Finally made it to Universal - Disappointed:(

[IndianaSPEED]

Maybe I'm not picky about my theme parks. As long as there are coasters then I'm happy. Six Flags and Universal parks are my favorite and Disney parks are my least. I'm a young adult who likes thrills. Disney just doesn't have enough thrills and costs way too much!!!

Universal Studios Florida/Islands of Adventure is my favorite theme park in the United States, followed by Cedar Point, and then by the various Six Flags parks.

 

[Metro West]

What is a B&M?? Coaster??

B & M is Bolliger & Mabillard...a Swiss company who designs coasters. Their steel coasters are very smooth which is why so many folks love their designs. At IOA, Hulk and Dueling Dragons are B & M coasters.

http://www.bolliger-mabillard.com/index_en.aspx

 

[Timmy Boy]

Whomever came up with "Universal is just like Six Flags" needs a good slap.

Six Flags Coaster:

Universal Coaster:

 

[scdisneyguy]

Express is worth it's weight in gold or FOTL pass if your onsite as well. Sure on the surface it looks like, why does Joe get better options because he paid more but that is a fact of life. That is why AP holders aren't limited to trips withiing 14 days or less. I can go to Ryans and get what they call a steak or I can go elsewhere and get an actual Steak and pay more.

We love Disney but love US as well. The older kids especially they are about at that point where US is "cooler" to them. If you stay onsite, US is a different animal altogether.

 

[Kay1]

This post makes me very nervous!

I've been promising my family that US is not a "Six Flags" type of park (no offense to 6 Flags lovers- just not enough theming/not clean enough for us!), but this post makes it sound similar...

I know everyone has different experiences and we will be staying onsite(PBH) and that might make a difference...

This is our first trip to US and we aren't sure what to expect. Anything you can suggest to prepare my family for a fun time? I'd hate to come home disappointed too ...

Please don't worry. I love all the theme parks in central Florida and am not especially loyal to any of them. My favorite of all the parks, though, is Universal. There are so many fantastic attractions and, IMO, it's very clean and beautifully themed.

The OP has a point about the lockers, though. I stopped carrying a bag when the parks started searching them, and just carry my money, passes, brush and lipstick in my pockets. But if we buy something and then want to go on a coaster? Ugh.

 

[Hedy]

Where is that Stunt Show??
Never seen it yet... (edit: AAAAAh, sindbad... Agreed! Not very good IMO)

It sounds like you simply had a "bad day" because normally the parks are not "messy"... They even paint all fascades new every night!!
(do they STILL do that even in that economy????)

Well, I like Universal very much but have to agree that the parks are NOT Disney perfection but I guess even THAT is a matter of perspective and many others may think different...

I feel asleep during Sinbad last year, only Orlando attraction I've ever done it on.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

Yeah, I wouldn't exactly go to Universal to compare the coasters from Cedar Point. I also wouldn't go to Cedar Point looking for highly-themed dark rides, 4D shows, and immersive experiences.

 

[angela3676]

I feel asleep during Sinbad last year, only Orlando attraction I've ever done it on.

 

[keishashadow]

I feel asleep during Sinbad last year, only Orlando attraction I've ever done it on.

not even once on carousel of progress?

my old, sore feet insist on visiting one or not both of them every trip you'll find yourself starting to look for any excuse to take a load off the older you get

 

[Rosetta89]

worried. we are taking a day out during our next disney trip in November this yr. to check out Universal. Never been there the mom and i think it may be a flop :/

 

[ckey]

To me there is no comparison between Six Flags and Universal. The Six Flags parks in Texas have run down so badly that we don't even go anymore, even though we live about 20 minutes from SFOT. I used to love it--had season passes and even worked there as a teen and had a great time, but it bears little resemblence to the park that it used to be. Dirty, crowded, apathetic kids working and sleeping on the job, expensive. . . . I haven't ever visited any of the other Six Flags parks, so these comments are just aimed at the parks in Arlington & San Antonio, oh, and the Hurricane Harbor in Arlington, too.

Universal is one of our favorite places. We are going to Orlando in June and my teenage son is more excited about going back to US & IOA than the Disney parks (except HS).

 

[su_A_ve]

I live 20' from Great Adventure (NJ). Haven't been there in 15 years... And I do remember it dirty and overcroweded...

 

[damo]

It is very possible that the crowds were bigger than expected and thus the "less than tidy" conditions.
What is a B&M?? Coaster??

AND I agree.... I should have done more research.

B&M made Raptor at Cedar Point. Dueling Dragons are steel inverted coasters like Raptor. Hulk is also made by B&M

Intamin made Dragster, Millenium Force and Maverick at Cedar Point. There are no Intamin coasters at Universal/IOA mostly because of the lack of space. However, I wish that Rockit would have been an Intamin Coaster.

B&M and Intamin are considered the top manufacturers of coasters.

 

[damo]

worried. we are taking a day out during our next disney trip in November this yr. to check out Universal. Never been there the mom and i think it may be a flop :/

You may want to check out some photos and videos to help you change your mind.

Go to www.universalorlando.com

 

[glocon]

I agree- I don't like long lines either- but the theming and storyline while waiting in the lines at US can't be beat! And the FOTL option when staying onsite is the best idea anyone's ever come up with as far as my 13yo son is concerned- you really can enjoy every moment at your own pace that way.

 

[Butta]

NO need to worry!

 

[Metro West]

worried. we are taking a day out during our next disney trip in November this yr. to check out Universal. Never been there the mom and i think it may be a flop :/

You have to with an attitude that's it not like Disney...if you don't you will not enjoy yourselves. Lots of people go to another park and try to compare everything to Disney...you can't do that. Check out the photo threads and trip reports...that should convince you to go.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Heck, there are some people who don't like pizza!!!

There are people who don't like pizza?! Are these people nuts or something?

 

[mrslur]

There is a thread about the lockers not working. The person mentioned tapping with your fingernail to make them work quicker. As for Sinbad, we watched it and my 22 year old son turned to me and said, "I love this stuff". Everyone is different.

 

[Saratoga Souris]

Reason that we were disappointed... not many coasters but sounds like we missed a good one as Dueling Dragons was not open.
We thought the Hulk was great and the new Rocket was decent but not thrilling........ interesting comparisons here......
BTW - Raptor at CP is not a favourite of mine - the Hulk was much better