Disney Fan here, how will it compare?

[kaykels]

I've never been to IOA and I went to US the year it opened (I think it was 1990????) Anyway, I'm a mother of 3 kids now and used to the Disney Hotels and theme parks. Will I be disappointed? The Hard Rock looks awsome. How does it compare to the Wilderness Lodge or AKL?
Thanks!

 

[F-L-A]

You won't be disappointed if you aren't constantly comparing it to Disney. That's a mistake a lot of people make. Your overall experience will be very different at Universal compared to Disney. Not necessarily differences for the worse.

The hotels are all very nice. Each one has a completely different feel to it. The Hard Rock is the most popular and the closest to the parks. It also has the most "busy" feel to it. So unless you're looking for a more laid-back experience, it's a good choice. The big difference you'll notice between a Universal hotel and a Disney hotel is that Universal's hotels serve their purpose and keep their own theme without constantly shoving Universal's brand name down your throat like Disney does. They all sell Universal merchandise in their stores, but beyond that they feel like they could exist at any other high quality resort. CityWalk is similar in this way compared to Downtown Disney. It only has 1 (large) store that has anything to do with Universal. I personally view this as a good thing, but you may feel differently.

As for IOA, I think how much fun you have here depends on the age of your kids. IMO, IOA has the best theming in Orlando and is my favorite park by a long shot, but it tends to cater more to teens and adults than kids. If your kids don't mind thrill rides it shouldn't be a problem though.

The Studios (and everything else that didn't even exist) have changed a lot since the last time you were there, so it's definitely worth a look.

Needless to say, Universal doesn't offer nearly as many things to do as Disney due to it's much smaller size, but one thing it has going for it is it's compactness. Everything Universal has to offer is in walking distance, which will make things much easier.

 

[gschmerl]

And let's not forget the FOTL access you get by staying on site. That just can't be beat!

 

[video666]

It is a more adult laid-back entertainment in US compared with Disney. I go to both but prefer Universal Studios & I of A. I get an annual pass & go most days just doing the rides and watching the reactions of others who are there for the first time.

Katie

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We went to US/IOA for three nights before Disney last year. It's a very different experience. We LOVED HRH and so did the kids. Universal was wonderful. IOA (except for the Dr. Seuss land was a little boring for our kids. They are 7, 5 and 4. I thought it was a more relaxing trip because of FOTL. That was the best part of the trip. We didn't rush to be there at the crack of down because we knew we wouldn't have to worry about fastpasses running out. We liked it so much that we're doing the same thing this year - 3 nights at HRH, 2 nights at the new "Nick" hotel and 11 nights at GF. If you don't compare apples to oranges you'll have a wonderful time enjoying US/IOA for itself, don't compare it to Disney - it's different.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

We always stay at VWL and AKL for our Disney trips and LOVE both places.

This past August we stayed at Hard Rock Hotel for the first time and were very happy there. The pool is great. My husband and I loved US/IOA and want to go back without the kids ASAP.

Our kids are young (5,3) and we found that Disney is much better for them right now but they will love US/IOA when they're a few years older.

 

[Motherfletcher]

I've stayed at all three of the resorts that you mentioned and love them all. I think the pools are very similar with the exception that HRH is hip or cool!
The single best thing that Universal Resort's offer over WDW is the hotel express access to all of the attractions and restaurants. The ability to by pass lines by staying on-site is priceless!
My kids have liked WDW and USO since birth but recently prefer USO at ages 11 and 16. HRH is their favorite on-site hotel. We are going againfor Christmas and MLK weekend!

 

[TheRatPack]

We just got back last night and I have to say that we enjoy Universal a bit more than Disney. We did enjoy the days we spent at Disney but noticed that the Cast Members at Disney are a little less than friendly, where as the Universal staff always have something nice to say or make that extra effort to help you out...etc. Not sure why Cast Members are taking on this new attitude, but we encountered it time and time again this past week.

We were at Universal back in July as well and a few of the rides had some peeling paint at Universal and so we kind of thought it might be running down, but this trip it was all back up to the way we've seen it before. We buy annual passes to Universal and always have a blast there, and then we fit in a few days at Disney for the 'magic' factor.

 

[SCohen]

We were at Disney/US Oct 5-12. We stayed at Old Key West for 5 nights then Animal Kingdom Lodge for 2, but we skipped around to both sets of theme parks.
We are from the DFW area and have held season passes to
6 Flags for years, so roller coasters and such are a weekend event for us.
I am glad that we went to US and IoA. There are some very good rides there. The theming is excellent. We were there on very crowded days so I don't know if the workers were a little taxed but I was not impressed with their behavior. On The Mummy the attendant wouldn't even answer my question, she turned away from me and refused to acknowledge me at all. She was grabbing people's backpack's and bags and rudely telling people that they had to put them in a locker. When we tried to put our bag in a locker we found out that the lockers were sold out. I tried to ask if we could do a bag swap, much like a child swap. I was told that there was no way the lockers could be sold out, and then she turned away and refused to acknowledge me from that point on. At MIB we experienced the whole locker need as well, no big deal we figured out the system by then. What makes me angry though is that nowhere was I told that US/IoA doesn't have a place to stow personal belongings on a ride, so you must locker it. Well I am perfectly fine with that, but when we were charged $2 a ride to stow our backpack because each line was over an hour long it got a little taxing. Had I known I wouldn't have brought it. We had a backpack with a camera, camcorder, a few light snacks because my daughter has hypoglycemia, and rain ponchos. The attendant at Shrek was also rude with hustling people in as fast as she could. The next day we left the backpack and tried Mummy again, this time the person at the single rider line was rude. Two girls who didn't speak English tried to get on the single rider line together. The attendant made a huge deal out of it and kicked them out of the ride altogether. She then calls on my daughter and myself to ride, and the seat that she placed my daughter in had two open seats. The attendant could have easily put those two girls there. But instead she decided to make a federal case of it.
We went with the expectation of the parks being somewhere between Disney and 6 Flags. The theming as good as Disney and the atmosphere better than 6 Flags. Well I guess we got that, but with rude workers. I enjoyed the rides, but like Animal Kingdom, I probably won't do it again. It was fun but once was enough.
And HHN- what a disaster! The crowds were unreal, every line was over 2 hours long. There were so many drunk people it was unreal. My daughter was burned with a cigarette in line, because there were no enforcements on not smoking in line. I tried to tend to my daughter and sent the boys off to go through another house. I told them I would meet them at the exit. After 12 workers sent me aimlessly around the park for two hours, I finally found out that the exit was near the entrance. And the topper? When a security guard said to my 12 year old daughter "Hey a young one! I bet you still have your tonsils...Gives it that nice tickle feeling when I get it to the back of your throat !" Try explaining what that means to a 12 year old.

 

[phamton]

Originally posted by SCohen
On The Mummy the attendant wouldn't even answer my question, she turned away from me and refused to acknowledge me at all. She was grabbing people's backpack's and bags and rudely telling people that they had to put them in a locker.

Umm, no. They can't grab your bags or backpacks. They don't take them away from people. They aren't even allowed to touch your bag.

Originally posted by SCohen
When we tried to put our bag in a locker we found out that the lockers were sold out. I tried to ask if we could do a bag swap, much like a child swap. I was told that there was no way the lockers could be sold out, and then she turned away and refused to acknowledge me from that point on.

The lockers cannot be "sold out." She was correct. There are 12 different locker stations at the Mummy. Maybe you went to one that was full but the other 11 locker stations wouldn't have been. Just go to the next machine.

Originally posted by SCohen
At MIB we experienced the whole locker need as well, no big deal we figured out the system by then. What makes me angry though is that nowhere was I told that US/IoA doesn't have a place to stow personal belongings on a ride, so you must locker it. Well I am perfectly fine with that, but when we were charged $2 a ride to stow our backpack because each line was over an hour long it got a little taxing.

The lockers are free as long as you are on the ride at MIB, Mummy, etc. They are not set for an hour during busy times but are set for 2-3 hours free. If by chance, you didn't get back in 2-3 hours, the attendant will open them for free.

Two girls who didn't speak English tried to get on the single rider line together. The attendant made a huge deal out of it and kicked them out of the ride altogether.

They don't kick them out, just make them go back outside and get in the regular (standby) line.

Do you really expect the non-English speaking couple to be let on single-rider line together? They had to pass through 3 points of attendents and signs warning they would be split up. Would Disney let someone in on the fast pass line without a fastpass just because they couldn't speak English? The rules for single rider are there for a reason. Do they not notice that they are speeding past everyone else in line? If they want to ride together then get an express pass, stay onsite, or {gasp} wait in the regular line.

I told them I would meet them at the exit. After 12 workers sent me aimlessly around the park for two hours, I finally found out that the exit was near the entrance.

Did you not have a map? They were everywhere, not to mention the signs pointing to the exit. The way HHN was set up, you weave through the backlots. I know Universal/IoA like the back of my hand and even I was getting turned around. Many of the workers at HHN are temporary workers for HHN. You have to circle around to exit when you are at Universal as the exit is at IOA during HHN.

As far as the "security guard" comment. He was not a security guard. He was a heckler at Fright Yard. You'd have to be drunk to think he was a security guard...and arent there warnings all over saying that HHN isnt for children? I sure hope you didn't take them into any of the houses or Bill and Ted's show as there are sexual comments everywhere.

You went to HHN uninformed and now are blaming them for what you saw and experienced. You essentially took them to an R rated movie and are complaining about the language and content.

 

[lovetheparks]

I think like every new place you go, it pays to do your homework. I remember much chatter on the boards about not being able to take things on the Mummy, MIB however... that one even took me by suprise as they changed the rules since I had last been but there are always plenty of lockers. I would never pay for one without asking someone- it's not your fault the line was long.

I agree there is no excuse for rudeness. I have been to Universal many, many times and never encountered such treatment. Surely it was an isolated incident and I would hate for one's opinion of the whole park to be based on one bad attraction experience.

As for the HHN I have to wholeheartedly agree with Phantom. It's simply not a place for young kids. The content is adult and it clearly states that. Taking your child is a personal decision and you have to be responsible for that decision and all that it entails.

 

[SCohen]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by SCohen
On The Mummy the attendant wouldn't even answer my question, she turned away from me and refused to acknowledge me at all. She was grabbing people's backpack's and bags and rudely telling people that they had to put them in a locker.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Umm, no. They can't grab your bags or backpacks. They don't take them away from people. They aren't even allowed to touch your bag.


Well guess what? She DID grab my bag!

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by SCohen
When we tried to put our bag in a locker we found out that the lockers were sold out. I tried to ask if we could do a bag swap, much like a child swap. I was told that there was no way the lockers could be sold out, and then she turned away and refused to acknowledge me from that point on.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



The lockers cannot be "sold out." She was correct. There are 12 different locker stations at the Mummy. Maybe you went to one that was full but the other 11 locker stations wouldn't have been. Just go to the next machine.

We did try other machines. We couldn't find one that was open. It still doesn't escuse her for not answering my question on whether we could swap the bag or not.

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by SCohen
At MIB we experienced the whole locker need as well, no big deal we figured out the system by then. What makes me angry though is that nowhere was I told that US/IoA doesn't have a place to stow personal belongings on a ride, so you must locker it. Well I am perfectly fine with that, but when we were charged $2 a ride to stow our backpack because each line was over an hour long it got a little taxing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The lockers are free as long as you are on the ride at MIB, Mummy, etc. They are not set for an hour during busy times but are set for 2-3 hours free. If by chance, you didn't get back in 2-3 hours, the attendant will open them for free.

Attendant? What attendent? Oh you mean the ones that wouldn't even give us the time of day, sure I am going to hunt them down, and then ask them to open my locker. There are no signs that state that if you are on the ride the attendent will open them for free. As such there are no signs that state you shouldn't bring stuff into the park.


quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two girls who didn't speak English tried to get on the single rider line together. The attendant made a huge deal out of it and kicked them out of the ride altogether.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



They don't kick them out, just make them go back outside and get in the regular (standby) line.

Do you really expect the non-English speaking couple to be let on single-rider line together? They had to pass through 3 points of attendents and signs warning they would be split up. Would Disney let someone in on the fast pass line without a fastpass just because they couldn't speak English? The rules for single rider are there for a reason. Do they not notice that they are speeding past everyone else in line? If they want to ride together then get an express pass, stay onsite, or {gasp} wait in the regular line.

Maybe I expected too much but as these people are customer service providers I expected better decorum then to publicly humiliate these two individuals. And I have witnessed this type of thing at Disney and when the cast member lost her cool- she was removed from that position.

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I told them I would meet them at the exit. After 12 workers sent me aimlessly around the park for two hours, I finally found out that the exit was near the entrance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Did you not have a map? They were everywhere, not to mention the signs pointing to the exit. The way HHN was set up, you weave through the backlots. I know Universal/IoA like the back of my hand and even I was getting turned around. Many of the workers at HHN are temporary workers for HHN. You have to circle around to exit when you are at Universal as the exit is at IOA during HHN.

Yes I had a map and no it was not clearly marked, get your map out and see for yourself. Again these people are customer service, I expected them to either find the answer or get me to someone who could.

As far as the "security guard" comment. He was not a security guard. He was a heckler at Fright Yard. You'd have to be drunk to think he was a security guard...and arent there warnings all over saying that HHN isnt for children? I sure hope you didn't take them into any of the houses or Bill and Ted's show as there are sexual comments everywhere.

You went to HHN uninformed and now are blaming them for what you saw and experienced. You essentially took them to an R rated movie and are complaining about the language and content.

We take our children, who are 12 and 14 to a lot of different things, including R rated movies. We did not attend The Bill and Ted show because of the graphic content. They are perfectly old enough to attend haunted houses and enjoy them. The comment was beyond R rated and more than what an adult should be exposed to. Pedophile comes to mind actually. I have a right to blame US for a bad experience, I read as much as possible about HHN through the US sight and here on the message boards. I know my children's limitations. I have a right to be offended that a pervert would say that to a child, or to anyone at all! Heckling is one thing, perversion is out of line. I take responsibility for what my children are exposed to, and being US I expected it to be at their professional best. You would expect to hear that type of comment from someone in a bar, not a renowned theme park, whether it be HHN or not.

 

[DrewAlmighty]

Your Kidding!

Was it one of those security guards with Blood all over them, a weapon, in a dark place blasting heavy metal, with Flamethrowers all over?!? I can't believe those new Security guards!


You have to be kidding. No one can be so stupid to mix the 2 up..

 

[phamton]

There is a Mummy attendent at the locker area. That is the person you should have been talking to, not the greeter. The greeter has the busiest job on the ride. She answered your question telling you there were lockers available so answering about the baby swap for bags was not necessary. Why would anyone grab your bag? That makes no sense as they are not the ones who put the bags in the locker. You do that yourself.

As far as the single riders and two empty seats, they leave a section for express pass. They were in the wrong line and had a choice to either be split up or go back to the end of the line.

I seriously doubt the employee even heard the age of your daughter. They use that line on everyone who passes. Same with the "I smell fish" line in Hellgate. You had to know it wasn't a security gaurd and yet you misled others by putting that in. He was a scareactor and hired for the event..not a pedophile nor a security guard. Scareactors are "in your face" creepy, not like a movie. You can be offended all you wish but every one of your complaints were from misinformation on your part.

You would expect to hear that type of comment from someone in a bar, not a renowned theme park, whether it be HHN or not.

Once again, HHN is not for children. How many ways does Universal have to warn parents? You will see drunks and violent scenes depicited and hear sexual comments.

 

[IOAguy]

Originally posted by SCohen
We were at Disney/US Oct 5-12. We stayed at Old Key West for 5 nights then Animal Kingdom Lodge for 2, but we skipped around to both sets of theme parks.
We are from the DFW area and have held season passes to
6 Flags for years, so roller coasters and such are a weekend event for us.
I am glad that we went to US and IoA. There are some very good rides there. The theming is excellent. We were there on very crowded days so I don't know if the workers were a little taxed but I was not impressed with their behavior. On The Mummy the attendant wouldn't even answer my question, she turned away from me and refused to acknowledge me at all. She was grabbing people's backpack's and bags and rudely telling people that they had to put them in a locker. When we tried to put our bag in a locker we found out that the lockers were sold out. I tried to ask if we could do a bag swap, much like a child swap. I was told that there was no way the lockers could be sold out, and then she turned away and refused to acknowledge me from that point on. At MIB we experienced the whole locker need as well, no big deal we figured out the system by then. What makes me angry though is that nowhere was I told that US/IoA doesn't have a place to stow personal belongings on a ride, so you must locker it. Well I am perfectly fine with that, but when we were charged $2 a ride to stow our backpack because each line was over an hour long it got a little taxing. Had I known I wouldn't have brought it. We had a backpack with a camera, camcorder, a few light snacks because my daughter has hypoglycemia, and rain ponchos. The attendant at Shrek was also rude with hustling people in as fast as she could. The next day we left the backpack and tried Mummy again, this time the person at the single rider line was rude. Two girls who didn't speak English tried to get on the single rider line together. The attendant made a huge deal out of it and kicked them out of the ride altogether. She then calls on my daughter and myself to ride, and the seat that she placed my daughter in had two open seats. The attendant could have easily put those two girls there. But instead she decided to make a federal case of it.
We went with the expectation of the parks being somewhere between Disney and 6 Flags. The theming as good as Disney and the atmosphere better than 6 Flags. Well I guess we got that, but with rude workers. I enjoyed the rides, but like Animal Kingdom, I probably won't do it again. It was fun but once was enough.
And HHN- what a disaster! The crowds were unreal, every line was over 2 hours long. There were so many drunk people it was unreal. My daughter was burned with a cigarette in line, because there were no enforcements on not smoking in line. I tried to tend to my daughter and sent the boys off to go through another house. I told them I would meet them at the exit. After 12 workers sent me aimlessly around the park for two hours, I finally found out that the exit was near the entrance. And the topper? When a security guard said to my 12 year old daughter "Hey a young one! I bet you still have your tonsils...Gives it that nice tickle feeling when I get it to the back of your throat !" Try explaining what that means to a 12 year old.

AWWWWWWW POOR YOU

I guess now you'll learn to listen when it says the event is not recommended for children right? Don't be stupid.

You know what I love. When parents think their children are innocent and don't know anything at age 12. I already had sex ed at that age. Does she still think that a stork delivers a baby?

And this I am posting for T-10X who didn't want to sign up just to say it...

"We were at Disney/US Oct 5-12."
YAY!

"We were there on very crowded days so I don't know if the workers were a little taxed but I was not impressed with their behavior."
We were mad because you were at the park.

"On The Mummy the attendant wouldn't even answer my question, she turned away from me and refused to acknowledge me at all."
How could she not hear you, it's not like the park is that loud on packed days.

"She was grabbing people's backpack's and bags and rudely telling people that they had to put them in a locker."
So... they were doing there job, and you have a problem with that? Also saying "will pretty please put your back in a locker with a cherry on top" works for so long

"When we tried to put our bag in a locker we found out that the lockers were sold out."
Kinda like Disney... on no they are SELL outs, not sold out.

"I tried to ask if we could do a bag swap, much like a child swap. I was told that there was no way the lockers could be sold out, and then she turned away and refused to acknowledge me from that point on."
**** her, moving on after dealing with your problem.

"At MIB we experienced the whole locker need as well, no big deal we figured out the system by then."
Well atleast your smarter then a monkey

"What makes me angry though is that nowhere was I told that US/IoA doesn't have a place to stow personal belongings on a ride, so you must locker it."
I am going to pitch this one to Universal, have a speil that says "Welcome to Universal Orlando Resort, ride the movies at Universal Studios or, live the adventure at Islands of Adventure, but make sure you put your bags in a locker."

"Well I am perfectly fine with that, but when we were charged $2 a ride to stow our backpack..."
Man, I guess that screen that says "first 2 hours FREE" is a lier.

"...because each line was over an hour long it got a little taxing."
We really need to put a stop to the IRS

"The attendant at Shrek was also rude with hustling people in as fast as she could."
On behalf of Universal I would like to say I am sorry that you were offended by "enter the chamber and pick up a pair of Oger-vision glasses"

"The next day we left the backpack and tried Mummy again, this time the person at the single rider line was rude."
I always thought mindless zombies were nice, pre-k teachers.

"Two girls who didn't speak English tried to get on the single rider line together. The attendant made a huge deal out of it and kicked them out of the ride altogether."
Because you are suppose to put a group of 2 in the singel line.

"She then calls on my daughter and myself to ride, and the seat that she placed my daughter in had two open seats."
And she didn't put you and your daughter in the same seats... hmmm I hope to god EXPRESS wasn't going in that side.

"The attendant could have easily put those two girls there. But instead she decided to make a federal case of it."
So that is why I was interviewed by the F.B.I at my lunch break

"And HHN- what a disaster! The crowds were unreal, every line was over 2 hours long."
Darn you weekends DARN YOU!!!!!

"There were so many drunk people it was unreal."
Ummm... looked pretty real to me.

"My daughter was burned with a cigarette in line, because there were no enforcements on not smoking in line."
Sorry, thats my bad... I forgot to fuel my chopper so I could see every singal smoker in the middle of the line.

"I tried to tend to my daughter and sent the boys off to go through another house."
Dear God, was the cigarette the one from 'Honey I Shrunk the Kids,' I mean, how bad could a cigarette hurt you.

"I told them I would meet them at the exit. After 12 workers sent me aimlessly around the park for two hours, I finally found out that the exit was near the entrance."
Could it be they sent you aimlessly, or the fact it's hard to figure your way around at night in a theme park with almost no lights with about 40,000.

"And the topper? When a security guard said to my 12 year old daughter "Hey a young one! I bet you still have your tonsils...Gives it that nice tickle feeling when I get it to the back of your throat!"
By security guard do you mean guy standing on a big truck with a skull hat and fake blood holding a mic, yeah, I like the new outfits too.

"Try explaining what that means to a 12 year old."
It was explained to me when I was 12, man, they are starting Sex ED at younger and younger ages.

Respectfully,
T-10X

 

[T-10X]

Kinda ironic, I just signed on to say that... anit life grand.


Just wondering, did you go to guest services?
look a pirate!

 

[DrewAlmighty]

Originally posted by T-10X

look a pirate!

lol the smilies here are so weird.

<--- Mardi Gras w00t w00t

 

[SCohen]

Well my husband and I made the comment that US must have put flyers at every mobile home park in Florida by the way the crowds were acting at HHN....I guess we didn't miss the mark, by the way this board is reacting to my well deserved critique of our experience, I guess the mobile home dwellers also review this board as well. Thanks for taking this to a personal level, your intelligence and maturity is shining through!

 

[phamton]

In my best Seinfeld impersonation: "Not that there is anything wrong with living in a mobile home" but I can assure you I don't live in one. I am a native Texan who has recently moved to Orlando and am quite familiar with 6 Flags Theme parks, both in Arlington and San Antonio. There is just no comparison between that and the guest services you receive at Universal theme parks. Guest are treated very well at Universal.

You also went in ready to compare it to Disney and as has been stated on the boards, Universal is a totally different experience. One is not better than the other. And just as comparing Disney to Universal, HHN is hardly a representation of just a regular day at Universal. Think Spring Break on Padre Island.

You went without heeding the warnings and now are unhappy with the results. My husband and I are both school teachers. Maybe that is not to your standard of intelligence. I just pointed out why you experienced what you did and also corrected your statement about a security guard. To me that was gross exaggeration to imply that he was a sec. guard. It just flags the rest of your statements as not reliable.

 

[T-10X]

Really... the trailer parks? I could have sworn those were all High School/College students... but I could be wrong.

look, it's spider man!