experience at Universal

[Motherfletcher]

Capital or capitol? Now I have to go back and read the whole thread. Reader's digest version- Mickey Mouse can beat up Woody Woodpecker?

 

[AlexandNessa]

I told you I hadn't gone to bed yet ... CAPITOL!

 

[Rabbitlover]

I grew up as a Disney Kid....Disney World, Disney Cruises( even before it was the DCL) so I know what its like to be "Disney all the way" until we visited Universal this past Sept. Maybe it was because my children had a blast but I dont know if I will ever go back to Disney ( unless of course its a land & sea cruise package ) I am definatly a Universal "kid" now. I didnt expect anything too great from my trip as I was traveling alone with my 4 children ( ages 9, 8, 7, & 6 ) but we had a blast the 2 weeks we spent in Florida & the week we spent at Universal.

I cant figure out why your so stuck on the whole Fiona thing....are you so use to getting your way and being the boss type that it really got to you that you were "ignored" ??

Maybe in the future you will give universal another try

 

[yaytezIOA]

At the risk of sounding like all my other posts, disney has a lot of folks brainwashed. You see someone here pissed off because she didnt have a good experience with "characters". People who dress up as fictional characters tick you off? Thats some serious damage. There are plenty of people out there and there is something at a theme park for everyone....people just have to open up and give things a try with an open mind. The biggest misconception is that Universal is just another disney...which its not. Its Universal. Disney is disney. Sea World is Sea World and Six Flags is.....welll.....in trouble. Take the parks for what they are, not what you want them to be. Let go of the mouse, he wont get too mad at you for one day....they wont send the disney squad out to your house. Disney wont, but people on the disboards might.

 

[silverhaze269]

To me it sounds like you were expecting another Disney. USO is definitely not another Disney. The mere fact that your trip was ruined by one character experience tells me that you were looking for something to give you a bad impression. Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s what it seems like to me.

You didn’t have enough time to see the parks thoroughly either. You can do one park in one day with an express pass, but to try to squeeze both parks in on one day, on your first visit, is a mistake. The very first time I went to USO we had 2 days, one for each park. They didn’t offer the express pass back then either. We didn’t finish USF the first day so we went back to finish it the second day, then headed over to IOA a few hours before closing. That was a big mistake. I did maybe half the rides at USF (because I was too apprehensive to do all of them) and one ride in IOA. I was left a bit un-impressed but I definitely wanted to give it another shot. The next year we decided to do a really quick trip to just USO because we didn’t really get to see much of it the previous year.
We only had 5 days, but we stayed on-site and it was the best thing we could have done. Now my entire family is hooked on USO.

I think what happened was that you went to the parks with the impression that Disney was superior. Because of this, consciously or subconsciously, it really was. Life is what we make it. If you had it in your head that USO wasn’t going to be as good as Disney, it wasn’t. Next time go with an open mind. Put all your comparisons aside and enjoy the parks for what they are.

 

[macraven]

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.

damo stole my thunder...........


maybe someone should start a new thread in the universal forum of, "well, i went to disney and i didn't see the magic like i do at universal"...


i totally agree with damo.
i scratch my head and think, this is a universal thread, why is a disney addict posting over here about their lousey time at UO.
that's a thread better served on the CB.
i imagine it would grow to at least 20 pages over there.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

damo stole my thunder...........


maybe someone should start a new thread in the universal forum of, "well, i went to disney and i didn't see the magic like i do at universal"...


i totally agree with damo.
i scratch my head and think, this is a universal thread, why is a disney addict posting over here about their lousey time at UO.that's a thread better served on the CB.
i imagine it would grow to at least 20 pages over there.

I wonder that also and I also wonder why now? She was there over 2 months ago.

 

[robvia]

I also agree with the "Brianwashing" theory.

When people drive over from Disney for a day, more often than not, they say Universal was just "ok." Why? Because they didn't get the full effect. If you stay onsite, things are much different.

That's fine if you want to visit Disney again, but I find it odd since you don't have kids yet. There will be plenty of time to visit Disney once the kids come along.

For now, Sea World of Florda, and Busch Gardens Tampa would be good parks to explore. But don't stick only to Disney. That's brainwashing.

 

[mslclark]

Of course I realize everybody won't like what I like, but I also have to agree that the OP didn't have enough time to really experience both parks in one day. An 8 day trip with only one at Universal will surely sway your prejudices towards Disney. But you just can't take in all the theming (especially at IOA) running to attractions for 1/2 day. I could spend a whole day just walking around taking in all the little extras there.

But I like to hear honest opinions, good or bad - thanks for sharing!

 

[reelmom]

Of course I realize everybody won't like what I like, but I also have to agree that the OP didn't have enough time to really experience both parks in one day. An 8 day trip with only one at Universal will surely sway your prejudices towards Disney. But you just can't take in all the theming (especially at IOA) running to attractions for 1/2 day. I could spend a whole day just walking around taking in all the little extras there.

But I like to hear honest opinions, good or bad - thanks for sharing!

I agree. We went for 5 days and still didn't see everything. But that gives us an excuse for going back. I don't understand why people let a few things ruin their trip. IMO, you will always run into rude ,inconsiderate people or people who are so caught up in the moment, they don't realize they are being offensive. So, don't dwell on things you can't avoid or change. Enjoy every moment you can.

 

[LukenDC]

I, too, made my first visit to Universal in September and also spent several days at WDW. I much prefer WDW because I have a greater emotional connection with their entertainment and there is much more to do at WDW. That said, I plan to return to Universal next September. I loved staying at Portofino Bay and the Universal parks, while not my favorites, are fun and interesting.

I think that park preference really comes down to personal taste and emotional connection. I love Disney's entertainment, but I have no interest in Shrek, Men in Black, Back to the Future, etc. The scatological humor in the horror makeup show was tiresome and I did not like the violence in Terminator 3-D. I can easily understand, however, how some people would not like the wholesome fantasyworld of Disney and the constant child friendly entertainment. It's all a matter of preference and it's great that Orlando is able to provide so many different tourist experiences.

 

[LukenDC]

The mummy in my humble opinion, hands down. Knocks down anything at Disney.

The Mummy is the BEST RIDE EVER! Love it!

 

[yaytezIOA]

II think that park preference really comes down to personal taste and emotional connection.

Bingo. And since disney has been around for about 4 times as long as Universal, there is more "emotional connection". But at least you have strong reasons to back up your arguments, and something a less shallow than "Fiona was rude".

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

Still pretty new to the boards - does no one ever "go" to the Disney boards and express a negative opinion about Disney vs Universal? Isn't that the whole point of these boards that you are able to express your opinions both good and bad Am I missing something? We had great times at both parks and were very happy to have experienced both Seaworld and Universal this time in addition to Disney. Will we go back to Seaworld - probably not, to HRH - probably not, to Universal definitely, to Disney definitely and I believe it is my right to post my opinions on why or why not anywhere on these boards. If you don't like someone's post I think the biggest snub that person can receive is if everyone ignores it, let it get buried. Do you really think she would come back and try posting her disappointment in Disney vs Universal on these board again if her first post died - or try a bump???? . I think not. Okay, I'm getting off my soap box, and ready with the fire resistant suit to be flamed Us Canucks, we never know when to shut up

 

[yaytezIOA]

Sure, but if you go to the disney side of the tracks and express an opinion other than your DH DS DOH DMF loves disney, not only do you get negative opinions, but you are flamed and pretty much run off really quick. They fail to see as most people who come around this part of the boards, that they are just parks and really are just as equal in quality, though not in popularity. But again, their loss. I like my parks less crowded and cheaper. Thats why I wont be renewing my AP.

 

[damo]

Still pretty new to the boards - does no one ever "go" to the Disney boards and express a negative opinion about Disney vs Universal? Isn't that the whole point of these boards that you are able to express your opinions both good and bad Am I missing something? We had great times at both parks and were very happy to have experienced both Seaworld and Universal this time in addition to Disney. Will we go back to Seaworld - probably not, to HRH - probably not, to Universal definitely, to Disney definitely and I believe it is my right to post my opinions on why or why not anywhere on these boards. If you don't like someone's post I think the biggest snub that person can receive is if everyone ignores it, let it get buried. Do you really think she would come back and try posting her disappointment in Disney vs Universal on these board again if her first post died - or try a bump???? . I think not. Okay, I'm getting off my soap box, and ready with the fire resistant suit to be flamed Us Canucks, we never know when to shut up

We get about two of those posts a week. It is getting really tiresome. The problem is that we are trying to encourage people to go to Universal. Those posts, which we feel are very misleading, are contrary to what we are trying to do here. They don't really offer any constructive criticism that would make someone not visit a park but they give off a negative vibe. We feel that it is unfair for the average person to decide against going to Universal because someone didn't like it whether it was due to rain or Fiona was rude or a ride was boring or fastpass is free at Disney. We think everyone should be encouraged to try new things not discouraged.

Oh and no, no one goes over to the Disney side and starts a post saying that Disney is boring and Universal is the best. Especially not on a regular basis like over here.

 

[sha_lyn]

We get about two of those posts a week. It is getting really tiresome. The problem is that we are trying to encourage people to go to Universal. Those posts, which we feel are very misleading, are contrary to what we are trying to do here.

Also 9 time out of 10 it seems like the person critizing USO didn't put any time into planning their USO part of the trip. they post a million $$ about WDW, make a touring schedule, buy guide books,book ADRs stay onsite etc. However it seems lke they'll just show up at USO without any prior planning then blame USO on the horrible time they had.

Oh and no, no one goes over to the Disney side and starts a post saying that Disney is boring and Universal is the best. Especially not on a regular basis like over here.

I don't think I've ever seen such an OP. I might see it as a response in a thread critizing USO, but I don't think I've ever seen an OP saying how bad WDW was, and how wonderful USO was on any of the WDW DIS boards.

What I really find funny is the ones that post questions about USO on the CB because they don't want our biased opinions. OK sure, then I guess they don't post any WDW questions on the WDW boards then do they?

 

[macraven]

We get about two of those posts a week. It is getting really tiresome. The problem is that we are trying to encourage people to go to Universal. Those posts, which we feel are very misleading, are contrary to what we are trying to do here. They don't really offer any constructive criticism that would make someone not visit a park but they give off a negative vibe. We feel that it is unfair for the average person to decide against going to Universal because someone didn't like it whether it was due to rain or Fiona was rude or a ride was boring or fastpass is free at Disney. We think everyone should be encouraged to try new things not discouraged.

Oh and no, no one goes over to the Disney side and starts a post saying that Disney is boring and Universal is the best. Especially not on a regular basis like over here.

damo stated it quite well.
some of the regular posters here in the universal forums do get tired of the universal bashing and negativity.

we prefer to share our thoughts and info on some of the threads that are misdirecting lurkers, readers, other posters, etc.

if a newbie came to these threads and read outrageous stories of the awful time they had at UO, i'm sure, many would by pass a visit to UO.

some of us here have talked about various issues we encountered at UO but never in such a negative way to discourage anyone to visit there. you rarely see us bash disney to pieces here. the only time statements are made are when they are the personal experience of the UO poster. It is not done in a way to bash disney, but to share they have their issues also. to be fair, we do explain why we said what we said.

to the above poster (not damo but the other from canada) asking about their right to post their opinion on UO.....
post all you want but you do weaken your point when the rain, and fiona 's rudeness comes into play in statements.....

there have been some threads in the community board forum on someone visiting UO and loving it. those threads can build to over 10 pages in a flash.
they turn into bashing the people that are posting about UO in a positive light.

when one positive statement is made about UO, they can be about 8 posts that follow that flame that poster.

i know, i have been there. it is not worth it.

most here would not venture to the disney side of the boards to glorify UO.
it only stirs up trouble as many posters's minds have been made up that disney rules. why case trouble?

 

[yaytezIOA]

Why stir up trouble? Because its fun and it keeps the disney folks on their toes. But Mac is right, we UO fans have problems with the parks just like disney fans do, the big difference is that we criticize constructively and dont demand that it be like disney or we never go back. I do a Universal podcast, and criticize openly on the podcast but its never like "we had to wait over 20 minutes and with no fastpass, I'm not paying....." ya know, standard disney fan gripe stuff. We have a completely different set of complaints and grievances, mostly on how we wish they would go ahead and stop closing attractions and build in empty spots....and build something in IOA for gods sake! Fun stuff, but not damaging or hateful....just loving and what we would like to see different.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Where is mptofox4, the original poster anyway? Another hit and run posted for the intent to ruffle some feathers.

damo, Your last 2 posts are right on and I totally agree.