Check-in here if you are tired of....

[msgrimm23]

i'm on both sides of the fence i love both did you say they got rid of the free express pass was that for guest staying on site

 

[damo]

i'm on both sides of the fence i love both did you say they got rid of the free express pass was that for guest staying on site

No, there is still free express for onsite guests.

 

[Figment22]

How can they be so brainwashed that they are afraid to venture "off property" like they might get leprosy or something?

That's a perfect description!

 

[CJN]

I've been reading these boards for a long time without posting because I figured my time was better spent keeping my mouth shut and learning about the wonders of Orlando from the pros. But this thread is most certainly worth de-lurking for. Include my entire family and I to those who enthusiastically appreciate the specialness of Universal. We visited WDW five times before finally giving Universal a whirl and then had to wonder what took us so long. From the hotels to the restaurants to the parks themselves, we love it all and now feel we're missing a major source of entertainment pleasure if we don't end each vacation with a giant splash at the bottom of JPRA.

And what's not to love about Universal - a multi-million dollar theme park, rides that take your breath away, gorgeous (yet affordable) luxury hotels, great restaurants. When folks can't figure out how to have a good time it reminds me of something my mama used to lament: "Are we surrounded by so many riches that we've lost our ability to be delighted?" All too often anymore I think she was right, especially when I start reading too many "complaints". Thankfully, Universal (as well as WDW) continues to delight me, so a big thumbs up from me and my family!

 

[bazzanoid]

I sit on the fence totally, since I'm a theme park lover, regardless of what it is, where it is, or who owns it.

Most people who go to US & IOA are the same as me I'm sure (correct me if I'm wrong) - they go for the rides and the entertainment they have to offer, and do the same for Disney.

You do definitely get different 'feelings' at the different parks - I can agree that you can feel the pixie dust at disney parks, knowing they cater for the kids and do their damned hardest to provide them with a fantastic experience. I can also agree that the universal parks can blow your mind with some of the attractions, and you have a total feeling of fun and enjoyment at both.

I've seen a lot of people who are very much "I've got three weeks at disney, how will i fit it all in?" and the mind just boggles at that statement.... and by the same note, i see the same for some who do everything but disney, so this comment isn't aimed squarely at just the Disney DISers! I go for two weeks at a time, and manage to fit in all four disney parks, a water park, both universals, seaworld, discovery cove, busch gardens AND i still have time for chillin' by the pool, shopping and a nice relaxing walk through the countryside. Classic example is my upcoming trip - ten days for the parks, four days for relaxing!

Every park offers different levels of customer service - some offer fastpass/fotl, some don't, some have good food, some don't, some have great theming, some don't (especially here in the UK), some will make you feel special for being there, some won't. Just remember - wear sunscreen. (sorry, sorry, couldn't resist that end line, the way the sentence sounded just needed it )

I go to Disney, I go to Universal. I go to Seaworld, I go to Busch Gardens. I don't care who runs them, so long as they're safe and clean. I go to have a good time - not once do i think "I wish i went to x park today instead"

In conclusion (shall i write an epilogue? ), go to the parks, enjoy them, but don't compare them. They're not run by the same people, in the same way. Of course they're different - that's the whole point!

*gets off soapbox*

 

[disneylizzy]

Yo

 

[J/T Gramdma]

We have gone to Disney for a long time. I love lots about Disney. This time since the grandsons are 8/11 We decided to give US/IOA a good chance. We decided in Jan when we talked about a vacation. one major reason is no way am i going to make dining revs 6 mths in advance and if you don't you end up eating cs. With this new free dining too many people and not enough time slots for people. from what I know US/IOA esp with FOTL is a more restful enjoyable vacation. We are going the first week of November and am really looking forward to it.

 

[rubberband1293]

Bazzanoid - You said what I wish I could have!

 

[kimberh]

Disney is my favorite, that being said ,they have lost the edge in the last 10 years. There is nothing wrong with healthy competition. Disney has had some Board problems. I am a stockholder and there has been a power struggle to get Eisner off the Board. This is no secret. The new movies are not as appealing as the old, the parting of Pixar was not good. Now the buying of it back will hopefully get that side of Disney back on the strong side. The new rides in the parks are ok. They need to get back on track. Now there are some positives. The theming in the Hotels, Restaurants, getting people to stay on property.
I have a friend that loves Disney and she said to me one day, have you noticed that something is missing in the lastest Things Disney has put out? I told her that I had. So it's not just me. I am not Disney Bashing, I LOVE Disney and I am just getting my feet wet on Universal.

 

[shregister]

How do you purchase Disney stock and how much is it per share now?

What about Universal stock. How much is it per share now?

Do you know what Disney's track record has been for earning money in stock?

Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

It's only me!

 

[AlexandNessa]

Hi Guys! We are back from Hershey.

Storm Runner: Two words: IN-TENSE! As in, holy cow. Only got to ride it once as we waited an hour on Saturday for it, and on Sunday it was closed due to technical difficulties. They made us take off our sunglasses even though they were strapped on because they were afraid we'd lose them. Only complaint was that they didn't have signs of this nature till we got towards the front of the line, and there were no lockers close to the ride either (at least that we saw). Only a problem because we were a little nervous because our sunglasses cost about $200 each, and would've been easy to snag. Anyway, we literally spent 90% of the ride out of our seats. Talk about defying the laws of gravity. It was a pretty short ride though.

Reese's Extreme Cup Challenge: very cute. Think Buzz Light Year for Hershey's except that you can't spin the cart like you can on Buzz. High scores were very low (high 50K - low 70K) on the days we were there. I sucked at it. Mike did a lot better. And, no matter who wins, everyone gets some kind of Reese's cup on your way out of the ride. I don't eat peanut butter, so I'd grab one and give it to a kid waiting in line.

Fun weekend, and we had fun staying at the Hershey Lodge too. The bars and restaurants were totally our speed, and the transportation to the park was great. We never waited more than 5 minutes for a bus.

 

[Patch'sD]

I am not anti Disney, Otherwise I would have not spent two hours last night watching the History Channels Modern Marvels of Walt Disney World. I believe that Disney has cut back so much and Universal offers so much more to the resort guest. However I do get kinda negative when I see complaints about the parks from people who have not even been there. My reasons for not wanting to go back to Disney are

1) Very few rides that you want to ride over and over again. Does Disney have anything like MIB where you want to go on 10 times in a row.

2) In 89 and 90 when I last went. Disney had Early Entry for Hotel Guests. This when they had about 5,000 rooms total. Now with an extra 30,000 rooms on-site, Is Suprise Morning a perk. Why Couldn't Disney Open up all of the parks an hour early.

3) Hotel Guests were able to get Perferred Reservation System for Disney Restuarants, Now no longer

4) Fast Pass, Why Can't Disney allow a Hotel Guest to enter what Park and What rides they want to go on for a certain day, then Fast Pass gives them a schedule for all of those rides during the day. Why must the Hotel Guest who is paying at least $ 50 Bucks a night extra to stay on Site have to use the same system as the Day Guest. Not front of the line, but would be a nice perk rather than busses.

5) Package Delivery, What happened to in room package delivery.

6) My last trip to WDW in 1999, Journery to Imagination, Horizions, and Imanaginations were all closed this was in 1999. Animal Kingdom was like four main attractions. MGM was four main attractions. Everything else was shows and I am not into shows. With the exception of test track, Rock and Roll Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, and Countdown to Exctinction the rest of the rides were stale. In the past seven years three major rides have been added, I don't think that is worth $ 6000 for a seven day vacation at WDW.

7) Universal is fun, the On-Site Guest is treated great and yes the parks are is not as large so I can get a three or four day Vacation and do it all with spending quality time enjoying the hotel also. All this for about $ 1,700.


So for Now I'll Do Universal and not have to worry about anyone hurling because they hugged a princess.

 

[Figment22]

Fun weekend, and we had fun staying at the Hershey Lodge too. The bars and restaurants were totally our speed, and the transportation to the park was great. We never waited more than 5 minutes for a bus.

Sounds like you had a great time. I've always loved Hershey Park; when we lived up north we'd head out there at least once each season, sometimes more. The Hershey Lodge was always our favorite place to stay. I liked the sports bar at the HL (Bear's Den, I think.)

The Reese's Cup challenge sounds like fun. Is that at Hershey Park or at Chocolate World?

 

[AlexandNessa]

The Extreme Cup Challenge is in Hershey Park itself.

We had fun at the Bear's Den too! We also liked the Forebay. Didn't get to the Hershey Grille... they said when they redid it, they took out the bar.

 

[nickhutson]

What grates my cheese is when someone says:

"We are going to Disney for 8 days and we're wondering if we should venture off property and check out Universal for a day? Is this possible?"

Of course there's nothing wrong with saying this, but why not check Universal out for longer?

Also, for Disney to get in my good books, they need to add FOTL access for the hotel guests. Extra hours don't do it for me. I want to stay in a park and do the rides easily - not wait in line all day only to have to stay until 3am to keep waiting in line. To me, that's what sets Universal and Disney apart, and Disney need to take note!

 

[Akdar]

Hi Guys! We are back from Hershey.

Storm Runner: Two words: IN-TENSE! As in, holy cow. Only got to ride it once as we waited an hour on Saturday for it, and on Sunday it was closed due to technical difficulties. They made us take off our sunglasses even though they were strapped on because they were afraid we'd lose them. Only complaint was that they didn't have signs of this nature till we got towards the front of the line, and there were no lockers close to the ride either (at least that we saw). Only a problem because we were a little nervous because our sunglasses cost about $200 each, and would've been easy to snag. Anyway, we literally spent 90% of the ride out of our seats. Talk about defying the laws of gravity. It was a pretty short ride though.

Reese's Extreme Cup Challenge: very cute. Think Buzz Light Year for Hershey's except that you can't spin the cart like you can on Buzz. High scores were very low (high 50K - low 70K) on the days we were there. I sucked at it. Mike did a lot better. And, no matter who wins, everyone gets some kind of Reese's cup on your way out of the ride. I don't eat peanut butter, so I'd grab one and give it to a kid waiting in line.

Fun weekend, and we had fun staying at the Hershey Lodge too. The bars and restaurants were totally our speed, and the transportation to the park was great. We never waited more than 5 minutes for a bus.

How were the lines for the other rides? I want to go, but my wife said when she went last year (I had to work :-( that there was over an hour wait for everything. I can't handle that. It's to bad they don't have a fast pass system or even a preferred express type of deal. It would be nice to go since it's only 45 minutes away!

 

[Linxzy]

 

[AlexandNessa]

How were the lines for the other rides? I want to go, but my wife said when she went last year (I had to work :-( that there was over an hour wait for everything. I can't handle that. It's to bad they don't have a fast pass system or even a preferred express type of deal. It would be nice to go since it's only 45 minutes away!

When we went on Saturday, it was very busy due to the sold out Faith Hill and Tim McGraw concert as well as the Football 33, whatever that is. There were waits for everything, but I have to say that all the lines moved quickly. The most we waited was about an hour (have to say it was a bit less) for Storm Runner. On Sunday when we went back at noon, everything was practically a walk-on, except for some water rides because it was really hot that day! Have fun!

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

Count me in!