Bowling (Downtown Disney) Vs mini golf (Universal's City Walk)
Which attraction will be more popular?
A mini golf themed to movies sounds great, and bowling is always popular.
My bet is on Bowling. Although golf will add a more family based attraction to CityWalk, there is already two courses at Disney and countless others on 192, Crossroads etc.
We have never encountered bowling in Orlando so it should get a good turn from visitors. Plus with the complex having dining and billiards, it will attract a bigger crowd.
However in saying that, you can find bowling in any major city but not mini golf. Both will do well but my bet is on Disney's bowling complex.
Mini Golf seems like it'll be more popular
Bowling because it is attached to Disney, Downtown Disney is free unlike Citywalk(unless after 10 I think), and there are already tons of min golf in orlando yet few if any bowling.
But personally I think the golf will be way cooler just not as profitable.
Mini-golf is my vote, though Domenick, how is it a new approach? Orlando had like fifty (exageration, but to make a point) mini-golf courses. Still, I think it will do better.
Minigolf...not because it's innovative but because it's minigolf by Universal...the masters of themeing.
Bowliing,
If you want to go mini golfing, just go to SummerWinterland
I disagree with Universal being the "masters of theming and creativity" almost entirely. That will always be Disney in my book. I think they will both do well and fit each areas needs more (however I do believe bowling will do a bit better in the long run). City Walk has night life, but not a lot for the family. While overdone in Orlando, mini golf fits the ticket perfectly. Night life has become all but nonexistent at Disney so a bowling alley, while still family friendly, adds a bit of night life that DD has been missing.
The reason I believe bowling will do better is this. City Walk has long been billed as a place to spend your time after the parks close. I think that at the end of a long day with tired legs walking around a mini golf course is the last thing that someone is going to want to do. On the other hand, Downtown Disney is a place that prides itself on being a blast during the day and rocking at night. People tend to go there on their first/last day at Disney or a day when they are taking a break from the parks. Either way, bowling is a fin, air conditioned activity where once you get started, your motion is limited to from your chair to the lane.
I really can't bealieve you guys are fighting over bowling alleys and mini golf. One I actually saw them building the mini golf at universal and it doesn't look any specail and who cares it's in the 90's almost everyday in the summer and u want to waste ur money on that go to the clubs or even go to the theme park that is the point of a theme park going to the parks isn't it
I feel about the bowling alley is a great touch to downtown disney. One it's a bowling alley kids love to bowl and if they don't want to go to the parks that day they can go there for a few hours. And the other thing is that there's nightlife which is great for everyone wishing the clubs would come back!
Bowling because it something new to do at Disney when you really dont want to a park or the weather is bad.
From N B
Posted August 16, 2011 at 11:23 PM
Andrew, there is no charge to go to CityWalk that I have ever heard of... there is a parking fee if you want to use the garage, but that is free after 10PM. Some of the night clubs have a cover, but there is no charge just to walk around.
Is sounds like you take offense to anything positive about Unversal or "anti-Disney". We did Disney for years until my wife finally talked me into Universal.
Visiting two Disney parks in one day is a pain unless it is Magic Kingdom / Epcot as they are linked by monorail, but you still have to get back to your car at the other park or take a shuttle to /from from your hotel.
After Magic Kingdom closes, it's a mad dash to the monorail and more waiting just to get out of there.
The "walk anywhere on a single property" and unlimited Express Pass will keep us coming back and staying on-site forever.
Have you ever been to Universal or stayed on-site? I have done so at both Disney and Universal. Well, we got free parking (at the theme parks) at Disney.......
If we are complaining about how things go after the park closes, I hate the incredibly long and crowded walk, after a long hot day of mostly walking, from the parks, through Citywalk, over the bridges to more brdiges, to be parked in the furthest garage on the top floor. It involves three times as much walking at Disney.
But as things go, I think Bowling will bring in more money in the end. Being less available as mini golf, and consisting food, alcohol and the game itself, I feel that in the long run it will last. Not to mention the capacity. But I think we are comparing apples to oranges, and we know how common oranges are in Fl.
Splitsville will generate more revenue. It's a franchise which means Disney gets its revenue from a lease (which is guaranteed) and probably a percentage of sales. The Splitsville company benefits (obviously) from location and probably a relatively competitive rental price.
It's already been a very successful franchise. There is pool as well, food and a full bar. The only question I have is whether or not they will enforce their 21-and-older policy after 8 PM.
It would also be nice if WDW took the addition of Splitsville to be an opportunity to juice up Disney Quest.
From steve lee
Posted August 18, 2011 at 9:10 AM
Their 21-and-older policy varies from location to location. Tampa says 8pm, while their Virginia location has 10pm. Obviously anywhere in Disney that serves food would be making an unwise decision in limiting entrance any earlier than 10 or 11pm...
Oh sorry Dominick, I always mess that up (the "e" for an "i") :D
Anyway, I was just mixed up. Yes it should be unique once Universal is finished.
I got those "Sittin' in a Parking Lot off West Highway 50 with a Flat Tire and No Spare at 4 AM" Blues ... HELP!
TH,
What does a flat tire has anything to do with bowling and mini golf?
Bowling will do way better. It's harder to come by in this area, and a bigger draw in really hot or rainy weather. It's free to park at Downtown Disney, but not at Citywalk. Plus, Downtown Disney is a destination unto itself, whereas Citywalk is pretty much something you walk through on the way to a theme park. I don't see someone stopping on the way into IOA for a quick round of $20 mini golf. But if you go to Downtown Disney it's because you specifically want to visit the shopping/restaurants/attractions there.
To Daniel: Because I would rather have been bowling or playing mini-golf than "Sittin' in a Parking Lot off West Highway 50 with a Flat Tire and No Spare at 4 AM" ... DUH!
From N B
Posted August 20, 2011 at 12:54 AM
If you stay on site at Unversal, the mini golf is a couple minute water taxi ride from your hotel. If you stay at a Disney hotel, you still have to drive to Downtown Disney.
Bowling requires.. well.. bowling shoes and socks, which are not that popular in Florida. Almost everybody I see wears flip-flops. Are they going to hand out disposable socks?
I think Universal came up with mini golf more for on-site guests who want to do a family activity. I doubt anyone will drive to the CityWalk with the sole purpose of playing mini golf.
Bowling seeems more like a "date night" activity for teens or couples. I think it will be a cool hangout, but it sounds like it is designed more for adults.
I really don't care which is more popular, I'm just pointing out the differences. Bowling alleys and mini golf courses around here (Chicago) are fading fast, so they are both curious choices to me.
Being inside has it's advantages for hot /cold days or rainy weather. So it may be a refuge for people to wait out the daily rain Orlando seems to get.
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