Here is why Universal is a better value than Disney (get those flames ready!)

[Peter Pirate 2]

You're getting carried away here. It's a figure of speech, not some legal definition.

When your table is ready at a restaurant, no one is sitting in it while the host finds you and seats you. It's an empty table, waiting for you, until you arrive (unless they can't locate you and have to give it away). That truly prevents someone else from being seated.

When you are not in your fastpass line or not getting on the attraction, there are no empty seats. The line keeps moving.

Additionally, if there was no fastpass, it's not like FP users would stop riding. They'd get in line, and they'd still be in line ahead of you. The only difference is now everyone is spending all their time in line instead of off doing other things.

I can't believe anyone who saw the lines pre-fastpass would argue that the lines -- even standby -- are longer now. They're not. They're often shorter, and when crowds are bigger the wait times are roughly the same -- but you don't have the mobs of people spilling out of every queue, and Disney has said on the record that their own research shows this to be true.

PERFECT Explanation! It can be spun to be negative in appearance if you so choose to do so but the facts are FP does not increase wait times for anybody.

 

[disneychic2]

i don't get it.......

how could you not know you were in the universal forums?


on the front disboard page, it lists all the different boards and then the threads pertaining to it.

Because I go to "new posts" only and sometimes fail to look to the right to see which forum. I had just read another post by the same person that was not on the Universal forum, so I guess that's what threw me. I really, truly, completely am sorry for sticking my nose in where it didn't belong. I'll be more diligent in checking forums from now on, believe me!

 

[Lou Holtz]

FYI, these boards do have a ripple effect far larger than many realize. I'm told disney monitors message boards. Discussion of unrestricted FP return times (apparently another of those disney "best kept secrets" - why not spread the word to everybody) could soon go the way of several excellent producing rental car codes being posted here...several phone calls made later to WDW asking if it's okay to utilize, combined w/mentions on other budget boards, various blogs, etc & poof...the deal vanishes.

Not correct. Disney knows that late fastpasses do not back up the standby line. You are either refusing to try to listen to the logic that is being explained in this thread or just not grasping it. There really is no argument. If you understand the logic, you understand that late fastpasses have no impact on the standby line. It is black and white.

 

[phamton]

Because I go to "new posts" only and sometimes fail to look to the right to see which forum. I had just read another post by the same person that was not on the Universal forum, so I guess that's what threw me. I really, truly, completely am sorry for sticking my nose in where it didn't belong. I'll be more diligent in checking forums from now on, believe me!

Ahh, Disneychic, you can stay. Your "nose" is welcome in any thread here. To be quite honest, I think the OP posted this thread sort of tongue in cheek since similar threads have been on other forums. I think it was to add a little humor and, at the same time, raise awareness of some good things that universal does.

Now to add my opinion of fastpass. I still think it increases line wait but not on the ride in which they are using the fast pass. Let's just say the queue is 90 minutes at Soarin. If you get a fastpass for Soarin' and then go ride Finding Nemo, you have increased the line wait at Nemo. If there were no fast passes you would be standing in line at Soarin' for 90 minutes. So whenever you get a fast pass, it enables you to go ride some other attractions instead of waiting in a 90 minute line at Soarin. Every line you get in during that 90 minutes, increases that line wait.

 

[keishashadow]

Not correct. Disney knows that late fastpasses do not back up the standby line. You are either refusing to try to listen to the logic that is being explained in this thread or just not grasping it. There really is no argument. If you understand the logic, you understand that late fastpasses have no impact on the standby line. It is black and white.

apparently not in your mind, nothing personal (and btw very little in life is black & white)

i agree to disagree & imo what you consider to be irrefutable is of the pretzel logic variety. you have certainly made your feeings clear...i understand you 100%
i've stated my case not going

kuddos to the vibe of the u boards & the mods wherein this could be debated in a respectful manner

 

[damo]

Ahh, Disneychic, you can stay. Your "nose" is welcome in any thread here. To be quite honest, I think the OP posted this thread sort of tongue in cheek since similar threads have been on other forums. I think it was to add a little humor and, at the same time, raise awareness of some good things that universal does.

Now to add my opinion of fastpass. I still think it increases line wait but not on the ride in which they are using the fast pass. Let's just say the queue is 90 minutes at Soarin. If you get a fastpass for Soarin' and then go ride Finding Nemo, you have increased the line wait at Nemo. If there were no fast passes you would be standing in line at Soarin' for 90 minutes. So whenever you get a fast pass, it enables you to go ride some other attractions instead of waiting in a 90 minute line at Soarin. Every line you get in during that 90 minutes, increases that line wait.

Isn't that the main purpose of the fastpass though? To get you doing something else, hopefully shopping, instead of waiting in line?

 

[Lou Holtz]

apparently not in your mind, nothing personal (and btw very little in life is black & white)

i agree to disagree & imo what you consider to be irrefutable is of the pretzel logic variety. you have certainly made your feeings clear...i understand you 100%
i've stated my case not going

kuddos to the vibe of the u boards & the mods wherein this could be debated in a respectful manner

What about the logic presented are you disagreeing with? It doesn't seem like you're trying to understand it, you're just saying "no".

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Isn't that the main purpose of the fastpass though? To get you doing something else, hopefully shopping, instead of waiting in line?

That was the original intention of it (or so I've heard over the years).

 

[patsal]

I have not been to Universal yet, so I don't know which is better or not. But offhand looking at your analysis you compared the Universal parks to DHS-a park that does not have a lot of rides to spread things out.

Probably the busiest ride is TSM, and the Star Tours ride just opened so it is extraordinarily popular and I am sure many guests that were there for the grand opening and Star Wars weekend were still hanging around.

Maybe if you included the Hary Potter rides the comparisons would be more "equal" ? Like how many times in one day could you realistically go on the most popular Harry Potter ride by 12:30?

For us in March it was 4 times on FJ, and all of the HP area completed by 11:30 including lunch in 3 broomsticks! All thng considered I agree withteh OP, I can get lots done very quickly at US/IOA as compared to WDW parks. Not good or bad, just different.

 

[Owlpost23]

As usual,the US/IOA regulars respond with grace,kindness,and tact.Thanks so much for your accurate,yet astute responses!

 

[Clifton]

After visiting Disney and Universal for ions, I found I can do more at Universal's 2 parks then Disney's single park. I can even get stuff done at Universal on a busy crowded day.

 

[Pembo]

I have not been to Universal yet, so I don't know which is better or not. But offhand looking at your analysis you compared the Universal parks to DHS-a park that does not have a lot of rides to spread things out.

Probably the busiest ride is TSM, and the Star Tours ride just opened so it is extraordinarily popular and I am sure many guests that were there for the grand opening and Star Wars weekend were still hanging around.

Maybe if you included the Hary Potter rides the comparisons would be more "equal" ? Like how many times in one day could you realistically go on the most popular Harry Potter ride by 12:30?

5...We stayed on property and used early entry but we were able to ride with single rider line only waiting 10-15 mins.

 

[dtum]

The one thing about US that I think Disney is lacking is the drink system. My goodness, was it nice to buy a butterbeer mug and get 85 cent refills all day long. I wish Disney would do that. I think I got sick one day at Disney because I was too cheap to buy 3 dollar drinks. And, I agree that you can't compare DHS and US because there is a lot more to do at US!

Totally agree with the drink system. Disney refillable mugs only being used at the resort are a rip off. Like the popcorn deal also.

I do like Disney's fast pass sytem and don't think UA should be charging extra for theres. I know you can stay onsite and get free passes, but i think that shuld be for everyone. IMHO, Disney does this right.

Other than that the parks are so very different. I don't ride the big rides so for me Disney is a better value than sitting at UA holding bags while the rest of the family rides.

 

[damo]

Totally agree with the drink system. Disney refillable mugs only being used at the resort are a rip off. Like the popcorn deal also.

I do like Disney's fast pass sytem and don't think UA should be charging extra for theres. I know you can stay onsite and get free passes, but i think that shuld be for everyone. IMHO, Disney does this right.

Other than that the parks are so very different. I don't ride the big rides so for me Disney is a better value than sitting at UA holding bags while the rest of the family rides.

There are reasons why the express passes work at Universal. First of all the hotels are all deluxe and quite expensive. Also, there are many very cheap hotels surrounding the parks within walking distance. There needs to be a large incentive to get people to stay onsite. Free, unlimited express does that.

Without that incentive, the deluxe hotels would not be able to exist.

 

[phinz]

There needs to be a large incentive to get people to stay onsite. Free, unlimited express does that.

This is the reason I stay at the Hard Rock. Disney has its EMH. Universal/IOA has its "fast pass." Don't like the fact that those who are staying at the hotels on property get to go to the front of the line? Stay on property or buy the "fast pass." It's a benefit that I can't turn down. I don't have much sympathy for those who don't take advantage of it.

The Disney Fast Pass system is a disaster. Tour guides picking up 100 passes at a time? Yeah. That's fair. It should be one pass per person per ticket. Don't like it? Don't stand in the Fast Pass line. Get in the regular line with the rest of us.

I don't want that much scheduling in my life. I'm on vacation. I follow a schedule at work.

 

[Timmy Boy]

Regarding FastPass vs. Universal Express. You pay more for better service everywhere. Go to a sports game and pay more for better seats. Go to a concert or show and do the same thing. Go to a nicer restaurant vs. a buffet and pay more. Disney's parks are the only one's left in the world with a free "skip the line system". Either the other parks are too cheap and want to make more money, or they realized how bad Disney's system is and decided to make it an upcharge option. A ride with a huge capacity such as splash mountain should not have 80 minute waits in the fall.

EDIT: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey has great capacity as well, and when that ride eventually does get Express, it's been talked about that it may be be included in a Gold Express Pass, which would include Rockit and Forbidden Journey. The park knows that having a long Express line available is a disaster for both the regular and Express line.

 

[Lou Holtz]

It doesn't have 80 minute waits in the fall.

Explain to me what is bad about the Disney fastpass system.

 

[Don Disney]

This is the reason I stay at the Hard Rock. Disney has its EMH. Universal/IOA has its "fast pass." Don't like the fact that those who are staying at the hotels on property get to go to the front of the line? Stay on property or buy the "fast pass." It's a benefit that I can't turn down. I don't have much sympathy for those who don't take advantage of it.

The Disney Fast Pass system is a disaster. Tour guides picking up 100 passes at a time? Yeah. That's fair. It should be one pass per person per ticket. Don't like it? Don't stand in the Fast Pass line. Get in the regular line with the rest of us.

I don't want that much scheduling in my life. I'm on vacation. I follow a schedule at work.

Valid point-I would be MORE than happy to stay on property;the reality is,I can't afford to.As far as sympathy goes,ain't askin' for it.don't need it! I would however,be willing to accept any donations from all of those who think EVERYONE has the money to afford the on property hotels. Some of us are barely able to afford a vacation at all,so we're just happy to be going!

 

[Badge]

It doesn't have 80 minute waits in the fall.

Explain to me what is bad about the Disney fastpass system.

I have already made clear my thoughts on the flaws in the Fastpass system a few pages back. However, I will just say you get what you paid for.

I pay to stay onsite so I don't have to keep checking the time to make sure I make it back to the ride by the return time. I pay to stay onsite so I can get on almost any ride in either park whenever I feel like it without having to wait in a line. I pay to stay onsite so I can ride my favorite rides over an over again. Riding Dr. Doom 10 times in an hour? I could NEVER ride Tower of Terror 10 times in an hour...it would take more like 4 or 5 hours.

My other issue is the fact that Disney guests stay at these Deluxe hotels and get NOTHING for it other than a "nicer" room. Your at Disney! How often are you sitting around enjoying the pictures on the wall in your room? At least at Universal I pay to stay at a Deluxe style hotel, and I get the royal treatment for spending the money. You get nothing different between Disneys value hotels and the deluxe hotels...it really surprises me that so many people will stay at deluxe hotels. If Disney started doing what Universal does and gives all Deluxe hotel guests an unlimited "fastpass" system, I would be coming right back to Disney and staying at Deluxe hotels for the perk. I have been spoiled by Universal and never having to wait in line, that I don't think I could manage Disney during the summer anymore knowing that if I would have gone to Universal, I would not have to wait in hot, annoying, hour long lines.

 

[damo]

Valid point-I would be MORE than happy to stay on property;the reality is,I can't afford to.As far as sympathy goes,ain't askin' for it.don't need it! I would however,be willing to accept any donations from all of those who think EVERYONE has the money to afford the on property hotels. Some of us are barely able to afford a vacation at all,so we're just happy to be going!

Nobody thinks everyone has the money to afford to stay on property. Nobody thinks everyone has the money to go to Disney or Universal in the first place. So, nothing at either of these parks is available to everyone because not everyone can even afford to be there in the first place.