Do you feel like a traitor going to Universal?

[reedycreek]

thanks for all your responses, just wanted to gauge the feelings of Universal vs. Disney. i cant seem to bring myself to go to Universal if I am Orlando, i love big thrill rides, but there's something about Disney that just keeps me there.

 

[ely3857]

Hiya

Nope. Dont feel like a traitor at all. I save for months/years to go to Orlando. I have had only 2 trips in 3 years. I intend to go anywhere and everywhere Orlando has to offer.



Jodie

 

[daannzzz]

My first few trips to Orlando included only WDW but after that I have branched out and seen other things, including Kenedy Space Center, The Ringling Museum, Splendid China and Universal. My last trip included 3 nights at Portofino Bay Hotel and 3 days at the Universal parks. I didn't feel like a traitor. I thought Universal was pretty much on par with Disney in many areas.

 

[lfama]

I *love* Universal and have done it on two or three times. I always stay on Disney property, and I just grab a Mears down to US for the day. I don't feel like a traitor, I only go for the day and I have enough time left when I come back at night to go to a WDW park. But, US is definitely worth going to and I wouldn't miss it. Citywalk has some cute shops, and the Hard Rock is far better than the one here in NY - it's definitely the best Hard Rock around. US is much better than IoA in my opinion, because IoA is more of thrill rides, while US has more of a mixture of rides and attractions. Plus, I think everyone should ride The Mummy - SUCH an awesome ride. And you have to see the Monster MakeUp Comedy Show, as they make fun of Disney in it and there's more of adult humor that you wouldn't find at a show at Disney.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Not at all. We tried Universal (of course combined with our Disney trip) last year and really liked it. I try not to compare because they are very different but we had a wonderful time. THe rule I make is - when we are at Disney we stay at Disney hotels, when we are at Universal we stay at a Universal hotel. Last year we stayed at the HRH and really liked it a lot. FOTL is great and we really enjoyed renting the cabana. THis year we're doing Universal for four nights at the end of our Disney trip. I would have liked to have done it in the beginning but with the APs on their second year it just worked out that way. I'm excited for both.

 

[Cocamami]

I like to do mixed trips. We usually do Disney and Universal and try to do a day at SeaWorld. (Although this past New Year we did Disney only...this Thanksgiving we're staying at RPR and doing Universal/SeaWorld) Each park has its own unique offerings and I enjoy visiting them all whenever I can.

 

[wendy1974]

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!

I have to say that no, I do not do Universal. One reason is that I can usually only afford a 4 or 5 day trip and I want to spend it at Disney. Maybe if I was able to stay for 7 or 8 days like some people I might include a day at US.
What is really funny to me is when people find out you're going to WDW and say, "Oh wow, are you going to ride that Hulk Roller Coaster or (insert US/IOA attraction here). I think that the majority of the general public do not differentiate between the two theme parks I saw a thread on a cast member board entitled "Stupid Guest Tricks" and quite a few of the CM's were making fun of people who walk up to them in Disney Parks and Hotels and ask them how to get to Universal or how to get to a ride that is in Universal

 

[Tinkerbellz]

We wil be making our 3rd Disney trip next summer and I just won't do the Universal thing. The commercial (which they don't play anymore) really got my goat with the "if fairy tales and pixie dust just aren't your thing...".

We spend our entire trips in the Disney parks. There's lots to do and see, I would not go anywhere else.

We have family who do them both and love them, and we still associate with them. LOL.

 

[wildbill]

I can't imagine not taking a side trip to IOA; Disney rides are not geared toward the thrill seekers of the world. Now we can see and do all we want in 1 day and the other 7 are spent at Disney but we HAVE to have our "hulk" fix in the middle of the week.

Bill

 

[HappyLawyer]

Not at all, i look at it this way, florida is my vacation spot not just disney and i incorporate everything into my trip going everywhere, personally i like universal and ioa better then disney but i still enjoy my disney time, these vacations costs too much money to feel guilty, have fun and enjoy

 

[Joann]

I don't think its being a traitor at all, they are two totaly different parks and I couldn't imagine going to orlando and not going to universal.... we had the 7 day hopper plus the 5 day universal we did 6 days of disney 3 at universal and split up 3 of the disney days for the water parks... very busy 10 days but it was a good mix of different things I personally get tired of seeing and going on the same things over and over it worked out great for us! MGM and universal are my two favorite parks!

 

[Metro West]

i love big thrill rides, but there's something about Disney that just keeps me there.

If that's really the way you feel, I think most people on the board who like both parks would agree with me when I say...you're missing out on some of the best thrill rides around and it's a shame. Spiderman, ROTM, Dueling Dragons and Hulk are all world class experiences. You should try to sneak over sometime and check it out for yourself. I think you're doing yourself a grave misfortune if you never ride the thrills at Universal and IOA.

 

[savs]

Nope not at all...we just returned from our 10 day vacation.

We did 2 nights at the HRH and 7 nights at Disney.

The front of the line access you get at Universal is the most wonderful thing We were able to go on many of the rides over and over again with no problem and the HRH was a very nice and very close hotel, it was great that you could walk back and forth to the parks. I have to agree the Mummy, Spiderman, Hulk & Dueling Dragons are rides not to be missed

Would I spend my whole vacation at Universal...no way the Mouse was calling my name the whole time. There is nothing like walking into Magic Kingdom and seeing the castle

I learned a lesson on the trip back to the Disney resort one night....never mention Universals name on a Disney bus....you will get Boooed

 

[Sherrilatte]

I guess the 'magic' is wherever YOU find it.

Well said!! When Disney pays my way to Orlando, I'll more than likely feel guilt for stepping on Universal grounds.

 

[Metro West]

The commercial (which they don't play anymore) really got my goat with the "if fairy tales and pixie dust just aren't your thing..."

You're kidding...right? I thought it was funny. What's wrong with poking a little fun at your competition? Look at the McDonald's vs. BK vs. Wendy's commercials over the years. I don't see the difference.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

Do I feel like a traitor? Absolutely not!

I LOVE both. Universal is awesome but in a different way. If you like thrill rides- it's the place to go. Islands of Adventure is my favorite park (speaking as an adult). However, the kid in me loves the Magic of Disney when I see how excited my kids are.

My kids are too young to really enjoy the best stuff in Universal so it's best when DH and I make it an "adult's only" trip. We'll take the kids back when they are a few years older and ready for all the thrill rides.

The added advantage with Universal is the way the hotels are just a short walk (or boat ride) straight to the parks. It just never seems as there's as much "hustle and bustle" like at WDW. I have a hard time making myself relax and enjoy an afternoon at the pool while at Disney because there is so much to do. I don't like to miss out on anything. At Universal, I'm happy just to spend the day at the Hard Rock pool soaking up the sun.

 

[mommykds]

You are not a "traitor".


My kids don't want to go to Universal yet.



Enjoy!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I have done both, but I am of the mind that Universal just doesn't have the magic for us. It has some of the best individual rides, and it is worth going to, but always before Disney, not after. I don't feel like a traitor, however, I'm perfecltly happy not going to Universal on a given trip. A trip to Orlando without Disney though? Unthinkable, IMHO.

In past years, we did REALLY enjoy dining at Portofino...IT was the perfect antidote to theme park overload. Our last trip there was very disappointing though. So I don't know if we'll be going back....

 

[Slacking]

Mattr555:
I can only imagine the chaos if they let Mickey just walk around the parks!!!

Ummm.... I remember visiting Disney back in the 80's and I beleive at that time, all characters including Mickey would be roaming around the parks. I rememebr running into Mickey one morning in Tomorrowland.


And, I actually feel like a traitor when I visit Disney! Just kidding...... a bit, but I do favor the Universal parks.

 

[rmontgo892]

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!

We went over to the dark side for the first time a couple of years ago! We had a blast and l-o-v-e-d the FOTL pass! This was after 30+ trips to WDW.

It is a great place to visit but our hearts belong to Disney!