adam Sacks, the group’s president, “You’re looking at substantial losses this year, about a $10 billion loss this year in international travel spending relative to last year.” In addition, economic factors intertwined with politics have led to a drop in domestic tourism.
There is historical precedent for political and economic issues potentially crippling theme park attendance. During the 1970s, the Gas Crisis decimated travel to Walt Disney World, leading to the cancellation of many planned projects, including the Western River Expedition, and three hotels that were planned to be built around the Seven Seas Lagoon.
Two decades later, the 9/11 attacks led to a massive downturn in tourism across the board, which had lasting effects on both Universal and Disney that are still being felt today.
While theme park guests clearly WANT to visit Epic Universe, intertwined social and political factors may get in the way. Stay tuned to AllEars for more on these developments.
Universal Canceled 6 BIG Projects for Universal Studios Orlando
Have your potential Epic Universe plans been affected by the current political and economic situation? Let us know in the comments below.
I was really hoping it was because Disney loyalists were staying away. A native can only dream I guess.
Don’t think this article is going to age well
What I read is lines will be short and now is a time to plan a trip to Orlando!