Another "there's nothing for kids at USO" thread

[WebmasterPete]

I have to agree that the Universal versus Disney argument has gotten old - but I'm probably about to give it some legs. I will never understand why anyone feels the need to choose. But, to those that say there's nothing for kids at Universal - simply look at the empirical evidence - fully 50% of the attractions offered between IoA and USF are "all ages". The other 50% addresses a part of the family that Disney usually forgets (teens, twenty-somethings, adolescent at heart). That's the other problem I have - why are attractions that are geared more towards older children considered 'not family friendly'? Do your children stop becoming part of your family when they hit 12? And it's not like their serving drinks and handing out vouchers for hookers on Dueling Dragons. This mindset that seems to dictate that a princess must be involved in order for an attraction to be 'family friendly' is just mind boggling to me.

Please don't misunderstand - I love Disney - and I can safely say that I'm one of Disney's biggest fans (just take a look around). But Universal offers me something that Disney doesn't. Without going on too much of a rant, let's talk about the hotels for a second. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - Universal's hotels blow Disney's out of the water. The amenities are superior, the service is outstanding, the price is far more reasonable, and the experience is CONSISTENT. I've probably stayed at Portofino Bay a dozen times, and I've had a very consistent experience each time -that's the mark of true quality in a hotel, and I'm sorry, but Disney has lost any interest in keeping their hotels to the very standards that they themselves set.

Mark my words - Disney's arrogance will catch up with them, and within a few years you'll start seeing A LOT more complaints about the service, the hotels and the food. By contrast, there have been some major management changes at Universal in the last year, and the attitude over there is markedly different. Change is in the air - and it's ALL good.

See what you've made me do...now I have to get showered, dressed and drive over to Citywalk for lunch

Pete

 

[AlexandNessa]

Nice to see you over here, Pete.

And, I totally agree with everything you said.

 

[bubba's mom]

yep....me too.... you can already acknowledge people complaining over choices of food for their kids...you are seeing more fruit, juice and healthier choices already.....

 

[calgarygary]

If Pete is here than we can't be in the ghetto.

 

[WebmasterPete]

If you saw the condition of my house right now, you might think differently I'm with tarheel - if Universal is a ghetto, sign me up.

 

[sha_lyn]

See what you've made me do...now I have to get showered, dressed and drive over to Citywalk for lunch

Can you pick me up? I'm only an 8 hr detour 1 way LOL

Its nice to see you over here on the dark side, or should I say in the ghetto

 

[tlinus]

And it's not like their serving drinks and handing out vouchers for hookers on Dueling Dragons.

If they did - you would never get the men away from the ride

All joking aside - my kids are beyond Disney at this point (we still like it but not LOVE it) and they are 11 3/4, 7 and 5. We center our vacation (usually 4-5 days) around US/IOA with one disney park (this past trip was EPCOT) and one trip to seaworld. It is way too expensive for a family of 5 to stay onsite, get tickets and have to wait in lines all day.....even with their fastpass system!! You are limited to the number of passes.

DH was spoiled in October with the FOTL and staying onsite at the Hard Rock. So much that we are heading back after only 6 months .....that is unusual for us!!

Will we go to Disney Parks?? Sure. Will we bash Disney?? No, doesn't solve anything. Will we give up FOTL and walking to the parks.....NO WAY!!!! I am proud to walk on the "darkside"

 

[CPanther95]

I could say...I sure as heck wouldn't need to spend 7 days at Universal/IOA, whereas I could spend a week and a half at Disney and not see everything...but that would start a whole other debate...wouldn't it?

I doubt you'd get much debate at all. Without FOTL, and 2 hour wait times, I think everyone would pretty much agree that you need a week and a half at Disney to experience a fair amount of the attractions they offer. The only exception is if your party is made up of Kenyan marathon runners and you're armed with an aggressive, well laid out plan of attack.

I'd rather have 7 days and use 4 days (or 7 half-days) at US and IOA and have plenty of time left over to enjoy the room/pool/resort I'm paying for than pay twice as much for 2 days of the "hurry up and wait" Disney experience my whole family tired of 5 years ago.

 

[bubba's mom]

I'd rather have 7 days and use 4 days (or 7 half-days) at US and IOA and have plenty of time left over to enjoy the room/pool/resort I'm paying for than pay twice as much for 2 days of the "hurry up and wait" Disney experience my whole family tired of 5 years ago.

a/k/a: Wait Disney World

 

[SandrainNC]

I did!! I came over to ask!!!! Some of us do!!!

Sandra