Can a Disney lover love Universal?

[missypie]

I'm trying to figure out what to do for my 50th birthday. It's the week before Easter next year and I know that WDW will be packed to the rafters. I was thinking of Universal, since you get front of the line passes if you stay at one of their hotels.

We went to Universal in California a few years back and were not thrilled with it (we loved Disneyland so much more.)

It will only be my 12 year old daughter (a thrill ride lover) and I - the others will be busy that week.

Can confirmed Disney lovers find fun at Universal?

 

[keishashadow]

check out my siggie line

mouse owns us & we still manage to squeak in on-site visits when we're @ WDW...

a whole 'nuther world...it's all good

interested in your comment about U Hollywood though, we've never been there & have it penciled in for our DL trip next summer...

 

[tiff211]

After taking the girls to Disney for the past 4 years in a row, we went to US for a quick weekend getaway labor day weekend! We LOVED it. As long as you don't try to compare it to WDW and accept it as its own entity, you will enjoy! I can't wait to go back! WDW is still my 1st love though!

 

[ky07]

I am 40 and have been to WDW and Universal and have to admitt at first not a big fan of amusement parks but from the first time we went to Universal I was hooked and now I am like a little kid agian and can't wait to go agian.
So have fun and give Universal a whirl you will like it.

 

[ChisJo]

As tiff211 pointed out, as long as you don't compare the two parks, you will probably enjoy yourself. The first time I visited USO/IOA, I had my Disney blinders on and I really didn't like it....but I decided to give it a fair shot a couple of years later, and WOW! I LOVED it...I realized that the parks are so different and both offer their own uniqueness and now, personally, I think I really like Universal more than Disney. Their thrill rides are beyond description...you literally have to feel the smoothness of the ride to believe it. And who couldn't love Shrek, MIB, Mummy, Hulk, Spiderman, Jurassic Park, Dudley Do Right....and all within walking distance of a great hotel, and FOTL priviledges! I am now a die hard Universal fanatic, but, I love disney too....You can love both. Just give them both a FAIR shot, and you will see that you can do it.

 

[damo]

Universal Orlando and IOA are much better than Universal Hollywood. There are a lot more rides and it is much better laid out.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I love them both.. but I also grew up with them both.

My mama raised me right.

 

[missypie]

Universal Orlando and IOA are much better than Universal Hollywood. There are a lot more rides and it is much better laid out.

Glad to hear it. At the time we went to Universal Hollywood, our youngest was 7. At a couple of points DH was riding the scarier stuff with the older two kids and the youngest and I flat ran out of things to do.

 

[WillCAD]

Darn right we can!

I've been hooked on both WDW and Uni since my first trip. I never go to Orlando without visiting BOTH places. I'm a Uni Annual Passholder, and would be a WDW Passholder too (if they hadn't jacked up the price to about $4,000 a year).

I don't understand those who think that if you're a Disney fan you HAVE to hate Uni, or vice versa. There's plenty of room for both in Orlando and plenty of room for both in my heart.

 

[Spidey7]

First, there is no comparison with the Universal Hollyweird with Universal in Orlando. For one thing there is a whole new park (Islands of Adventure) at Universal in Orlando which IMO is the best park in the world.

I love WDW too, but this is not like sports teams and wondering if as a Giants fan you'll get roasted for wanting to go to a Jets game. This is theme parks. There is no reason not to do them all.

I still go to 6-Flags in Dallas which is nothing compared to Orlando, but I still go and enjoy it. Universal has so much that WDW does not have, although as the 2 best parks in the world I always put WDW equal with Universal as far as quality theme parks go.

As someone said before on this issue, do you always go to the same restaurant? Probably not, you're not worried about hurting Joe Blow owner of Eat at Joes, if you also sometimes go to Red Lobster right? So why not go to all the theme parks. Missing out on Universal is like going through life and never knowing what Pizza tastes like.

 

[Melisa1]

I would definately give Universal a try - I think you will love it! The rides are so much different than WDW and the FOTL is definately a plus. To me, Universal has its own different kind of magical feel. I am a WDW fan also, but I love Universal just as much (if not more)
Enjoy!

 

[missypie]

It's sounding pretty fun. But the Hardrock is already booked up for our dates!!! Which of the other two do you like? I like the beach at the Polynesian-looking one, but we're staying at the Poly (at WDW) in November, and I'm afraid it will feel like a cheap imitation.

 

[tropical depression]

It's sounding pretty fun. But the Hardrock is already booked up for our dates!!! Which of the other two do you like? I like the beach at the Polynesian-looking one, but we're staying at the Poly (at WDW) in November, and I'm afraid it will feel like a cheap imitation.

I'll take the Royal Pacific over the Poly any day. it's like comparing Tchoup Chop to 'Ohana.

 

[Spidey7]

All 3 onsite hotels are very nice. The Portifino is probably technicall the nicests, but its mainly because of the slightly better pool, balconies on some rooms and slightly larger rooms in general.

But I've stayed at the RP the last 3 times and really like it a lot. I think next time I'll go back to the portinfino but its the most expensive.

 

[ChrisFL]

The Royal Pacific and Poly are quite different from each other, and IMO the Royal Pacific is much nicer in many ways. Poly is nice but its showing its age.

 

[missypie]

All 3 onsite hotels are very nice. The Portifino is probably technicall the nicests, but its mainly because of the slightly better pool, balconies on some rooms and slightly larger rooms in general.

But I've stayed at the RP the last 3 times and really like it a lot. I think next time I'll go back to the portinfino but its the most expensive.

It didn't look to me like the Portofino had a slide or a beach. Is that correct?

 

[Darcy03231]

We just got back from spending 2 weeks in Orlando and only went to WDW (Magic Kingdom) once. The rest of the time was spent at Universal, Islands of Adventure, Seaworld and Busch Gardens. We had a fantastic time! If you go with an open mind and don't try to compare the parks I'm sure you'll have a great time too. Next summer we'll be back in Orlando and are going to WDW (DD has a dance competition) and plan to take at least three days at US/IOA and stay on-site this time. My kids can't wait to go!

 

[calgarygary]

As tiff211 pointed out, as long as you don't compare the two parks, you will probably enjoy yourself. The first time I visited USO/IOA, I had my Disney blinders on and I really didn't like it....but I decided to give it a fair shot a couple of years later, and WOW! I LOVED it...I realized that the parks are so different and both offer their own uniqueness and now, personally, I think I really like Universal more than Disney. Their thrill rides are beyond description...you literally have to feel the smoothness of the ride to believe it. And who couldn't love Shrek, MIB, Mummy, Hulk, Spiderman, Jurassic Park, Dudley Do Right....and all within walking distance of a great hotel, and FOTL priviledges! I am now a die hard Universal fanatic, but, I love disney too....You can love both. Just give them both a FAIR shot, and you will see that you can do it.

I think this is a great way to put it. Although you are from Edmonton, I have to give you props!

 

[WillCAD]

It didn't look to me like the Portofino had a slide or a beach. Is that correct?

Portafino has fabulous swimming pool with a beach and a slide. See my pics of Portafino, including the pool and slide, here:
http://willcad.org/photos/2003/Roll-161/Roll-161.html

It's sounding pretty fun. But the Hardrock is already booked up for our dates!!! Which of the other two do you like? I like the beach at the Polynesian-looking one, but we're staying at the Poly (at WDW) in November, and I'm afraid it will feel like a cheap imitation.

Nothing says Walt Disney World quite like the Polynesian Resort. The place has atmosphere and charm beyond any of the other WDW resorts (with Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge coming in a very close second). But Royal Pacific is a whole 'nother animal! It's difficult to put it into words; the expression I use most is "Poly on steroids." It's fabulous!

What's the dif? Well, Poly is themed on the Polynesian islands - Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, etc. But Royal Pacific has more of a western Pacific feel to it - more like the Solomons, New Guniea, Micronesia, etc. There is much more Asian influence in the decor and atmosphere.

See my pics here:
http://willcad.org/photos/2003/Roll-159/Roll-159.html

 

[micksterlee]

We are fans of both Disney and Universal but look at each as two completely different worlds.I think the resorts at Universal will amaze you, I think they are all three in a higher catagory than anything Disney has to offer.If you are looking to do a little resort time any of the three will satisfy.