Defending Universal

[Cruz Family]

I can't think of anything similar between the 2 parks, except that they are both a 5 minute walk from each other. just like the WDW parks, they're completely different experiences.

All I said is the "theme" seems similar not the experience, look at it from my point of view

US - Shrek, MIB, BTTF, ET, etc.
IOA - Cat in the hat, Jurassic Park, Spiderman, The lost continent, Hulk, etc.

Silly me thinking they both had an "entertainment" theme.

 

[ChrisFL]

no worries, you'll see the differences once you get there

 

[ChrisFL]

I've never understood the whole magic thing.

Are these people taking something I haven't tried?

I think I can understand the "magic" people are referring to, as I've been around Disney since I was very young and my father worked at Epcot.

The magic is more about the past, when the only place you could go for anything near the theming of a different "place" was at Disney. The rest of the country was basic amusement parks with a name on a sign and a basic ride/coaster, etc. There were a few exceptions but overall the idea of having whole areas on a specific concept and having massively different types of areas in the same park...it was just different.

These days, Disney doesn't own that type of idea and actually they've let go of it in places (see Animal Kingdom's camp minnie mickey) and companies like Univeral have taken the same idea and made it unique.

So while Disney had the "magic" first, its far from the only keeper of it now, unless you were a kid during that time where it was the only one.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I understand your perspective, Cruz Family. Universal is first and foremost a company that makes movies. at IOA, marvel superhero island is based on comic books. suess landing is designed around the works of Dr. Suess. the park was built long before any of the movies like spiderman, hulk, cat in the hat, were made. the exception is jurassic park. but it's one heck of an exception. the 'ride the movies' is what US is all about. IOA is a sensory overload unlike any park in Florida.

 

[Cruz Family]

no worries, you'll see the differences once you get there

I really can not wait
It better live up to what you guy say, cause I know where to find you LOL

 

[WillCAD]

Though I have only been to Disney once in 2004 (twice really, but the other one I was very young) I am a big Disney fan. But for our next trip in Oct we are spending a day at US and IOA (I know it is not enough time to see everything) and I am looking sooo forward to something new.
Just to give you some insight on my thinking, here are a few reasons we have choose to stay at Disney rather then USO.

1. Planning, where WDW offers the vacation planning kit w/ maps, and info on resturants, travel, hotels, shopping, etc. The only info I could find for US was on the web site. I even emailed them to see if I could get information sent to me and I never even got a reply. Maybe I am a bit of an over planner but I really like to have an idea of exactly where I am going before I get there.

2. Varitey, with WDW I can go to four very different parks rather than two parks with the same theme.

3. Comfort, this is probably the dumbest reason but I think there is a lot of truth in it. Everybody knows Disney and Mickey Mouse, the first time you walk down Main St. and look at the castle you feel like it is something so familar to you because you have seen it so many times. You feel comfortable because for the most part you know what to expect. USO is less known and though you know you will probably enjoy it will you want to spend a week there?

4. Disney just makes everything easy. I don't have to worry about renting a car because Disney will pick me up at the airport and provide me with transportation my entire vacation. The planning kit I mentioned before, and just in general there is so much more WDW info out there (web sites, books, tv, etc.).

Who knows maybe I will like it so much on this trip I will want to stay there for my next one???

Some very good points there!

1. This has got to be Uni's achiles heel. They don't have a planning kit of DVD like DIsney does, and that's a darn shame, because the Uni parks have so much to offer, and the Uni hotels are beyond beautiful.

2. I think you'll change your mind on that after you've experienced both Uni parks. They each have a unique and special feel to them - USF is all about the movies, IOA is all about fantasy.

3. Goes back to 1. Uni has TV commercials, but they don't have enough marketing material out there to truly make people familiar with the parks. They also nees some sort of park icons beyond the USF globe and the IOA tower, something like the castle, Spaceship Earth, and TOT.

4. That transportation thing is a very recent development - before DME came around, Disney spent almost 30 years letting people fend for themselves between the airport and the resort. Hopefully Uni will get with the program and include a Mears voucher with some of their vacation packages. And as far as on-site transportation - that's not even needed, because the Uni parks and resorts are all connected by a waterway with water taxi service. Plus, they're mostly walking distance.

 

[Cruz Family]

I understand your perspective, Cruz Family. Universal is first and foremost a company that makes movies. at IOA, marvel superhero island is based on comic books. suess landing is designed around the works of Dr. Suess. the park was built long before any of the movies like spiderman, hulk, cat in the hat, were made. the exception is jurassic park. but it's one heck of an exception. the 'ride the movies' is what US is all about. IOA is a sensory overload unlike any park in Florida.

Thanks for understanding
FYI - The Lost Continent is also a movie (think from the 50's or 60's) long before my time!

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I think I can understand the "magic" people are referring to, as I've been around Disney since I was very young and my father worked at Epcot.

The magic is more about the past, when the only place you could go for anything near the theming of a different "place" was at Disney. The rest of the country was basic amusement parks with a name on a sign and a basic ride/coaster, etc. There were a few exceptions but overall the idea of having whole areas on a specific concept and having massively different types of areas in the same park...it was just different.

These days, Disney doesn't own that type of idea and actually they've let go of it in places (see Animal Kingdom's camp minnie mickey) and companies like Univeral have taken the same idea and made it unique.

So while Disney had the "magic" first, its far from the only keeper of it now, unless you were a kid during that time where it was the only one.

good points. I'm 36 and like others, I grew up watching the wonderful world of disney on sunday nights. all we ever wanted to do was go to WDW. the only park that does anything for me anymore is the MK. and I think it's still indicative of the kid sitting in front of the TV dreaming about visiting WDW. we were at AK and MGM this last sunday and we had a great time. but the 'magic' thing I don't get. maybe I'm jaded because we go so often. UO still gets my heart pumping as we see the sign welcoming us into citywalk.

 

[Figment22]

I don't even try to defend Universal to the Disnoids any more. It's not worth the effort. Let them all keep eating the Mouse's cheese; I'll keep UO to myself (and to those of you in the know )

 

[Cruz Family]

Some very good points there!

1. This has got to be Uni's achiles heel. They don't have a planning kit of DVD like DIsney does, and that's a darn shame, because the Uni parks have so much to offer, and the Uni hotels are beyond beautiful.

2. I think you'll change your mind on that after you've experienced both Uni parks. They each have a unique and special feel to them - USF is all about the movies, IOA is all about fantasy.

3. Goes back to 1. Uni has TV commercials, but they don't have enough marketing material out there to truly make people familiar with the parks. They also nees some sort of park icons beyond the USF globe and the IOA tower, something like the castle, Spaceship Earth, and TOT.

4. That transportation thing is a very recent development - before DME came around, Disney spent almost 30 years letting people fend for themselves between the airport and the resort. Hopefully Uni will get with the program and include a Mears voucher with some of their vacation packages. And as far as on-site transportation - that's not even needed, because the Uni parks and resorts are all connected by a waterway with water taxi service. Plus, they're mostly walking distance.

It is really true what you said especially about the commercials. Honestly the things I am most excited to do (mummy, MIB, JP, etc. ) I have learned about through these boards. The only thing I really remember from the commercials are Hulk and the US globe thing. If it were not for other people I probably wouldn't have even bother going at all. Melissa

 

[Sylvester McBean]

Cruz Family, if you guys need park maps and a general look at park info, I'm sure people on this board would be happy to pick them up at the parks and send them to you. we won't be there this weekend, because of the superbowl. but I wouldn't mind sometime after that. UO used to have a planning video, but no longer. yes there is more info on WDW, but there are guides to UO at barnes and noble or borders. but you're tapped into a pretty good resource right here.

 

[MO Disney cruiser]

I'll keep UO to myself (and to those of you in the know )

 

[Cruz Family]

Cruz Family, if you guys need park maps and a general look at park info, I'm sure people on this board would be happy to pick them up at the parks and send them to you. we won't be there this weekend, because of the superbowl. but I wouldn't mind sometime after that. UO used to have a planning video, but no longer. yes there is more info on WDW, but there are guides to UO at barnes and noble or borders. but you're tapped into a pretty good resource right here.

Maps would be just great! I only found one book at Borders and it really seemed to be more behind the scenes type info. maybe I will check barnes and noble?? If you could send me a map I would be happy to send you some money to at least cover the postage, just let me know.
Thanks for your help, Melissa

 

[WillCAD]

Cruz Family, if you guys need park maps and a general look at park info, I'm sure people on this board would be happy to pick them up at the parks and send them to you. we won't be there this weekend, because of the superbowl. but I wouldn't mind sometime after that. UO used to have a planning video, but no longer. yes there is more info on WDW, but there are guides to UO at barnes and noble or borders. but you're tapped into a pretty good resource right here.

FYI - I have maps of both Uni parks and CityWalk on my maps page - see link in my signature.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

Maps would be just great! I only found one book at Borders and it really seemed to be more behind the scenes type info. maybe I will check barnes and noble?? If you could send me a map I would be happy to send you some money to at least cover the postage, just let me know.
Thanks for your help, Melissa

PM me your info and I'll send them to you. we don't have any laying around the house, but I'll probably be there about a week from now.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

that's a great resource, WillCAD. nice collection.

 

[Slacking]

I think I can understand the "magic" people are referring to, as I've been around Disney since I was very young and my father worked at Epcot.

The magic is more about the past, when the only place you could go for anything near the theming of a different "place" was at Disney. The rest of the country was basic amusement parks with a name on a sign and a basic ride/coaster, etc. There were a few exceptions but overall the idea of having whole areas on a specific concept and having massively different types of areas in the same park...it was just different.

These days, Disney doesn't own that type of idea and actually they've let go of it in places (see Animal Kingdom's camp minnie mickey) and companies like Univeral have taken the same idea and made it unique.

So while Disney had the "magic" first, its far from the only keeper of it now, unless you were a kid during that time where it was the only one.

I just never got that feeling from WDW. When I was a kid, my family would travel to DL (I lived on the west coast, so it was closer) and can understand a bit more of the magic argument about DL. DL was Walt's baby, he had a hand in it. He died before the MK even began construction, so I just don't get the same feeling from WDW that I did with DL. I hope that makes sense, I just enver understood the whole "magic" argument, Disney is a corporation and they're out to get our money not to create magic. I guess its just the cynic in me.

CruzFamily..... I understand your argument thinking each of the parks theme is "entertainment" once you listed the attractions out. When you visit IOA though, you don't think of the "entertainment" theme because each specific ride fits in so well with the themeing of its specific island. You'll understand when you visit.

 

[J/T Gramdma]

We are going to Uni for the first time since 1991. My gdkids are older and will problably like it more than disney. we are staying on site to get fotl. Also with Disney's ads I think the parks will be too crowded with first time visitors with little or no manners[once in a lifetime trip/I paid good money to be here and you are in my way people]. With the free dining and having to call 6months in advance for ps,We decided to check out universal and have great time.

 

[ChrisFL]

wow, since 1991, you won't recognize the place

 

[webray]

WE agree with you 100%, everything you said hubby and I have been saying for years. Universal has moved far ahead of disney in cleanliness, customer service and overall quality. It has been this way for years now. While disney has steadily went down hill, Universal has been gaining market share from those of us who understand it all!

Isn't it ironic how so many Disney fans complain inceasantly about how people don't "get" Disney, but turn right around and rail about how Universal "has no Magic" or "just doesn't appeal" to them?

I constantly praise the high level of service I have gotten on my last few trips to Uni, the cheerfulness of the Uni employees (they all seem to be really happy to work there and truly enjoy their jobs), the cleanliness of the parks (the bathrooms have been better than Disney the past 2 years), and the far superior bennefits given to Uni AP holders.

But it falls on deaf ears. "Yeah, yeah, Universal is nice and all, but it just doesn't have any Magic."

Uni does have Magic - Movie Magic. It may not have Mickey and Goofy, but I have always been delighted to hear the Blues Brothers singing, see Groucho and Marilyn and Doc Brown around the park, or get my pic taken with Spidey or John Hammond.

Disney people tout Buzz Lightyear's Spaceranger Spin as the cat's meow, but MIB blows it out of the water for excitement, and attention to detail.

Disney people praise the high level of service and the class of the Disney resorts, but I've seen the Uni hotels, and they are without a doubt equal or better than any of the Disney Deluxes. RPR makes Poly look weak and faded by comparisson, and there is nothing on Disney property that even begin to compare with Portafino.

I have also written at length about the superiority of the Uni AP. From the card itself (a hard-laminated plastic card, like a drivers license, with the Passholder's pic right on it), to the in-park discounts (20% off merchandise at any shop - including sale stuff! and 20% off most of the restaurants - including the counter-service places!), the Uni AP costs less than half of what the Disney AP costs, but delivers way more.

I gave up on trying to explain Disney to people who don't "get" it years ago. Yet somehow I constantly find myself trying to explain Uni to Disney fans who don't "get" it - usually without success.

I think I need to ride MIB and work out some of the frustration.