4 Quick Universal Questions??? Pleae help me decide

[Britt_HeartsDisney]

What can I expect at Universal Studios and IOA I have never been. I absolutely LOVE WDW and wanted to know what Universal was like? I have a few Questions?
1.) Is Universal comparable to WDW in the aspect of feeling the "Magic"? Or is it just more like a theme park similar to Six Flags?

2.) Does Universal have a bus system like WDW when you stay onsite to get you to the parks? Or do you have to park your car or walk?

3.) How many days do you need at Universal to see both US & IOA?

4.) What do you think about US and IOA oh and City Walk? Do you love it, just like it, or dislike it????

Please help me decide if I should add Universal to my trip to WDW!


THANK YOU DISers!!!!!

 

[Britt_HeartsDisney]

Oh, and where is your favorite place to eat at in Universal/City Walk?
Thanks

 

[JohnnySharp2]

1. I would compare Universal more to MGM than any other park, you don't necessarily get the 'magic' that you do at Magic Kingdom, however the theming at both the parks is very good , especially at IOA.

2. I have never stayed on-site, the car park is a multi storey type.

3. I would say a couple of days at each approx, maybe 3 to see both perhaps?

4. They are both great parks that have some of the best rides in Orlando, particularly Shrek and Spiderman, both parks are completely different IOA is more suited to coaster lovers and thrill seekers and also has some great water attractions. US is for movie fans who also like rides and attratcions of all types.
There is plenty for kid's too, especially Suess Landing at IOA, and Curious George, ET, Barney and Woody Woodpecker at US.

One of the big advantages of Universal is that you can easily walk from one of the parks to the other, they are just a few minutes apart.

CityWalk provides a great contrast to the parks with shops and restaurants, it really comes alive at night.

As for restuarants you have the likes of Hard Rock Cafe, Nacar Cafe but although I have never been there the Mythos restaurant at IOA gets very good reviews.

 

[Cinderella822]

We love Disney also and always went there, but needed something different last summer, so we stayed for a week at Universal. We stayed onsite at PBH and loved it. I think it really makes a difference if you stay onsite rather than make it a day trip. The hotels, all of them, are mangificent. While I didn't fell the "Disney magic", Universal has a charm all its own. After all, it isn't Disney. It's on a way higher scale than a Six Flags park for sure. I believe it is every bit as comparable to Disney in respect to theming, cleaniness, and friendliness. The rides are great. Some rides you won't find in Disney, so it's something different. If you stay onsite, you get FOTL, the express pass to the front of the line. That was worth it's weight in gold. We were able to tour the parks at a leisurely pace, not worrying about strategy of which lines fill up fast, etc.

Everything is very close. All within walking distance. If you prefer, they have a nice little boat that takes you from place to place or a shuttle bus if you prefer. But getting from one point to another is definitely MUCH easier here than at Disney.

All the the restaurants are great. There are so many to chose from in the parks, hotels, and City Walk. I can't wait to go back to try some that I couldn't fit in on our last trip. We ate at Emeril's, Tchoup Chop, Mythos, Bubba Gump's, Mama Della's - all great in their own way.

Give it a try, if only for a few days. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. We were, going back next summer!

 

[WillCAD]

1) That's purely a matter of opinion. I think Uni has a feeling of magic as strong as Disney, but it's completely different - it's movie magic. Don't expect hidden mickeys or Small World playing in the background, but you will find wonderful characters, terrific attractions, and movie soundtrack music playing all over the place.

2) Uni's 2 theme parks and 3 resorts are all walking distance from each other, and also have a great water taxi system linking them together. If you stay on site, you won't need your car the entire time.

3) Two days is usually enough (one for each park), unless you're going in the heaviest summer season when crowds are at their heaviest, then you might need a third day to pick up missed attractions.

4) I love Universal and all of its attractions and areas. A trip to Orlando is never complete for me without at least one day at Uni. I have a Uni AP, but I don't have a Disney AP.

5) My favorite places to eat are Mythos (table service) at IOA, the Enchanted Oak (counter service) at IOA, and Richters Burgers (counter service) at USF.

 

[damo]

All of your questions are very subjective
1. I don't feel any Disney magic so I am probably not the best one to ask. I find Disney lacks substance and is very superficial. It is too spread out and there are only a few good rides at each park. I really don't enjoy more than one day there. Universal pays more attention to ride quality and is more of an adult experience. I don't feel patronized and taken advantage of at Universal, like I do at Disney.
2. Everyone has answered that.
3. We like to stay a minimum of 3 days. We are going for 7 in February and have done 7 before. We love the relaxation and the ability to have absolutely everything at our fingertips to enjoy as we want it without having the hassle of long transportation.
4. Universal is a perfect vacation. Very reasonably priced, adult oriented, efficient, everything you need is within walking distance and very well executed.