Help Me Convince My DH

[Hopefully]

Hi! I am attending a conference for work in late February and I am staying at the HRH. My DH could stay in the room for no additional cost. I can get him an airline trip on miles - no cost We (DH 56 and I - a kid!) are Disney veterans and love it! DH is an "adventure ride" lover - I am not. I think he would love this trip, but he is wavering. Contacts of his at work have been fairly negative, all comparing it to Disney. Help me please to outline the Joys and high thrill rides to convince him to go! Thanks in advance

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

We love Disney too - but we have been to Universal two times and one more next month, since our last Disney trip. We love Universal. The thrill rides are awesome, and FOTL when staying onsite is unbelievable. You really should give it chance - it IS different from Disney, but a really good different. If you go comparing it to Disney you will be disappointed, but if go with an open mind expecting it to be different, you will love it!!!

 

[RescueRanger]

Tell your husband not to listen to his contacts. I have alot of friends who are Disney addicts and said the same thing to me when I would ask about Universal. Well in 2002, we had reservations for WDW. I found out that they had done away with Early entry at the time so I cancelled. We then planned a trip to Universal instead. Wow, were we impressed. We LOVED Universal Studios and IOA. People who try to tell you that it isn't Disney are right. It is Universal, and they really are two very different experiences. My family (me, DW, and 2 DD's) actually liked it better than Disney. They have great themeing (regardless of what the Disney addicts will tell you) and they really have great rides. Hulk, Dueling Dragons, Spiderman, MIB, Back to the Future, and more!!! Don't get me wrong, we love Disney and will be going for a week in March; however, we loved Universal and are going for a week in May/June. We are staying onsite at Universal for the first time and can't wait for FOTL (Front of the line). Be sure to explain to him as an onsite guest he will have this perk. All you have to do is show your room key card at the ride and you will get to go into the express line, NO LONG WAITS. Good luck and have a great trip

 

[RescueRanger]

Oops, I guess we were typing at the same time Tigerlilys mom. Yours was short and sweet and I tend to get a little longwinded...sorry. Oh well, Hopefully should get the idea.

 

[ariden]

My family LOVES Universal & IOA. We can't wait to get back there!
I wouldn't pass up the chance to go.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

If your DH is an adventure ride lover, he will probably regret that he did not go to IOA sooner. Since he basically has the room and airfare taken care of, see if he will go just to be in the sunshine in Feb. (That should not be a tough sell with the present weather!) Suggest that he buy a one day ticket (IOA or two park). If he does not like it, he can always spend the rest of his time at his fav Disney parks. If he likes it, he can go to guest relations at IOA or US and upgrade his pass to cover the rest of your stay. He should get full credit for his one day pass to put towards the upgrade.

I would be interested to know if the folks knocking Universal have actually been there lately (since '99 when IOA opened). I have found that people who have not even been there will try to talk others out of going. They could also be envious!

Let us know if he goes. BTW, what conference is being held at HRH? That is too cool!

 

[Prince Eric1]

While I love both parks, they are extremely different. Just tell him that Universal is like Disney Extreme aimed at the big boys.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Convincing????? If I were your husband, you would have to tie me down to stay. He will have an awesome time! and at the HRH???? Too much fun!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Comparing Universal to Disney is like comparing apples to oranges. Sure, they come from the same general family (themeparks/fruit), but they are totally different. Tell him that this is easily one of the best opportunities to check out the park(s), as he will have FOTL access all day because he is staying at the HRH, which is the most popular hotel. This way he will be able to check it out for himself and when he gets back he can tell his "contacts" about his experience and how he was able to ride the Hulk 5 times back to back and only wait 10 minutes.

It'll also be a great get-away for him so he can take a break from working all week.

 

[ksdave]

I just returned from a two-day biz trip to Orlando that included a couple of evenings at UO. Although I couldn't get the company to pay for a room at UO, I still had a blast for a few hours each evening doing the rides until the park closed, then going to dinner at Portofino, then hanging out at CityWalk. Your husband needs to go this time. Once there, he'll be like my family and want to sign up for annual passes .

 

[highlander447]

Totally agree with everyone you and DH should have a great time Disneys good but really some people are scary because they feel the competion is threating Disney and there answer is to run the competition down Orlandos big enough for both

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Let's put it this way--I'm bringing my 4yo to Orlando for a week. I'll bring him to WDW for 5 days and Universal for 2. There is a lot of things for a young child to do at Disney (and plenty for older kids and adults), but Universal is great fun, especially for older kids and thrill-seeking adults. Like WDW has things for adults, Universal has good things for little kids (I'm not trying to turn people with young children off to Universal), but if your husband likes bigger rides he'll love Universal Studios and IoA.

What I tell my kids is that they won't know if they will like something until they give it a try. Your husband shouldn't base his decision on what people from work tell him (some of them probably haven't even been to Universal), but should go and decide for himself.

T&B

 

[AllieKat]

If your DH is an adventure ride lover, than I believe he'd really love IOA. The Hulk, Spider-Man & Dueling Dragons are just the best. The visual imagery, lay-out, rides and food is great. Yep theme park food that's actually good. Oh, and FOTL is wonderful! I will never stay offsite again. I hope you're able to convince your DH...you two would probably have such a great time!

 

[SpideyHulk24]

If your husband won't go, call me.... I will!!!! LOL... just kidding.

 

[Selina]

Dear Husband of Hopefully........you will absolutely love the Hard Rock Hotel - it will make you feel like 26 again.....and you will love both Universal and IOA. They cater for all ages - but older kids and adults love these parks much more than disney. Once you have been to the Magic Kingdom a few times - it becomes monotonous. Not Universal or IOA.....you can never have too much. Start off at Universal's Men in Black - ( a bit like Buzz Lightyear but better) - battle with illegal aliens on earth and set off on a chase with a host of special effects as you try and shoot the aliens. Then head over to Earthquake a three-part adventure - a behind the scenes look to begin with at two special stage sets, then enter an Underground Train Station and arrive in the middle of an Earthquake!!! The walls and ceilings collapse, trains collide, cars fall on you and fire erupts all around followed by a realistic tidal wave of water - the special effects are brilliant. Then there's Jaws - you are on a haplass tour boats and the tour operator steers you through a spectacular series of stunts, explosions and the watery menace of The Great White.ddddDDDD!!!!!! Back to the Future (a bit like Star Tours), Et Adventure and Terminator 2 - part film, part show, part experience all action attraction leaving you stunned and awed!!........and that's just Universal!!!...we haven't even mentioned the Islands of Adventure.....God - there's so much....if you like coasters - you will LOVE The Hulk!!!...Spiderman adventure - one not to be missed, PopEye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges (wet one) and Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls (high speed wet one).....don't miss Jurassic Park River Adventure, Dueling Dragons Coaster, Poseidon's Fury - a walk-thrugh Show as you journey to the lost city of Atlantis.

Then there's the WONDERFUL eating places......you have soooo many to choose from....but this is getting far too long. Four simple words "YOU WILL LOVE IT"!! Where is your sense of adventure? Go here....and I have a feeling you will want to go again and again and again.........

 

[damo]

The ride ops are all HOT GIRLS IN BIKINIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There did that help? It sounds to me like your DH is way more suited to Universal than to Disney. Watch out, you just may never get back to Disney again.

This is the outfit for the ride ops in the JAWS ride.

And this is from Men in Black

I'm sure there are other Dis'ers out there with pictures of the other ride ops!!!!

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

LOL damo!!!!

Think he'll feel cheated when he comes to see MIB girls dressed in slacks and a button down shirt?


My family (Dad: 46 Mom: 48 Aunt: 51 and myself: 16) prefer Universal/IOA over Disney. We felt we'd get away from the cartoon mouse and enjoy rides that are based on hit films like Back to the Future, Jaws, and Men in Black. Universal is full over simulators and shows, as well as occasional interactive and boat rides.

Islands of Aventure is the real "Thrill Ride Park." With rollercoasters, awesome simulator/ride, water rides, etc. You can't go wrong. The theming is great in both IOA and US (though in much different ways).

Your husband just needs to have an open mind when he goes. Don't expect Disney...don't expect worse than Disney. He'll love the parks if he'll give them a try!

 

[h20jag]

I was gonna type somethin' useful, but I can't remember now.... thanks damo.

Just go & make some memories. Ya'll will have a blast at HRH!! And visit the Velvet Lounge while there.