First visit today...sort of a disappointment

[DisneyDayTripper]

DW and I moved to central Florida in August and bought Disney annual passes shortly after moving here and never could convince ourselves to spring for passes to US/IOA. We finally we able to go over to US/IOA and use our free tickets from the superbowl commercial, but we were somewhat glad we didn't have to pay to get in.

We loved the coasters compared to Disney's "coasters"...we road Dualing Dragons 4 times and then also the Hulk. We thought they were amazing, but the rest of the stuff we just didn't think it fit us. We thought they had a lot of "simulators" and not necessarily rides. We are hoping to get back over there and ride the new coaster whenever it gets open, but we'll wait for someone to invite us or we get a free ticket in the mail.

I was just totally shocked at the park and sort of let down...if I would have paid I would have been very upset that we wasted the money. I guess to each his own in terms of theme parks, but we were totally surprised at Universal today.

I had sort of high expectations since I work with youth and they all talked about how amazing US/IOA are and how Disney was for kids and US/IOA was for adults and blah blah blah...it was just very interesting to see the differences between US/IOA and WDW. I did find drink refills and the unlimited eating plan thing to be a great idea. I'm surprised they don't lose an insane amount of money off the food thing with people trying to rip them off (we didn't do it, but just the concept makes it sound like it'd be easy to get a lot of food with only paying for 1 person). I wish Disney would do the refill thing on the drinks...great stuff!

 

[Bluer101]

OK, sorry you feel that way, but thats why they make all kinds off cars too.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Sorry to hear your first visit wasn't what you were expecting. It's not clear in your post but did you visit both the IOA side and the Studios side? I'd also be interested to hear what you didn't like about the other rides.

 

[Hug the Mouse]

Different strokes for different folks I guess.

 

[damo]

Ya, it isn't everyone's cup of tea. Personally, I think it blows Disney out of the water. Spiderman, Men in Black and Mummy are just way better than anything at WDW to me and those are just three rides!

 

[DisneyDayTripper]

Yea we went to both sides...we LOVED the coasters...we both thought that Disney should add more of them to their parks. It upsets me to think that Dualing Dragons was actually a Disney coaster that they sold to IOA.

Trust me I totally understand the "it's not for everyone"...Disney to me is something that you either really like...or really hate. From walking around both the parks it seemed there were an insane amount of shops and places to eat. When looking through the map there were only a few rides/attractions that we cared to do. I can't imagine using all 7 days of the ticket that we were given. Do people actually go to the 2 parks for 7 consecutive days?

 

[donaldduck352]

Sorry to hear that your 1'st visit was not what you expected..
Universal is not everyones bag of tea.
Alot of people get this the first time they visit.
If you go with a open mind and take the Disney factor out of your visit(dont compare)you will find the hidden gems that all of us overhere have found and love.Your not gonna get it the first visit,maybe not the second.But it is there I promise.One day will not do it.You live here and Universal is a world class park.

Let me put it this way.I was raised on Disney.It still got a place in my heart and allways will.My fav place to visit is Epcot,to me it beets Universal everytime.But having another place to visit other then the mouse is Universal.I found my diamond in the rough.Once you get past the major rides you will see the little things that has to offer!!

Dont write it off your list of places to visit..
Mardi-Gras,HHN,the new coaster and Harry Potter comming next year.Alot Universal is putting on the plate that are a not miss!!
You decide and post on this board as much as you want.We can tell you were the things at US makes it special to us!!

 

[DisneyDayTripper]

Sorry to hear that your 1'st visit was not what you expected..
Universal is not everyones bag of tea.
Alot of people get this the first time they visit.
If you go with a open mind and take the Disney factor out of your visit(dont compare)you will find the hidden gems that all of us overhere have found and love.Your not gonna get it the first visit,maybe not the second.But it is there I promise.One day will not do it.You live here and Universal is a world class park.

Let me put it this way.I was raised on Disney.It still got a place in my heart and allways will.My fav place to visit is Epcot,to me it beets Universal everytime.But having another place to visit other then the mouse is Universal.I found my diamond in the rough.Once you get past the major rides you will see the little things that has to offer!!

Dont write it off your list of places to visit..
Mardi-Gras,HHN,the new coaster and Harry Potter comming next year.Alot Universal is putting on the plate that are a not miss!!
You decide and post on this board as much as you want.We can tell you were the things at US makes it special to us!!

Oh I don't plan on writing it off by any means...I'm just going to wait a little bit and try it out after the new coaster opens up and probably when the new Harry Potter stuff opens up. I'll give it some time and maybe by then it'll be more attractive to me. I do know they have Rock the Universe which is pretty sweet so I may have to pay a visit there then and give it another shot.

 

[donaldduck352]

I can't imagine using all 7 days of the ticket that we were given. Do people actually go to the 2 parks for 7 consecutive days?

Oh yeah and love it.You got to see the resorts to make that statement.It beets anything DW has to offer to me!!!
Alot cheaper to boot I might add...

 

[rabyoga]

Wow. This is interesting. Because I was such a Disney freak, I never ventured to Universal/IOA. This trip, my daughter and hubby convinced me to try a day. I had a blast! I love Universal and IOA. I love Disney but I love thrill rides and Universal/IOA delivered. Here's the differences I notice: Not many stoller "babies" (that's what we call stoller kids) or scooter people. My family found it refreshing. Of course, that meant more teens but I could deal with it. Thrill rides were awesome. I love Everest, RnR, Tower of Terror; but Revenge of the Mummy, Hulk, Spiderman, Dueling Dragons (our favorite coaster) were much better. Disney does do the animatrons and theming much better. Disney also has better food choices- although I thought Universal/IOA's refillable cup a better deal. I thought both Disney and Universal/IOA's staff was helpful and pleasant. My family's favorite ride of our vacation was The Simpsons- we quoted the rest of the trip- Marge: "Homer, Sideshow Bob is trying to kill the kids." Homer: 'This ride just keeps getting better and better."
As my hubby lamented, "Great we'll have to spend more time and money in Orlando cause now we have Even more theme parks to visit."

 

[mjohnson96]

I can't imagine using all 7 days of the ticket that we were given. Do people actually go to the 2 parks for 7 consecutive days?

We usually split up our trip, and since it is not as big as WDW it gives us plenty of time for the pool and other important vacation things, like shopping

This year we are staying for 5 days and hitting the parks for about 3 of them. I pretty much refuse to do Disney in less than 6 days because I don't believe in running the kids ragged and there is so much to see that you hate missing any of it.

Maybe next time you go your expectations won't be as high and it will surprise you so you like it a little better.

 

[DisneyDayTripper]

I just want to be clear and not make anyone mad.......we had a great time exploring the park and what not, but it just didn't have the big hook that Disney had when we first explored it. I mean maybe I went into it without removing my mickey mouse ears (even though we saw a kid wearing a pair of mouse ears and I laughed) and accepting it for being Universal/IOA and not something Disney.

The next time I'm there I'll try more things and pay more attention to the little things and try to remove my Disney blinders. Any great tips on how to remove them since it's been all I've known here in Central Florida? Any tips of things to check out the next time?

 

[donaldduck352]

Wow. This is interesting. Because I was such a Disney freak, I never ventured to Universal/IOA. This trip, my daughter and hubby convinced me to try a day. I had a blast! I love Universal and IOA. I love Disney but I love thrill rides and Universal/IOA delivered. Here's the differences I notice: Not many stoller "babies" (that's what we call stoller kids) or scooter people. My family found it refreshing. Of course, that meant more teens but I could deal with it. Thrill rides were awesome. I love Everest, RnR, Tower of Terror; but Revenge of the Mummy, Hulk, Spiderman, Dueling Dragons (our favorite coaster) were much better. Disney does do the animatrons and theming much better. Disney also has better food choices- although I thought Universal/IOA's refillable cup a better deal. I thought both Disney and Universal/IOA's staff was helpful and pleasant. My family's favorite ride of our vacation was The Simpsons- we quoted the rest of the trip- Marge: "Homer, Sideshow Bob is trying to kill the kids." Homer: 'This ride just keeps getting better and better."
As my hubby lamented, "Great we'll have to spend more time and money in Orlando cause now we have Even more theme parks to visit."

Thank you for putting it into better words ride wise.Like I said US has alot more to offer then one day will show you!!

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Glad to hear you're not writing it off totally ...

 

[donaldduck352]

I just want to be clear and not make anyone mad.......we had a great time exploring the park and what not, but it just didn't have the big hook that Disney had when we first explored it. I mean maybe I went into it without removing my mickey mouse ears (even though we saw a kid wearing a pair of mouse ears and I laughed) and accepting it for being Universal/IOA and not something Disney.

The next time I'm there I'll try more things and pay more attention to the little things and try to remove my Disney blinders. Any great tips on how to remove them since it's been all I've known here in Central Florida? Any tips of things to check out the next time?

Read the stickys and dont be afraid to ask.We all are nice overhere and alot of peeps have alot of info and willing to share!!
Go to the Trip Report board and do some reading there.Its a great place to start..

 

[DOOM1001]

Yea we went to both sides...we LOVED the coasters...we both thought that Disney should add more of them to their parks. It upsets me to think that Dualing Dragons was actually a Disney coaster that they sold to IOA.

Trust me I totally understand the "it's not for everyone"...Disney to me is something that you either really like...or really hate. From walking around both the parks it seemed there were an insane amount of shops and places to eat. When looking through the map there were only a few rides/attractions that we cared to do. I can't imagine using all 7 days of the ticket that we were given. Do people actually go to the 2 parks for 7 consecutive days?

What do you mean that Dueling Dragons was a Disney coaster that they sold to Universal?Dueling Dragons is a custom designed B&M made for IOA when the park opened in 1999.I love Disney,I love the Universal parks as well as most of the other major parks out there like the Busch/Sea World parks and the main thing I have to say is you shouldn't compare other parks to Disney as they will always come up short,so don't do it,but I would also tell you not to just base your opinion on one visit to the parks,I've been some days to the Universal parks and if you have a combination of big crowds and long lines and hot,humid weather those haven't been the most pleasant days to visit these parks.To me the biggest difference between the Universal parks and Disney is that Disney is just bigger with more options of things to do and when most waits for the Universal rides are 30-90 minutes and your options of rides are limited with no free Fastpass like Disney Universal just feels smaller like a highly themed Six Flags,don't get me wrong it's still a full fledged major Theme park resort with their 3 hotels and Citywalk,but I just feel their theme parks feel small at times,maybe with Potter coming it will help IOA.I also feel they should never have sold that land on the other side of I-Drive where they could have built more parks in the future,also if there was a way to incorporate Wet n Wild more into their resort without moving it onsite as has been rumored for a while.I think they should just close it for 6 months,keep it in it's current site refurbish it big time,trees,major theming etc.. and get people there efficiently,it's not that far from the parks.Also visit Universal during Halloween Horror nights as it's the best,most elaborate Halloween event in the country as well as during their Mardi Gras event with the parade and the concerts and of course during the Holidays,best three times to visit all year.

 

[inkkognito]

What do you mean that Dueling Dragons was a Disney coaster that they sold to Universal?Dueling Dragons is a custom designed B&M made for IOA when the park opened in 1999.

The Dueling Dragons thing is an urban legend tied into the fantasy animal section that Disney originally planned to put in at AK. I think there is still a dragon in the AK logo. Somehow that turned into a story that Dueling Dragons was originally designed for Disney; unlikely, since B & M has a long history with Universal and has never done a Disney coaster.

I am a HUGE B & M fan, so actually I wish they would work with the Mouse. But I doubt Disney will ever put in a REAL roller coaster (no, RnR and Everest are not real coasters in a true enthusiast's book), but I doubt that will ever happen. Oh well, I'm hoping they will at least add the DL soundtrack to Space Mountain during the rehab.

Universal/IOA isn't for everyone, but at least you gave it a try and will be doing so again. It just might grow on you. I live in FL too and we have Premier Passes, so the after-4 express draws us there much more than to Disney in the peak season. I love 'em both, but if Rip Ride Rockit is as good as it looks that will probably cut into my Mouse Time even more.

 

[keishashadow]

im still hanging onto rumour of the adult oriented villian park ie mini coaster park that was bandied about. Limited # of guests everyday & shorter hours-evening only for themeing, special tix etc. ala discovery cove

between fantasia-night on bald mountain (chernobob) and nightmare before Xmas franchise they could run amuck

stranger things have happened

 

[Dolby1000]

I can really understand where you are coming from, since my 1st day at US/IOA was colored by my still having my mouse ears on. Once I "took them off" so to speak and thought about what I could and would enjoy, my 3 days at UA/IOA were very fun and quite enjoyable.

For next time, if you like getting wet (and I do) don't miss Ripsaw Falls and the Popyeye's and Bluto's Rat Bilges. Rat Bilges (I am probably not getting the name right) is a far better, much longer and just plain far more fun raft ride than the one at AK. There is nothing politicall correct about it. Ripsaw doesn't quite have the theming that Splash Mountain has, but it is a great ride none-the-less. Just be prepared to get wet. (told you, I like to get wet) See, then I need to dry off! You will get totally soaked on Popeye's and pretty wet on Ripsaw.

Dolby 1000

 

[troobabiee7]

I completely understand where you're coming from! The main difference between Disney and Universal is the marketing. My brother and I grew up with Disney - I remember my parents, brother, aunts, uncles, cousins and I all going to see Aladdin the night it came out and then playing with our character figurines for hours every day after. I remember loving he Little Mermaid and pretending I was Ariel every time I went in our pool. I remember watching The Lion King with my cousins as I held my Simba and Nala stuffed animals with magnets in their noses so when you brought them together they "kissed." I remember crying on my first few days of Pre-K, and bringing a picture of my family in Mexico at Epcot from our first trip to Orlando that summer with me to look at and feel better. Disney's the biggest name associated with childhood, and going to the parks brings back that flood of memories and reminds you of those lazy, carefree days of being a kid.

The people at Disney are marketing geniuses and know how to play off of those memories perfectly! I can't imagine a single person who grew up loving Cinderella, Snow White and Peter Pan not wanting a chance to get to ride through those movies and relive the memories. The entire resort has a ridiculously strong emotional pull and therefor keeps people coming back year after year. It's hard going from a resort that's so personal and dear to one's heart to a cool theme park that's really technologically advanced but doesn't have that emotional pull.

It depends on what you grew up with. As much as my brother and I loved Disney growing up, we also loved Jurassic Park and thought everything about that movie was magical. Getting to walk through the gates of Jurassic Park ourselves, hearing the music play as the giant trees swayed in the breeze... it was breathtaking! One of my best friends growing up also loved Jurassic Park when she was younger and she cried walking into the land at IOA for the first time this past March! Her pictures are hilarious! As much as I love Disney and the parks, once you strip them of the emotional pull I think the Universal parks (IOA especially) are far and away better, theming included. The New York area of MGM is a big picture that looks like a city scene, whereas Universal's New York is lifelike and reminds me of home! And you can't beat the theming in any of the lands at Islands of Adventure.

Again, it's hard to break away from the emotional pull of Disney but if you allow yourself to, you'll see just how cool Universal is! My parents like Disney but they didn't grow up with it as much as my brother and I did, and my brother doesn't care about all that emotional cutesy stuff when it comes to theme parks, so they all like Universal Studios better. For every ride at Disney there's a ride at Universal we all like better - we'll take The Hulk over the Rock'N'Roller Coaster, Spiderman over Dinosaur, Jurassic Park over Splash Mountain, and The Mummy over Everest. I love Disney and would love to get over there again sometime soon, but to us, when it comes to the rides and theming as a theme park itself, we like Universal better and find it to be a far better value.

I just wrote you guys a book