Feelings about Universal?

[22David2]

Disney world and Universal studios are two different places with different themes and different theme parks. They are, however, very close to each other and both very fun in their own ways. I don't feel like you have to dislike universal in order to still be a disney fan. How do other disney fans feel about universal studios and islands of adventure?

 

[MUDisneyCouple]

We went this past March and enjoyed it quite a bit. It is entirely different feel from WDW - at least in our opinion. We felt it was a good deal money-wise and it wasn't crowded at all. The longest we waited was 45 mins for Hulk otherwise, it was easy to get around and there was a lot to do. Spiderman, Mummy and Shrek are GREAT and we were happy to hear that they were redoing Back to the Future - it should be unique as a Simpson's ride. I just wish they would update Jaws...

We are still Disney fans through and through, but it was a great experience nonetheless...so, no you don't have to dislike US/IOA in order to be Disney's #1 fan! Variety is the spice of life...

 

[mariamard1]

I absolutely love Universal. It is very different from WDW, but a blast just the same. As you can see from my signature below, we have been to both many times. It is full of rollercoasters and some amazing water rides. My DH is a comic book collector, so he acts like a 10 year old there. The characters are amazing. There is a ton of stuff for the little ones-all the nick Jr. guys as well as the nick characters. IOA and US are are real good time and VERY affordable. Theres a special right now 7 days for the price of 2!!!! We have stayed onsite for the FRONT OF THE LINE PASS!!! The resorts are a tight second ONLY to the deluxes at WDW.Its well worth it to try to split up your trip between both resorts.

 

[Metro West]

Disney world and Universal studios are two different places with different themes and different theme parks. They are, however, very close to each other and both very fun in their own ways. I don't feel like you have to dislike universal in order to still be a disney fan. How do other disney fans feel about universal studios and islands of adventure?

I like all the parks so much I have passes to both.

 

[MassMom94]

We went to Universal for the first time last year. We're going back to Orlando this August and will again spend 2+ days at Universal, we liked it that much.

As others have said, Universal has a different feel than Disney but it is much more than a typical amusement (think Six Flags, or even Cedar Point) park. Mummy, Spiderman, and Men in Black are exceptional - Disney doesn't have any equivalent - and have wonderful theming. The Seuss Land is gorgeous and has a number of very cool/cute rides for the little ones (my preteen and teen enjoyed them as well!) I could go on and on about a lot of other really neat attractions (like Jaws and Jurassic Park and the Popeye ride) but I will contain myself.

We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel and it was gorgeoous. Also, you can walk to both parks from there and the route is a beautiful path through lovely gardens. You can also take a boat The pool, which includes underwater speakers, was amazing. My kids loved it. Best of all, if you stay on site you get Express Pass privileges which basically means you can cut every line for every attraction.

There are some good restaurants there, too, including two by Emeril. Didn't get to check those out last time, but hope to on our upcoming trip. There's also a Starbucks in Citywalk where we went for breakfast every morning.

While Universal does have a great deal going now (7 days of admission for $85.99), it does wind up costing us quite a bit more because of the way Disney is now pricing (i.e., if you go 5 or 6 days each additional day is about $7 IIRC). What I mean by that is if we spent our entire vacation at Disney, we would save money on park tickets. But we really like Universal and the Hard Rock, so for us it's worth it.

 

[shelemm]

Universal is a nice place with some really good things going for it.

It's problem is that, as a head-to-head Movie-inspired theme park, I don't think it has the magic (or even insight) of DS-MGM. The US park is very beautiful and extremely well planned, but has just about nothing to make me feel like I've got to return.

The IOA park has some great features with Spiderman being a ride I feel I can return to on a regular basis, and then also has some bigger thrill amusement park rides that, while they are not so special, are a great deal of fun.

As a two for one mega-park, Universal certainly has its place in the fun department. But not the love.

If someone were making a first visit, I'd say they should stick with Disney.

 

[goofyernmost]

I think the difference is that Disney is fantasy oriented whereas Universal is more adventure oriented. I am not a big fan of IOA because I see it as a "younger set" park. I do enjoy Spiderman but the rest left me either wanting or not willing.

Universal has some outstanding attractions. The best, IMHO, is the Terminator but ET, Twister, Earthquake, Men in Black, Shrek and others are excellent shows. Disney is lagging a little in the quality of attractions when compared to Universal on an adventuresome level. Terminator is an incredible show.

I like both Universal and Disney but for very different reasons.

 

[The Sweetness]

We love both (and SW as well) Dh would say his fave is IOA, I love all 4 WDW parks ((water parks just dont *do it* for me ), and as for DD, she's dreaming of a sweet 17 celebration next year, with me, (not her baby sis ) and a friend joining her at Discovery Cove/ SW for a few days To each his own

 

[WDW Princess]

We too love both parks! I don't quite understand why WDW and Universal need to be compared at all - it's so wonderful that we can have two totally different experiences so that we get tired of neither one!!! We are a young childfree couple and enjoy Disney with all the pixie dust and princesses (for me) and Universal studios with more modern rides for DH. We are very fortunate to travel overseas several times a year and had an opportunity to visit Universal in Japan - this was absolutely awesome as well! We love Busch Gardens, although we are a bit tired of this park since for us, it's not quite a vacation but "something to do" if we are bored or would like to go hang out with friends and enjoy beautify landscaping. We love ALL parks!

 

[AlexandNessa]

I hate it. Universal has no magic, no theming, and I don't feel safe there. I'll never go back. Ever.

 

[yaytezIOA]

Universal is a nice place with some really good things going for it.

It's problem is that, as a head-to-head Movie-inspired theme park, I don't think it has the magic (or even insight) of DS-MGM. The US park is very beautiful and extremely well planned, but has just about nothing to make me feel like I've got to return.

The IOA park has some great features with Spiderman being a ride I feel I can return to on a regular basis, and then also has some bigger thrill amusement park rides that, while they are not so special, are a great deal of fun.

As a two for one mega-park, Universal certainly has its place in the fun department. But not the love.

If someone were making a first visit, I'd say they should stick with Disney.

I feel just the same about all the disney parks. I feel they used to be good, but have turned into crowded soul-less places whre the love and magic is forced at best. MGM is not a movie park, but a Disney Channel Park. They have two movie rides, with Star Tours and Great Movie Ride, and the Indiana Jones Ride....everything else is playhouse disney, or some kind of ride that has nothing to do with any other movies. Again, we're just talking feelings and opinions, and I'm not flaming you or saying you're wrong...just offering my viewpoint.
For me the studios have more of a "studio" feel to it, and have the better ability to "ride" the movies. I think if people wanted to break into the theme park world they should start out with Universal first and go to disney later on, when they're ready to handle the larger crowds, and longer wait times.

 

[goofy!]

I hate it. Universal has no magic, no theming, and I don't feel safe there. I'll never go back. Ever.

 

[damo]

Has this thread been moved here accidently? I don't think the OP wants Universal fans' views but Disney fans' views. It seems like a weird thread to be on the Universal boards.

 

[goofy!]

Has this thread been moved here accidently? I don't think the OP wants Universal fans' views but Disney fans' views. It seems like a weird thread to be on the Universal boards.

Funny, I wondered the same thing too.

We are first and foremost Universal lovers and always stay onsite there. However, we love all the parks and will drive over to Disney to get our Disney fix.

6 parks = 6 different but still all magical experiences.
6 parks = 6 different but still all unbelievable theming.
6 parks = 6 different but still all phenominal rides.
6 parks = BONUS for our family (and 7 parks when we do SeaWorld).

Universal does have a different feel, but then so does AK from MK. We love and appreciate the theming and experiences we have at each and every park. How can you not? The attention to detail regarding theming, characters, rides, food in all 6 parks is superb.

I really feel sorry for the people that are such rabid Disney (or Universal) fans that they put down Universal (or Disney) without even ever trying it. They are missing that much more fun. It is ok to be brand loyal, but when you start denying yourself fun experiences just to remain loyal, well then might just be me, but I can't understand that. But then again, I may just be weird. I can also actually enjoy a Pepsi if a restaurant doesn't have my preferred Coke.

 

[bg4]

I hate it. Universal has no magic, no theming, and I don't feel safe there. I'll never go back. Ever.

not a tough one to realize that this post IS SARCASM.

Oh I've learned so much these past two weeks.

 

[phamton]

Has this thread been moved here accidently? I don't think the OP wants Universal fans' views but Disney fans' views. It seems like a weird thread to be on the Universal boards.

It was moved here from the Disney board.

 

[Cass]

DD and I both love Universal and Disney!

We go to Disney when we want to be Princesses, we go to Universal when we want to be Ogres!

 

[bg4]

Disney world and Universal studios are two different places with different themes and different theme parks. They are, however, very close to each other and both very fun in their own ways. I don't feel like you have to dislike universal in order to still be a disney fan. How do other disney fans feel about universal studios and islands of adventure?

OP is asking for opinions on UNIVERSAL STUDIOS and IOA from DISNEY FANS and it was moved here. Makes a lot of sense. If we start a thread asking Universal fans about disney will it be moved there? When did this board become a dumping ground for threads that may have arguments - oh wait we know that answer.

When does the is its safe to be at Disney World thread start?

 

[Metallicat]

Why must people compare the two? Universal is great, Disney is great, even Sea World is great. I'm sure there is somebody out there who likes Busch Gardens better. big deal. so what.

 

[ky07]

while I have only been to WDW once and that was only epcot and really loved it but when we went to us and ioa we were hooked and loved it and we are going back this june.