During today’s Q4 2024 earnings call for The Walt Disney Company, Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston shared a new outlook on how the opening of Epic Universe could impact Walt Disney World.
Epic Universe and Walt Disney World Park Attendance
During the call, Johnston shared that the opening of Epic Universe on May 22, 2025, was modeled into their projected outlook for Disney Parks & Experiences, which anticipates full-year operating income growth for the segment to be in the 6%-8% range. Specifically, the company anticipates growth in the second half of the year.
Per Johnston, the early bookings to vacation at Walt Disney World Resort next summer, around the opening of Epic Universe, “are actually positive.” Johnston also indicated that historically, other theme parks opening in Florida have been ultimately beneficial for Walt Disney World.
In the past, Disney CEO Bob Iger has said that the company has been aware of Universal’s plans for Epic Universe for “more than a decade,” with the opening not being much of a concern
This quarter’s revenue for Disney Parks & Experiences was $8.24 billion, up from $8.16 billion in Q4 2023.
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.