Crowd Levels Down?

[Girlstar30]

Honestly, if those two resorts were not in the same city, they would rarely be compared with each other.

Why not? They're both major theme parks and a lot of people enjoy both. A lot of universal characters are now owned by Disney and they're still in the universal parks ie Simpsons, Spiderman etc.

Universal has copied Disney with a lot of things popcorn buckets, pin trading, food offerings, etc. I feel like all of the theme parks look to Disney and Universal have their very popular IP Shrek, Jurassic Park, Fast and the Furious, How To Train Your Dragon (that did way better than Elio) etc.

And of course Harry Potter, one that Disney really wanted to get their hands on but JK rowling rejected, that they base their rides on.

We just became UO passholders and we are very excited to use their AP lounge and visit Epic, even more excited than going to the Disney parks this time around

 

[dvc lover 1970]

We just returned. Yes crowds are way down. I think they are losing to universal studios EPIC. besides that the cost has gone up significantly and there are more costs involved ( pay for fast pass). I remember when you had to book dinner reservations 6 months out. Its odd- even with the free dining they offered thos summer, it was not difficult getting reservations.

 

[muppets3d]

Why not? They're both major theme parks and a lot of people enjoy both. A lot of universal characters are now owned by Disney and they're still in the universal parks ie Simpsons, Spiderman etc.

Universal has copied Disney with a lot of things popcorn buckets, pin trading, food offerings, etc. I feel like all of the theme parks look to Disney and Universal have their very popular IP Shrek, Jurassic Park, Fast and the Furious, How To Train Your Dragon (that did way better than Elio) etc.

And of course Harry Potter, one that Disney really wanted to get their hands on but JK rowling rejected, that they base their rides on.

We just became UO passholders and we are very excited to use their AP lounge and visit Epic, even more excited than going to the Disney parks this time around

In my opinion, they have of course the Harry Potter lands which are as immersive as anything you’ll find anywhere and a few rides at islands of adventure, but everything else is far below even the worst of Disney World.

 

[Girlstar30]

In my opinion, they have of course the Harry Potter lands which are as immersive as anything you’ll find anywhere and a few rides at islands of adventure, but everything else is far below even the worst of Disney World.

A lot of people would disagree with that. The 9 and 14 year old were going with do not think Disney is thrilling enough and my wife who didnt grow up with Disney thinks that many of the rides are boring and outdated and I can see why.

I was so excited when main st electrical parade came back to Disneyland, but she thought it was lame. I think Disney banks more on people's nostalgia and I think some of the classic rides could use an update, but people would go nuts if that happened

 

[davidhr]

I love Universal and go there frequently (like I mentioned earlier, I found the crowd lights there too), but I find the costs (besides the AP) comparable to WDW for similar experiences. Universal IS expensive.

 

[Girlstar30]

I love Universal and go there frequently (like I mentioned earlier, I found the crowd lights there too), but I find the costs (besides the AP) comparable to WDW for similar experiences. Universal IS expensive.

At least universal throws us a bone here and there, the free express passes with their higher end loews hotels is a huge plus, can you imagine disney world throwing in free lightning lane for staying at deluxe

 

[davidhr]

At least universal throws us a bone here and there, the free express passes with their higher end loews hotels is a huge plus, can you imagine disney world throwing in free lightning lane for staying at deluxe

Those are pretty nice! Those passes are super expensive for some dates.

They aren't and won't be doing that anymore with new hotels/parks lol

 

[Girlstar30]

Those are pretty nice! Those passes are super expensive for some dates.

They aren't and won't be doing that anymore with new hotels/parks lol

Im just waiting for them to include epic in a UO annual pass, I wonder if that will ever happen, going there twice is almost as much as my AP

 

[airjay75]

This is my third WDW trip in 12 months - last August (2024), the week before Easter (2025), and now this week (checked in Saturday). We did AK and MK on Sunday, TL Monday, MK Tuesday, BB and Epcot today. MK on Sunday evening did feel like lighter crowds, and BB today seemed a bit light. But, every other visit did not seem discernibly different from either Easter week or August last year. TL was very busy on Monday, MK was busy as ever on Tuesday, and Epcot was hopping tonight. Went to Disney Springs before Epcot for dinner, and also very, very busy - I had not been in years, and I was honestly a bit surprised just how busy it was. Of course, those are my very subjective sentiments, so take it for what it's worth.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

This is my third WDW trip in 12 months - last August (2024), the week before Easter (2025), and now this week (checked in Saturday). We did AK and MK on Sunday, TL Monday, MK Tuesday, BB and Epcot today. MK on Sunday evening did feel like lighter crowds, and BB today seemed a bit light. But, every other visit did not seem discernibly different from either Easter week or August last year. TL was very busy on Monday, MK was busy as ever on Tuesday, and Epcot was hopping tonight. Went to Disney Springs before Epcot for dinner, and also very, very busy - I had not been in years, and I was honestly a bit surprised just how busy it was. Of course, those are my very subjective sentiments, so take it for what it's worth.

Just leaving DLR and I thought it would be a slow day since two new attractions open tomorrow plus the actual 70th and it was packed, also having a bad day operationally). Worse than it’s been here in a year— but we usually go on weekends. Maybe pass holder blackouts really do help with crowds?

 

[DebbieB]

This same info about low summer crowds is the same as the past 2 or 3 years. Crowds pickup in the fall with Halloween and Food & Wine.