Disney Remains Confident That It Can Withstand Epic Universe

During today’s Walt Disney Company earnings call, CEO Bob Iger and CFO Hugh Johnston largely kept things short and sweet.

In a marked change from last year’s Q1 earnings report, today’s presentation was bereft of major announcements. However, during the report’s question-and-answer portion, the Disney executives were asked about the looming threat of Epic Universe.

Photo: Variety

Here is what they had to say.

Epic Universe Will Open This May

For those who don’t know, Epic Universe will be Universal Studios’s third Florida park. Slated to open May 22, 2025, the park will feature lands dedicated to Universal’s Classic Monsters, How to Train Your Dragon, Nintendo, and Harry Potter.

Photo: Universal

Expectations for the park are understandably high.

Disney’s CFO Reacts to Universal’s Big Expansion

When asked about the upcoming opening of Epic Universe, Johnston largely dismissed any concerns.

Photo: Deadline

“As we built our plans, we did anticipate some small impact. I think we have it effectively hedged. The overall level of confidence in Disney Experiences is high.”

Since Universal announced that a third Florida park was in development, Disney’s messaging surrounding Epic Universe has changed. Last year, Johnston indicated that Disney felt they may actually get a bump from the new park opening.

Cinderella Castle

“We did model that into our expectations for the Experiences outlook. As mentioned earlier, the early bookings that we have next summer are actually positive, so that’s certainly a positive indicator,” Johnston explained last November.

“We also looked at the history of other attractions opening up, other parks opening up in Florida, and it’s been beneficial for us.”

Disney Remains Confident

While Disney has remained calm in the face of the Universal Studios expansion, the company now admits that it will negatively impact its Florida business. Nevertheless, Disney remains confident.

Photo: Disney

Whether that confidence is misguided will become apparent when Epic Universe opens this May.

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