Comparing general atmosphere of US/IOA to Disney?

[BosLAD]

As a soon-to-be 1st time visiter to Universal next month, can anyone comment on the general atmosphere of Universal vs Disney's "magic" at Magic Kingdom?
You have to agree its kind of a sentimental feeling walking down MainStreet USA at the Magic Kingdom, with the Castle at the end of the street, each time you return there. Not to mention walking thru Frontierland or the pagentry of the parades, etc...

What is the "feeling" like at Universal? Is it just a bunch of great thrilling rides and thats it?

I just want to be prepared and not "let down" when I get there!

 

[sha_lyn]

Go with an open mind and don't expect WDW and I doubt you will be disappointed. the entrance of US lacks a feel to me but the Amity area is IMHO very well done.
IOA, OTOH, has wonderful theming in each area and it begins as you approach the park. Take the time to feel the atsmophere in the different areas
The theming is so well done that my first comment was "they out disney'ed disney". I love to look at lost Continent from across the lake. It just takes me away to another place.

 

[the kabuki]

While you won't get the warm fuzzies you do when walking down Main Street, US has done a good job with the theming of the park. One of the things I noticed has to do with separating the different areas of US. They're not as defined in US as they are in MK. I am not a big fan of the entrance to the park either. It's just a completely different experience, but a good one at that.

 

[All Aboard]

Comparing the Universal Studios theme park to the Magic Kingdom isn't really a valuable exercise. The two parks are not meant to capture the same emotions.

Just to set the stage a bit, I'm a huge fan of Disney; we travel up to WDW at least ten times a year. There's really nothing I'd rather be doing than spending time with my family at WDW.

That said, I absolutely love the Universal theme parks - especially Universal Studios Florida. The park is cram packed with e-ticket attractions that are full-on themed to the hilt, tell great stories and really "wow" the guest. Add to those, some top notch live entertainment and fantastic atmosphere (especially in New York) and you have one great theme park, front to back.

Was I only given the choice of two Orlando theme parks to visit, I'd choose MK and Epcot. However, my close third choice would be USF.

Oh, and by the way, Islands of Adventure next door really shows that Disney hasn't fully cornered the market on a multi-themed park. The Universal designers have done a marvelous job there - especially with the Lost Continent and Jurassic Park. Again, some phenomenal attractions tied together in a spectacular juxtaposition that somehow flows with little disruption (except the extreme change between the Lost Continent and Suess Landing.) And, it's all supported by some of the best atmosphere music you'll ever hear.

Universal has done a great job competing with the "big boys."

 

[F-L-A]

Universal is younger, edgier and more vibrant than Disney. The higher percentage of high-tech thrill rides just go along with that. The parks won't try to give you a sense of fake "magic", but more of a lively form of fun than what Disney offers. You can actually feel the higher energy level in the parks.

IOA is for the thrill junkies and people who love great theming, and Universal Studios itself is sort of the anti-Disney in the sense that they don't want you to think that something fake is real, and many of the attractions are actually there to show you how something works. (An example of this is in the new Mummy attraction. Instead of making the Mummy as lifelike as possible, they purposely made sure everyone would be able to realize it's just a high-tech robot, instead of something more believable, which they had the technology to have made.)

You'll enjoy Universal more if you go there expecting a different type of experience, instead of comparing it to Disney. You might even notice their similarities more that way.

 

[Sandyincanada]

Well Frontier Land and the parades don't do a thing for me but I do get a warm feeling when I first walk into MK...figure its that piped in bakery smells, lol. Seriously, I enjoy both parks....we have always gone to both but we have been spending more and more time at USF/IOA. Bottom line, we have more fun there, the rides are simply better and not so many strollers to dodge . Usf/IOA doesn't go as much for childhood sentiments but more for excitment. Its just simply fun to ride the movies you grew up with but then again my fav Disney park is MGM.

I think Suess Landing is amazing though, my DD grew up on Dr Suess, it was her favorite. I can spend hours walking around there and looking at everything.

Go with an open mind, comparing the 2 parks is like comparing apples to oranges, they are very different and they bring out different feelings. You'll have a great time.

 

[JessicaR]

I gotta agree with the majority...do not compare. Go, enjoy, experience it as a new adventure on uncharted terrritory! You won't regret it.

the kabuki While you won't get the warm fuzzies you do when walking down Main Street, US has done a good job

OK...I admit it, I DO get the warm fuzzies every single time I step foot into Port of Entry. Maybe more like the tingly's

 

[Eeyore's Girl]

Taking it a step further, you might compare the atmosphere of Universal with that of Islands of Adventure. For me, the atmosphere of US when strolling through the park is very calm and peaceful (maybe not so if you go during peak season), I feel like my pace is a little slower than at any of the other parks. You can contrast that with the awesome thrill attractions in the park.

Islands of Adventure has different atmospheres, depending on which island you happen to be on. For instance, Marvel Super Hero Island is LOUD, so don't go through there if your little one is napping in the stroller. Seuss Landing is playful. And so on...

These parks have great atmosphere, not Disney atmosphere, but great atmosphere in their own right.

 

[Figment22]

OK...I admit it, I DO get the warm fuzzies every single time I step foot into Port of Entry. Maybe more like the tingly's

I love the music at Port of Entry. It's so exotic; it really sets the right mood.

The theming at every "island" at IOA is incredible. If I had to pick a favorite it would be Jurassic Park but I could easily vote for Toon Lagoon, Seuss Landing or Lost Continent. At USF, I love NY, SF and Amity.

 

[4greatboys]

I agree with the do not compares! Just take each for what it is. We love Disney and Universal. Had encounters with nice employees at both, have found both to have clean parks and great resorts.

 

[englishman]

We've been to WDW three times & USF once.
I found WDW to have much more attention to detail, with a load more cuteness.
USF has more intensity & energy, the attractions themselves are much more exciting.
As a Brit, I also felt USF was more American (which we preferred) & the guests more laid back, perhaps this is due to the lack of strollers & their crying contents!
As my kids grew up, we found Disney not so enjoyable as USF. They are now 18 & 16 so we will only be going to USF this year. However the following trip in 2007 (yes, I'm thinking that far ahead!) will probably be a combination of both again because nostalgia will kick in & our kids will want to re-live their early Disney memories. But as my wife & I get older (I'm 48) we become less tolerant of lines & more reliant on FOTL, a return to WDW will only happen if Early Entry remains.

 

[BosLAD]

Wow - thanks for all the responses and advice!

I know I won't be disappointed if I keep an open mind.

 

[calena]

I think IOA has a lot of magic. The music really sets the theme as you walk in. Citiwalk, which you walk through to get to both UO and IOA, is a bit overwhelming in the morning, but when you walk into IOA it is like magic. I loved Seuss Landing, Jurassic Park and Lost Continent especially. The music and the distinctive feel in each area is great. I also liked UO better than Disney-MGM for that 'kind' of park. There is magic at ET. Loved that ride!
I think Magic Kingdom at Disney is "disney" but the crowds can be overwhelming... and it was "not busy" when we were there. Going to Universal is a pleasure because you aren't fighting crowds and can ride rides repeatedly. There is magic in that too!