I wish I were at Disney World
Earning My Ears
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- Sep 14, 2000
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even for just a day or two?
i know this is blasphemy but, is Universal Studios worth going to?
- Thread starter I wish I were at Disney World
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M
~Magical Princess~
Guest
Hi there, we just returned from the WORLD after two weeks in absolute HEAVEN on earth .... we included Universal as part of our stay because we were going to be there so long (13 days/12 nights), and let me tell you that you can do it "all" in 1 day (both parks) if it's low season (such as now - September) but if it's busy - you really need at least 2 days. They have a special running of buying the 2 days/2 parks (Universal/Islands of Adventure) and you get the 3rd day "free" which you have to use within a week of purchase. We did the two days, and never returned for the 3rd day as we got sick of paying $11 for "preferred" parking (vs. $8 for regular parking, or $9 I'm not sure ...).
About the park: It's great! I've once heard that Universal has the "technology" over Disney ... not sure if I'd say that - but Disney and Universal both equally have a lot to offer people I think!
About the "Studios" part: The ET ride is just amazing! So cute, so creative! The Men In Black is really awesome too! Of course, Back to the Future is great as well! Really cool!!. The terminator 3-d movie is cool too. Basically there is nothing that is "not" cool! Jaws is an excellent adventure as well! I'm sad that they've stopped the "Kong-frontation" but such is life .... TWISTER is pretty neat (not a ride), and I missed the Ghostbusters deal as it was outside this time and I had no desire to stand in the sweltering heat any longer than I had too!! We can't forget about the Nickolodean (sp?) studious that are there for live tapings and if you have older kids (i.e., maybe 10 or so or a bit older) they love that!
Then on the "Islands of Adventure" site, they have the HULK roller coaster ride which is awesome! I black out though on the first couple curves and windings and I'm really not sure that it's a great idea for me to be on that kind of ride ..... (happened both times I rode it). Then there's this bobbing up and down deal that I think is captain doom or something -- TOTALLY not worth the wait at all! It shoots you up - bounces you like once or twice - and then you are DONE! Don't bother with that! The Spiderman ride is absolutely incredible! Then there's this REALLY awesome water ride - can't remember the name, but there's also a Popeye and Olive Oil round boat water ride they are BOTH cool! And you get SOAKED! Then there's the Jurasic park ride - that's GREAT! Then theres some more roller coasters over there (I think 2 or 3 more) and they are great too!
Basically, if I had to say is it "worth" it .. I'd say "yes" - they really h ave a lot to offer in two areas, instead of being like - one park here, one park there, one park there ... you know like at Disney: MK, AK, MGM and Epcot .... you are at least pretty much located in only 2 - very close together adjoinging parks.
Hope that helps! Oh too I forgot - tickets are NOT cheap - like to the tune of $80 or $90 per person (I think kids are a bit cheaper) - and when you add that to your very expensive Disney park prices - you almost have to gasp!!!
ENJOY!
About the park: It's great! I've once heard that Universal has the "technology" over Disney ... not sure if I'd say that - but Disney and Universal both equally have a lot to offer people I think!
About the "Studios" part: The ET ride is just amazing! So cute, so creative! The Men In Black is really awesome too! Of course, Back to the Future is great as well! Really cool!!. The terminator 3-d movie is cool too. Basically there is nothing that is "not" cool! Jaws is an excellent adventure as well! I'm sad that they've stopped the "Kong-frontation" but such is life .... TWISTER is pretty neat (not a ride), and I missed the Ghostbusters deal as it was outside this time and I had no desire to stand in the sweltering heat any longer than I had too!! We can't forget about the Nickolodean (sp?) studious that are there for live tapings and if you have older kids (i.e., maybe 10 or so or a bit older) they love that!
Then on the "Islands of Adventure" site, they have the HULK roller coaster ride which is awesome! I black out though on the first couple curves and windings and I'm really not sure that it's a great idea for me to be on that kind of ride ..... (happened both times I rode it). Then there's this bobbing up and down deal that I think is captain doom or something -- TOTALLY not worth the wait at all! It shoots you up - bounces you like once or twice - and then you are DONE! Don't bother with that! The Spiderman ride is absolutely incredible! Then there's this REALLY awesome water ride - can't remember the name, but there's also a Popeye and Olive Oil round boat water ride they are BOTH cool! And you get SOAKED! Then there's the Jurasic park ride - that's GREAT! Then theres some more roller coasters over there (I think 2 or 3 more) and they are great too!
Basically, if I had to say is it "worth" it .. I'd say "yes" - they really h ave a lot to offer in two areas, instead of being like - one park here, one park there, one park there ... you know like at Disney: MK, AK, MGM and Epcot .... you are at least pretty much located in only 2 - very close together adjoinging parks.
Hope that helps! Oh too I forgot - tickets are NOT cheap - like to the tune of $80 or $90 per person (I think kids are a bit cheaper) - and when you add that to your very expensive Disney park prices - you almost have to gasp!!!
ENJOY!
I wish I were at Disney World
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2000
- Messages
- 24
sounds great. maybe i should tear myself away from The Kingdom for 1 day.
but $80???????!!! ;-)
but $80???????!!! ;-)
followme2disney
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2000
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- 456
I agree with the previous poster that you can do all of USF in one day. However, I think that the only attraction truly worth seeing is Spiderman (It was absolutely incredible). But it is hardly worth $80. I was very disappointed when I was there in January. I will not be going back there unless they add another new park. I know a lot of people that prefer USF. I don't know...I think I am just spoiled by the perfection of Disney.
Tickets are $49.95 for one day, one park. The $80 is for the buy 2 days get one free, then you can park hop. Parking is $8 for each day, unless you upgrade to preferred parking.
I would definitely do Universal if you are thrill ride people. My husband and my older son love Islands of Adventure, but my younger son and I don't go on a lot of the rides. The theming is great, especially Superhero Island and Seuss Landing. If you have children, check out the height restrictions before you go. The Studios is a nice park, but you can really do everything there in about half a day. Just be warned, it is not a Disney like park. Everytime we leave Universal I make my husband stop at WDW just so I can get a dose of Disney because Universal can really be frustrating.
I would definitely do Universal if you are thrill ride people. My husband and my older son love Islands of Adventure, but my younger son and I don't go on a lot of the rides. The theming is great, especially Superhero Island and Seuss Landing. If you have children, check out the height restrictions before you go. The Studios is a nice park, but you can really do everything there in about half a day. Just be warned, it is not a Disney like park. Everytime we leave Universal I make my husband stop at WDW just so I can get a dose of Disney because Universal can really be frustrating.
T
tripben
Guest
We did Universal last year and stayed for three hours then left. I was just not what I was used to. Spoiled by Disney I suppose. I have had relatives tell me IOA is great though.
I will not go back to Uniersal anytime soon. There were only two rides that I thought were really good and that was not worth $ 50.00 each to get in the gate.
No magic, no charactors, no street entertainment, and people drinking in the streets. Just not what I expected.
Sam
I will not go back to Uniersal anytime soon. There were only two rides that I thought were really good and that was not worth $ 50.00 each to get in the gate.
No magic, no charactors, no street entertainment, and people drinking in the streets. Just not what I expected.
Sam
Disneydenise
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 21, 2000
- Messages
- 1,457
Universal has some nice deals for staying at their resorts with FOTL passes. Then you don't have to pay for parking. They may have resort fee. We staye last year for 2 nightsand got a 3 day pass and we didn't need the 3rd day because of FOTL. The hotel was very nice and the restaurants were very nice. It isn't Disney but it is fun.
You can get great deals at US. We are going next week for 10 days at WDW and then transferring to the Hard Rock Hotel and doing 5 days at US/IOA. I paid $95 for an annual pass for US/IOA! That is very cheap compared to WDW where I paid almost $400 for an AP. The AP I bought has some black out dates like holidays and summer weekends, neither of which I would be caught dead at the park! I also got the hotel at an entertainment rate which was 1/2 price at only $125. I'm paying $205 for the Poly at WDW. I can't wait! We are going the MNSSHP at WDW and then the Halloween Haunted Nights at US/IOA. Of course, I don't think I would go just to US as my favorite will always be WDW.
Yes, and I would disagree with thte poster about 8 plus for the age.
We spendt 12 days there back in August, witha 4 and a 7 year old, and loved both parks.
My 4 year old went on everything at USF and only a few restrictions for IOA . (Dr. Doom, Hulk, and DD) (She was a very very tall four year old!)
My seven year old with the exception of Dueling Dragons & Hulk, did everything, saw everything, loved everything.
His quote "Disney is for babies, Universal is for REAL kids!"
Mind you, my kids aren't scared of much... ok, I have to admit my daughter was scared of the que line in DD the first time (Barry, you SAW that!), but after that it was fine!
The customer service I witnessed there was unparalled in all of Central Florida. (Yes, even better than that other place!) We had a problem, and management, and the ride operators went out of the way to make us feel loved and welcome.
Universal and IOA will get our business from now on!
Spiderman a fantastic voyage of the senses... Men in Black, makes its counterpart (if you can even call Buzz a counterpart, ) look like cardboard cutouts !
Yes, some attractions were older... Kong was still there, Earthquake is looking a little older, but my kids still enjoyed it!
And the prices are much much cheaper than Disney tickets.. For a while there was (might still be around) a $99 annual pass... try finding that at Disney.
You get to park in a nice parking garage, sure better than letting you car BAKE on blacktop in Florida sun. The moving walkways into the park is nice as well.. don't see that there as well.
We spendt 12 days there back in August, witha 4 and a 7 year old, and loved both parks.
My 4 year old went on everything at USF and only a few restrictions for IOA . (Dr. Doom, Hulk, and DD) (She was a very very tall four year old!)
My seven year old with the exception of Dueling Dragons & Hulk, did everything, saw everything, loved everything.
His quote "Disney is for babies, Universal is for REAL kids!"
Mind you, my kids aren't scared of much... ok, I have to admit my daughter was scared of the que line in DD the first time (Barry, you SAW that!), but after that it was fine!
The customer service I witnessed there was unparalled in all of Central Florida. (Yes, even better than that other place!) We had a problem, and management, and the ride operators went out of the way to make us feel loved and welcome.
Universal and IOA will get our business from now on!
Spiderman a fantastic voyage of the senses... Men in Black, makes its counterpart (if you can even call Buzz a counterpart, ) look like cardboard cutouts !
Yes, some attractions were older... Kong was still there, Earthquake is looking a little older, but my kids still enjoyed it!
And the prices are much much cheaper than Disney tickets.. For a while there was (might still be around) a $99 annual pass... try finding that at Disney.
You get to park in a nice parking garage, sure better than letting you car BAKE on blacktop in Florida sun. The moving walkways into the park is nice as well.. don't see that there as well.
P
pnelson
Guest
We are going to Universal for the 1st time next year. We did go to Universal in California last year and loved it. They had many characters and street performers around. Does Universal and IOA not have any of characters/ entertainers? We loved Universal California and can't wait for Florida. I just hope my son doesn't like it better than WDW.
damo
Proud Redhead
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- 37,861
Sure they do. It's just that unless they are Disney characters, the Disney people don't like them; they have no "magic". We saw Spidey, Dr. Doom, Dr. Suess Characters, Popeye and his sidekicks, Bullwinkle and his guys, Hulk and many more. Had a personal experience with the Green Goblin, scared the crap out of me. You just have to go in not expecting it to be Disney and cutsie and you will have a blast. Yes it is different. But it is good.
My family and I love Disney, even my 16 year old son is enchanted by the Disney magic.
Universal is just different, has more of an egdy feel, more excitement, intense. I really don't think it's fair to compare the two places because for me and my family at least, they both have different vibes. And we love that difference.
As for someone mentioning no characters and street performers, that wasn't the case when we were at Universal. We saw characters all over the place, like Betty Boop, Dr. Brown from BTTF, Lucy Ricardo, Shrek, the Marx Brothers, Spidy, gee wiz I can't even begin to name them all. There was so much character interaction. And my kids loved the Marvel parade thingy! The Green Goblin held my ponytail up during the photo, Wolverine snuck up behind me and growled, and Captain America tried to get my husband to show his muscles! I have to honestly say the characters were better than Disney.
It's worth it to go to Universal. We'll be ther for a whole week in July and we didn't get bored last time and I know it'll be just as exciting this time!
Sorry for the thesis!
Universal is just different, has more of an egdy feel, more excitement, intense. I really don't think it's fair to compare the two places because for me and my family at least, they both have different vibes. And we love that difference.
As for someone mentioning no characters and street performers, that wasn't the case when we were at Universal. We saw characters all over the place, like Betty Boop, Dr. Brown from BTTF, Lucy Ricardo, Shrek, the Marx Brothers, Spidy, gee wiz I can't even begin to name them all. There was so much character interaction. And my kids loved the Marvel parade thingy! The Green Goblin held my ponytail up during the photo, Wolverine snuck up behind me and growled, and Captain America tried to get my husband to show his muscles! I have to honestly say the characters were better than Disney.
It's worth it to go to Universal. We'll be ther for a whole week in July and we didn't get bored last time and I know it'll be just as exciting this time!
Sorry for the thesis!
ChrisFL
Disney/Universal Fan and MALE
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- Aug 8, 2000
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- 9,260
Universal and Islands are 2 very different parks.
Both, though, are more thrilling than Disney as a whole. Universal offers, like it says, you to Ride the Movies, and if you've never been there, it's interesting to see, as most have mentioned, a lot of the attractions are very good. The theming is a bit different, as it's clear that you're supposed to be on a movie set in some of the rides.
Islands of Adventure is completely different. The theming is incredible and as good as any park in the world. Everything from the trash cans to lighting and everything in-between is themed perfectly to the area that you're in. There are 4 coasters there, but one is just a kid's coaster, and 2 are together (Dueling Dragons). This is only a small part of the park. Spiderman is just incredible and you just have to ride it. There are more water rides also, in the Toon Lagoon area. There's some very cool kids rides in Seuss Landing, and Poseidon's Fury is also a very good "experience" theater/walkthru attraction.
Some people can't seem to say anything nice about something that isn't "Disney". It's sad that people act like that, but I'm sure if you go to Universal, you will have a great time!
Both, though, are more thrilling than Disney as a whole. Universal offers, like it says, you to Ride the Movies, and if you've never been there, it's interesting to see, as most have mentioned, a lot of the attractions are very good. The theming is a bit different, as it's clear that you're supposed to be on a movie set in some of the rides.
Islands of Adventure is completely different. The theming is incredible and as good as any park in the world. Everything from the trash cans to lighting and everything in-between is themed perfectly to the area that you're in. There are 4 coasters there, but one is just a kid's coaster, and 2 are together (Dueling Dragons). This is only a small part of the park. Spiderman is just incredible and you just have to ride it. There are more water rides also, in the Toon Lagoon area. There's some very cool kids rides in Seuss Landing, and Poseidon's Fury is also a very good "experience" theater/walkthru attraction.
Some people can't seem to say anything nice about something that isn't "Disney". It's sad that people act like that, but I'm sure if you go to Universal, you will have a great time!
EUROPA
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2000
- Messages
- 1,731
HA ! Stick around a little while next time. I think you missed alot.
Street Entertainment - Ghost Busters, Blue Brothers, Bettle Juice Graveyard Review and other various skits.
Charcters - too many to list.
Drinking in the streets- Have you been to Epcot, MGM or Animal Kindgom ???
???
"I wish I were at Disney World" if you go to the parks with an open mind and expericnece Universal for what it is, NOT DISNEY. Then you will have a great time and want to go back again and again.
Mortimer Mouse
<font color=peach>Keep eating that popcorn, MM. K
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2000
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Disney will always have something universal does not.
Sentilmental Attachment
Pure Fantasy
Family tradition and memories
Cinderella's castle
Show me spongebob, i'll give you Goofy
Picture with spiderman? I'll take Mickey
While universal is fun for a day
Disney is fantasy forever.
Sentilmental Attachment
Pure Fantasy
Family tradition and memories
Cinderella's castle
Show me spongebob, i'll give you Goofy
Picture with spiderman? I'll take Mickey
While universal is fun for a day
Disney is fantasy forever.
Disneydenise
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 21, 2000
- Messages
- 1,457
For me the difference in Disney vs. Universal is rooted in the warm feelings I get thinking about the Wonderful World Of Disney and and the sweet shorts and full length films. It evokes a memory of simpler times for me.
This is not to say that I don't enjoy Universal. I have a great time when I am there too. I just don't get the same feelings from the Ghostbusters as I do from Dumbo. My son is 17 and The Ghostbusters were the action figures of his childhood so of course there is a wonderful memory associated with them for me.
I think that a trip to the Orlando area should include a vsit to Universal. It is a great Theme Park, just different from Disney.
This is not to say that I don't enjoy Universal. I have a great time when I am there too. I just don't get the same feelings from the Ghostbusters as I do from Dumbo. My son is 17 and The Ghostbusters were the action figures of his childhood so of course there is a wonderful memory associated with them for me.
I think that a trip to the Orlando area should include a vsit to Universal. It is a great Theme Park, just different from Disney.
Robinrs
DIS Legend
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- Sep 7, 1999
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- 38,405
Comparing the two parks is so completely asinine....
Does anyone compare the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty in New York? They're two DIFFERENT places and two alternatives to many entertainments in Orlando.
I love them both but I am so glad there is the options because my son ONLY likes thrill rides and at IOA he has much more of a choice than at any of the Disney parks.
Like apples and oranges it's sort of the same "species" but it depends on your preference. And that preference changes regularly depending on your age and what appeals to you.
As for the guy who didn't see any characters, this is a prime example of reporting about something that you know not enough about.
Does anyone compare the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty in New York? They're two DIFFERENT places and two alternatives to many entertainments in Orlando.
I love them both but I am so glad there is the options because my son ONLY likes thrill rides and at IOA he has much more of a choice than at any of the Disney parks.
Like apples and oranges it's sort of the same "species" but it depends on your preference. And that preference changes regularly depending on your age and what appeals to you.
As for the guy who didn't see any characters, this is a prime example of reporting about something that you know not enough about.
T
tripben
Guest
I think many of you have the misconception that a Disney fan is not an open minded person? I Love Disney and really looked forward to going to Universal last year. We were there during Easter and saw no characters at all. No one in the streets entertaining, and barely any staff around to ask questions.
We were disapointed, but also realize it might have just been a bad day. My sister in law took her family to IOA and loved it. So we decided to give it a try next time we went to Orlando.
This thread is getting ugly.
Sam
We were disapointed, but also realize it might have just been a bad day. My sister in law took her family to IOA and loved it. So we decided to give it a try next time we went to Orlando.
This thread is getting ugly.
Sam
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