It is time to feast for Central Florida’s theme parks. Space colleges set free subsequent week. The remainder of the nation’s colleges will rapidly observe. 

Walt Disney‘s (DIS -2.12%) sprawling resort is prepared. Disney World will open its most costly curler coaster in time for subsequent weekend’s Memorial Day vacation crowds. SeaWorld Leisure (SEAS -3.25%) has two new scream machines — at SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa — that it launched earlier this yr. 

A few I-4 exits away, Disney World’s largest rival is not doing a lot. Comcast‘s (CMCSA -1.23%) Common Orlando opened a preferred Jurassic World-themed coaster within the springtime of final yr, however that was final summer season’s belle of the white-knuckled ball. Common Orlando would not have something shiny and new to supply company this summer season, and — if something — it has been pulling again on its choices. Vacationers will come anyway, however it’s not an excellent look. Let’s go over the curious case of Comcast’s method to competing towards Disney and SeaWorld throughout this necessary summer season journey season. 

Picture supply: Common Orlando.

You are going to want an even bigger moat

Comcast’s authentic theme park within the Sunshine State — Common Studios Florida — picked an odd time to refurbish a preferred experience and clear area for future points of interest. It started the yr by shuttering its indoor Mummy coaster for a months-long rehab. It formally would not count on to reopen till late summer season. It is not the one factor that has been taken away from its arsenal.

• It closed Shrek 4D in January. The Shrek-themed 3-D present with in-theater results wasn’t one of many park’s highest-rated points of interest, however it was a high-volume providing with two theaters operating the expertise to undergo numerous patrons each day.
• Earlier this week it shocked theme park and horror buffs by closing the Basic Monsters Cafe. The fast-service eatery featured themed eating areas honoring early Common Studios horror icons together with Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, Werewolf, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon.  
• On Thursday, the theme park introduced that it is ending Common’s Famous person Parade on June 4, closing a 10-year run. 

Subtraction is momentary on this planet of theme parks. Common’s social media workforce means that the Shrek 4D attraction will probably be changed by a Minions-themed expertise. The restaurant may even come again to life as both a brand new eatery or attraction. One other parade will inevitably return to the park. 

Nevertheless, it does go away a void this summer season. Many of the space theme parks — together with Common Studios Florida’s adjoining sister park Islands of Journey — have been including to their choices this yr. Bringing again outdated points of interest or introducing new experiences helps enhance capability at a time when demand is booming. 

Disney, Comcast, and SeaWorld Leisure are posting document monetary outcomes, and that is occurring throughout a worldwide pandemic. Park operators made the many of the preliminary COVID-19 shutdown to implement revenue-enhancing measures and agency up pricing. 

None of this excuses the timing of Common Studios Florida paring again its choices. One can argue that 2022 was going to be a misplaced trigger. Disney is midway via an 18-month celebration of the resort turning 50, and subsequent week’s opening of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is simply one of many two main coasters it is going to open this yr. 

Comcast will then have time to steal the highlight, forward of the 2025 opening of a whole theme park. Epic Universe will open a brief drive from its present resort. Ideally it is going to have a few new points of interest to supply at its present theme parks earlier than then.

This can be a difficult time for traders in leisure shares, however the theme park trade has by no means been stronger. Even when Comcast’s most visited park telephones it on this summer season, guests will hold coming. The premium that people are paying for escapism is climbing, and apparently you needn’t provide one thing new to deliver again followers of outdated.