A Disney Queen's First Venture to the Dark Side - My Thoughts

[Owlpost23]

Glad you enjoyed US/IOA! You can see why so many of us are enamored of the darkside.

 

[SnowWitch]

Next time you go buy lanyards with clear plastic holders for each person. Face the bar code on ticket outward and bar code on express pass outward and stick your room key in between the two. You will not have to take the tickets or express passes out. They can be scanned right through the plastic holder. When entering for early entry they will look at your express pass to see if you are eligible. We just got back and this worked well for us.

Ann

What an awesome idea! I have read where some of the plastic pockets fell off during rides, that was a concern and the reason we didn't purchase the lanyard with plastic holder. Do you think those people purchased non universal ones of poor quality? If I felt like my items were safe we would totally do this on future trips!

To the original poster, we are north of Atlanta and we have the same hang up on parking fees. We are hardcore House of the Mouse people and I must say we as a group were very impressed with out staff interaction. We have now decided to rotate annual pass years between Disney and Universal.

 

[snoopboop]

What an awesome idea! I have read where some of the plastic pockets fell off during rides, that was a concern and the reason we didn't purchase the lanyard with plastic holder. Do you think those people purchased non universal ones of poor quality? If I felt like my items were safe we would totally do this on future trips!

This is exactly what I do (EP & park pass facing out on opposite sides of the pouch, with my room key tucked between them!) and it works like a charm.

I've never been concerned about the plastic pocket falling off... In fact, it's held on with a reasonably substantial metal clasp, if I'm remembering correctly. What I *did* have happen one time was that my whole lanyard almost flew off over my neck on HRRR!!! Ever since then, I tuck it inside my shirt on the coasters!!! I suppose this would also potentially help alleviate any concern about the pocket falling off... though again, with the Uni-purchased lanyards, I've never even thought to be worried about that.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I have read where some of the plastic pockets fell off during rides, that was a concern and the reason we didn't purchase the lanyard with plastic holder. Do you think those people purchased non universal ones of poor quality? If I felt like my items were safe we would totally do this on future trips!

If you purchase a lanyard from Universal and any part of it breaks, they will replace it with a new one. We had an issue with DH's Universal-purchased lanyard after he rode Hulk, and one of the TM's noticed and sent us to the closest kiosk to get it swapped out for a new one. No questions asked and no receipt needed.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

OP, a great review . Sounds like you and your family had an awesome trip!

 

[sydneysmom]

Great report! I really love hearing your experiences, especially since we WERE diehard Disney fans.... Disney priced themselves out for us. So we're happily planning a Universal visit and we are SO excited. But I love knowing that the expectations are even better.... because judging from all the pictures and trip reports people are posting, it really seems awesome ! thank you for sharing your trip !

 

[kbelle8995]

Can I just say I've never seen a "glowing" CM at Disney World? I've met some super nice ones. At Universal especially in Harry Potter areas, I've been called a Muggle and Had some nice conversations with TMs and got greeted by my name at the gate. Been a long time since I've had that experience at Disney entry gates. I've not yet met a rude CM or TM at either Disney or Universal.

Entertainment is all over Universal. Music everywhere. There's even a guitar/or Sax player in the London Train station.

 

[spewey]

Also, after my kids rode Pteranodon Flyers over and over, one of the TMs gave them both a button that said, "I'm Celebrating! Frequent Flyer on Pteranodon Flyers." That was a nice touch.

We've been to both Universal and Disney many times, and by far the coolest interaction we ever had with any employee was at the Pteranodon Flyers.

It was our spring break trip last year, which coincided with my DD's 7th birthday. She was wearing her birthday button and a Flyer ride TM started chatting with her, noting her name reminded him of a favourite TV show. We joked back and forth, and when we got back to the station he high-fived her and said we had made his day.

As we were turning to go he stopped us and asked us what ride we were going to hit next. We were planning to head to Seuss Landing, but I had a feeling where this was going, so I interrupted my daughter and blurted out "Forbidden Journey". Sure enough, he got on his phone, gave our name to the TM at FJ's entrance, and we were escorted to the front of the line.

Definitely the highlight of that trip, and a great memory.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Can I just say I've never seen a "glowing" CM at Disney World? I've met some super nice ones. At Universal especially in Harry Potter areas, I've been called a Muggle and Had some nice conversations with TMs and got greeted by my name at the gate. Been a long time since I've had that experience at Disney entry gates. I've not yet met a rude CM or TM at either Disney or Universal.

Entertainment is all over Universal. Music everywhere. There's even a guitar/or Sax player in the London Train station.

Interesting. We never saw anything other than scheduled shows and we were there for three days. Maybe just wrong place, wrong time.

 

[kbelle8995]

Interesting. We never saw anything other than scheduled shows and we were there for three days. Maybe just wrong place, wrong time.

Yes it sometimes is simply timing. Saw both Celestina Warbeck as well as the The tales of Beetle the bard show. Twice I walked in the entrance and there was a band playing some nice rock music. They played the Simpson theme song when the characters came out But they were not there everyday. And I usually see the Sax or Guitar player at London train station right near the entrance. IOA there seems to be less of that.

I LOVE Celestina. Love her. She is fabulous.

They do play theme music with all the sections. I dearly love this.

 

[agavegirl1]

Great Report! I've been going to Universal for as long as I've been going to WDW (late 90's as an adult with and without kids). I feel each park has its own vibe and "Magic" if you will. So glad you enjoyed your trip. I usually do split trips including both parks going every four years to keep it fresh. Best of Both Worlds. If I need another theme park fix in between, I visit California doing the SoCal parks.

 

[macraven]

outside the Lucy tribute store, there is live music during parts of the day.

i usually grab something from boulangerie's place and sit at the table and chairs outside of their eatery to watch the live entertainment.

 

[schumigirl]

I thought the sax/guitar guy was there all the time? We certainly saw a male play every day we were there.

Also seen live music outside Mel's Diner, Lucy Tribute and there was dance troupes opposite Monsters cafe too.

Lively place with great atmosphere.......added to the regular shows........

 

[Bluer101]

Yep, sometimes the have a band at the split in ioa outside of Confriscos grill.

 

[kbelle8995]

Yep, sometimes the have a band at the split in ioa outside of Confriscos grill.

Neat. I will check that out next time I go.