Disney CEO Iger repsonds to question regarding Epic Universe
Disney CEO Bob Iger asserts that Disney’s strategic planning, ongoing developments and staggered opening of attractions at Walt Disney World makes the company prepared for Universal Orlando’s highly anticipated Epic Universe theme park slated to open in 2025.
During the annual shareholder meeting today, a question was asked to why hasn’t Disney prepared to have attractions in the pipeline ready for 2025, when the crosstown rival’s theme park opens with a variety of lands.
“We’ve been aware of Universal’s plans for a new park for more than a decade, and we have a sophisticated approach to analyzing the needs of all of our businesses and strategically deploying capital,” Iger said.
This 750-acre theme park will be Universal Orlando Resort’s fourth theme park (Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Volcano Bay are the other three) and located a few miles from the current hub of parks, and Universal Citywalk, the restaurant and shopping area connecting the theme parks
Five different worlds make up Epic Universe and contain rides, restaurants and three hotels. This park will have parking and complimentary transportation connecting to the remainder of the Universal Orlando Resort.
Highlighting recent achievements, Iger outlined Disney’s significant investments and expansions at Walt Disney World over the past few years, including Pandora – The World of Avatar, Toy Story Land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
Iger emphasized that Disney’s strategy involves staggering major launches to optimize commercial and operational outcomes over time. “By staggering these major launches, we have been able to commercially and operationally optimize our new offerings over time rather than having to do it all at once,” he explained.
Moreover, Disney recently secured an agreement with the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, enabling them to pursue significant investments in their Florida parks. This deal is anticipated to result in the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs, as well as substantial economic opportunities in the state.
Iger went on to say later, “You know, we have a lot of projects in development. Many of them are known to us, but we disclose these at a cadence. And when we really feel we’re ready and we have something more tangible to show people.”
He added, “So, as we’ve discussed regarding our $60 billion capital expenditure plans, there’s much more coming to our parks around the world, including in Florida.”
