Disney World's Top Rival Has a New Trick Up Its Sleeve
Disney's (NYSE: DIS) biggest rival in Central Florida knows that it needs more than just a single new hit to take on the onslaught of new attractions coming to Disney World in the coming years. Comcast's (NASDAQ: CMCSA) Universal Orlando announced on Tuesday morning that the upcoming Halloween Horror Nights season will be the last featuring the Bill & Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure show that has been an integral part of the fright-fetching festivities for the past 25 years.
The initial reaction on social media to the "farewell tour" news understandably was anger from the show's fans. Bill & Ted offer up a rollicking performance jam-packed with timely pop culture jokes, scantily clad male and female dancers, and several jabs at Disney World. The irreverent show is a welcome break to the scare zones and walk-through mazes that dot the seasonal event.
However, it should be pretty clear that the reason the show is going away -- beyond drumming up the ire of traditionalists -- is that Comcast needs the theater that hosts the show. That space, which also hosts the Fear Factor Live show outside of Halloween Horror Nights, is adjacent to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and it's been long-rumored to be the home of the next Potter-themed e-ticket attraction. Sending off Bill & Ted may hurt right now, but it's near-term pain for what likely will be long-term gain.
Source: Fool.com