Help me be not quite so sad

[PantherPete]

Thanks great idea.
Dining is big my ds and I have allergies and must be GF and DF Disney has always been great dealing with that
Star Wars we always went during SWW now they're gone
EPCOT a nice mix of rides strolling, shopping and did I mention food and drinks
AK my dh's least favorite park but I love the quiet there and the shows
DHS or mostly what it was and Star Wars
Night time shows, we're big fireworks fans
MK maybe mostly the nostalgia, Pirates and coasters
My boys are Potterheads so I'm planning 3 days for them to do mostly Potter. I know my dh and boys will wear the batteries out of their wands.

Here is my take on Disney vs Universal based on what you like best about Disney.

• The food is no where near as diverse at Universal. But most places will work with you on your dietary restrictions. You won't go hungry, but dining isn't the adventure that it is at Disney.
• Universal doesn't have Star Wars of course, but the Super Hero area at IOA is very nice and well done. And the Spiderman ride (and Transformers ride at US) are much better than Star Tours.
• There is only 1 nighttime show at Universal. The movie spectacular thing. Well worth seeing once. But not worth multiple nights. This is the area, IMO, that US most falls short on. They need to do something more at night.
• If you mainly like Epcot for walking around, shopping and drinks, The City Walk is great for shopping and drinks. And the thing I like most about it is that it isn't overwhelming. Very easy to navigate, lots of good and interesting places, great people watching, and a generally festive atmosphere. There are no rides, but the rides in both parks are just as good if not better than the 4 or 5 rides at Epcot (not to be critical, I love Epcot, but the ride picking are pretty slim, especially while Soarin' in down).
• If you like nostalgia, Universal has a lot to offer. Not the nostalgia of riding rides that you rode as a kid. But it does have characters that we all grew up with. Scooby, the Simpsons, Woody Woodpecker, Super Heros, etc. And a great group of new ones, like the Minions. And rides like E.T. and Popeye, Dudley Do-Right, Cat in the Hat, etc will take you back to your childhood by reminiscing about those characters.
• Harry Potter land - if you are a fan, these areas will be as impressive as any area of any amusement park in the world. I'm not a big HP fan and I still loved them. It pretty much blows the new Fantasy Land out of the water. Disney has NOTHING like it and won't until Avatar and Star Wars opens. And if the level of thought and detail put into the new Fantasy Land is any indication, even they won't be as good as HP.
• The coasters are just as good at Universal, especially the Hulk and Rip Ride Rockit.

Overall, they are similar, but distinctly different than Disney. But having done Disney many times, Universal will be a great change of pace. It was for us. As someone else in this thread mentioned, it more relaxed in general than Disney and far less overwhelming. At Disney I feel that if I'm not hitting attractions during every waking hour, I'm missing out. I don't feel that way at Universal. I'm sure you'll love it.

 

[figmentfan423]

Here is my take on Disney vs Universal based on what you like best about Disney.

• The food is no where near as diverse at Universal. But most places will work with you on your dietary restrictions. You won't go hungry, but dining isn't the adventure that it is at Disney.
• Universal doesn't have Star Wars of course, but the Super Hero area at IOA is very nice and well done. And the Spiderman ride (and Transformers ride at US) are much better than Star Tours.
• There is only 1 nighttime show at Universal. The movie spectacular thing. Well worth seeing once. But not worth multiple nights. This is the area, IMO, that US most falls short on. They need to do something more at night.
• If you mainly like Epcot for walking around, shopping and drinks, The City Walk is great for shopping and drinks. And the thing I like most about it is that it isn't overwhelming. Very easy to navigate, lots of good and interesting places, great people watching, and a generally festive atmosphere. There are no rides, but the rides in both parks are just as good if not better than the 4 or 5 rides at Epcot (not to be critical, I love Epcot, but the ride picking are pretty slim, especially while Soarin' in down).
• If you like nostalgia, Universal has a lot to offer. Not the nostalgia of riding rides that you rode as a kid. But it does have characters that we all grew up with. Scooby, the Simpsons, Woody Woodpecker, Super Heros, etc. And a great group of new ones, like the Minions. And rides like E.T. and Popeye, Dudley Do-Right, Cat in the Hat, etc will take you back to your childhood by reminiscing about those characters.
• Harry Potter land - if you are a fan, these areas will be as impressive as any area of any amusement park in the world. I'm not a big HP fan and I still loved them. It pretty much blows the new Fantasy Land out of the water. Disney has NOTHING like it and won't until Avatar and Star Wars opens. And if the level of thought and detail put into the new Fantasy Land is any indication, even they won't be as good as HP.
• The coasters are just as good at Universal, especially the Hulk and Rip Ride Rockit.

Overall, they are similar, but distinctly different than Disney. But having done Disney many times, Universal will be a great change of pace. It was for us. As someone else in this thread mentioned, it more relaxed in general than Disney and far less overwhelming. At Disney I feel that if I'm not hitting attractions during every waking hour, I'm missing out. I don't feel that way at Universal. I'm sure you'll love it.

THNX my men are major Potterheads

 

[helenb]

I understand how you are feeling! We have sentimental attachment to Disney as well. But we love our trips to Universal, and often wish that Universal could be more like Disney. We love staying at the 3 original resorts, which are far nicer than many of the Disney deluxe resorts, we love being able to walk to both theme parks and hop easily between them. We love being able to get dining reservations even a day or two in advance, and we love, love, love, LOVE unlimited Universal Express. There is no way that Disney will ever be able to offer this perk (save paying for a VIP Tour guide for every moment of your stay) and it makes a park visit so much nicer! When we do a split stay at both resorts, we usually spend 2.5 days at Universal and 5.5 days at Disney... but we do as many attractions at Universal during that time as we do at Disney, over twice the length of stay. It's just so easy to walk around the park and do whatever you want (save the HP big rides, but that's no problem with a minimal amount of planning... nothing like what you have to do at WDW).

Yes, your trip will be different, but it will be *new*, and it will be fun and enjoyable, even more so if you stay at a resort with universal express.

You will have fun. You will enjoy yourself. All you have to do is go in with an open mind.

 

[tarheel618]

THNX my men are major Potterheads

If they are Potterheads it is like the book has come alive. Im the only Potterhead and I was and still am so impressed with the detail. I have never seen theming done so well

 

[jenrose66]

With the increase of Disney ticket prices tomorrow my dh said we may not include Disney as part of our 2017 vacation. APs for UNI were the best way for us to go so we'll be back again next year. Help me realize this may not be a bad thing. THNX UNI fans because it looks like we're doing back to back vacations for a place we've never been

No need to be sad. We took our first trip to Universal after over a decade of Disney trips and we haven't looked back. We are eagerly awaiting our second trip next month.

 

[Robo56]

Universal is the favorite destination in Orlando for my grandchildren and myself. I take them every year. We started out a few years ago doing split stays first at Disney then Universal. Haven't been back to Disney in 4 years. The grandchildren 17 and 12 love Universal.

I have watched this park change and grow over the years. Universal has been really thinking outside the box and have really upped their game on new attractions.

I love the fact that the resorts are so close to the parks. No excessive planning necessary. Everyone I have ever encountered from the resort employees to park attendants are kind and helpful.

You and your family will have a great stress free vacation at Universal. It's our favorite and we will keep coming back. I think you will to Have a great time.