Universal says: We will win in 2002 [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

raidermatt

03-18-2002, 04:45 AM

Three things stuck out for me:

1- Competition is good. From the article, it wasn't clear to me exactly what Universal was going to win in 2002, but that aside, a little tough talk is good once in awhile. If Universal truly is prepared to back up this talk, let's hope Disney is still the champion who will refuse to be beaten, as opposed to the washed-up has-been. (WDW does have at least two new attractions coming that I can think of, Space and Philharmagic.)

2- Universal is much more forthcoming of information. Three new attractions, that, if I read this right, aren't even officially green-lighted yet? And the green-light depends on attendance being high enough for the first two quarters? Isn't this really the same strategy as the rumors we hear about AK? We hear that BK is on hold because attendance is too low. Essentially, Universal is saying the same thing, the green light on these attractions is on hold because they aren't sure about attendance. But Universal spins it differently, and put the info out to the public. I understand both strategies, but unless Disney gives up some info on any of the rumored additions/refurbs (BK, ToT, ST, etc), it will only fuel speculation that they are NOT developing much of anything. I guess that's not really a big deal as long as they actually are developing these or other things. It will all come out soon enough...

3- True, Universal will now be paying their entry-level workers 10 cents more per hour than Disney, but they were 35 cents lower before the move. I would think Disney would consider at least a small move, since they probably don't want the public to have the perception that they have the lowest paid workers. (I know I wouldn't if I were Disney...)

Safari Steve

03-18-2002, 10:07 AM

WDW's Mission Statement:
WE WILL:
-Create whimsical and enchanting experiences by bringing to life timeless stories, adventures, and childhood fantasies.
-Deliver unforgettable experiences that keep every member of our family of friends longing to return.
-Commit ourselves to bring life to the show each and every day, by viewing our resort through a child's eyes-- no matter what role we play.
-Contribute ... to the fabric of our organization... to perpetuate the magic in the kingdom.

That other place's mission statement (from 1998):
To be the largest tourist draw in Central Florida by 2000. (that was also SeaWorld's mission statement at that time.)

I think that says alot more than an article in the OS.

Chuck S

03-18-2002, 10:18 AM

WOW! 10¢ more per hour....a whopping $4 per week for a full timer, I know I'd be switching to Universal if I were employed by Disney, especially if I lived closer to Disney...that $4 would be eaten up by gasoline.

Captain Crook

03-18-2002, 10:33 AM

If I'm not mistaken Disney has always been the highest paying theme park employer in the area until the recent jump by SW & now US...Let's just see if WDW lets this stand.

As for the US proclomation...It's soooo easy to be a distant second. You can say anything. Hope springs eternal and no one holds you to your ridiculous boasts at the end of the day. Imagine if Disney boasted about everything all of the time. What would the hue & cry be upon a failure? Well, we saw it when Eisner opened his boneheaded mouth with regard to PH & the Disney enemies had a hey-day, if fact the critics were so critical that PH became known as a 'bomb' (despite the fact that PH has ended up being quite successful)...

I hope US continues to push the enveope of their plan...A park geared to a younger demographic offering the type of thrill that Disney is never going to offer (much to Bob O's chagrin;) ). IOA has some great attractions and Spiderman may be the best attraction anywhere, but it's only one. Unless these 3 new attractions push Spidey's creative limits, then there'll be little to talk about...
:smooth: :smooth: :bounce: :smooth: :smooth:

OnWithTheShow

03-18-2002, 11:47 AM

Don't forget about the other part of the mission statement...

To turn welcomed guests into cherished friends.

larworth

03-18-2002, 11:58 AM

Vivendi has been sitting on their hands for some time. With all their overseas expansion it was not clear when they would be making any big investment in Orlando (sounds familiar, huh). Gault obviously has some internal clout today. I find it hard to believe he won’t get something approved out of this. Great news as far as I can see.

I doubt either of the US attractions will come close to pushing the Spidey envelope. Doesn’t seem possible to approve something of this scale in 3Q02 and have it ready in 2003. Sounds like we are talking a clone here, which could be OK. Now, the IOA ride may be the rumored Jurassic Jeep ride which was supposed to be a biggee (sooko and boffo?). I’m a little surprised IOA only gets 1 out of 3. I would have thought they need the 2 to provide a little more balance between parks and to try to get attendance closer to US.

I say we need to organize a letter writing campaign. Tell Eisner that how dare Universal threaten Disney like this. He needs to uphold our honor and put these guys in their place. Green-lighting a couple new E tickets out to teach them a lesson.

Another Voice

03-18-2002, 12:29 PM

Funny, the last mission statement I heard about Disney parks was something about reaping the returns on all the years of investment. And I what I picked up from the stockholders meeting is that my visit to WDW is little more than my “opt in” to a lifetime of special offers flooding my mailbox from Disney to buy videos. Perhaps the mission statement posted in Burbank is slightly different than the mission statement posted in Orlando.

Universal’s goal is to get people to stop thinking about “going to Disney World” and to start thinking about “going to Orlando”. To some extent they’ve already been successful at that; rumors already say that USF & IOA already out draw Animal Kingdom for “real” guests (as opposed to part-day park hoppers) and they have a good chance at catching up to Disney/MGM. There are a lot more non-Disney hotel rooms than there are room son property, so Disney’s lock on the guests is not a sure thing.

Disney’s own strategy is feeding into this as well. To increase profits, Disney is trying to make their guests visit more often with special offers, DVC and other marketing ploys. The problem is that Disney is not offering guests anything more to do during their repeat visits. Sure, ‘Mission: Space’ can take up an afternoon but after that it’s going to be the same old stuff all over again. Universal’s strategy is to grab a day or two from these guests as well. The more “new” that Universal offers, the greater the chance they’ll get guests to come.

And if some still don’t believe that Disney can’t be beaten, remember that Magic Mountain, Knott’s Berry Farm and Sea World San Diego all beat California Adventure’s attendance (legal disclaimer, according to “rumor”).

P.S. I believe the Bob Gault mentioned in the article is the same Bob Gault that used to run Disneyland operations. It seems there are more "Disney" people at Universal these days than there are at Disney.

larry_poppins

03-18-2002, 01:49 PM

Universal Studios Hollywood Park already has the Waterworld Stunt show. It is excellent. An example of how a mediocre movie can be a great theme park attraction. My personal vote is with Bob Gault and Universal for 2002 and 2003.

Larry

OnWithTheShow

03-18-2002, 02:47 PM

Voice,
You have struck the problem on the head!
"Perhaps the mission statement posted in Burbank is slightly different than the mission statement posted in Orlando"

And fortunately for the guests the cast at WDW, including most of the upper management still follows their own mission statement instead of the zanyness that comes out of California.

BTW when I stopped to ask a question at guest services at DCA I noticed that they have nice framed pictures of Eisner and Pressler on the wall. (kind of like how government offices have pictures of the president or Attorney General on the wall)

Testtrack321

03-18-2002, 07:43 PM

A little too golting. He seems like he is blowing steam here people. I went to IoA and had little more than 3 hours of entertainment. This is the equivilant of saying that the Mexican Paso will beat the US Dollar in 2003. I can beat the bully in school by the last quorter or 2002. Pure fantasy. Their quality will end up hurting them. Although their rides might be well done, their ques and sceanery were *awful*. Did you ever go to Spiderman and see the opening que portion. A green room with two small tvs and a picture. And that's the reception area. If that was the reception area for a place I worked for, I would quit and go to work for Disney....

Uncleromulus

03-19-2002, 07:28 AM

Rest assured-neither will put the other out of business.
And in all my travels, etc, I have still yet to hear anyone say they are going to Central Florida just to see Universal.

damo

03-19-2002, 08:39 AM

Well here you are. We are going to Central Florida April 9 - 14 and guess what? We are only going to Universal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Annual pass is $99, deluxe room is $150, front of the line access for every ride. Hee-haa here we come!!!!

Bob O

03-19-2002, 10:55 AM

I would agree with AV regarding disneys true mission statement.
Captian Crook disney doesnt have to offer a park with nothing but thrill rides but can have a couple of thrill attractions in their parks. IOA only has a couple of thrill attractiions in their park. Not every ride has to be up to Spiderman to be a great attraction, as long as they arent spinning carny rides with a small amount of themeing.

Its nice for a change to have a park talking of undoing all their cutbacks(when will wdw give us EE back) and adding things. Now they may not add all that they are talking about and only time will tell if they do but its nice to hear positive things rather than just talks of coutbacks and how once attendance improves we will make even more money due to our drastic cutbacks implemented earlier. From what ive heard on other sites was a possible coaster at Universal Studios based on Apollo 13 movie and a re-do of the Kong attraction based on Mummy/Scorpion King.
Testtrack 321 A nice que is good but its the ride itself thats important, and Spiderman easily beats any attraction in Florida IMHO, even if you dont approve of the que(i didnt see the que as having front of the line access at Universal i went on the ride right away, the best perk in all of florida)

raidermatt

03-19-2002, 12:07 PM

With regard to the parks, I haven't heard any talk from Disney about cuts for quite some time now. There have been a few blurbs about attendance being down, but no talk about future cuts. There HAVE been articles about hours being restored for many workers, and one recently about Disney hiring more performers, but those seem to get very little attention...

Most of the talk about cuts comes on these boards, and they reference cuts made months ago. Meanwhile, Universal still has shorter hours than Disney, does not open every attraction when the front gates open, etc, etc, etc....

Universal is doing a nice job, but lets not overdo it.

Testtrack321

03-19-2002, 05:56 PM

My comment on the que was in part due to the poor themeing their. I loved IOA (:eek: ) and thought it was good, but the themeing was that of a background tree fort. Nothing good. Some parts seemed to big for what they were. You could see show buildings. Don't get me started on DD. Although the que is excelent (I actualy left because it scared the poop out of me!) but the ride is muy horrible! And as Uncleromulus, no of the parks will close. And Universal won't be on top, ever. Sorry :p .

Uncleromulus

03-20-2002, 07:20 AM

damo:
Well, you are the first!!! In all the time Universal has been open, I've never heard anyone say that. We'll do Universal for one day this time--but that's usually long enough for us.

damo

03-20-2002, 07:32 AM

I think if you check out the Universal Board you will find that there are a lot of people who only go to USF/IOA. And this is not the first time we've only gone to Orlando for Universal only. Our teenagers much prefer it to Disney (they will do the coasters and Spidey and Fearfall over and over at IOA and ride MIB at USF until the park closes). They find that at Disney there are one ofr two rides at each park that they like and you need to wait in line forever to ride them. With all the money that we save on park passes and hotes and the time that we save with Front of the Line Access and the amazing quality of the parks and hotels I'm sure that we will be spending our vacations there for a while. How come people are so amazed that someone could go to Orlando and not do Disney? Universal has just as much to offer and at a much lower cost. For our family of teenagers it is the perfect 5 day vacation and at that price we can do it a couple of times a year.

Uncleromulus

03-20-2002, 07:49 AM

I guess they have someting different to offer, but I'm not sure it's "just as much"....
But heck-let's be glad both exist. I wouldn't think of going to Central Florida and not do Disney. You wouldn't think of going and not do Universal. And both are in business to make $$$.

Captain Crook

03-20-2002, 07:54 AM

Exactly! Too each his own. The choices just make it better for all of us, otherwise everyone would be going to one place! I personally can't see how anyone could spend more than 2 days a US/IOA but hey thats just me & if you can and are happy then that is all that matters. Lots of people dislike Animal Kingdom and it is my favorite...
:smooth: :smooth: :bounce: :smooth: :smooth:

OnWithTheShow

03-20-2002, 10:28 AM

And don't get me started on the paying to cut in line program that both Six Flags and Universal have!

Captain Crook

03-20-2002, 11:25 AM

Show...I've been harping about that bogus offer for quite some time now! Glad you agree...
:smooth: :smooth: :bounce: :smooth: :smooth:

damo

03-20-2002, 01:08 PM

Disney has it too with their EE mornings for those people staying at on-site resorts. That's no different than Universal giving FOTL to guests who stay on site.

Bob O

03-20-2002, 02:16 PM

OnWitheShow At Six Flags you do have to pay for the privilege of cutting in front of people with a extra fee. While front of the line access(best hotel perk ever!) is part of your price of staying at a onsite hotel, no different than disneys ee was(of course ee was gotten rid of in favor of a supposedly superoir roving band of characthers if you believe that crock!) Each on site offers their own perks, from what ive read disneyland's lands hotels also offer a free fastpass for any attraction as part of a package.

Testtrack321

03-20-2002, 06:25 PM

Originally posted by damo
Disney has it too with their EE mornings for those people staying at on-site resorts. That's no different than Universal giving FOTL to guests who stay on site.

Disney stoped the EE. Never thought Universal had it (nor needed it).
I can believe that people would go to Universal only, but a treck to Disney every once in a while is good and healty. :D

raidermatt

03-20-2002, 08:12 PM

According to a post I saw on the Universal board, they did offer a form of EE, but no longer do.

But that doesn't make too much sense, since I've also seen multiple posts about attractions and restaurants not being open at the normal opening time...

Msenser

03-20-2002, 10:40 PM

I first went to Disney on vacation on 94 with my 5 year old daughter. That same trip we went to Universal and haven't been back to Disney to this day. My daughter perfers Universal to Disney . It's just a matter of taste. I made many visits down here from New Jersey sometimes 3 times a year just to do Universal. Don't kid yourself, there are many people who perfer Universal to Disney and from the size of their crowds lately that number is growing.

Uncleromulus

03-21-2002, 06:59 AM

I'm sure there are those who prefer Universal--. But I'm STILL looking to meet one of them up here!! At church, at local restaurants we visit, at Mrs. Uncleromulus' workplace (McCormick & Co.-the spice folks), at my VFW and American legion meetings, in talking w/my neighbors..all I ever hear is about upcoming trips to WDW. I have never heard anyone say-- "Boy are we excited--we're going to Universal!'"
And at Universal--what do you do after the second day??

damo

03-21-2002, 07:33 AM

When we go to Disney there are only a handful of rides that my teens are interested in: TOT, RNR, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Test Track and that's about it for the rides they would go on more than once. If those rides were in one park we would have them done in less than half a day. At Universal there is Hulk, Dueling Dragons, Spiderman, Bilge Barges, Jurassic Park, Ripsaw Falls, Dr. Doom, Flying Unicorn, Cat in the Hat, Men in Black, Back to the Future, Hanna Barbara, ET and Terminator that they will go on more than once. The parks are right beside each other so you can flip from one park to another in a matter of minutes where at Disney there are a couple of great rides at each park and then it takes an hour to get to another park to enjoy its rides. So you can see that for us, Universal really has more to offer. Our kids have grown out of the rides like Pirates, Haunted House etc because they've seen them and there is no thrill left to them. Sure, for nostalgia sake it's fun to go on them once every few years but they don't have the intrinsic thrill that makes you want to go on them over and over like most of the rides at Universal. I think it's the nostalgia part that differentiates the Disney fanatics and the Universal fanatics. Now, I don't think I'll ever be fanatical about either park but Universal offers more for our family of teenagers right now. They also enjoy the fresh, young theming at Universal over the traditional and juvenile theming at Disney. Just a different viewpoint. When we went down last year my 16 year old DD thought for sure she would miss Disney but didn't at all and is not even interested spending any time at Disney this year even though I'd like to visit Downtown Disney a bit. My husband loves the FOTL access and much prefers Hard Rock Hotel to the many resorts at Disney where we spent twice as much money for half as much space. I like being able to walk to everything within five minutes.

So, there is a lot for us to do on the second day. Actually more than at Disney. I guess that's why we're going again in 18 days!!!!!

Captain Crook

03-21-2002, 07:36 AM

Your kids have grown out of 'Pirates' but will do 'Cat in the Hat' multiple times???
:smooth: :smooth: :bounce: :smooth: :smooth:

damo

03-21-2002, 07:53 AM

Cat in the Hat has great spins that make the ride lots of fun even if you ride it with your eyes closed. On Pirates, the first drop if fun but after that it's not so exciting if you've seen it six times already.

Testtrack321

03-21-2002, 05:09 PM

Safari Steve

03-21-2002, 05:40 PM

I take issue with a "family/child-oriented" ride that small children and expectant mothers can not ride.

raidermatt

03-21-2002, 05:59 PM

Good points Steve and Testtrack.

But damo is referring to teenage children. Everybody, including Disney, knows that this is their weakest segment. Not every teen gets bored with Disney. I know I didn't. However, that definitely was the time in my life when going to Six Flag's Magic Mountain was almost as high on my list as going to Disneyland.

So it doesn't surprise me that damo's kids feel that way. Certainly its not hard to find plenty of anecdotal evidence that supports the idea that many teens get bored with Disney.

I'd like to see Disney find a way to better attract and hold that market without hurting their other segments, but that's no easy task.

The only way the teen dis-interest would really concern me is if it were shown that this is happening MORE than in the past.

Safari Steve

03-21-2002, 08:16 PM

Back in 1999 WDW tried to attract the local teen segment with a special hard ticket at MGM. There were live concerts with relatively well known bands and unlimited rides on Tower of Terror and Rock n Rollercoaster. I'm not sure how well they went over, but they certainly haven't done it since. The other teen oriented thing we do is grad nites, which becomes more scaled back every year due to cast safety and property damage concerns... Kids are rotten, and they all think they're funny. Every time I work one I am reminded of two things: Why I hated High School so much, and the fact that there will never be a shortage of fry cooks... not that being a fry cook is anything to be ashamed of...

Bennet

03-21-2002, 09:23 PM

I'm no Universal expert but what I like about Disney is the variety. I like the coasters but I also like the slower rides - well themed stuff - just as much. Even more I like interacting with the cast who for the most part are great to us guests. I like the jungle cruise even if I haven't been on steve's boat.

I'm happy for the teens that they like IOA. Go have fun. I'm a little older and aspire to one of the seats up in the balcony on to the right at Muppets.

Testtrack321

03-21-2002, 09:47 PM

I agree too. Everybody has their tastes, but variety and overall quailty rule for Disney, something Universal hasn't caught on to yet. When more good thrill rides are built, expect the compotition to do some impressive things. But I didn't mention who will build the rides or who the compotition is. ;)

Msenser

03-21-2002, 09:56 PM

Uncle
In my home town of Browns Mills NJ There is quite a Universal fan club. Many people come down JUST to do Universal.Many haven't set foot on Disney soil in years. One woman I know broke tradition this year and went on the Disney Cruise before hitting Universal and after it was over wished she had stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel instead. Her kids were unhappy, her husband and her felt she had wasted $6000. Maybe Universal people don't live in your town but they live in many towns in this country and they are many. They are in the churches and VFWS and the MOOSE. And hey, after reading the Universal site here on the boards many Disneyites admit Universal is "pretty darn fun" and many are spending more time there this year than Disney. Believe me, Universal is catching on.

Testtrack321

03-21-2002, 10:06 PM

Catching on? Yes. Lasting? Well...
Universal dosn't warrent anything over a day trip. Disney offers more in terms of an experence. Think food. Disney has the usual burgers and fries, but they also have Jiko, an African resturant, Tepinyaki, Japaniese food cooked infront of you, and many others. Universal has the usual celbrety indorsed resturants. Universal has no on-site water parks, or anything like that (ex. Wet'n'Wild, not "on-site"). Disney Institue, nope. Mini-golf, nu-hu. Comprehensive vacation that indulse you into the atmosphere, not really...

PS I have to give credit to Universal by pulling a major feat and comming up on Disney. I also like their new comercials, tells more than the past ones.

Msenser-We live in big cities, I have never meet anyone who has just gone to Universal. Why did thoes people not like the cruse? Don't they know how to have fun. Wait, I found it out. At Disney, you must have an imagination to have fun, Universal, well, lets just say, someone with a frontal-lobatamy and you will have the same fun there

VFWS and the MOOSE

Whats that?

Bob O

03-21-2002, 10:24 PM

I always get excited to go to Universal just as i do when i go to wdw, they are different parks but thats what makes them both unique and enjoyable. I can easily spend 3 days at Universal and that is with front of the line access. I much perfer riding my favorite rides numerous times.
Testtrack321 i hope you are young or just kiding but VFW's are Veternans of Foreign Wars- the people who fought for our country so we have the right to indulge in our pleasure hear and at the parks!!!!! If you dont know its a good idea to be aware of such groups as their ranks are liable to swell with the current state of the world!! And i dont think either park has a stranglehold on the mensa crowd!!!

Planogirl

03-21-2002, 10:33 PM

Good grief, everyone has different tastes. I know of some people who, believe it or not, can't stand Disney. I don't understand it but I don't expect everyone to feel like I do. I also know of a few people who absolutely adore the Six Flags parks and I don't think that they are weird or anything, just different.

However, give me Disney any day, at least so far... ;)

damo

03-22-2002, 08:44 AM

Like I said before, I think people like Disney because of the nostalgia. They were there when they were children and it brings back wonderful memories of their youth. It is also very innocent and "apple pie" and it encourages people to be young again. Universal is completely different and has a totally different appeal. I don't think that just because a person prefers one to another makes him superior intellectually though, Test Track, as you seem to be trying to bully us into liking Disney better. It is all a matter of personal preference. This could be debated forever. Personally, I really don't want to change anyone's mind and have everyone switching from Disney to Universal. I like the attendance just the way it is.

Testtrack321

03-22-2002, 12:28 PM

Glivan!
My whole point is not to bully you into liking Disney (if it seemed like that, sorry) but is to ask, what make Universal better? It has half themed rides, and those that are done well, lack in some areas. Disney's rides also lack in areas. So damo, if Disney is "apple pie" and "nestalga" (which it is, look at Main Street), what's Universal. I think it is an attemt to make money off of Disney. Sure, it's themed well, but look here. Everything is based on Disney in some way. City Walk (atmosphere is better than DD, but shops and resturants are worse) is just like Downtown Disney. Many other rides borrow things from Disney too. So when you say Disney is all "nestaga", then look back on the things Universal has copied in some way. Nastalga isn't bad, its good, but mabey that's why Disney is doing so good and it's on top.

PS Sorry if it seemed as though I was bullying and/or had no respect to others oppinions. I just like debate.

BobO, I am just 15 1/2 so I didn't know about the Vetrans of War thing. Sorry.

raidermatt

03-22-2002, 12:47 PM

Maybe I'm just slow (alright, forget the maybe), but what's "the MOOSE"?

I have a friend we call Moose, but I don't think this the same thing...

Bob O

03-22-2002, 01:29 PM

Testtrack321 If i came off as being insulting towards you i apologize!!! With your age i understand now why you wouldnt have known. With my father being a ww2 vet i was aware of that group from a very young age and taught to respect the people who defend our freedom .

Testtrack321

03-22-2002, 02:52 PM

dito. I am sorry for anything insulting. I didn't know and I have also been raised up to respect elders and others. But what the heck is MOOSE?!?!?!

Msenser

03-22-2002, 05:40 PM

Testtrack
Moose is the short name for the Loyal Order of Moose a ferternal organization like The Lions Club, The Elks Club, And VFW Lodges although VFWS are very different since their members have all served this country in a war. The others pay dues, meet every week, vote, socialize and hold affairs. Much like a Rotary Clubs in some towns. Most of these orders do charity work in their communities.
I disagree when you said that Universal is half themed. If you ever went to IOA or the studio you would see how much detail there is to the themeing. That half finished foyer which is the main entrance to Spiderman is a replica of a waiting room of the daily Bugle paper. There are placques in the trophy room of Spiderman deplicting the names of the rides creators. The phone # in the marquee where spiderman fights Dr Ock has a real working number that guests can call to get spiderman info. These are well thought out details. And that is only one ride. Jurassic Park has thousands of minute details from the fossils to the ferns. USF is the same way Every street sign is real,details are exact. Movie sets are exactly as seen in movies. I didn't find that kind of detail in MGM. Next time you go to Universal let me know I will send you a list of things to look for. Believe me you could spend 2 days alone checking out the details.

Testtrack321

03-22-2002, 05:58 PM

I have been to IOA and really don't plan on going in the very near future. Time, money, and other things won't permet. But send me some things to look for, and I'll send you some too. Disney and Universal are different, I perfer Disney myself. I saw the Daily Bugel loby, and that was half themed. One big picture of the head in the loby with a desk and two TV's isn't theaming. Look at the JC que. It was recently re-done and features lots of minute details. MGM has tons of them. But if I spent more time at Universal, and you spent more time at MGM, we would find them. MGM has crates to well known movie destinations near the crossroads, in ToT, when looking in the desplay case behind the service counter, the letters have fallen off the wall and have spell out (some say acadentily) "EVIL TOWER". Send me some and I'll send you some. I like learning about things and since I've tired out my Disney Trivia (You can only ask "What was the first Omni-Mover ride ever" question that many times) sector. I'll send you mine, you send me yours. Go to Disney, I'll go to Universal.

I guess the whole reason why were on these boards are because of one thing, we love theam parks and the rides and ideas the men that create them put into them. Weather it be Universal, Six Flags, Sea World, Disney, Paramount, Ceadar Fair, Bush, or many others, we need to remember that the industry feeds off eachother. Without Disneyland, there wouldn't be a Universal, without Universal Hollywood, there wouldn't be any Fastpass, without Bush, there wouldn't be any Animal Kingdom, without Cedar Point, there wouldn't be a Magic Mountian run to build rides. It's the same as cheering on your favorite team. Everyone has their favorites and weather it's their ego, hearatige, upbringing, or other wise that influences it, we still are loyal to the theme park industry. We come every summer, panchos, walkie talkies, and money, in hand at the front gate. When it opens, we run to our favorite rides. Millennium Force, Test Track, Spiderman, Superman, Indiana Jones, or Montu. We love the industry, and we should respect others opinions and tastes. We keep the industry running and pushing the boundaries of technology.

Uncleromulus

03-23-2002, 06:59 AM

Putting my posts in perspective and in the spirit of the original thread post--Universal is no real threat to WDW in any way, shape, or form..as a travel destination. As a local "amusement park" appealing to teens--well maybe. When I begin to hear from more people that they're going travel to Florida just to visit Universal, then maybe I'll think different(ly?). But until then--Universal is a nice spot to visit--for a day, and then only once in awhile.
And no offense taken at the VFW thing. Lots of "old timers" and retiree's (like me) there and lots of trips and vacations discussed. Just thought it significant that none of them ever included Universal as the main destination---.

drusba

03-23-2002, 03:08 PM

Going back to the original article noting the entry level wages at WDW $6.50, Universal now $6.60, and Sea World $6.65.

The main thing that struck me is that there are thus tens of thousands of workers in Orlando at the three theme parks who are terribly underpaid. How do all those nice CM's I meet manage to live on what they make?

Testtrack321

03-23-2002, 06:29 PM

I don't know, Safari or OWTS might know. My point is a comparison of how much does a person make compared to Disney on a per hour basis. McDonalds, Movie Theater, Book Store, and others. What's the minnium wage, etc. I think we should stop debating about Universal v. Disney and take a "Orlando Theme parks pay to little" thread.

Bob O

03-24-2002, 01:07 AM

Who says the workers are underpaid??? The marketplace determines what a job is worth. If employee's couldnt be found to do the job at the wage offered then wages would be increased. As is now with the cutbacks and all, people would perfer to get the wages stated rather than no wage at all. Their shouldnt be a government starting wage anyway but thats a different topic!!

Msenser

03-24-2002, 07:06 PM

Universal's starting wage is $6.60 for ft, pt and seasonal help. FT and PT goes to $6.70 after 90 days. Uncle Universal may not be a destination for many but their hotels are alot fuller than Disneys are not and they are not locals.

HauntedMansionFan

03-27-2002, 01:45 PM

I am now 24 years old, almost 25. I have been going to the Orlando area since I was 11, the first year I went in 1990, Universal hadn't even opened yet. The next time I went was in 1995, US was open, but I didn't care. Then I went back in 2000, IOA had been open for a bit. I decided to try both. I spent two days at both parks, spent one day at the US moping around because the quality in this park is horrible. The only thing that impressed me was Twister: Ride It Out, MIB was broken that day so I couldn't go on, nor will I ever go on it, I can't see spending another 50$ to go back to the Studios portion. Now on to IOA, I have only been to this park three times in all my visits to Orlando (as you can see in my signature, I've been quite a few times). Why I have only been three times? I love thrill rides just as much as any other adult or teenager, but I find that IOA is to in your face. "Look at our huge thrill rides!!! Look at our over the top shows!!! Look at us try to outdo Disney with our themeing" I see IOA as a one trick pony, and that pony goes by the name of Spiderman. Hulk, blah... after the launch and zero G roll it isn't that thrilling. Cat in the Hat? All they did was put up some walls in a big room and toss some animatronics in, this ride looks cheap. Dueling Dragons? If you don't sit in the front row, you miss the highlight of this ride. Jurassic Park? First time it was cool to see the T-Rex, now I know what's coming. Ripaw Falls? The drop is all that it has going for it, the animatronics here are worse then on the Cat In the Hat. Dr. Doom? No thanks, hurt my neck real bad last time. This is where the mention of my age comes into play. When I step into a Disney park I feel like I'm 10 years old again, so some of the rides are the same every time you go on, some of the rides could be deemed as "older" or "outdated". Disney gives me that carefree feeling of being a child again, that Universal has never even come close to giving me. When I go to Universal I feel that I'm there to be flipped upside down, soaked with water, and spun at high speeds. That's about it. The quality of employees at Universal pales to Disney also, it seems that most ride operators are Disney rejects. They have no personality, don't even smile at you, and can be very rude. Disney just touches me in a way that Universal will never be able to.

HauntedMansionFan

03-27-2002, 01:52 PM

That is just my two cents. Take it or leave it.

All Aboard

03-27-2002, 02:32 PM

Hauntedmansionfan,

Forgive me for picking at straws, but you mention that you've only been to IOA on three of your Central Florida trips. It appears from your signature that you've been to WDW 5 times since IOA opened. That would mean that you've made a point to go over to IOA during 60% of your Central Florida trips.

The casual observer would say that Universal has derived some significant benefit from you.

HauntedMansionFan

03-27-2002, 03:43 PM

That would mean that you've made a point to go over to IOA during 60% of your Central Florida trips. Correction. The correct answer would be 13% To clarify, all of three times that I've been to IOA, once was by choice. The other two were going along with a group of friends. Did I have the choice to stay behind? Yes, yes I did. But I went so I could spend time with my friends, not because IOA is a good place to go. So there is only one occasion that I actually said, "yeah, I want to go to IOA". And that was on my first and last trip. Will I continue to visit IOA, certainly, but by the decision that I have made to go with other people that want to go, so I can spend quality time with them. Also, just because I went to IOA, doesn't mean that I spend much time there. If you really wanted to get technical. Each time I go to Central Florida I spend 8 to 9 days down there. So for math we will say that I spend 8 days each time I go. We will cut out two days as travel days, so in total I spend at least 6 days every vacation doing park activities. So that totals to 30 days. The total time spent at IOA and US of all three times that I've gone is 4 days. So of all 5 visits that I've taken to Central Florida since IOA opened, I've spent 13% of my time on Universal Property. Not a large chunk when you consider that the remaining 87% was spent at Disney. Your math is wrong because you were just calculating the number of trips to Florida versus the number of trips to IOA. When in reality it should be time spent at each park. Now who is picking at straws???!!?? Lol.....

mattjs

03-27-2002, 04:30 PM

Universal to win what? The award for most thrill coasters with theming and storyline like the spectacular Primeval Whirl? Woohoo! Thank you no.

I'm sorry, but a weakly themed and/or exposed track coaster is poor show whether it's the tiny little PW or some lightning, looping monstrosity down the street.

If that's winning then lets hope Disney drops out of this contest before it gets started. Getting suckered into a race to build no theme coasters is no way to get me back to Orlando every year. Hopefully Disney will be smart enough not to let Universal drag WDW down to thier level.

Tluvs2talk

03-29-2002, 12:14 AM

I introduced My husband to Disney World on our Honeymoon 14 years ago. We have been back 30 times since. We have stayed on property most of those times. We have also been on 3 Disney cruises with a 4th one planned this October. "Disney World, been there, done that, going back."

Judge Doom

03-31-2002, 12:52 PM

Getting suckered into a race to build no theme coasters is no way to get me back to Orlando every year.

Who says they are building coasters? At this time Universal isn't a threat but with their attitude (the little engine that could) along with Disney's (we are untouchable) I think in the next few years we will see a turn around...If Universal builds up their land...(and they have lots too) In 10 years I see them on the same playing field as WDW. The problem wih Disney is they have no competition and I'm glad Universal is steping up. In the end Disney will step up too and the only ones who win are us the guest.

Bob O

03-31-2002, 01:36 PM

Lets hope disney isnt too cheap to be dragged up to Universal's level and they will create a world class ride like Spiderman!!!! Or is the best we can expect from disney is redone carny rides unless somebody else pays the bill!!!

Killer Fish

03-31-2002, 10:40 PM

I go to the University of Central Florida and I am 20. From what a lot of people have said thus far on this topic do to the fact that I am older I should probably choose IOA over Disney. This is definitely not the case. Last year I had the 2 park annual pass for Universal and a Disney Premium Annual. I bought the Universal pass due to the fact that it was about the price of going three times. I did not find Universal to be more than a day event. I really don't think that anything other than Men in Black and Terminator are that great at Universal Studios. At Islands of Adventure there are several good rides but when I would go last year I would never want to really go on them more than once. I do not think that several of the big rides at IOA are very impressive. Doctor Dooms Fearfall was just a huge waste of time. It is the same type of ride that exists at carnivals. Jurassic Park for me is definitely not a Splash Mtn. I prefer Kali Radids to Popeye and Bluto at IOA. Spiderman is an excellent ride but I would not enjoy just riding it all day. The only show that i enjoyed was the Poseidon one and they changed it for the worse in my opinion.

When I am at Disney I can just sit and enjoy my surroundings. The park is clean and enjoyable. I don't just ride the rides for the nostalgia. I ride them because they are fund well done attractions. I remember when I was in line for the hulk right before boarding there was trash just thrown everywhere on this one table. It smelled do to the amount of garbage. I never see loads of garbage thrown around the entrance of RnR coaster. I just think that Disney is far superior. When it came time to renew my passes, Disney was of course redone but I did not even think about renewing my Universal pass. I have not gone once this year and don't really miss it. This is just my opinion on the subject and I don't reject anyone elses opinion of Universal being worth a 5 day stay I just don't know where the time would go.

One last thing Pleasure Island make Citywalk look bad. Several college friends and I go to Pleasure Island at least once or twice a month. It is always a blast on Friday and Saturday nights. I would think that these older kids or teens that don't like Pirates and the Mansion would actually want to do something at night.

OnWithTheShow

04-01-2002, 01:07 AM

Very well put Killer Fish, I agree with all your points. I too prefer PI to CityWalk (gotta love those cast nights). I could also go into any of the Disney parks, find a bench, sit there all day, and have a GREAT time.

Testtrack321

04-01-2002, 12:07 PM

Disney is the only park where you don't have to ride one ride and have the time of your life. Just look at Innoventions! I love the music. I am listening to Ellen's Energy Adventure music right now! If you would like a copy, just e-mail me and I'll hook you up.

All Aboard

04-01-2002, 01:54 PM

Fish & Show, you bring up a great point. I, too, could spend an entire day just moving from bench to bench around the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Studios or Animal Kingdom. Without even seeing one show or enjoying a single attraction, I really think I would have an enjoyable day. I could never see myself doing that at IOA or USF. Perhaps it's some part nostalgia (but that wouldn't really apply to AK or the Studios). This probably doesn't matter to either company, but it is an interesting notion.

yensid1071

04-01-2002, 05:01 PM

I'll admit that I'm a Disney fanatic. But I did give US a try. I only had a 1 night stay, but stayed off property (around 1999) after IOA opened. We went to US instead of IOA since it was our first trip to their property. My wife, who isn't nearly as big of a Disney fan as me, was not impressed by US. She prefers the theming of Disney, the queues and the overall experience. For us, Disney is the way to go. I'd like to try IOA someday, but I can assure you it would be a one day visit surrounded by days at WDW. For those that prefer US/IOA, good for you. That's your preference. Mine is Disney. I can respect your choice. US has some decent rides, but they're just not for me.
In a way, WDW actually made Orlando/Central FL. Look what happened after word got out that Walt was buying the land to develop into the resort. The town/area grew like wildfire. Hotels sprang up and other attractions opened all in hopes of feeding off WDW crowds. For 3 decades, when people said they were going to "Disney" they meant Central FL/Orlando. Many people still say it. Are things changing? Maybe. To me, it just means Disney needs to step up and persuade those people that Orlando means WDW more than anything else. US/IOA has the same opportunity. Heathy competition is a good thing.
But in the end, I'll always be a Disney fan! Give me Pirates and Muppets over Kong and Back to the Future any day!