Gabrielle Russon
Even as Universal’s Epic Universe opens and economic concerns build for President Donald Trump’s tariffs, Disney World bookings are still up heading into the busy Summer season, executives said Wednesday.
“The outlook is actually still quite strong for for the experiences business. Bookings right now for Walt Disney World for the third quarter are up 4%… then for the fourth quarter, bookings are up 7%,” Disney CEO Hugh Johnston said.
Disney’s upcoming third quarter covers April to June, which is when Epic Universe transitions from soft opening to its grand opening May 22.
The Walt Disney Co. gave more financial insight into its theme parks during an earnings call Wednesday. The biggest news of the day, however, was Disney’s plan to open a seventh theme park in Abu Dhabi.
The international tourists coming to Disneyland and Disney World haven’t fully returned from pre-pandemic levels, Johnston said on the call..
“The good news is we’re clearly more than making up for it with domestic attendance,” Johnston told analysts. “So attendance at the parks has been terrific.”
Disney leaders have said earlier they welcome Epic Universe to the competition. More visitors coming to Orlando is good for Disney, too, they argued.
Overall, the company’s quarterly revenues rose 7% to $23.6 billion compared to the same quarter last year, according to Wednesday’s earnings report. In the second quarter, which ended March 29, the operating income for Disney’s U.S. theme parks and experiences jumped 13%, to $1.8 billion.
Disney’s earnings gave the company stock a boost Wednesday, fueled by the news Disney is going to partner with Miral Group to build a new park overseas.
“Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said. The company said the waterfront resort will be home to the first modern Disney theme park castle. No opening year has been set, although the project is in early development and would not likely be ready for several years.
