florida trip to ONLY Universal

[damo]

We actually have the opposite problem.... when we're at Disney, we miss Universal too much!

Us too! We went to AK last spring and couldn't hack it for three hours!!! It drove us insane. The rope drop, the instructions to wear sunscreen, how to wash your hands, the fastpass issues, the $10 taxi drop off fee, the too few rides, the strollers blocking in front of you and banging into the back of you, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! Too many people!!! We got out and headed back to Universal where we belonged!

We did however quite enjoy the Pirates and Princess party. That is the way I like to do Disney!

 

[AlexandNessa]

Us too! We went to AK last spring and couldn't hack it for three hours!!! It drove us insane. The instructions to wear sunscreen, how to wash your hands, the fastpass issues, the $10 taxi drop off fee, the too few rides, the strollers blocking in front of you and banging into the back of you, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! Too many people!!! We got out and headed back to Universal where we belonged!

We did however quite enjoy the Pirates and Princess party. That is the way I like to do Disney!

I hear ya! What is UP with the hand washing instructions? My SIL and I were baffled by that -- what a cheesy way to gain sponsorship. Hand washing instructions provided by Bounty? (or Soft Soap or whoever sponsored it.). That annoyed the CRUD out of me. Do they take me for a complete idiot? Are people really that inept that they don't know to wet hands, apply soap, lather, rinse, and dry? For real?

BTW, thank you for telling us about the drop off fee. I wouldn't have known otherwise, and when we take one day at Disney to meet friends in October, I will make sure we are dropped off at the BC and just walk to EPCOT. $10 to drop us off at the gate or tram? What a rip!

I loved MVMCP. I agree with you ... after parties are a terrific way to do MK. I do love AK though, but need all of an hour to do MGM since ToT and RnR are all we care about there.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Do they take me for a complete idiot? Are people really that inept that they don't know to wet hands, apply soap, lather, rinse, and dry? For real?

You're visiting theme parks lately and chatting on the DIS and you have to actually ask that question??? Of course they take you for an idiot. That's how they can offer "free dining" and people believe it's "free"...But Universal is no better. What do they think of you? Charge extra for everything, put in nothing new ...

 

[damo]

You're visiting theme parks lately and chatting on the DIS and you have to actually ask that question??? Of course they take you for an idiot. That's how they can offer "free dining" and people believe it's "free"...But Universal is no better. What do they think of you? Charge extra for everything, put in nothing new ...

$85/7 days is a great price even if there is nothing new. How can you argue with that price?

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I can't argue that price, that's part of why I told the OP I support the decision to go to Universal instead of Disney (expecially if it's for 3-4 days and they stay on property) though price really wasn't my point. If you've seen it all before (let's say multiple times) then $85.00 for seven days (seven days???) would still be too much. It's like buying the big gulp because it's a better buy than the 12 oz can. You don't need it, you won't enjoy it but it's a better deal...Some people look at life that way, I don't (JMO).

 

[KEW80]

We actually have the opposite problem.... when we're at Disney, we miss Universal too much!

I am with you! This year we are going to WDW first and all I can think about is getting to the UO part of our trip! Sitting in that cabana every day, FOTL,
easy access to everything, feet not killing me....on and on..

 

[damo]

I can't argue that price, that's part of why I told the OP I support the decision to go to Universal instead of Disney (expecially if it's for 3-4 days and they stay on property) though price really wasn't my point. If you've seen it all before (let's say multiple times) then $85.00 for seven days (seven days???) would still be too much. It's like buying the big gulp because it's a better buy than the 12 oz can. You don't need it, you won't enjoy it but it's a better deal...Some people look at life that way, I don't (JMO).

We were there for 7 days in February and we're going back for 4 more in April and we are coming from Canada. I guess we just enjoy it and I've seen it all many, many times! I think there are lots of people who like to stay for 7 days even if things haven't changed. Who wants to spend a whole full day at a theme park. 7 days at Universal is a complete vacation (complete with relaxation). There are many rides at Universal that just get better the more you ride. I could ride MIB almost exclusively with a different ride thrown in every now and then.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I'm not saying you're wrong and personally I give you credit for your vacation style, but I do think you are in the minority. Aren't most theme park guests total commando's trying to get the biggest bang for their buck (mistakingly thinking that means mondo park time)? Maybe I'm wrong about that but that has been my observation.

 

[KEW80]

We were there for 7 days in February and we're going back for 4 more in April and we are coming from Canada. I guess we just enjoy it and I've seen it all many, many times! I think there are lots of people who like to stay for 7 days even if things haven't changed. Who wants to spend a whole full day at a theme park. 7 days at Universal is a complete vacation (complete with relaxation). There are many rides at Universal that just get better the more you ride. I could ride MIB almost exclusively with a different ride thrown in every now and then.

Here! Here! I agree with you completely! Have stayed 6 nights and left wanting more. Came home so relaxed and happy!

 

[macraven]

I'm not saying you're wrong and personally I give you credit for your vacation style, but I do think you are in the minority. Aren't most theme park guests total commando's trying to get the biggest bang for their buck (mistakingly thinking that means mondo park time)? Maybe I'm wrong about that but that has been my observation.

i can not recall reading where any of the UO guests that stay on site do commando park touring. people that come in for one day to do universal try to get as much in as they can for a day visit. they drop in on a thread and ask how to get the most done in one day visit.

a lot of the hotel stays are repeat customers that have enjoyed universal.
i have meet some at hrh when i have been there that have 2 week ressies making universal their home base for that period.

there is a lot to do at universal and city walk.

there are a lot more people that do disney one or more times a year, buy into the timeshares there and have been going for years. if somebody loves a theme park that much, then that is where they will spend their vacation days.

people return to places they enjoy themselves at. some prefer universal over disney, and can find a lot to do without becoming bored.

 

[damo]

I'm not saying you're wrong and personally I give you credit for your vacation style, but I do think you are in the minority. Aren't most theme park guests total commando's trying to get the biggest bang for their buck (mistakingly thinking that means mondo park time)? Maybe I'm wrong about that but that has been my observation.

People who stay for more than a few days may be in the minority but your posts come off as implying that nobody stays for longer and that the 7 day tickets are silly because nobody who has been there before would spend 7 days there again.

If you've seen it all before (let's say multiple times) then $85.00 for seven days (seven days???) would still be too much. It's like buying the big gulp because it's a better buy than the 12 oz can. You don't need it, you won't enjoy it but it's a better deal

Stating that nobody will enjoy the extra time spent there is rather presumptuous on your part. I think lots of people like going to places even though they have been there before and it doesn't always matter if there is something new. People go to Universal to relax. That is a major difference with Disney and Universal vacations. Disney requires commando performance as opposed to Universal which is actually a relaxing vacation.

You're visiting theme parks lately and chatting on the DIS and you have to actually ask that question??? Of course they take you for an idiot. That's how they can offer "free dining" and people believe it's "free"...But Universal is no better. What do they think of you? Charge extra for everything, put in nothing new ...

Universal tickets are cheap. Universal has DECREASED their multiday ticket prices dramatically and I am thrilled to see that so many people are trying something new for a change.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I'm sorry if you think I'm lumping everyone together, that's not my intention. Certainly there are folks who see and enjoy things differently making all sweeping generalizations just that, a sweeping generalization.

I don't think that folks who choose to stay a week or so are silly by any stretch, I simply said I think most people wouldn't be happy for a full 7 days or more - Although I agree that certainly some people will.

Further I didn't state that "nobody" would enjoy the extra time...That's your assumption. Even further it sounds like you're making a rather large assumption yourself in stating that "people go to Universal to relax...Disney requires a commando performance as opposed to Universal..." Talk about sweeping generalizations.

I don't mind that you disagree with me, but I think you've read too much into what I've said. I was just making my opinion (which is certainly as valid as anyone elses) so the OP could see all sides of the issue.

 

[damo]

Yes, you were stating your opinion but when you start telling the readers that they won't enjoy 7 days at the park, I need to step in and say that certainly isn't true. From my experience and the experience of others on these boards, 7 days at universal is a very relaxing and not at all commando performance.


Unfortunately, on a message board, we take things as they are written. I have to assume that when you say, "you won't need it, you won't enjoy it", that's exactly what you mean and that's the advice you are giving.

I have to give the opposing viewpoint, or I wouldn't be doing my job!!!

 

[Deathtiger]

I am a disney fan for life, but Universal is pretty awesome too. I love Tower of terror, but I equally love Revenge of The Mummy. Honestly, we shouldn't bicker about the parks, they are all fun, if you don't like Disney then don't gripe and moan about your feelings towards it...Save that for a complaining forum, this is about universal, and not how Universal pwns Disney. ((Which it doesn't btw...>.>))

 

[damo]

I am a disney fan for life, but Universal is pretty awesome too. I love Tower of terror, but I equally love Revenge of The Mummy. Honestly, we shouldn't bicker about the parks, they are all fun, if you don't like Disney then don't gripe and moan about your feelings towards it...Save that for a complaining forum, this is about universal, and not how Universal pwns Disney. ((Which it doesn't btw...>.>))

But that is what the OP wanted to know: in our opinion, would she miss Disney. I don't think we can answer that question with a simple yes or no. It is more of a debate!

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Agreed that we won't reach consensus but I never said "no one" or "everyone" and if because of my writing limitations this was intimated it certainly wasn't intended.

It is my opinion that 7 days or more is simply too long for most people as the park offerings are limited (IMO) and I think (think) this will particularily true of WDW fans who generally are commando park goes and have many more Park options during their vacation.

BTW, we are AP holders to WDW, USO and Sea World, so my aligence to any park only goes so far.

 

[Planogirl]

Aw, a debate and a Pirate. What a nice surprise.

As for 7 days for $85, this pass is a bargain if you only go for two days. We go for 4 and split the difference. Let's see...that's $21 and some change per day. You can't beat that.

Why do so many people keep saying that Universal hasn't added anything since IOA? The Mummy, Jimmy Neutron and Shrek are certainly newer than IOA.

 

[Cinderella822]

I think it all depends on how you want to spend your week. When we do WDW, we do commando style because the ticket prices are higher and there is more to do. So you almost feel compelled to get in as much as you can. And even with Fastpass, you still have lines to wait in. So to get your money's worth, you do have to do a lot of park time.

On the other side, when we do USO, we have a more relaxing vacation. I think staying on-site is the key. We never realized until last summer doing 7 days only at USO that going to a theme park could be relaxing. With the great ticket prices, you can buy 7 days worth and even if you don't do the parks all 7 days or the whole day, you don't feel you've lost out. And with FOTL, little waiting in lines. We plan to do the parks for a few hours, then relax by the pools in the afternoon, have a great dinner at one of the many restaurants USO has to offer, maybe go back to a park in the evening or just relax and have a few drinks.

We still love WDW and want to go back at some point, but we will certainly miss the relaxed feeling we get at USO. That's my take on it. If you love going commando and being the parks most of your vacation, then WDW is probably the better choice.

 

[scammermom]

Last fall, we went to US/IOA for 3 nights onsite and 4 days. If I could have afforded to stay onsite, we would have stayed at least 1 more night. We did do everything but I would have loved to have relaxed at the pool more or check out the other hotels.

When I told people we were going to Orlando, of course they assumed Disney. I would say no, this time, we're only visiting US. They looked at me like I was on drugs. No Disney??? Maybe we'll go next year, I explained. Which we are. But people couldn't get over that we didn't step foot on Disney. There's other things in Orlando. The Science Center there is amazing too. And there's Jungle Adventures over in Christmas, FL. We've been to Gatorland too. Airboat rides. And the rodeo! We had a blast there.

Oh, to answer the original question: Will you miss Disney? Maybe but we didn't!

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Staying on site is absolutely the key in my view (because we now have a second home in Celebration we're now just day guests though) but staying on site is truly magical. The Resorts are very pretty and easily linked. The FOTL pass is just super and City Walk is just so good. Plus there are the pools, the pool movies (I assume they're still showing them), Hard Rock had a poolside band a couple weeks ago which was great and as I mentioned (my personal favorites ) the restaurants.

Planogirl, not really a debate I don't think...More like a misunderstanding. After all I've mellowed with my old age. But i agree with you and damo that the $85.00 pass is a bargain even if it's only used three or four days.

Regarding the lack of new attractions issue, it's true that technically some things have been added (and Mummy is my fave) it's still been very little and not very substantial (at least compared to what Disney and Sea World have done). But I've heard that Universal has two or three attractions ready to be announced very soon. Fingers crossed.