2nd thoughts, compare to Disney

[FreeTime]

Hi-Everyone with the exception of one person that I have spoken to says that they prefer Disney over Universal. We have been to Disney many times, but are starting to have second thoughts. Can I please get your opinions between the two? We will have a 5 & 6 year old and grandpa with us. The kids have ridden ToT several times and said that they want to ride Jaws, for example. Will the Universal rides/shows be too much for them? Thanks!

 

[yaytezIOA]

I do not like Disney. Thats my opinion. They are too crowded, a lot of the attractions are too old, and the shows are waaaaaaay too lip synched for my tastes. With that being said, I also just recieved an annual pass to WDW. Go figure. Universal does not have the loyalist republic type following that Disney does, but it is just as fulfilling, if not more so than Disney.
IOAIslands of Adventure for those of you who dont frequent the Central)
Incredible Hulk Coaster: The closest thing to it is Rockin Roller Coaster at MGM...but Hulk is leaps better, and the wait is seldom over 70 mins, unlike RNRC which I have seen at over 2 hours at times. More inversions, faster, bigger...
Storm Force Excellerator: Just like Mad Hatters Tea Party at MK. They are equal in ride length and intensity, though storm usually has a 5 min. wait.
Amazing Adventures of Spiderman: Take all the 3/4D attractions at WDW, mix them with Dinosaur, and you have some kind of idea what Spiderman will be like. Its unlike anything you've seen.
Dudley Do Rights-Ripsaw Falls: A fun flume ride that mixes elements of Splash Mountain at MK. A fun ride, but as for themeing...does not compare to Splash Mtn. But still worth the ride.
Bluto's Bilge Rat Barge: Awesomely fun. Wickedly fast. Ten times longer than Khali River Rapids at AK, and you get absolutely soaked.
Jurassic Park River Adventure: Another great water ride, a combo between Dinosaur and Splash Mtn. This one is a little on the scary side, you come face to face with big T-Rex.
Dueling Dragons: Again...unlike anything you have at WDW. Past this point of no return you must choose: FREEZE OR BURN! A very cool queue and a very intense fun coaster.
Sinbad: A great fun show, much along the lines of Indiana Jones at MGM. A lot of fun, but get there at least 30 mins ahead of time for prime seating.
Carroseusell: Its a caroseul like you've never seen. Fun for all.
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish: Its dumbo, Its alladins camel ride...all in one! Its fun!
Cat in The Hat: No nothing like the movie...thankfully...full of spins and rhymes.. a lot like Pooh at WDW...but with a name like Pooh...Cat in The Hat has to be better....

Add in all the little shows, all the minor parades, all the fun features and playgrounds and you have the best of all four disney parks in one great less crowded theme park. And I havent even started on USF (thats Universal Studios Florida for those of you who dont frequent the Central).
I can say that right now Dudley Do Right and Jaws are down for the season and will not open until at least spring break. If you like this little comparison, I'll continue with my USF comparison.

 

[robvia]

I think it would be worth a visit if you drive up early arriving at 8am.
I don't think the kids will make the height requirements for the big coasters, but there are other rides and play grounds. Once they can ride the coasters, it's usually over for Disney, this happens at about the age of 8-9.
You'll enjoy the visit but staying on site at one of the 3 hotels makes you "feel" like part of the action. Some people drive up from Disney, visit USF/IOA, drive back to their Disney hotel, and don't think much of it. That's because they're brainwashed by Disney, and they're not staying onsite at USF. So keep that in mind when you drive up. If you book an onsite hotel for a couple nights, then you'll really enjoy your stay.

 

[Soprano]

Hi-Everyone with the exception of one person that I have spoken to says that they prefer Disney over Universal. We have been to Disney many times, but are starting to have second thoughts. Can I please get your opinions between the two? We will have a 5 & 6 year old and grandpa with us. The kids have ridden ToT several times and said that they want to ride Jaws, for example. Will the Universal rides/shows be too much for them? Thanks!

My favourite Disney park is MGM, which I think is as close to Universal as any park. I find Animal Kingdom boring, and a lot of EPCOT dull. Magic Kindgom is good. I love Islands of Adventure as I read Marvel Comics when I was younger (still pick up DAREDEVIL every month!)

I find it strange some people spend their entire vacation at Disney without seeing what Universal has to offer. We're from the UK, so when we visit, we try to get as much as we can in and Universal is a MUST.

The 5 & 6 year old will have a great time! I feel people think Universal parks don't have a lot to offer younger kids, but we spent 3 and a half days in both parks with my then 3 and 4 yo. there was tonnes for them to do and see.

The Spider-man ride is one of the greatest rides of all time anywhere!

If I put the parks in order, I'd say:

1. Disney MGM (Tower of Terror!)
2. Islands of Adventure ( a very close second, photo finsih in fact!)
3. Magic Kingdom
4. Universal Studios
5. EPCOT
6. Animal Kingdom

 

[drenalin'junkie]

Disney has far more to offer non-coaster-riders.IOA has shorter times for the coasters.Universal has better effects type rides(Mummy).Epcot is still my favorite,it has the best grounds by far,best resturants and coolest(not most exiteing)rides.IOA is adrenalin cetral for Hulk ,Spiderman,Dueling Dragons.

 

[ksdave]

I agree with Robvia. You really have to stay onsite at UO to get a fair comparison to WDW. The three UO resorts are all incredible, with the lowest level (RPR) being better IMHO than Disney's moderate resorts. And, having stayed at both, I prefer Portofino over Grand Floridian. And the UO resorts are alot less expensive and closer to the parks and Citywalk than their WDW counterparts.
I also agree with the age thing. Once my son turned 9 and my daughter 11, it was the end of WDW on our vacations. That year we stayed at UO for 2 days and WDW for five. On the way home, both of them said they were not interested in going back to WDW, but definitely wanted to have longer stays at UO. We have had many trips, some as long as 7 days, now to UO and we have never gotten bored. Just spoiled!!

 

[FreeTime]

yaytezIOA-I would love to hear waht you have to say about US als0o.
Thanks to everyone for the comments!

 

[yaytezIOA]

As you wish. Everyone has very good tips, and it is well worth it to stay at an onsite hotel. Like someone said, they are a bit cheaper, and a lot more fun than the Disney hotels. I'll get to them in a second.
Universal Studios: You can't compare it to MGM, you simply cant. Where lies the basis? They are both movie studios? That is where it ends. Islands of Adventure is billed as the worlds most technilogically advanced theme park, with all kinds of coasters and thrills to make your jaw drop. But make no mistake, the Studios are in no way less.
Shrek4D: The only thing that comes close to this is Muppetvision, without the big finish. It's second only to Tough to be a Bug. They take 3D technology and put you in seats that move, and of course synch them with the movie. Then you get blasted, tickled, and sneezed on. Add in the guys from Shrek and you can see why its so great.
Jimmy Neutron: Help the boy genius get back his rocket. It's a simulator, fun, but nothing too special. If I had to compare it to anything at Disney, I'd say Body Wars at Epcot.
Twister-Ride It Out: Thats precisely what you do. You are put in the path of a Tornado, just like the Drive-In scene from the movie. A stand up show...I cant really think of anything that it compares to at disney....but I'm sure someone can think of something. A very cool show, and a good way to beat the heat.
Revenge of The Mummy: Imagine Space Mountain---then take it and pump it full of adrenaline and very cool effects. You are shot off at 40 mph in a coaster that goes frontwards and backwards...for a short while...Will Imohtep get your souls?
Earthquake: This is the closest thing to the Great Movie Ride that you'll get. Great preshow that shows you how a lot of effects are done. Raise your hand and get picked. Then to top it off, you get put on a replica of San Francisco's BART trains and thrown in the middle of an earthquake.
JAWS: Unfortunately this is down for the season. But it is a classic. Jungle Cruise, with a twist.
MIB-Alien Attack: Close to Buzz Lightyear, only better effects, better preshow, better ride design better guns, and a lot more fun.
ET's Great Adventure: You're on bikes helping ET make his way home. Peter Pan, Snow White and Pooh, only a lot more imaginative. This dark ride has our favorite guest even say your name in thanks as you leave. AND one of the best queue's ever. I'm tellin ya, this forest is really cool, I'll bet you cant come up with anything like this over at Mickey's joint.
Back to the Future: Help Doc Brown defeat Biff in a race through time. Very much like Soarin, but Soarin is a lot smoother, because it is newer. Gives you the sensation that you are flying. whoohoo.
T2-3D: It picks up right where T2 leaves off, mixes 3D technology with Live Action for a great experience. Nothing like it at Disney.
Again, throw in Curious George's water park, Feivels Playland, the Barney Show, The horror make-up show, Fear Factor Live and all of the various smaller shows and parades throughout the day. You got it, more fun than you know what to do with.

Ya wanna talk hotels? Disney has all these hotels, and some are nice.....but what is there about them thats special? Universal takes 3 hotels and I'll bet you cant find anything similar about them. Portofino Bay puts you right in Italy. The service is top notch. The scenery is outstanding. We spent a whole day just playing there, between the pools (they have 3) the Bocci courts and all the extras like shops and resturants.
Hard Rock hotel is a lot of fun. You live like a rock star, really! Great rooms, again great service. This one stays booked.
Then there's Royal Pacific. Its the cheapest, but that doesnt take away from the experience. They have Emerils Chop Choup centrally located, and a few other smaller resturants. You dont have to go anywhere, but if you want you can take a short boat ride over to City Walk, or even the parks where you use your room keys as express passes. For the time, for the money...I go Universal every time, to me its home.

 

[damo]

My son hates Disney. Well, he hates the cutsey pie princesses and mouse immersion. He does have tremendous respect for many of the rides themselves but cannot stand to be there for long. He can tolerate Disneyland and California Adventure a lot more simply because they aren't so sweet and he would really like to go to Disney Sea. He loves Universal, partly because it is so non-Disney. It has fantastic rides, none of the sweetness and appeals to his sense of adventure.

I like all parks(well, I didn't like Knott's Berry Farm but that is one of the few). I like Disney but I prefer Universal for many of the same reasons as my son. I just get moused out.

 

[lindalinda]

Whats Disney Sea?

 

[Cass]

We love Disney AND Universal. They are different from each other, apples & oranges.

The universal rides and parks are fun & the Disney parks seem more magical.

Your kids will have an awesome time and so will you. Please don't worry about it.

 

[yaytezIOA]

Whats Disney Sea?

Disney Sea is a theme park in Japan. Since I cant post web pages, do a google search and click on the third one down, Joe has an awesome site all about DisneySea. Essentially its all aquatic themed and has different lands and waterfronts, filled with rides.

 

[BosLAD]

If you have a 5 and 6 year old, then in my opinion, Disney is the place to go. Yes, Universal has great thrill rides, but your kids are either too short to ride on them or, even if they meet the height requirements, they would be too scared. Even my 11 year old daughter was too scared for some of the rides at Universal.

Disney is great for young children.
Universal is great for teenagers.

Stay at Disney. Spend a day (or afternoon) at Universal while you're there. Don't let your kids grow up too fast!!!! Let them enjoy Disney while they can! They may be so scared and/or bored with Universal that you may never be able to get them to go there in 5 years when they can appreciate it!

 

[ChrisFL]

Stay at Disney. Spend a day (or afternoon) at Universal while you're there. Don't let your kids grow up too fast!!!! Let them enjoy Disney while they can! They may be so scared and/or bored with Universal that you may never be able to get them to go there in 5 years when they can appreciate it!

I guess if you tried to take them on all the scary rides they'd have a problem, but there's still a lot of attractions they can do and lots of kid friendly areas like Curious George and Barney areas, Seuss Landing, Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park Playground (the name escapes me).

You may want to just buy a 1-day 2 park pass and see what you want of both parks.

 

[Mainebound]

You don't say whether your kids are boys or not, but I will tell you we have been to UO twice in the last two years (along with WDW) and my 6 year old boy LOVES Universal. In fact, we are going back to Orlando in May and I told the boys we would probably not be doing Universal this trip. They both (even the little guy at 4 years old) begged me to change my mind. So I did, of course. One of their "bedtime stories" last night was the description of Men in Black Alien Attack from a Universal Guidebook. LOL!

We stayed at the HRH our first time to Universal in 2004 and we LOVED LOVED LOVED it. I agree that onsite at Universal is amazing, not just FOTL but hotels themselves and the quick walk to both Universal parks.

But last year we stayed offsite and you know what? We still had 5 amazing days at Universal (I still cannot believe we used all 5 days of our bonus pass).

If your boys are into Nickelodeon, Shrek, or Super Heros at all (and I know few who aren't) the Universal parks are right up their alley. Anf my little guy loves the Dr. Seuss, E.T., Animal Planet, Barney and who all knows what else.

 

[BosLAD]

In my opinion, the main attraction at Universal are the rollar coasters, MIB, etc... Thats what makes it worth the price.

At Disney, their biggest asset is the theme, the magic, all the characters, Main Street USA, etc which is essentialy geared to kids under 10. The kid-friendly areas at Universal can't compare to Disney.

I still say - at ages 5 & 6 - let them enjoy Disney while they can. Kids grow up too fast as it is!

I guess if you tried to take them on all the scary rides they'd have a problem, but there's still a lot of attractions they can do and lots of kid friendly areas like Curious George and Barney areas, Seuss Landing, Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park Playground (the name escapes me).

You may want to just buy a 1-day 2 park pass and see what you want of both parks.

 

[Lizardbeth61]

We now do both Disney and Universal because of our 9 year old son. DD 12 is still happy with Disney alone. The thrill rides are great at Universal/IOA, but IMHO there isn't any magic. These parks are NOISY everywhere. Granpa might find them a bit overwhelming and your kids are younger.

Yes, I personally prefer Disney, but I see the merits of both groups of parks. Like I said the above mentioned replies really said it all in terms of your particular family group.

Whatever you do, enjoy.

 

[Mad4Dizne]

and have been taking the family to both since our oldest was 2!!!!

 

[lindalinda]

I've been taking my son since he was 5 to US. He loved it, esp Jaws when he was little. The only time we had a problem was when he was 8 or 9 and too short to ride the coasters, but wanted to BAD. We had to pretty much stay in US and avoid IOA because it bummed him out (the other kids with us were tall enough). At 5 and 6 he was fine tho, knew he couldn't ride those yet.

 

[Laurabearz]

We do both parks and love US/IOA. Our kids are dd6, dd5 ds2. Or as we like to refer to them as 49 1/2, 43 1/3, and 36 inchers....

If your boys kids can handle ToT and RnR, then they should be fine on most attractions they are tall enough for.... I agree with yaytezIOA thoughts but wanted to expand on some, since we just did some of these attractions with our girls.... First, Spiderman is hands down my favorite ride, but it is intense. You really feel the heat, and it is all LARGER THAN LIFE and quite in your face. Height requrement is 40 inches, but the mind requirement is much higher. IMO (Like ToT but more so... BIGGER)

We all LOVE Jimmy Newtron. And and JAMMED packed with Nick cartoons.. so if your kids watch Nick, this is the movie for them. I beg to differ on the Body Wars comparson... I think Mickey's Philharmagic is Disney's version of this.. both great, but I bet the boys would prefer JN over MPM hands down.

Jurrasc Park, again is larger than life. Big Mean Dinosaurs in this one.

We also think staying onsite is great and are fans of the Hard Rock..... Walking distances or a short boat ride to the parks. And the perks are sweet.