Disney VS. Universal

[yaytezIOA]

Who wins? Is family fun, and focusing on smaller ones the key? Or does Universal stand a chance?
You can listen in on what happens when real fans of the parks come face to face to debate which park reigns supreme.
Oh, and of course...which do you like better and why?
www.myspace.com/ioacentralradio

 

[phamton]

Great job! I enjoyed listening to both sides.

 

[cgcruz]

Disney World, of course. Though I do love the rest of Orlando, It is a destination in itself. Although I do like Universal Studios. It beats any other non-disney theme park anywhere by a long shot! I love USF's CityWalk more than Pleasure Island though. An Orlando trip would not be complete without a Hurricane or a visit to Margaritaville!

 

[perculata]

That was a really great debate. It was really nice to hear two civilized people actually sit down and speak about the two parks in such an informative manner. Thanks for organizing it so well.

As to my preferences, I prefer Disney. It's not because Disney has more parks and more to offer overall than Universal, but mainly for one of the reasons David stated in your debate, the immersive theming. When I'm at Disney world i completely forget about the real world because I can't see any of it from inside the park. With a few exceptions, Disney does an exquisite job of making sure that once you are in the park, you are completely immersed in the theming. I realize that Animal Kingdom is far from the best park, but in my opinion it is the best themed park anywhere. On the safari, there's no way anyone can tell me that I'm not in Africa. I've been to Africa before, and it's nearly impossible to tell the difference between my pictures from my safari in Africa and from Animal Kingdom. The theming in that park is amazing.

I realize that it's not completely Universal's fault that they couldn't obtain enough land to isolate itself from the rest of orlando, but that definitely helps at Disney.

Another thing that makes a difference is the music that plays in the parks. I can't recall hearing popular current day music playing over the loud speakers throught the disney parks. It's always a song that adds to the environment around you. At universal the music seems to be popular songs you'd hear on the radio. This just further draws me out of the theming there and reminds me of the real world.

I know these are small things, but when both parks are as great as they are, it's the small factors that separate them.

 

[kohlby]

I don't have a preference, I love them both! We always plan both parks when we're down there. They are different experiences so I have trouble compairing them. However, pre-kids Magic Kingdom was actually my least favorite park. It was looking worn down and the crowds and strollers were awful. Since then, they have done a better job making the place much more shiny - and we have to be one of those people with a stroller. (After swearing up and down we would never go to the parks with young kids).

 

[dizneefreak29]

I love them both too! They are very different and hard to compare. For years I resisted going to Universal...but the last few years it is always a stop on any vacation to Orlando!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

It's never been a competition for me, they both have so much to offer.

 

[DawnMarie]

I enjoy Disney more because of the theming. As Perculata stated I feel as though I have been transported into fantasyland, I have not a care in the world. And I have such fond memories of being at the park with my family as a child. I don't think any park could compete with that. Universal is definitely a close runner-up.

My husband and boys prefer Universal because of the rides. When we're in Orlando we do both Disney and Universal to statisfy everyone.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Gosh, I just wouldn't want to go to Orlando if I couldn't enjoy both USO and WDW. The few times we've done a day trip to only one park, I really feel let down and sad when I return home ... like I missed out

It all has so much to offer to keep the days full of fun!

It's really a shame to try and compare the two. They really are so different, with the exception of a turnstile and a window to buy a ticket from. We find WDW and USO differences actually compliment each other. Where I might find one area somewhat lacking, say, the onsite hotels and restaurants at WDW, USO more than makes up for it; or, say, the shopping limitations at USO, WDW makes up for.

Nothing beats Hurricanes on a Wednesday night at City followed by a morning of bear hugs from Pooh

 

[perculata]

Gosh, I just wouldn't want to go to Orlando if I couldn't enjoy both USO and WDW. The few times we've done a day trip to only one park, I really feel let down and sad when I return home ... like I missed out

It all has so much to offer to keep the days full of fun!

It's really a shame to try and compare the two. They really are so different, with the exception of a turnstile and a window to buy a ticket from. We find WDW and USO differences actually compliment each other. Where I might find one area somewhat lacking, say, the onsite hotels and restaurants at WDW, USO more than makes up for it; or, say, the shopping limitations at USO, WDW makes up for.

Nothing beats Hurricanes on a Wednesday night at City followed by a morning of bear hugs from Pooh

Yea, that's so true. I feel Universal's roster of rides, more focused on thrills, compliments Disney's perfectly. Whenever I need to be launched out of a canon or fly through some medeival ruins at 60 mph, then I know Universal's got me covered. It really is nice to get over there for a day and pack in the thrills that Disney doesn't provide.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Yea, that's so true. I feel Universal's roster of rides, more focused on thrills, compliments Disney's perfectly. Whenever I need to be launched out of a canon or fly through some medeival ruins at 60 mph, then I know Universal's got me covered. It really is nice to get over there for a day and pack in the thrills that Disney doesn't provide.

See, what I loooove about US/IOA is right across or next to those thrill rides you speak of (which I can't go on), there's a watering hole. A real one, with strong premium drinks and dark beers -- at really reasonable prices. I'm older, professional by day, level-headed by night, but on vacation, I want to party and crawl back to my hotel, not get lost on a sea of busses and end up at the wrong hotel

When I can get a Grey Goose martini at MK at two in the afternoon to sip while strolling through Fantasyland, I'll go for more than one day