Disney fan skeptical about UO/IOA....

[MichiganDVC]

Good morning!

I am a WDW fan and keep hearing all this chatter on the Disney part of Disboards about how many improvements Universal is making (and how WDW isn't building anything, etc...)

I've never been to Universal (well, I was at Universal Hollywood 25 years ago...) and I probably never will go due to length of trips/no rental car/DVC membership/price of UO tickets in addition to WDW AP. But I was still curious about these rides and what made people love them so much....
So I looked up some of the new attractions on YouTube.
I just looked up POV videos for Despicable Me, Transformers and Spiderman. Despicable Me seems like you stay in one place and watch a show, but the platform moves to simulate real movement. And the Transformers/Spiderman cars are similar, but they DO actually move. But aren't all three essentially 3D motion simulators?

Can anyone fill me in on what these rides do that makes them so special?

 

[macraven]

since you have never been to the darkside in orlando and only viewed you tube on rides, check out www.universalorlando.com for more details.



everyone will have a different opinion about the darkside.

 

[MichiganDVC]

since you have never been to the darkside in orlando and only viewed you tube on rides, check out www.universalorlando.com for more details.

everyone will have a different opinion about the darkside.

Oh, I've been to the park's website before. I wanted a Universal "fan" to explain what makes these rides so exciting.

Problem is, over on the other side of Dis, people are constantly complaining that Universal is building all these awesome rides while WDW isn't. So I wanted to check out what made these rides so awesome that so many are clamoring for Disney to do the same....

 

[BamaPrincess]

No way to really explain other than to say that since so much of it is new, it uses the best of current technology to make it exciting. I consider disney more classic. Spiderman does move...and alternates between the real and the simulated to the point that it is much more exciting g than the type 4d that stays in one place. I loved it!!

 

[MichiganDVC]

No way to really explain other than to say that since so much of it is new, it uses the best of current technology to make it exciting. I consider disney more classic. Spiderman does move...and alternates between the real and the simulated to the point that it is much more exciting g than the type 4d that stays in one place. I loved it!!

Are there any rides in WDW that compare, using similar technology?

 

[StarWarsJez]

Its not just about simulators, Universal's also built some great "E Ticket" rides like Hulk, Dragon Challenge, Jurassic Park, Rip Ride Rocket, Revenge of the Mummy, Dr Doom, Dudley Doo Right, Popeye, MIB, E.T. etc. etc.

Plus some of the new rides like Harry Potter, Transformers and Spiderman are a mix of ride+simulator - you certainly can get thrown about a bit!

On top of that the theming is very nearly as good as Disney overall (and when you look at Harry Potter/Hogsmeade IMO it surpassed what Disney has done).

I think the frustration many have with Disney is that they appear to be investing whatever cash they have in new ticketing systems and hotels - as opposed to new E Ticket rides and theming.

 

[Kogo Shuko]

Are there any rides in WDW that compare, using similar technology?

I've only checked out Despicable Me the one time, but I think it's similar in style to the Stitch ride over at Disney... only more comfortable.

On top of that the theming is very nearly as good as Disney overall (and when you look at Harry Potter/Hogsmeade IMO it surpassed what Disney has done).

I think this right here sums it up. The Harry Potter universe is being brought to life at UO and it's really rather impressive! You can get a butterbeer, send a postcard with a Hogsmeade postage "stamp" on it, have an experience at Ollivanders, and get a wand, wander Hogwarts, and more.

Soon they'll even have a Hogwarts Express shuttling people from one park to another, and I think that's not only entertaining from a movie/book lover's perspective, but also extremely convenient for anyone with a parkhopper style ticket in their hands.



I honestly prefer Universal's rides because they choose their rides carefully over the movies that have the biggest fan bases. I sometimes question if they made the right decision (replacing Back to the Future with the Simpsons) but other times I'm happy they're doing it. Jaws, for instance, was my least favourite ride.

But even their revamp of Disaster was one I appreciated. They get actors to sponsor these rides, and people go to get a tiny bit extra of the movies. Terminator II has the most important cast in it!

I can go into Hogwarts and Harry, Hermione, and Ron are all still teenagers at a wizard school. And they will be indefinitely in that castle (or until they replace it), the same age, a moment in time repeating over and over every time you want to visit your favourite wizarding world.

 

[mischief32]

I have never been on any ride like Forbidden Journey and it was incredible. I will ride most anything and this was great. I do get a little sick on my stomach but I only ride it once a day. My 7 year old chose Universal over a trip to Disney that we are taking soon. She loves the rides at Universal and the Hard Rock hotel. Our favorite is MIB. We like the ability to walk from our hotel to the parks and back. Then over to Citywalk for a bit to eat. There is no need to hop a bus to get to the parks. Everything is right there. This is out Happy place

 

[RMulieri]

We did our first Universal trip in Jan 2012 and were SUPER IMPRESSED..SO much so that we are going back in 3 weeks for another week at Universal
1) the rides are newer tehcnology and some of them just as themed as anything Disney does.HArry Potter is BETTER than anything disney has done
2) The resorts are deluxe( and honestly I felt moreso than Disney deluxes), they are also cheaper than some of what Disney charges.They are ALL within walking distance or a dedicated boat ride

3) the employees are just as nice and friendly
4)It feels like a VACATION..the pace is slower and the resort guest express pass beats the pants off of Disney fastpass.No need to make dining ressies either

All in all it was one of the BEST trips we have ever taken.my then 8 yr old loved it so much she chose it again this year instead of DIsney

 

[MichiganDVC]

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I think I get the picture now.

I knew about Potter and all that stuff. What I had heard, though, was that HP land was the only place in Universal that really tried to do the theming that WDW is known for...and the rest of the rides, new and old, were more about the ride (coasters, etc...) and less about the theming.

 

[Kogo Shuko]

What I had heard, though, was that HP land was the only place in Universal that really tried to do the theming that WDW is known for...and the rest of the rides, new and old, were more about the ride (coasters, etc...) and less about the theming.

I'm going to have to disagree with this statement.

Yes, there is less theming, in that their worlds aren't as indepth as Disney, but on many of the rides, you're seeing videos and holograms of the actual casts from the movies: The Mummy, Twister, Terminator II , Harry Potter, Men in Black, etc. Disaster Movie has an amazing hologram of Christopher Walken.

Back when I was younger, Universal Studios housed the Nickelodeon Studios, and if you were lucky, you could sit in on a showing. As well, they had play areas with cutouts of their cartoons, so that kids could "be" in their favourite shows. You could also, possibly, get slimed.

I personally am rather impressed that they've managed to get so many celebrities to promote their rides. The Mummy is my favourite ride in the park, and I love that they've themed it quite well to, not only the movies, but have a mini side-story with the actors portraying renditions of themselves.

As of late, they've certainly poured more money into both the actors and theming, as they now have a portion of Springfield on the USO side.

 

[MichiganDVC]

I'm going to have to disagree with this statement.

Yes, there is less theming, in that their worlds aren't as indepth as Disney, but on many of the rides, you're seeing videos and holograms of the actual casts from the movies: The Mummy, Twister, Terminator II , Harry Potter, Men in Black, etc. Disaster Movie has an amazing hologram of Christopher Walken.

Back when I was younger, Universal Studios housed the Nickelodeon Studios, and if you were lucky, you could sit in on a showing. As well, they had play areas with cutouts of their cartoons, so that kids could "be" in their favourite shows. You could also, possibly, get slimed.

I personally am rather impressed that they've managed to get so many celebrities to promote their rides. The Mummy is my favourite ride in the park, and I love that they've themed it quite well to, not only the movies, but have a mini side-story with the actors portraying renditions of themselves.

As of late, they've certainly poured more money into both the actors and theming, as they now have a portion of Springfield on the USO side.

Again, thanks for info. Having not been to Univ Orlando, I wouldn't have known any of that.

 

[Kogo Shuko]

Again, thanks for info. Having not been to Univ Orlando, I wouldn't have known any of that.

Not a problem!

I love both parks.

This year is a Disney year, only a limited amount of time for me on the darkside.

 

[karmutt]

All of the lands/islands at IoA are themed really well, especially Harry Potter and the Dr. Seuss area. They absolutely rival, and in some cases, beat what Disney does. The Harry Potter and Dr. Seuss areas are amazing.

Universal Studios might seem a little disjointed, but that's because it's supposed to be a movie studio and that's how things are on a backlot - you walk down one street that looks like NY and come around a corner and you're in an entirely different looking environment. And they've just finished expanding the Simpson's area, which is really cool.

As for the rides:

The Forbidden Journey is sort of like the Haunted Mansion with the ride cars swapped out for the robotic arms used for A Sum of All Thrills, but about half the ride is in movie form. You go through rooms with practical/live effects to get to an area that shows action on a screen.

Spiderman and the Transformers are sort of like Dinosaur, but are 1/2 movie / 1/2 practical effects like FJ. These are in HD 3d though (FJ is in a format that tried to appear 3d-ish without the glasses (and makes me almost throw up). You really have to ride them to understand how cool it is. Spiderman is my favorite ride in FL.

Despicable Me and the Simpsons ride are more like traditional motion simulators, but they use only one screen. In DM, everyone sits in one big room and the floor moves. On the Simpsons, 6 people go in one car which is raised up towards the screen, sort of like Soarin', but being raised from below instead of above (making it much less fun than Soarin). About 6 cars are raised at once.

Men in Black is a shooter game, sort of like Buzz Lightyear, but the cars spin way more intensely and you can't spin yourself. Well, you can actually - there is a part of the ride where you're supposed to aim at the car across from you to get points and make it spin, but you can shoot your own sensor, which makes you spin and allows you to rack up points.

The Mummy is sort of a roller coaster version of the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland.

The water rides aren't necessarily themed all that well, like Splash Mt. is, but I think they're a heck of a lot more fun.

Everything else are things you can find at a Six Flags park, only maybe themed a bit better.

 

[DorianDonP]

Oh, I've been to the park's website before. I wanted a Universal "fan" to explain what makes these rides so exciting.

Problem is, over on the other side of Dis, people are constantly complaining that Universal is building all these awesome rides while WDW isn't. So I wanted to check out what made these rides so awesome that so many are clamoring for Disney to do the same....

To be honest, the only real way to check them out would be to try them for yourself. Explaining Forbidden Journey or Spiderman using comparable Disney attractions is sort of difficult because Disney doesn't really have an equivalent. Youtube videos don't do the rides any justice, including the movement of the rides and the real effects.

I think it would be worth it to try and sneak over for a day (with express) or 2 (without express) with your next disney vacation just to get the real comparison, if budget permits it of course.

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I think I get the picture now.

I knew about Potter and all that stuff. What I had heard, though, was that HP land was the only place in Universal that really tried to do the theming that WDW is known for...and the rest of the rides, new and old, were more about the ride (coasters, etc...) and less about the theming.

I think that was an accurate rundown in the early 2000s, and while many of those old attractions/lands are still there, Universal has started to shed that old identity. Ever since Comcast bought the Studios, it's been a lot of exciting changes, building of attractions, themed areas and restaurants, and planned expansions. The new Springfield area looks great. I listened to a podcast that normally does just Disney stuff and they couldn't stop talking about the theming and easter eggs in Springfield.

Universal has a reputation by some of being a roller coaster park, but there are only about 2 coasters per park.

 

[DorianDonP]

Soon they'll even have a Hogwarts Express shuttling people from one park to another, and I think that's not only entertaining from a movie/book lover's perspective, but also extremely convenient for anyone with a parkhopper style ticket in their hands.

Haha, I wish that was the case. But from what I've been hearing, the wait time to board the Hogwarts Express could be 60-120 mins, maybe longer in the months after it first opens. It'll be a great attraction, but I'm not sure if or when it will become a convenient option to go back and forth between the parks.

 

[nugov2]

I didn't read through all the posts, but I have been to WDW many times over the years and DL as well. This past trip was the first time I have been to Uni/IOA. We went b/c my son is a huge superhero fan. I have to say I loved both parks, but IOA was amazing. It was better IMO in theming than anything WDW had to offer than Fantasyland. My kids loved it including my dd who is for sure not a fan of superheroes!! The rides were a blast. It is truly hard to compare the two parks as an apples to apples comparison, but overall IOA/Uni is well worth it. I loved the citywalk area too. It is very well done and well kept

 

[MichiganDVC]

To be honest, the only real way to check them out would be to try them for yourself. I think it would be worth it to try and sneak over for a day (with express) or 2 (without express) with your next disney vacation just to get the real comparison, if budget permits it of course.

The only scenario where I can see this happening is when I rent a car (usually if I am visiting my parents south of Tampa for part of the vacation,) have no more DVC points that year or next, and no annual pass. This would be the only way to justify $250 on a room (I'd have to go peak season in this scenario - probably spring break) and $160 per person for 2 day passes. So that's an additional $820 bucks for two days and two nights at Universal? Eh, I don't know....

Wow...wait, rooms spring break week are $300-375 a night. So that's $920 for two days and two nights.

Yikes! Just like WDW, you really have to stay there for several days to get a good deal on tickets.

 

[ahill004]

We love disney! We go annually! That being said the rides at US/IOA are WAY more thrilling than disney rides. Additionally Harry Potter, in my opinion, is the best themed section of any park regardless of whether you are a HP fan. The rides are definitely more advanced than Disney rides as well.
I disagree that Despicable Me is like Stitch at DW. Stitch is awful! I mean AWFUL! Despicable Me is a very enjoyable motion simulator. And the Mummy roller coaster is really well done from a theming and ride standpoint.
I used to be a die hard disney fan and I still love all their parks. However, US/IOA is my husband and one daughters favorite. I think they both offer different and nice theming and/or rides. Each has its better points and each has its lesser points in a direct comparison. But from a strictly ride standpoint... US/IOA wins hands down.

 

[macraven]

The only scenario where I can see this happening is when I rent a car (usually if I am visiting my parents south of Tampa for part of the vacation,) have no more DVC points that year or next, and no annual pass. This would be the only way to justify $250 on a room (I'd have to go peak season in this scenario - probably spring break) and $160 per person for 2 day passes. So that's an additional $820 bucks for two days and two nights at Universal? Eh, I don't know....

Wow...wait, rooms spring break week are $300-375 a night. So that's $920 for two days and two nights.

Yikes! Just like WDW, you really have to stay there for several days to get a good deal on tickets.

if you have the AP for the darkside, it will bring the price done.
since you only plan a couple of days there, the app cost probably won't help you break even.
(unless they deep discount during spring break)

if you have AAA, you can get a nice room discount even if it is for 1 night or 2 or more.
i got a 25% discount with the AAA one year, for each night onsite.


the promo that is available to the general public is Stay More Save More but you need 3 nights stay before that kicks in for a discount.
it doesn't work if you only stay onsite for 1 or 2 nights.


AAA membership varies based on where you live.
for me $45 is what i pay now, used to pay $40.

AAA can be used in the parks and citywalk for a 10% discount on any purchases.
recently, the AAA discount only applies in the parks if your charge is $50 and up.


i went once during spring break.
you couldn't pay me to do a trip again in that time frame at any park.


the best way to do the darkside onsite hotels is to book early, disney style, and go for the cheapest room which would be standard queen garden view.

they book up early during the high season period.
you'd most likely be paying rack rate but you can call and modify your room rate with any discount codes, or a pin code if you get one mailed to you.(some pins are 30-50% off rack)


you pay a one night deposit and can cancel the ressie on the 6th day out from arrival with no penalty.
Loews has the inclement weather policy and you can cancel the day prior if you need to cancel with no penalty.

paying over $300 a night bites.

i have a 10 night stay booked for the fall.
8 nights are not bad at $174 each.
(last year my Ap gave me a rate of $147 a night + tax)
weekends are gonna cost me over $300 each night.
but, prices go up for the hhn period.

i do the motherland and the darkside each fall and stay onsite at both resorts.
i'm really ok with the darkside room rates.
i'm not ok with the motherland room rates.

i don't like paying over $100 a night during the week and over $120 a night for weekends at a value resort.

for $25 more, i could book at rph in september and get a better set up.
(and also lower room rates at rph for that time period)

after booking at a value resort at the motherland, i find out no food court will be open due to a rehab.

my venting is over now......
no matter what the room charges are for both hotels, i'm going and will enjoy my vacation time in orlando.

there are different time periods in the year that have cheap rates.
it's like that at most theme parks.

spring break, summer and christmas periods bring the room rates up high.