Decided to Cross Over to the Darkside

[surferdave]

In sports, if you go on a message board for a rival team and proclaim your love for another team, you are either trying to insight a riot, trolling, or talking smack, etc.

I would never go on a Universal message board and proclaim my love for Disney... I would never go on a Cardinals forum and proclaim the superiority of the Cubs... I would never go on an Apple forum and say I'm only buying Microsoft products... It just doesn't make sense to me...

Maybe the problem is that this isn't strictly a fan board. People who post here aren't expected to have sworn a vow of loyalty to Disney. Planning for a trip to WDW for a lot of people includes time spent elsewhere, including Universal. If someone's long term vacation strategy includes delaying WDW visits until the MM+ smoke clears and going elsewhere in the meantime that is certainly viable.

I think the fan mentality hurts potential planning advice for newcomers more than expressions of dissatisfaction, because the "loyal" fans can't keep the guest's perspective separate from Disney's. When someone asks here what's good about FP+ for them and someone replies "it helps Disney get more people in the parks!" they have to wonder "why should I be glad Disney gets even more people in?"

Maybe what we need is a fan board. Maybe that's what the Happy Dance board is supposed to be.

 

[kbelle8995]

I'll continue to visit both resorts. I'm just putting off the Disney portion for an indefinite period. I haven't announced it in its own thread partially because I know that some people here see that decision as a personal insult. That to me is very odd.

That's odd to me too.

It's a personal decision isn't it? Why should it matter to them?

Bottom line is that FP+ and having everything mapped out in advance appeals to some but not all.

For others it is not their way of touring and they have a right to be unhappy. FP+ and MB does not work as a one size fits all solution. I hope Disney will at least make it more flexible in the future. It sounds like they are moving in that direction.

 

[nfceagles]

I've seen several people mention Universal as a good value for their family and that they can stay in Deluxe resorts for the price of a moderate.

I just started trying to plan a long weekend getaway to Universal (for our family of 4), our first trip, and I'm genuinely a little surprised by the cost of it all. What do people generally consider a fair price for the onsite resorts at Universal. I'm seeing $350ish per night for a 2 queen bed hotel room. It may just be that we're used to staying DVC so our accommodation cost doesn't flow directly through the trip costs and the cost of flights seems unusually high right now, but I'm curious if I'm missing some obvious discounts that I'm not familiar with.

 

[damo]

I've seen several people mention Universal as a good value for their family and that they can stay in Deluxe resorts for the price of a moderate.

I just started trying to plan a long weekend getaway to Universal (for our family of 4), our first trip, and I'm genuinely a little surprised by the cost of it all. What do people generally consider a fair price for the onsite resorts at Universal. I'm seeing $350ish per night for a 2 queen bed hotel room. It may just be that we're used to staying DVC so our accommodation cost doesn't flow directly through the trip costs and the cost of flights seems unusually high right now, but I'm curious if I'm missing some obvious discounts that I'm not familiar with.

Come over to the universal boards and we'll help you out with your planning .... http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=8

 

[jon18uk]

We were planning to come to the Motherland in July but I just can't wrap my head around FP+. This is not the way we vacation. Three FP's is not enough... the tiers are just crazy, and I have a feeling the lines will not be any better (if not worse) by the summer.

Look, we love Disney and have spent many great vacations (and lots of $$$) there... but we only take one big family vacation a year so we have to make it count. I'm sure no one is going to care that we are going to Universal (and one less family will make the lines shorter for some else!) however, I really do hope that Disney gets this FP+ situation sorted so we can go back! (I know.... some people love it... but I don't like the way it stands now and will not be back...)

If you don't want to use FP+ and you don't like the standby lines at Disney; are you willing to pay for Express pass at Universal?
I've been stood in many more nasty standby lines at Universal than I have a Disney, but mainly because I don't want to pay to skip lines and I watch all those in Universal deluxe hotels and have paid go straight to the front.

 

[crostorfer]

If you don't want to use FP+ and you don't like the standby lines at Disney; are you willing to pay for Express pass at Universal? I've been stood in many more nasty standby lines at Universal than I have a Disney, but mainly because I don't want to pay to skip lines and I watch all those in Universal deluxe hotels and have paid go straight to the front.

After staying on site at Universal, I would never do it any other way.

I have been very vocal about the fact that I'm absolutely willing to pay for more fast passes at WDW. If they let me purchase extras, above my allotted 3, I would gladly hand over the cash to do so if they allowed me to do the same ride twice.

 

[3smithboys]

After staying on site at Universal, I would never do it any other way. I have been very vocal about the fact that I'm absolutely willing to pay for more fast passes at WDW. If they let me purchase extras, above my allotted 3, I would gladly hand over the cash to do so if they allowed me to do the same ride twice.

I am staying onsite so we can have the front of the line pass... It would not work for us otherwise.... I would also pay for more FP's or pay to stay at a deluxe if it meant more or unlimited FP's at Disney like at universal... I've paid for the same thing at sea world before... But it was only for one day... The cost at Disney would have to be something that a family could afford for a week long vacation.

 

[RMulieri]

If you don't want to use FP+ and you don't like the standby lines at Disney; are you willing to pay for Express pass at Universal?
I've been stood in many more nasty standby lines at Universal than I have a Disney, but mainly because I don't want to pay to skip lines and I watch all those in Universal deluxe hotels and have paid go straight to the front.

Which is why when we go , we stay at a Universal resort.The resorts are deluxe( beautiful), all within walking distance and come with the express pass perk.Expensive? maybe.But worth every penny for us.Discounts can be found too.We spent $225 per night for a Club level room at Portofino Bay last August.

 

[Planogirl]

If you don't want to use FP+ and you don't like the standby lines at Disney; are you willing to pay for Express pass at Universal?
I've been stood in many more nasty standby lines at Universal than I have a Disney, but mainly because I don't want to pay to skip lines and I watch all those in Universal deluxe hotels and have paid go straight to the front.

If you follow a good touring plan then you can avoid a lot of the Universal lines. Just like back in the old days before fastpasses at WDW, it's possible to get around a lot of those back logs. Of course a lot of that depends on how crowded it is too.

I'll just add that I'd be willing to pay for some type of Express pass if it's needed.

 

[clsteve]

If you don't want to use FP+ and you don't like the standby lines at Disney; are you willing to pay for Express pass at Universal?
I've been stood in many more nasty standby lines at Universal than I have a Disney, but mainly because I don't want to pay to skip lines and I watch all those in Universal deluxe hotels and have paid go straight to the front.

The good news is: that is your choice, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with making that decision.

The better news?.....: there is a choice, open to all - whether that's deciding to stay at actual deluxe resorts, or purchasing that choice as an add-on when staying off-site.

Having choices is a wonderful thing......

 

[ArwenMarie]

The good news is: that is your choice, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with making that decision.

The better news?.....: there is a choice, open to all - whether that's deciding to stay at actual deluxe resorts, or purchasing that choice as an add-on when staying off-site.

Having choices is a wonderful thing......

Well, there is a choice at WDW too...the VIP tour. Just a very very expensive choice

 

[btk2333]

Well, there is a choice at WDW too...the VIP tour. Just a very very expensive choice

or purchasing extra admissions tickets

 

[Pooksie]

The good news is: that is your choice, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with making that decision.

The better news?.....: there is a choice, open to all - whether that's deciding to stay at actual deluxe resorts, or purchasing that choice as an add-on when staying off-site.

Having choices is a wonderful thing......

And if Disney does what I believe that they will and starts offering additional FP+ reservations for a fee, then Disney guests will have that choice as well. Albeit for a lot less money than Universal, who currently charges $46.00 per person per day for the Unlimited Express Pass option. I like the thought of an a la carte system at Disney as opposed to that, since many people would be happy to just buy one additional FP+ reservation at a much lower cost, (I'm guessing maybe $5.00 - $7.00 for a tier one FP+ reservation), than paying $46.00 just to get to ride Soarin and Test Track on the same day. FP+ is really not needed for the other rides so why pay so much for unlimited everything when you don't need it? Maybe have unlimited as a high priced option for people who go to MK on the busiest days of the year?

I'd like to see Disney do this and possibly not raise park admission prices for a year or two to balance it out. That would help the FP+ limit and tiering issue while showing that Disney is still considerate of their guests financial concerns... Time will tell.

 

[clsteve]

or purchasing extra admissions tickets if you like giving away your money

Again, a choice. Is it really any of our business how each of us on this board decides to spend our money? This type of comment is exactly how these discussions turn into a morass of judgement....

 

[btk2333]

Again, a choice. Is it really any of our business how each of us on this board decides to spend our money? This type of comment is exactly how these discussions turn into a morass of judgement....

My apologies- I wasn't trying to be judgemental- I was trying to state that there was a choice to get more FPP. My wording was poor. I have defended buying extra tickets in other posts.

 

[clsteve]

My apologies- I wasn't trying to be judgemental- I was trying to state that there was a choice to get more FPP. My wording was poor. I have defended buying extra tickets in other posts.

Noted - and many points for doing so! -

 

[Ofinn]

OP- I bet your kids like Universal better than Disney anyhow...it will be you who misses WDW. At least that is how it is with my family. Did UO for the first time last year and my boys thought it was a lot more fun than WDW. The rides were much edgier and more thrilling for them. It was me who missed WDW...partly for sentimental reasons but also the vibe is a lot classier in Disney. But kids care about neither of these

Oh, and please don't pay attention to the rude people who questioned your posting. That's what a *forum* is for and if you don't like it just move on. I find it so rude when people who don't like an opinion try to make a poster look foolish.

Funny I could have written this Post. My boys like Universal better than Disney they are 10 and 11. We ended up buying Power passes. We paid 765.00 for 4 Power AP's. I wish WDW had a annual pass tiering system.

Like you it is me that is going to miss WDW this year. Not for the rides(I actually like Universal rides more). It's more for sentimental reasons and the Disney atmosphere. Beach Club will always be my favorite resort, but I can't complain about the Universal resorts. They are beautiful, and I can stay Club level for less than a SV room at BC. The express passes that come with room are fantastic.

OP- It's fun to try new things. I hope you have a great vacation.