Funny because that's exactly what would have happened:
- MoM rumored to have replaced FFL
This is the one thing that absolutely would have been better served in USF (though I’d argue only after F&F and Simpsons is/was torn down and if Villain Con could have been a dark ride à la SLoP due to screen fatigue in the park).
I cannot express how much I hate a 90s British MoM ride in 20s Paris. It defies stupidity. Not to mention the awesome London waterfront we could have received. I’m actually shocked JKR signed off on it. Her first bad decision in the lands, imo.
Still would have loved HP Paris. And a FB wand shooter ride would still had great appeal. Especially with the expected Quidditch expansion. France still could have happened. Could’ve done the Great Hall this way. Who cares if you eat there in the 20s or 90s. It’d be the same. But time travel? No thx.
Until the IP is on equal (or better) footing, I don't ever see Universal "beating" Disney at their own game.
Disney (and their parks) is recognized as the more family friendly/younger audience brand, and have a mountain of IP they can leverage in the parks to continue to bring in the families.
Nothing can touch Disney’s IPs. Nothing. It’s arguably the most frustrating thing about Disney parks, honestly.
I think to beat Disney you have to beat them at their own game… They’ve already got the thrill junkies and horror fans. It’s time to move onto the next phase… the families.
Okay, but Universal isn't going to do that. It's shown no interest in trying to steal away the Families With Very Young Kids demographic.
Universal is clearly comfortable with its demographic. They may make adjustments and tweaks, but they are where they are because that's where they want to be.
Universal
is trying to beat Disney at its own game and they
aren’t comfortable with their demographic and
are actively attempting inroads with Disney’s demographics.
Anytime someone mentioned Disney opening a park in Texas, I would tout how stupid an idea it was. Why would you cannibalize your own market for a cheaper market. Why would you expend billions in capital to trade a market that stays onsite, eats at all your restaurants and buys your lightning lanes for locals who rarely do any of that. Out of state guests spend vastly more money per person than locals.
Universal, on the other hand, with their kids parks are actively going after disneys market while not cannibalzing their Florida demographic whatsoever. Universal Kids park in Texas could arguably more important to their overall presence than even Epic is depending on its success. Though they certainly work in tandem synergistically.
“Let’s not spend $10k to go to Disney when we can spend $500 and go to universal kids.”
Universal recognized where their hole was, and they are addressing it in a way that protects their Florida brand and appeal. It’s potentially brilliant. And I believe it is going to be wildly successful.