Has Disney let Universal Catch Up In All Market Segments?

[Planogirl]

Originally posted by HauntedMansionFan
You will avoid the lines at Universal on your second trip only if you decide to stay there. A policy I still don't agree with, you shouldn't separate your guests by class structure. I've said it before and I'll say it again.

This is not entirely true. We did not stay at the Universal resorts (much to my regret now) but at the Holiday Inn and we used the Universal Express feature very successfully. The 5 day pass for $89.95 is a super deal except that one has to use it within 5 consecutive days. We used only 3 days but it was a bargain nonetheless. As for not having access to water parks and Pleasure Island, it makes no difference to me because we don't go to those places anyway. I want theme parks and resorts and I get my money's worth at both Universal and WDW IMO.

By the way, I also had to pay full price for a moderate during one busy time and even once for the Allstars (which I DON"T like but that's another subject). Discounts are not always available unfortunately.

Anyway, too much of this is subjective. You say you'll never return to Universal Studios but we can't wait to go back.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Netnurse - thanks for clarifying. I'm glad your travel this year will be so much cheaper than last year. It looks like you are getting a great rate at Hard Rock, and the Universal tickets are cheaper. All and all, Universal being about $700 cheaper makes a lot more sense, given the rate on the hotel and the passes you purchased. Not exactly apples to apples, but a good deal that provides your family the entertainment and value you are looking for.

FYI - Disney's AP does provide dining discounts (10% at many locations) and a discount at some DTD stores.

 

[HauntedMansionFan]

Originally posted by Planogirl
This is not entirely true. We did not stay at the Universal resorts (much to my regret now) but at the Holiday Inn and we used the Universal Express feature very successfully.

I meant FOTL not the Universal Express feature.

 

[HauntedMansionFan]

Originally posted by Planogirl
You say you'll never return to Universal Studios but we can't wait to go back.

Good, less of a wait for you at Universal and a less wait for me at Disney,

 

[Planogirl]

Originally posted by HauntedMansionFan
Good, less of a wait for you at Universal and a less wait for me at Disney,

Sorry, we're going to both resorts but if you're lucky our visits to WDW won't coincide.

 

[crusader]

We did not stay at the Universal resorts (much to my regret now) but at the Holiday Inn and we used the Universal Express feature very successfully.

Not to deviate too much off course but Planogirl could you elaborate on this? Why regret staying offsite?

Regarding the Universal Express feature I don't believe it is currently being offerred.

 

[Planogirl]

Originally posted by crusader
Not to deviate too much off course but Planogirl could you elaborate on this? Why regret staying offsite?

The Holiday Inn was an OK hotel and we were even upgraded to a suite and only paid about $60/night plus the transportation was adequate. But the only reason I stayed there was because I didn't know much about the Universal resorts. In retrospect that was dumb because Loews builds such awesome resorts but anyway I was completely smitten with Portofino Bay and I could have easily gotten a good deal there. My son liked the Hard Rock and I have to admit the resort's pool could make me a swimmer again.

Regarding the Universal Express feature I don't believe it is currently being offerred.

When did they discontinue the Express? It's still being mentioned as a feature on the Universal website and we used it March 16-18.

 

[All Aboard]

I hope that you aren't vacationing when they are black out dates. I would hate to "have" to plan a vacation around certain dates.

Never a problem for me with my DISNEY seasonal pass.

Nope. I am an Annual Pass holder and I recieve discounts on food and merchandise.

Not in any of the theme parks or resorts, you don't.

Regarding the Universal Express feature I don't believe it is currently being offerred.

Just got home from a weekend of using it.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Not in any of the theme parks or resorts, you don't.

Mr. Curling - seeing as you are into catching 'inaccuracies' today I have to point out these WDW AP dining discounts.................

10% off of food and non-alcoholic beverages during lunch hours, Monday through Friday, for Passholder and up to three guests at selected Walt Disney World resort hotel table service locations: Sand Trap Bar and Grill, Concourse Steakhouse, ESPN Club, Trail's End Buffeteria, Grand Floridian Cafe, Olivia's Cafe, Kona Cafe, Whispering Canyon Cafe, Yacht Club Galley. Call (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463) for priority seating. Lunch hours vary by location; ask at time of booking.

10% off of food and non-alcoholic beverages during lunch hours, Monday through Friday, for Passholder and up to three guests at selected Epcot table service locations: Alfredo's, Biergarten, Garden Grill, Le Cellier, Chefs de France, Teppanyaki, Nine Dragons, Akershus, Marrakesh, Rose and Crown, San Angel, Coral Reef. Call (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463) for priority seating. Lunch hours vary by location; ask at time of booking.

There are limitations, but you do get some discounts in the parks and resorts.

 

[HauntedMansionFan]

Originally posted by gcurling
Not in any of the theme parks or resorts, you don't.

You sure about that? I am holding my Annual Passholder benefits book for this year in my hot little hands. Oh wow.... I get discounts at theme parks and resorts.... should I name a few? The Concourse Steakhouse at the Contemporary, Kona Cafe at the Polynesian, ESPN Club at the Boardwalk, Nine Dragons restaurant at Epcot... should I continue?

 

[crusader]

When did they discontinue the Express? It's still being mentioned as a feature on the Universal website and we used it March 16-18.

I believe it is now only being offered for onsite guests. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[DisneyKidds]

You sure about that? I am holding my Annual Passholder benefits book for this year in my hot little hands. Oh wow.... I get discounts at theme parks and resorts.... should I name a few? The Concourse Steakhouse at the Contemporary, Kona Cafe at the Polynesian, ESPN Club at the Boardwalk, Nine Dragons restaurant at Epcot... should I continue?

Now, now, my good HMF. Unless the Universal AP has the same dining restrictions (ie - discounts only good for lunch hours) I wouldn't go building up the Disney AP discounts. Frankly, other than hotel discounts (if available, which they are currently not for most of April and beyond) I find the AP discounts to be a bit anemic. I'm a Disney AP holder, not a Universal AP holder, and I can recognize that the Disney AP benefits are not that great.

 

[HauntedMansionFan]

Originally posted by gcurling
Not in any of the theme parks or resorts, you don't.

On the subject of discount and what-not. I also noticed that I recieve a discount of mini-golf, marina boat rentals, regular golfing, parasailing, water-skiing, and wakeboarding. What? Universal has none of that you say?

I'm not sure if the Universal Annual offers a discount on rental cars, but the Disney Annual offers a discount with both Alamo and National. But let's not get back to "compare and contrast" shall we?

 

[HauntedMansionFan]

Originally posted by DisneyKidds
Now, now, my good HMF. Unless the Universal AP has the same dining restrictions (ie - discounts only good for lunch hours) I wouldn't go building up the Disney AP discounts.

Some are better then none as implied.

Frankly, other than hotel discounts (if available, which they are currently not for most of April and beyond)

Really? I made some AP reservations for this May and got a good discount, last May also.

 

[All Aboard]

Hey, I didn't know about those discounts. Still rather slim, don't you think? Nonetheless, I do have Disney Dining Experience which gives me 20% off all table service and buffet restaurants in the parks plus almost all dining in the resorts. For $55 a year, THAT's a great deal!

Crusader, Universal Express is just like FastPass (except with UE, you can normally select from two time windows v. just one with FastPass.) All theme park guests can get them from the kiosks, just like FastPass. Roughly the same limitations apply - can't get another until the beginning of your ride time, or two hours. That's available to everyone, has been for about 3 years.

But, on-site guests get an even better deal. They are not limited to the scheduling of Universal Express. Rather, they can simply flash their resort id and they are directed right into the Express queue immediately, at all attractions.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Really? I made some AP reservations for this May and got a good discount, last May also.

Now Mr. (or is it Mrs.?) HMF. I like that you are an ardent Disney fan. However, you should try not to hurt your credibility with statements such as this. I'm sure you got a good discount last May. However, if you have an AP discount for this May you are the ONLY PERSON ON THE PLANET to have such a thing. AP discounts are currently not available. I know, I've been checking. There are dozens of people on the resort board checking multiple times per day.

Some are better then none as implied.

Speaking in the extremes really get us nowhere. Mr. Curling implied none, you implied unrestricted. The truth lies somewhere in the middle. That doesn't change the fact that it appears that the Universal AP offers better dining discounts. Not that I care or want to compare, but let's try and be objective.

 

[DisneyKidds]

I do have Disney Dining Experience which gives me 20% off all table service and buffet restaurants in the parks plus almost all dining in the resorts. For $55 a year, THAT's a great deal!

Sure, rub it in you !@#$%^&* Florida resident .

 

[All Aboard]

Really? I made some AP reservations for this May and got a good discount

Are you sure? I didn't think AP rates had been released for dates after 4/9/03. I know that some "anybody" discounts are out there AXA, AXB, AEA - and the rates are decent, but not great. For some reason Disney is focused on Florida Residents and not ALL passholders with the discounts right now. We can get $74 moderates, that's the lowest I have seen in more than 5 years. They "everyone" rate is $94.

 

[All Aboard]

Mr. Curling implied none

Nope, I didn't imply anything, I was very implict. And, just plain wrong. I didn't know about those.

 

[crusader]

Thanks gcurling for that info. Yesterday when I was speaking to resort rsvp I was led to believe this was only a resort guest feature. This makes a big difference - appreciate it.