'Harry Potter and the Perpetual Breakdown'

[dinolounger]

Now that more I formation is coming in

When did this thread get hijacked into a discussion about football strategy?!?

 

[tjkraz]

Prices are going up as others above confirmed, maybe not as much as Disney, but getting up there.

Over the last 5 years, on a percentage basis prices have actually gone up much faster than Disney. Basically USF used to be well under Disney. Then they aggressively priced their park hopper tickets such that they are now largely on par with WDW.

Guests are commenting more and more on lines and the over use of video screen in attractions.. Hell of course you can build faster and cheap when you use many video screens instead of themed scenes.

That's always been my big problem with USF. My wife doesn't like simulators...they give her motion sickness. At WDW her "can't ride" list is pretty much limited to Star Tours.

At Universal it's now Spider-Man, Transformers, Despicable Me, Simpsons and likely both Harry Potter attractions. She's been on the Hulk coaster...just can't stomach the sims. And that list keeps growing.

Overall it's interesting to read both the good and bad about USF.

Just prior to the opening of WWoHP we spent a couple days at USF on 2-day park hoppers that cost less than $100 each. Now that the price has doubled, I haven't been able to justify the side trip away from WDW. It's a pretty expensive venture for a family of 4...especially when you already have WDW APs or could add a couple more days onto the Disney Park Hoppers for MUCH less. (Going from a 5 day expiring Park Hopper to 7 day is only $21 more--a Universal 2-day Hopper is $176.)

Warts and all, WDW still provides the widest range of attractions which best suit our family's tastes...and constitution.

 

[disneymac000]

Talk about agenda much. You have a ride at UNI where the tracks are being disassembled and reassembled as you ride. I don't give a crap if they decide to hold off. Thats a huge safety hazard and I would rather get trapped and stuck on a ride than potentially get into a accident causing life threatening injuries.

But of course, No one thinks about safety. Everyone just screams I want to ride now until someone gets hurt and they want to point fingers on who to blame.

 

[jon18uk]

Guests are commenting more and more on lines and the over use of video screen in attractions.. Hell of course you can build faster and cheap when you use many video screens instead of themed scenes.

But I think there is also a very large group of people who prefer "interactive" dark rides with 3D projectors and motion effects as well as sets. It could be an age group thing but I would rather ride Spiderman 20 times than The Little Mermaid twice.

Unfortuantly given the changes in technology the only group who still feel WOWed by rides such as the little mermaid, or Pooh are the under 10s. Most teenagers and adults now, I think would rather go for a multimedia dark ride (such as Spiderman, Transformers, Gringotts) or a coaster.
Although there are ways to compromise and still get a family audience, such as Seven Dwarves mine train or going BIG on animatronics such as Pirates or Mansion. I just don't think traditional Fantasyland dark rides are still appealling to a majority and this is why Universal isn't trying, they have one (Cat in the Hat) mainly to appeal to that under 10s group again.

 

[clsteve]

But I think there is also a very large group of people who prefer "interactive" dark rides with 3D projectors and motion effects as well as sets. It could be an age group thing but I would rather ride Spiderman 20 times than The Little Mermaid twice.

Unfortuantly given the changes in technology the only group who still feel WOWed by rides such as the little mermaid, or Pooh are the under 10s. Most teenagers and adults now, I think would rather go for a multimedia dark ride (such as Spiderman, Transformers, Gringotts) or a coaster.
Although there are ways to compromise and still get a family audience, such as Seven Dwarves mine train or going BIG on animatronics such as Pirates or Mansion. I just don't think traditional Fantasyland dark rides are still appealling to a majority and this is why Universal isn't trying, they have one (Cat in the Hat) mainly to appeal to that under 10s group again.

Yep.

I've never quite understood that argument. Some of the most popular rides in WDW are "screen-based", whether that's TSMM, Soarin', Star Tours, etc.

And, they better get ready - it's coming and it's the future - Disney's already embracing this new generation of combination ride with both screens and themed/immersive settings - look at Ratatouille. Heck, I'd argue that the screens incorporated in TT make it as one of the great rides.

The "just a bunch of screens" argument doesn't have long to live, and really isn't relevant now when you look at Park inventories and popularity.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Disney sets the prices. Universal frequently matches price increases for parking, admission etc.

You can still book one of the 3 Universal deluxe hotels for not much more then a Disney moderate. You can book the newest Universal hotel for not much more then the cost of a Disney value.

Hello Lewisc,

Agreed...........you made my point..........the Uni fans who like to complain Disney charges to much, often overlook UNI, who over the last few years are matching some and/or starting to catch up to Disney prices, and I have no problem with that as UNI should be able to pay what the market will bear!

AKK

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Another (not so new thing) is they are also offering more and more new things. Like major new attractions and hotels.

I fully agree, Iger has not done right by WDW!

Of COURSE WITH THE ATTRACTIONS coming down the road and the ones like NFL and DS, this is changing. Not to mention the UNI parks are smaller to start with.

You also have to keep in mind that WD is a lot more then just a new attraction, it offers so many things over and above that. Attendance figures keep showing that.

Of course in some cases the new UNI are not shaping up that well, while some folks like the over use of video, many people are not impressed. It just a fast and cheap way to build.


AKK

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

When did this thread get hijacked into a discussion about football strategy?!?

I don't understand your point, unless your upset because I made a *TYPO*.

If you that bothered by it...........sorry!

AKK

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

But I think there is also a very large group of people who prefer "interactive" dark rides with 3D projectors and motion effects as well as sets. It could be an age group thing but I would rather ride Spiderman 20 times than The Little Mermaid twice.

Unfortuantly given the changes in technology the only group who still feel WOWed by rides such as the little mermaid, or Pooh are the under 10s. Most teenagers and adults now, I think would rather go for a multimedia dark ride (such as Spiderman, Transformers, Gringotts) or a coaster.
Although there are ways to compromise and still get a family audience, such as Seven Dwarves mine train or going BIG on animatronics such as Pirates or Mansion. I just don't think traditional Fantasyland dark rides are still appealling to a majority and this is why Universal isn't trying, they have one (Cat in the Hat) mainly to appeal to that under 10s group again.

Points taken and to each their own.... but.... what is being posted more and more on many sites is with the increase attendance, these people ARE expressing dislike of the OVER USE of Video and box studio buildings for some of the rides.....a cheap and fast way to build.

Disney s not about the thrill riders...........Disney traditional ride are loved worldwide and the complaints roar every time Disney does remove one of the old and loved classics.


I will also add I think the FIRST HP was amazingly done.....our family loved it.

AKK

 

[dinolounger]

I don't understand your point, unless your upset because I made a *TYPO*.

If you that bothered by it...........sorry!

AKK

Not upset, just trying add some levity to a somewhat contentious thread!

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Not upset, just trying add some levity to a somewhat contentious thread!

My pardon to you then!....I misunderstood!

AKK

 

[Rumors Rocks]

Tiny Seats - http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=51958201#post51958201

Hoping that everyone is safely evacuated.

Nah, I don't believe it......that only happens at Disney.

Ah, classy.

I agree with the poster who suggested that we cut
Universal some slack......this kind of thing can happen at any theme park.

Really the dragon statue with the built in flame thrower is broken too?... WTH, this should be simple...fill up the gas tank.



It sounds like the Yeti was amazing, I would love to see it at full glory... although my understanding about fixing it, is it would require major deconstruction of the mountain... however in the meantime I will still ride and enjoy Expedition Everest



First off... I just could not fathom waiting 5 hours for a 3-4 minute ride... I better get foreplay, dinner and dessert (and all the dishes cleaned) for that... Heck, even an hour is pushing my limit, I just go ride something else when the waits are too long. I could not begin to imagine how pissy I would be if I waited those 5+ hours...dedicated half my park day... at least $50....only to have it not run at the end of those 5 hours

I don't plan on getting to Florida again until NYE 2015/2016... we are hoping to get in a day at Universal after our cruise... hopefully by then the DA bugs will be fixed... and the waits reasonable.

Yes, I do hope all of the bugs are worked out before your vacation, it sounds delightful. I'm also looking forward to spending a day or two at Universal, it looks quite splendid. I hope you have an amazing vacation, Suger Mag.

 

[Suger Mag]

Yes, I do hope all of the bugs are worked out before your vacation, it sounds delightful. I'm also looking forward to spending a day or two at Universal, it looks quite splendid. I hope you have an amazing vacation, Suger Mag.

Thanks! It will be our second visit to a Universal park, we had a great time last time at IOA... Enjoyed the HP theming, rode Fire and Ice. I am a coaster fan and I really enjoyed both sides of Fire/Ice and REALLY loved the Hulk ... not sure if it was the back to back rides on Hulk is what threw my back out the next day, but it was worth it. Too funny how crowded the HP land was and how empty the rest of the park was when we went. Spiderman also was really cool. I look forward to checking out the Studios and the new DA. Hope you too have a amazing vacay!!

 

[disneymac000]

Well, i would rather a ride break down than an entire next gen system taking away everyone's FP+ and dining reservations as what happened in Disney August 2.

But thats none of my business though.