experience at Universal

[motofox4]

In September, my b/f and i were staying at a Disney resort for 8 days with 1 day planned at Universal/IOA. We had a 1 day/2 park pass for Universal/IOA and bought an express pass to avoid any lines. This was the first time to Universal/IOA for both of us and I must say, neither of us was impressed and will more than likely be the last time we go there, from here on it'll be only Disney for us. IOA was pretty good, more updated "thrill" rides, but Universal's rides were nothing to get too excited about and just seemed boring. On top of that, the character interactions we had were not very good, nothing like Disney's characters. The worst interaction we had was after the Shrek 4D "ride" while having our pictures taken with Donkey and Shrek. We had our picture taken with Donkey and immediately after that, you moved on to have your picture taken with Shrek. Well 2 seconds before we got to Shrek, Princess Fiona came out of nowhere and stood in front of us with her back to us and said to Shrek that he had to go over to Donkey's side "now" and when he didn't move to go that way she said "Now, I'm not kidding" and walked right past us and so he followed, leaving us just standing there and never getting our picture taken with him. The photographers paid us no attention and moved on to the next guest in line to take his/her picture. I thought this was VERY rude and because of this, we left there with a very bad impression of the park and the people they hire to interact with guests who paid good money to visit the parks. From now on it will be Disney and only Disney who gets our money.

 

[cleo]

I'm guessing, but is it possible there was a very important reason why Shrek was asked to move immediately that the guests may not have been aware of?

I'm sorry to hear you didn't care for the Universal parks. They are certainly, in my opinion, among the finest in the world, especially IoA. But different strokes for different folks, so it's nice to hear you will be happy with just Disney.

 

[reelmom]

Sorry you had a bad experience. We went for the first time in October and we had a blast. If it is within your budget, maybe you can give it another chance.

 

[damo]

Mummy was boring? Men in Black was boring? Hmmmm.

Shrek? Horror Make-Up Show? Terminator? Jaws? Even ET is not boring.

 

[motofox4]

cleo, as far as we could see, there was no reason shrek was moved over to where donkey is except to take pictures all together. other than that, we could see no other important reason...

reelmom - maybe sometime in the future we may give it another chance, but i don't see it happening in the near future.. maybe once we have kids and as they get older we'll take them but right now it's just not something we're interested in seeing again.

damo - okay, so i have to agree, mummy was a good ride but all the others we just didn't see any hype, nothing to get overly excited about. i don't know, maybe it's just because i love disney so much that i couldn't stand to be away from the disney parks. however, the one thing i AM sure of is that princess fiona's attitude and demeanor towards visitors was just plain rude.

 

[tinaluis]

Wow, did you visit the same Universal we visit year after year (and never get tired of visiting???) To each their own, I guess. I'm sorry you didn't like US.

 

[cleo]

I could certainly be wrong, but perhaps there was a reason that meant something to them, but wasn't obvious to guests. Like, maybe Shrek wasn't supposed to be out on his own and Fiona had spent the last 10 minutes looking around back-stage for him, thinking their rotation for group pictures was due to start and he was no-where to be found. It does seem like a rather small issue, but there may also have been a good reason for her attitude.

What did you think of Spiderman, The Hulk and Dueling Dragons? They aren't rides I could picture as being 'boring'.

 

[yaytezIOA]

"Thrill" rides. Love that. Fiona came out basically, as I understand it, to end the session. Its a little something they call acting to a theme. When Fiona gets mad, in the movie, Shrek and everyone else jumps. Kind of seems what they did here. I would figure disney folk would love that.
And yeah, MIB, Mummy, Shrek, JAWS, ET boring? Were you expecting Magic Kingdom? Because they are two different parks....and USF if you havent noticed, isnt really heavy on "character" they kind of spend that money elsewhere.
Give it another try when you're not going to disney and just open your mind....they are different and both very good.

 

[sammyteach]

We went to both parks last summer and really enjoyed them both I was surprised how good some of the theming was and we loved FOTL. Our favs were Spiderman, the water rides, all of Seuss landings and my DD(9) made me go on the Hulk!!! That was so scary but I probably would try it again maybe even open my eyes next time We are returning Aug 07

 

[macraven]

maybe it's just because i love disney so much that i couldn't stand to be away from the disney parks. .

i do both parks but don't compare them to each other.
they are so different and it is a different type of experience at the 2 parks.

since you love disney so much, maybe you weren't ready to try something new like universal.

try universal again sometime in the future. it is a different experience when you stay on site.
maybe you will like it better or maybe you won't.

i never complain when a disney addict states they will not return to UO.
i see it as one less person in line in front of me......

we all like different parks.
i like them both a lot.
i could not imagine of taking a trip to orlando and not doing both parks.

especially during my october trips, i am totally and completely addicted to HHN............could never miss at least three nights of that event!

 

[Fan2CSkr]

One thing Universal rides are not is boring. They may not be for you but they arent boring. A blanket statement that leads me to believe you more than likely didnt experience all the rides and shows at USO/IOA. One day only and 2 parks its doubtful you saw it all.

Why would you expect Universal's Characters to be anything like Disney's? They arent supposed to be the same. One example of one bad (in your opinion) character meet and greet and this sole experience ruined your entire time spent at IOA and Universal? It truly sounds like your expectations were not realistic and what you were expecting was an extension of Disney. Universal is not Disney and it isnt supposed to be.

Perhaps you just arent ready to explore theme parks beyond Disney. Maybe someday you can be open to new experiences. Universal deserves to be enjoyed on its own merits rather than constantly being compared to Disney.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

i do both parks but don't compare them to each other.
they are so different and it is a different type of experience at the 2 parks.

since you love disney so much, maybe you weren't ready to try something new like universal.

try universal again sometime in the future. it is a different experience when you stay on site.
maybe you will like it better or maybe you won't.

i never complain when a disney addict states they will not return to UO.
i see it as one less person in line in front of me......

we all like different parks.
i like them both a lot.i could not imagine of taking a trip to orlando and not doing both parks.

especially during my october trips, i am totally and completely addicted to HHN............could never miss at least three nights of that event!

I guess thats the thing I just dont get! I like/love theme parks I havent met one I didnt like yet. Thats my personality. Of course I like some better than others but in general theme parks are FUN and I wouldnt snub my nose at a chance to spend time at any of them.

 

[Amity 3]

another satisfied customer from New Jersey.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

another satisfied customer from New Jersey.

So far it follows true to suit. Is there something in the water?

 

[damo]

I just don't understand why people feel the need to come over to the Universal Boards just to say they didn't like it. What is the point? Are we supposed to feel like idiots because we do like it? Are they so relieved that they like Disney better that they need to shout it from the mountaintops? I just don't get it.

 

[faindrops27]

Op, I am sorry you had a sore time. I suggest you try again.

My last trip, I did a pre 4 day trip to universal, followed by 8 nights in Disney. Well, by my 2nd night at Disney. I started missing universal. comparing parks, is like comparing apples, to oranges. I know one thing for sure. I love them both. But, I think I am leaning, more on the excitement of the Universal. The mummy in my humble opinion, hands down. Knocks down anything at Disney.

Well, hmm, maybe I will retort that statement. For, I do love Expedition everest also.

 

[AlexandNessa]

another satisfied customer from New Jersey.

So far it follows true to suit. Is there something in the water?

Ugghh!! Why oh why oh why do all these fellow New Jerseyeans insist upon creating these insipid Disney v. Universal reruns?! What is up with that?

Can I form my own state?

The state of "New Jodie, home to Universal Orlando happy people?"

I promise, homies, there is nothing in the water. We are, however, one of the most corrupt states in the nation ... maybe that has something to do with it?

 

[Motherfletcher]

You wake up early in New Jodie. Is Mike a City in NJ?

 

[granmaz]

I love Universal, I love Disney, both different with loads to offer. Celebrate the differences and enjoy!

I also can't understand why people think US boring and non themed either.

 

[AlexandNessa]

You wake up early in New Jodie. Is Mike a City in NJ?

Haha! I haven't gone to bed yet! (Long story...). Yes, I would like to think Mike is the Capital of New Jodie!