Defending Universal

[FayeW]

We have been to Orlando twice. The first time was supposed to be "once in a lifetime" but I did so well with our budget for that trip, that we decided it wasn't so expensive after all.(Planning 3rd trip/Disney cruise for Dec). The first time, we spent 3 days at SW, 5 days at US/IOA, and we did MK twice, once for the full day, and once for the Christmas Party. I have to tell you that I never felt the "magic" more than when we were in Island of the Lost Continents. The tinkling music, the medieval lanterns in the trees, the unicorn hoofprints in the concrete at "Flying Unicorn". It was all magical. At US, we really felt like we were walking through the different cities, etc.

The only time I felt the Disney Magic, was watching Spectromagic. That parade alone is worth the price of admission (and I feel the same way about Shark Encounter at SW). I felt more attached to Disney after this last visit, because we went to all four parks. I love alot of attractions, parades, etc at Disney (particularily at MK) but alot of the rides are nostalgic, not cool. I can't imagine going to Orlando, and not spending at least one day at US/IOA. For our next trip we have only 2.5 days before we leave on the cruise, and one of them is for US/IOA. We will also do the Christmas party again, and the day we come back from the cruise, we will go to AKL for the day before our flight. We will buy the 5 day adult/kid free tickets even though we will only go one day, because it is the cheapest way to see both parks in the one day.

 

[challada]

I am glad to hear they are increasing their customer services and cleanliness at US/IOA and surpassing Disney. We enjoy both places when we go down to FL, but definitely feel like the US/IA crowd is a bit different than the WDW crowd. My biggest beef w/US was just the fact that everyone could smoke anywhere, so we were constantly trying to avoid cigarettes...unlike Disney which has a specific area for that in certain places. Maybe that has changed since we were down there and I would be pleasantly surprised!

As far as west coast goes, though, Disney definitely has US beat on that end. Of course, the US is a working studio, so there are not many rides or such. My DD calls that US "storeland" since it's a studio tour and then lots of stores (and a couple of shows).

 

[Laurabearz]

Smoking is now limited to certain areas at both US and IOA...

 

[SandrainNC]

I haven't read all of the posts but just wanted to say that I LOVE Disney, but I like Universal too! I love the Disney "magic" but I also like thrill rides. We always go to one or two parks outside of Disney while we are there. This time we went to US and the Mummy is awesome! I will also say that the best pizza I had all week was at US. The pizza at Disney was horrible (at three diffent locations) and I am willing to admit my opinion on the pizza even though I am a Disney fanatic. I had to laugh because the backpack I carry is a Disney backpack and the girl at the restaurant at US was picking on me giving me a hard time (in a joking way) about my backpack and the other girl working the other register said "I went to Disney last week!" and then the girl kidding me said, but she didn't go for fun. She went to spy!

I have never been to IOA and hope to do so in 2007!

Sandra

 

[challada]

Smoking is now limited to certain areas at both US and IOA...

YEA! You made my day!

 

[hsmamato2]

Our group got back this week- my fam of 4 loved it,my mom and sis love disney better- i think disney's slipping in their care of the parks,and lots of details they used to be the best at-some of those bathrooms were NASTY! Universal has awesome attention to little details. Mom and sis didn't like the "hard rock" type music, definitely more of driving beat than constant disney music -they like the Magic" music background better....
I love both places-for different reasons- I LOVE Disney hotels, but am curious about Uni hotels.

 

[F-L-A]

I am not saying they are exactly the same. (I haven't even been there yet!)
But compared to WDW's parks they seem to be quite similar.

You really shouldn't be saying these kinds of things if you haven't even been there. The two Universal parks are no more similar than two Disney parks.

USF = Movie-based park set in reality with streetscapes from different American cities.

IOA = Adventures told through modern mythology and it's popular characters. Universal's take on the Magic Kingdom.

 

[yaytezIOA]

IOA is Universals take on MK, but the way a fantasy world should be run, like an adventure. I think disney is way over rated, completely. I have AP's to both parks, but I dont think I'll renew my disney pass this year. Disney has the size, but I think that really hurts it. The parks are so huge and massive, and its STILL crowded. Dont get me wrong, they both have great points about them but Universal just seems to get it better, IMO. Disney does great on "magic" but when you get right down to it, the magic they sell is fake, and they charge way too much for it, really a downer if you think about it. At UO the cast members are real, if there is a speaking part, they speak it.....if something needs to be done, they do it. They dont pretend....well not completely.

 

[spatenfloot]

Many people seem to think that because Universal has roller coasters, there must not be anything for small kids. They don't know about Seussland, the flying unicorn, Barney and curious george's play areas, etc.

Also, Disney diehards are afraid to like anything else because that would mean they were wrong about it. People hate admitting they are wrong.

 

[Cruz Family]

You really shouldn't be saying these kinds of things if you haven't even been there. The two Universal parks are no more similar than two Disney parks.

USF = Movie-based park set in reality with streetscapes from different American cities.

IOA = Adventures told through modern mythology and it's popular characters. Universal's take on the Magic Kingdom.

You took one little quote out of about 4 or 5 posts of mine on this thread.
Then you tell me I "shouldn't be saying these kinds of things"! Why will the earth stop orbiting the sun or something??
As I said before, I wanted to give you MY (someone who has not been to UO) perspective of why people THINK Disney is better.
Though I really do feel there is Disney "magic" (IMHO), I can't wait to enjoy some of that "Universal magic" you all talk about.

 

[pezpam]

No need to defend Universal over here. I've taken DD to DW three times and we've both had a ball. When she was 7, we went over to Universal. I admit that that trip was disappointing, but mostly because DD was at an age where she didn't quite want to ride the big rides, but didn't feel like doing the 'baby stuff' that was set up for the younger set. We still had a great time, but it was an expensive day for what we did.... It wasn't a matter of there being anything wrong with Universal... but with 4 parks plus all of the extras, there seems to be something to do at WDW no matter your kid's age and inclination.

That said, I'm REALLY looking forward to going back now that she's into the rides! Yes, we enjoyed our day last time around, but I think that having her willing to try everything now would make it worthwhile to have a few days there. Being able to add the rides to the adventure will be a big plus.

I understand people liking one place more than the other. I don't really get it when people argue that either set of parks is the ONLY way to go. Going to WDW infrequently and with a child, I get the Magic, but we also had fun when Beetlejuice came over to mess with us.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

We enjoy both places when we go down to FL, but definitely feel like the US/IA crowd is a bit different than the WDW crowd. My biggest beef w/US was just the fact that everyone could smoke anywhere, so we were constantly trying to avoid cigarettes...unlike Disney which has a specific area for that in certain places. Maybe that has changed since we were down there and I would be pleasantly surprised!

we were at AK and MGM on sunday. just because WDW has certain areas set aside for smoking (as does UO, SW, BG), it doesn't mean people use them. we dodged smoke in both parks. my complaint is I've never seen a CM correct anyone.

 

[David R]

I may come a little late to this discussion but I wanted to at least give my 2 cents.

As a local who gets to visit both Disney and Universal regularly (in fact, I live a block from Universal) I will say that while I enjoy the atmosphere and themeing at Disney parks more than Universal, I think that Universal has Disney beat in service hands down.

Every time I interact with someone at Universal they are always smiling, friendly and willing to go out of their way to assist you. Disney still has good friendly service that is characteristic of them, but Universal excels at it.

When it comes to choosing a park to spend the day at, it depends on my mood. Sometimes I'm in the mood for Disney fantasy, another times I'm in the mood for what Universal has to offer. It's just two different styles if you ask me.

 

[sha_lyn]

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.

There are excelent resources out there for planning a US/IOA vacation

http://www.theotherorlando.com
http://www.ioacentral.com

 

[Cubiclegirl]

I love them both but now with a teenager, Universal wins. Also Universal has Disney beat with -

When staying onsite you can WALK to the parks - no waiting for buses.

FOTL is much better than Fast Pass.

Ticket Prices - How can you beat $99 for 5 days?

 

[Becky2005]

I haven't read this whole thing but I'm going to jump in anyway!

First off, I have never been to Universal since frankly I always think of it as similar to Six Flags that I live an hour away from that my kids have never been to either. It has never been anything to do with Disney (our first trip was only this summer), it has was their advertising that made me think this way.

I only remember seeing the big rides and frankly nothing that would appeal to anyone who was not a certain height. Plus they all looked like they were more on the "scary" side to me (I remember the Frankenstein ad & I think isn't there Jaws there too?).

My 11 year old is just now at the height I think of for *maybe* taking her to Six Flags - even though they supposedly now have a kiddie section (It's ingrained in my brain from when I went as a teen that it basically was for the taller/thrill ride crowd - and back in the day it was Marriott's so it wasn't even a Six Flags then. LOL!). I hated the thought of paying $50 so my kid could ride 1 or 2 rides.

Just wanted to give a perception of a non-crazed Disney person that my perception was totally based on what I saw on the few ads we get for Florida parks (although I did really like our vacation but DH doesn't do *any* coasters or too rough rides, so I can't even imagine him agreeing to Universal - he begrudingly did Disney!). This was way before I even read anything on any website or did any researching on any vacation.

Then again, after our Disney experience it will probably be a very long time before we make it to Universal as my DD *hated* TOT - loved RNR and my 8 at the time guy freaked out on Stitch so bad that he refused to go on any ride that he couldn't see *what* it was from the outside and didn't do any coasters whatsoever - the CM had to convince him to go on Spaceship Earth; he freaked before going on Figment so DH had to exit with him before going on the ride, etc... (It will be a long time before we make it back to Disney too). We didn't do Space mountain.

I came over here though to see if maybe we would want to check it out when we are in Florida since it will probably be about 3 years. This post caught my eye.

 

[All Aboard]

disney is way over rated, completely.

The parks are so huge and massive, and its STILL crowded.

Reminds me of an old Yogi Berra saying.

 

[Cass]

I love both Disney & Universal and have had a great time at both.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

ahhh, marriott's great america. ahhh, old chicago, indiana beach, six flags st. louis, (now) six flags great america, six flags kentucky kingdom. I grew up in Illinois and visited all of these parks extensively. people who've never been to UO compare it to a 'glorified six flags'. so far from the truth.

 

[Cruz Family]

Six Flags! Are you kidding?
The thing that I like so much about Disney and expect to like about UO is that the attractions are not just a buch of rides (i.e. six flags) there is a adventure or a story that go along with it. We have six flags up here, talk about overpriced and not worth the price of addmission!