Do you feel like a traitor going to Universal?

[Uncleromulus]

 

[26555]

Anyone see how IOA/US is marketing to specifically compare to Disney. I think its a smart arguement, especially for a family on a budget that has already done a week at Disney before but not yet seen IOA/US.

http://themeparks.universalstudios.com/orlando/website/info/disney_comparison.html

 

[PatsGirl]

NOt a traitor at all. We've been to Universal a few times and have decided that after our next 10-day WDW trip (first time on-site for more than a few days) we will alternate between the two. I love the hotels at Universal, also the FOTL cannot be beat. Have eaten at both Mythos (Thanksgiving Dinner three years ago) and Emerils and both were great. Also like being able to walk to both parks and the entertainment center with JImmy Buffets and Nascar for dinner. My teenage son MUCH prefers Universal but my 8 year old daughter prefers WDW because it has calmer rides but I think she prefers Nick characters. I personally miss Seaworld which we do as part of the Universal trip. Also, we partake in the "outside" dinner show arenas and water parks. Brenda

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

I'm actually amazed that people DON'T do Universal!!!! Especailly the person who said they wouldn't do it because of the advert! WTH?!!!

As others have said, both WDW and Universal have things that make them special and persoanlly i find the disney thing a bit twee most of the time. The themeing at Universal is awesome - especially at IoA!

Try it for goodness sake - you're missing something GREAT!

 

[Metro West]

Anyone see how IOA/US is marketing to specifically compare to Disney. I think its a smart arguement, especially for a family on a budget that has already done a week at Disney before but not yet seen IOA/US.

I think so too. The one thing I've heard from people about NOT going to Disney is the cost. Disney outprices a lot of people whereas Universal has a more affordable alternative.

 

[SteinsLaFemme]

My vacation time is very precious and I always wanted to spend as much time at Disney as possible. I felt silly not trying Universal especially since I pay all that money flying the whole family to Orlando. I finally gave in and for this upcoming vacation will be trying Universal at the end of our Disney trip.

Our trip runs into Labor Day and I anticipate big crowds at the parks. Since Universal has FOTL access for resort guests, we'll be staying there at the end of the trip for the crowded days. I'll let you know how I like Universal compared to Disney.

Although I am glad to try Universal, I still feel bad that I am cutting a Disney vacation short!

 

[WDWendy]

We were AP holders for Universal-Hollywood when we lived out West. I had no idea Disney World had so much to offer. During our first trip to Florida we did the unthinkable...Universal only!!! We still had a great time. To me, it's all theme parks and vacation time. Now that I know how much Disney World has to offer, I would have a hard time choosing between the two if I could not do both. They are both great places, different, but both terrific!

 

[mjmcca]

When i was young and single i had APs to all the major Themeparks. This year i an ticipated taking serveral trips to Orlando so i bough APs for disney. I also bought them for Seaworld because you can pay for them monthly which is a very affordable way to go ( plus if you get them premium ones for Seawoorld yopu cannuse them at all AB parks). I didnt get US APs this year because i couldnt afford them.I am thinking about getting some tickets for US for my next trip though. My kids are small but i think they will like it.

 

[Metro West]

I also bought them for Seaworld because you can pay for them monthly which is a very affordable way to go ( plus if you get them premium ones for Seaworld you can use them at all AB parks). I didnt get US APs this year because i couldnt afford them.I am thinking about getting some tickets for US for my next trip though.

Universal also does the Express Pay. I think it's like $15/month or something like that.

 

[DebbieB]

I wouldn't feel like a traitor, but since we have Disney AP's, it doesn't seem worth it to put out $120 for Universal tickets for 2 people. How much is parking? I found a stub in my rental car last week for $13 for Universal parking.

 

[Metro West]

How much is parking? I found a stub in my rental car last week for $13 for Universal parking.

Regular self-parking is $9 and the preferred is $13 (I think). Those are the regular rates w/o any AP discounts.

 

[mjmcca]

Universal also does the Express Pay. I think it's like $15/month or something like that.

I think this is new i was looking for something like this last year and i know they didnt have it.It is too late now to get them this way for our next trip,bummer!

 

[Cookie Princess]

We really enjoy Universal. Last year we bought the 2 parks in 1 day pass and had the best time riding the "thriller" rides all day. This wasn't a day for the tired or weary as you had to hustle, but it was a BLAST! DS was chosen to open the park!

 

[NancyIL]

So far we haven't made it to Universal/IOA when in the Orlando area, but not because of any guilty feelings. We went to Universal Hollywood in 1998, and I didn't expect Universal Studios Orlando to be much different. However, my 15-year-old son and I will be in the Orlando area for a week next March, and he specifically asked to spend a little time at Universal/IOA. So...I think we will spend a day or two there, after visiting my mom in Cocoa, and before dropping off the rental car at WDW.

 

[All Aboard]

Annual passholders at both. Lifelong Disney fans. We also really enjoy the Universal parks. Only thing that's bothered me has been the direct adverse advertising that Universal has done in the past few years. Reminds me of political advertising, kind of cheapens them.

 

[Mysteria]

Although Disney is my favourite I also love Universal. If Universal had better priced accomodations I would stay there for the time I was visiting there and then move to Disney for the time I was visiting there. As it is now I stay at Disney the whole time and drive to Universal. No guilt here. Vacation are precious so I want to visit everything I enjoy.

Myst

 

[BriarRabbit]

I've tried to get the family to try Universal in Orlando but after trying Universal in Hollywood after a Disneyland trip they scream "NO!!!" It was just so much louder and a different atmosphere at Hollywood. Maybe Orlando is different. Anyway, the competition from Universal should keep Disney on its toes for continued improvement.

 

[spatenfloot]

You know, Universal isn't just thrill rides. Both parks have an entire area devoted to children (seuss and woody lands). Plus IoA has a great children's coaster called The Flying Unicorn. My little sister in law has loved that one since she was 9 and would happily ride it 4-5times in a row (which usually isn't that hard to do due to low wait times). There is also an Animal Planet show at US. Of course, almost every kid loves shooting the aliens on MIB.

 

[Metro West]

It was just so much louder and a different atmosphere at Hollywood. Maybe Orlando is different.

Orlando is completely different than USH. I've been to Universal Hollywood a while ago and wasn't really impressed with the tram ride. Orlando has different attractions and don't restrict you by sticking you on a guided tour of movieland. You should give it a try. Here's a map to look at:

 

[Johnfish]

Metro west i love the picture at the end of your post. Dueling Dragons is one of my DS and my favorite coasters. As for feeling like a traitor NOT IN THE LEAST. I feel it is 2 different experiences. I love US IOA and I love Disney (actually DS and I love Disney a little bit more). Last year we did US after disney and we missed Disney enough to extend our trip and go back for one last day. This year its US first!!


John