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The big takeaway from April 3’s Disney shareholders meeting was that Bob Iger won. Iger and the Disney Board were able to fight off the proxy battle from activist investor Nelson Peltz and his Trian Management Fund.
But while Bob Iger’s win over Nelson Petlz will get all the headlines, this isn’t going to dramatically affect Disney fans on a day-to-day basis or their theme park experience. However, something that happened later in the meeting has Disney fans fired up and concerned about future projects at the Walt Disney World Resort.
During the shareholder meeting, Disney CEO Bob Iger was asked about whether Disney was "prepared" for Epic Universe. Iger talked about rides and lands that opened at Walt Disney World over the past decade and investments in new projects in Florida. Here's the full response: pic.twitter.com/bLARglpNv9
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) April 3, 2024
During the question and answer period with Disney shareholders, Iger was asked if Disney World was “prepared” for the opening of Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe. It was a pretty straightforward question and concern raised by a Disney Shareholder.
Disney’s biggest rival, Universal Orlando, is about to open Epic Universe, its third gate. What does the Walt Disney World Resort have to counter that new theme park?
Disney fans expected some announcement or at least a promise of one for something but instead got an answer that was confusing at best and anger-inducing at worst.
During the two-minute answer, Iger spent the first 90 seconds discussing the improvements already made at Disney World, including Pandora, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and Tron Lightcycle/Run. Iger said that Disney has known by Epic Universe for the past decade. He also discussed the recently signed deal with the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
Video: pic.twitter.com/JBBgdBuY4s
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) April 3, 2024
Iger once again said that the Walt Disney Company plans to spend $60 billion over the next decade at its theme parks, including in Central Florida. He ended by saying:
There’s much more coming to our parks around the world, including in Florida.
And that’s what set Disney fans off. While Universal Studios is getting another park and another Harry Potter land, Disney fans are getting rides and attractions from before the Pandemic. One user took to X (formerly Twitter) to say:
This is such a lame response. These attractions are not major enough to where it can compete with a park opening next year right down the road that is 2x the size of the current Universal Resort.
That was an absolutely HORRIBE response by Iger of what they are doing to counter EPIC universe.
Absolutely HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!
— Mark (@mmontuori) April 3, 2024
One user pointed to this year’s Destination D23 Expo as a possible point for Iger and Josh D’Amaro to make major announcements about Walt Disney World’s expansion plans. But even that is no guarantee.
So, Universal Studios get an Epic Universe, while Disney World gets new rides from eight years ago.
What do you think of Iger’s response? Let us know in the comments.
