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

[Lou Holtz]

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.

You don't have to be back by the return time on the fastpass. You can come back anytime after the return time.

You know what you are paying for when you stay Deluxe at Disney. How does that have anything to do with whether their fastpass is fair? Don't stay onsite if it's not worth it. Not a valid argument.

 

[Badge]

Well, not returning in the return time window is the issue I have with the Fastpass pass system, so I follow the guidelines Disney has in place and make sure to return ON TIME. If only more people would do this...

The room issue is this: Why should I spend MORE money at disney and not get anything for it? At least at Universal they know that the cost of the deluxe rooms are not cheap, so they offset it by giving hotel guests the perk of skipping the lines. If disney offered something like this, I would stay at deluxe all the time. However, I see no reason to stay at anything other than a value hotel while at disney, since the deluxe offers nothing special.

I have a bunch of other issues with the fastpass system, and why I think universals is better. Another example would be the fact that I do not have to get to the parks right when they open to get a Fastpass for a ride like Toy Story Mania. Get there an hour after the park opens, and you are faced with a line of over an hour for the rest of the day because Fastpasses are gone. At universal I never have to worry about this. I can go ride whatever ride, whenever I feel like it which is why the extra charge is worth it. Sure with Fastpass you can skip the lines maybe 3 or 4 times a day, but at Universal, I can skip almost every line in the park and never have to wait for anything. Go back and read the debate on the flaws on the Fastpass system. I do not want to have to type everything again.

 

[damo]

Well, not returning in the return time window is the issue I have with the Fastpass pass system, so I follow the guidelines Disney has in place and make sure to return ON TIME. If only more people would do this...

...it wouldn't make any difference.

 

[nytimez]

...it wouldn't make any difference.

 

[Planogirl]

We haven't stayed onsite lately and go during busy times and manage to get things done. Sure it would be nice to have FOL but it really isn't necessary if you tour correctly.

Interesting this notion of free fastpasses. There is discussion on the Themeparks board of restricting those and allowing onsite WDW guests to get more of them.

 

[dtum]

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!

Amen!

 

[Melanie230]

"Free" with stay. Don't forget you're paying for that hotel. But I'm just being difficult. I completely agree with you. I dislike how universal takes advantage of it and nickles and dimes us for everything else.

It is still free. Staying at that hotel is no different than paying to stay at the Grand Floridian, or any other deluxe resort at Disney. The FOTL pass isn't offered at any Disney deluxe resort. You can believe that if it were...we would stay at one of them instead of Pop Century.

 

[Melanie230]

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!

Depending on when you go to US/IOA staying on property is about the same price as a Disney ticket. We are going in October and staying at HRH. Our nightly rate is $169. The price of the Disney ticket is much higher than the price of the US/IOA ticket. Unless Disney is doing the Free Dining...US/IOA staying at one of the onsite resorts is cheaper than going to Disney staying in a value resort. I have priced both many times and it is what it is. We have gone to Disney the last two years because of free dining. When they offer that...Disney is cheaper hands down. But we are staying at Pop...not Hard Rock.

 

[Melanie230]

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.

If they didn't charge for the FOTL pass then what is the benefit of staying onsite? If they offered it to everyone...then there would be no FOTL....it would just be the regular line.

 

[Badge]

It is still free. Staying at that hotel is no different than paying to stay at the Grand Floridian, or any other deluxe resort at Disney. The FOTL pass isn't offered at any Disney deluxe resort. You can believe that if it were...we would stay at one of them instead of Pop Century.

I agree it is a free "perk" of staying onsite. It happens to be a free perk that I enjoy a lot, so I do not mind paying the extra cost to stay onsite. While this might make it sound like it is no free, I still consider it as that. I am paying for a very nice hotel room with a great transporation system to and from the parks. The Express pass is just a perk.

I dislike how universal takes advantage of it and nickles and dimes us for everything else.

I disagree with this. Universal does not nickle and dime people for everything else. Does Disney offer a refillable cup that you can purchase and get cheap refills FOR LIFE? Nope. Same thing goes for the popcorn buckets. Lets face it, these are both bussiness and are in it to make money, but I totally disagree that Universal nickles and dimes it guest. Food, tickets, parking, etc all cost roughly the same or less at Universal compared to Disney. I still enjoy Disney, but I feel like I am getting more for my money when I go to Universal and never spend more than $1.00 for a soda and I never have to wait in line. I am on vaction to have fun, not spend an hour in a line to ride a two minute ride.

 

[Badge]

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.

The more and more I read this thread, the more and more I think some people do not understand how the Universal express pass works. This system is TOTALLY different from the Fastpass. You do not have to wait for a return time like Disney. On a typical day at Disney, you can MAYBE take advantage of five Fastpasses. At universal, you can ride every ride, as many times as you want if your a hotel guest, without having to wait for a return time like Disney.

Imagine you are at Dinsey and decide you want to ride Splash Mountain. So you had over there to see the line is 60 minutes and the return time for the Fastpasses is two hours from now. Now, if they had Universals system in place, you could be on the ride in 5 minutes. Did not get wet enough? No problem, jump back into the line and in another 5 minutes you are back on it. So, in a matter of 20 minutes (5 minutes in line x2 and 5 minutes on the ride x2) you have been on the ride twice and the people that entered standby when you first got into the line, still have a 40 minute wait before they can ride once.

Also, since everybody (even non hotel guests) at Disney can get access to Fastpasses, the big rides run out really early in the morning. While it is great that everybody can get them, it does seem almost pointless. You still have to wait to ride, and its Disney's hope that you will go spend some time in the shops or getting food (thus giving them more money) while you wait for your return time. Granted not everybody does this, but I really do not think Disney spent all this money on this system to offer it for free to everybody if it did not make them any money in return.

 

[dd50]

Depending on when you go to US/IOA staying on property is about the same price as a Disney ticket. We are going in October and staying at HRH. Our nightly rate is $169. The price of the Disney ticket is much higher than the price of the US/IOA ticket. Unless Disney is doing the Free Dining...US/IOA staying at one of the onsite resorts is cheaper than going to Disney staying in a value resort. I have priced both many times and it is what it is. We have gone to Disney the last two years because of free dining. When they offer that...Disney is cheaper hands down. But we are staying at Pop...not Hard Rock.

I wish I could get it for $169. I have to go in summer because that is when my kids are out of school and they start at $254.xx a night. That is a FL rate so I don't know if it is more expensive for others as I haven't checked.

 

[Don Disney]

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.

Who is this"nobody" that is being refferred to?It is quite obvious that many people can't/won't spend their hard earned money on any type of vacation-Just saying,that it seems like a lot of people,some people,a few people-whatever the case may be,comment about staying on-site for the Unlimited Express pass,like it is something that is a breeze to do,or just something that is "matter of fact"I for one,would NEVER spend$180 + a night to "sleep" anywhere;EXCEPT,Cinderella's Castle with my 3 Princesses,and Queen!!! Now that,my friends,is worth going into debt for:in the first,and the last place!

 

[damo]

Who is this"nobody" that is being refferred to?It is quite obvious that many people can't/won't spend their hard earned money on any type of vacation-Just saying,that it seems like a lot of people,some people,a few people-whatever the case may be,comment about staying on-site for the Unlimited Express pass,like it is something that is a breeze to do,or just something that is "matter of fact"I for one,would NEVER spend$180 + a night to "sleep" anywhere;EXCEPT,Cinderella's Castle with my 3 Princesses,and Queen!!! Now that,my friends,is worth going into debt for:in the first,and the last place!

When people respond to threads about the best way to enjoy Universal, they have no idea what is affordable for the OP. Sometimes people will put in their posts that they don't want to spend over a certain amount for a room. That is helpful.

Many times, posters will talk about staying at an offsite hotel for $100/night but they are intending on purchasing express passes. What is an affordable room, does not turn out to be the most economically feasible way to go. Then add in the cost of transportation as well.

You can often stay at Royal Pacific for under $150/night which many people do not realize. People here just give all of the options, hoping that one of them will work for whoever is asking for advice.

There are many people who don't get to go on a vacation at all, so we should all be grateful. Where staying onsite may seem like a worthless waste of money to one person, actually going to Disney/Universal may seem like a worthless waste of money to another.

 

[Don Disney]

Depending on when you go to US/IOA staying on property is about the same price as a Disney ticket. We are going in October and staying at HRH. Our nightly rate is $169. The price of the Disney ticket is much higher than the price of the US/IOA ticket. Unless Disney is doing the Free Dining...US/IOA staying at one of the onsite resorts is cheaper than going to Disney staying in a value resort. I have priced both many times and it is what it is. We have gone to Disney the last two years because of free dining. When they offer that...Disney is cheaper hands down. But we are staying at Pop...not Hard Rock.

I have'nt priced it out,but,you have 4 parks instead of 2.We stayed at Pop for the last 4 years for FD, and we had excellent vacations each and every time.I guess I'm not used to the fact that you have to pay for your US/IOA tickets,and then pay more to have an advantage over those who can't afford the Express Pass.At least Disney treats ALL of it's guests well,and equally;The "Deluxe"set,the "Moderate"set,AND us "Po' Folk"; we be all get treated da same!!Nobody don't be gettin' treated betta dan nobody else jus because dey be havin' mo money!

 

[damo]

I have'nt priced it out,but,you have 4 parks instead of 2.We stayed at Pop for the last 4 years for FD, and we had excellent vacations each and every time.I guess I'm not used to the fact that you have to pay for your US/IOA tickets,and then pay more to have an advantage over those who can't afford the Express Pass.At least Disney treats ALL of it's guests well,and equally;The "Deluxe"set,the "Moderate"set,AND us "Po' Folk"; we be all get treated da same!!Nobody don't be gettin' treated betta dan nobody else jus because dey be havin' mo money!

What about the people who can't afford to go in the first place because the gate tickets are so high? Is that fair? If everyone was being treated equally, it would be free or much, much, much cheaper. Disney is making a huge profit, don't kid yourself and is only treating those with enough money to get in equally. That is a high price to pay for equality.

 

[Metro West]

Let's keep the comments helpful...I don't want to have to close this thread because it turns ugly.

Thank you.

 

[Don Disney]

When people respond to threads about the best way to enjoy Universal, they have no idea what is affordable for the OP. Sometimes people will put in their posts that they don't want to spend over a certain amount for a room. That is helpful.

Many times, posters will talk about staying at an offsite hotel for $100/night but they are intending on purchasing express passes. What is an affordable room, does not turn out to be the most economically feasible way to go. Then add in the cost of transportation as well.

You can often stay at Royal Pacific for under $150/night which many people do not realize. People here just give all of the options, hoping that one of them will work for whoever is asking for advice.

There are many people who don't get to go on a vacation at all, so we should all be grateful. Where staying onsite may seem like a worthless waste of money to one person, actually going to Disney/Universal may seem like a worthless waste of money to another.

Touche'!

 

[nytimez]

I have'nt priced it out,but,you have 4 parks instead of 2.We stayed at Pop for the last 4 years for FD, and we had excellent vacations each and every time.I guess I'm not used to the fact that you have to pay for your US/IOA tickets,and then pay more to have an advantage over those who can't afford the Express Pass.At least Disney treats ALL of it's guests well,and equally;The "Deluxe"set,the "Moderate"set,AND us "Po' Folk"; we be all get treated da same!!Nobody don't be gettin' treated betta dan nobody else jus because dey be havin' mo money!

You're joking, right? Just about everything is for sale at Disney -- and mo' money gets you mo' access, from the VIP guide to the backstage tours to the extra-money "experiences" like the new safari at AK.

I don't have a problem with it in principle, but it's reached a point recently where it borders on crass.

 

[Don Disney]

What about the people who can't afford to go in the first place because the gate tickets are so high? Is that fair? If everyone was being treated equally, it would be free or much, much, much cheaper. Disney is making a huge profit, don't kid yourself and is only treating those with enough money to get in equally. That is a high price to pay for equality.

Equal in the sense that each person who is on or off property that are visiting the parks have no distinct advantage by"buying" said advantage-Like is done at US/IOA;that cannot be disputed,advantage is being bought and paid for.Hey,US/IOA is ahead of the game by charging"twice" for it's customers to NOT have to wait in long lines;Generally speaking,once you pass the bag check at WDW,it's every man,woman,and child for themselves-Equal Oppurtunity;Can you Dig it? We are blessed that we can even go,and I am very thankfull 4that,but this Express Pass thing really bothers me.Not trying to be ugly,and please don't take as such;Just having a hard time wrapping my head around this.Business is business,and it is always about the almighty(not so much since the country almost got bankrupted)dollar.I can't get with the idea of buying 6 tickets to get in,and then buying 6 more tickets to not wait in long lines-No matter how you slice it,it just does'nt sit well with me,and never will.I can say this with much certainty-this will be our first and last trip to US/IOA until they change this jacked-up "pay more to wait less" fraganackle.