Do you feel like a traitor going to Universal?

[reedycreek]

i've been planning my 2nd trip to WDW this year in June and a lot of friends and family I run into ask, "oh are you gonna go to Universal too?" of course, my answer is NO!

is it just me, or do others totally avoid Universal because they want to spend all their time at Disney? better yet, do people avoid Universal because they feel like a traitor leaving Disney for a day to go over there?

i know i do!

 

[kaylajr]

We always spend a day or two at Universal

no we don't feel like traitors because Universal offers somethings Disney doesn't.

Next trip will be the same
gotta have a day or two of the thrill rides

 

[MiJo]

We did this once so far. We spent 5 nights at CSR and then headed up to Universal for 2 nights at PBH. We did not feel the Disney magic at Universal. In retrospect, I wish we had done Universal first and then headed over to WDW for the last 5 nights. Even though we enjoyed the 2 parks, it was a bit of a let down. And, we did not enjoy our stay at Portofino Bay nearly as much as our stays at any of the WDW resorts. It may just be a matter of personal taste but we definitely enjoy WDW more. I can't say we felt like traitors, per se, because we have spent plenty of time and money at WDW over the past 6 years, but we don't really have a need to return to Universal.

 

[Tarzan]

Yes, I feel like a traitor. I have yet to take my children to Universal. Luckily, they don't seem to be too interested in it, but LOVE Disney

 

[carolfoy]

I'm with Tarzan on this (maybe its a south west thing!) I'm going for the third time this year and still haven't made it ti universal yet, partly because Disney has everything we like and more than enough to keep us happy for 2 weeks and maybe because I'm always under the impression that universal is more about the big thrill rides which we don't do. maybe I'm wrong about that, we will get there one day so I'll find out then.

 

[stemikger]

I want to go to Universal, but while I'm at Disney - the time goes so fast and we never get around to it.

There are still so many things I haven't done in Disney - so I don't make the trip. Also, my 10 year old daughter is not a big thrill ride junkie - so I think Disney is more her speed.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Since it's THERE , we'll wander over to Universal once every 2-3 years--just to see what's what. Universal itself is pretty nice, but IOA holds no interest whatsoever (except maybe the water flume ride).
BuT we'd never think of going just to Universal w/o having thoroughly done WDW.

 

[DBC]

If Disney was providing my vacation free of charge I'd feel like a traitor is I went elsewhere.

Since they have no problem taking $3-4K a week for my family's enjoyment I have no problem "spreading the wealth".

We've already bought tiks for the next 2 years for dual US/IOA-Disney trips over Feb vacation. We love the experience at both places.

 

[mattr555]

A traitor? I'm not flying 3000 miles to spend 2 weeks in just Disney Parks.

Islands of Adventure was my wife's favourite park. We loved all the rides and it was so relaxed compared to the stroller hell that is the MK. Lots more shade and widers paths. Easy to navigate as it was just one large circle around a lake.

Disney could learn a few things about how characters move around the park from Universal. At Disney, you usually find characters at preset meeting points. At IOA for example, the Marvel Superheros come flying down the street (not fenced in like parades) on quad bikes, dismount and then run to various meet points. At Universal Studios, the Blues Brothers drive their car around with a huge loud speaker on the roof to advertise their afternoon show (which is excellent). It feels more alive and dynamic. Disney felt a bit staid and boring in that reguard.

My favourite park is MGM but after that, I would rate the Universal parks above all the other Disney Parks. The premium plus ticket idea is good too. An extra £20 it gives you one fast pass for every ride in the park for that day to use at any time. Universal have also planned to introduce a "Eat As Much As You Like" wristband for $19.99 which are good at Mel's Diner and Jurrasic Cafe and can be used all day!

Islands of Adventure has been voted theme park of the year, Spiderman ride of the year, The Mummy best new ride of the year, and Mythos, IOA fine dining restaurant has been voted theme park restaurant of the year by themeparkinsider.

If you miss the Universal Parks you will be missing out on 2 of the best theme parks in the world especially as you're probably staying no more than 30 minutes from them. Take away the pixie dust, and most of Disney is below par when compared feature to feature to other theme parks.

Just my opinion so Flame Away

 

[Tarzan]

I DO fly from UK to MCO for 2 weeks at Disney. I use a stroller for my youngest DD so I guess I contribute to the "stroller hell that is the MK". Except that I've never experienced it that way. I've never been miserable, unhappy or dissatisfied whilst at the Magic Kingdom, or any of the other Disney Parks. I love the atmosphere at Disney, not just the CMs but also the other guests just seem so happy there. I have been to Universal, but not since having children. It just doesn't have the same feeling IMHO. I'm sure we'll make it there one day, when the children are older and want to do more thrill rides. For now we are very content with our decision to stay on Disney property and not leave until it's time to go home

 

[BikeFan]

My family and I love WDW, but in August 2004, we went exclusively to Universal/IOA (stayed at the Royal Pacific Resort, too), and had an excellent time. Spiderman, the Mummy, Jurassic Park - all excellent rides. We didn't feel like traitors at all - it's not like we 'owe' Disney anything! Our next trip to Orlando will probably be spent exclusively at WDW, but there will definitely be another trip to US/IOA in the future sometime as well.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Mattr555:
I can only imagine the chaos if they let Mickey just walk around the parks!!!
Disney characters are FAR more popular than anything Universal can offer, so those "controls" are absolutely necessary.
Would add tho that everyone should do Universal/IOA at least once--no other way to determine if you'll like it or not.

 

[mattr555]

I would argue that most of the Nickleodeon characters are more popular than Disney's character. How much TV screen time does Mickey get compared to Spongebob or Rugrats?

 

[Blueberry]

Everyone is entitled to spend their vacation money where they want...we love Universal and would not miss spending a couple of days over there too. Disney is great but Universal is WOW with their special effects and newer rides...

As far as being disloyal, I feel no more disloyal then I would feeling buying a cheeseburger from Burger King is disloyal to McDonalds. These are corporations in the entertainment business.

 

[disgirl]

We have not done a strictly Universal trip yet and since we now own DVC, we probably will not. However, now that our son is pre teen, we always seem to take one or two days to go to Universal. He really enjoys it. I like it but, would be very happy staying at Disney. To answer your question, no I do not feel like a traitor going for a day every now and then. As others said, Universal is different and offers other things.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Nope. Don't at all feel like a traitor.

LOVE Universal. The Mummy is one of the best rides, if not THE best ride I've ever been on.

 

[powellrj]

we have taken Universal only trips before and they are great! Nothing Disney has comes close to FOTL. It has changed the way we look at going to theme parks!! While we still love Disney and will be there in a few short weeks, we also love Universal. To say you can't like one if you like the other is like saying I can't like oranges because I already like apples. You can really like both!!

 

[26555]

Nope. We did IOA/US before Disney and it was nice to do smaller parks, we worked our way up to Disney. Its funny now to think I didn't need to do daily research to plan IOA/US trips! We exhausted the little kid things to do and will go back when both kids are over 48" and ready to do more things at the parks. Unless maybe you get a paycheck from Disney, I can't see feeling like a traitor.

 

[RC Fan]

No, I don't feel like a traitor, but even if I did, I would still go. I love IOA! It is an awesome park! It is my absolute favorite theme park thus far! Without getting into a big Disney vs Universal discussion, I guess the 'magic' is wherever YOU find it.

 

[hockey mom]

My kids would kill me if I planned a trip to Disney without Universal. Spiderman rocks.

That's the beauty of 2 very different theme parks. One makes you believe in fairy tales and the other great thrill rides.

For those who are waiting for your kids to get older to head to Universal don't forget about Suess Landing. Excellent area for the wee ones and it is so CUTE!.