I'm the proud new owner of Sea World and Universal AP's.

[Art 1]

Didn't re-new my Disney ones. FP+ is worthless to me. I'm not a planner, don't want to wear a wrist band and do all that needs to be done to have a fast pass.
The stand by lines are now too long due to FP+. Disney management has done an A+ job of coming up with ideas to keep the parks full almost every weekend day of the year, hardly any "good" times to go, good for them, not good for me. Free dinning bringing down the quality of food. Too much construction. I know it needs to be done but it's been going on now for a long time at MK for example. I got tired of dealing and looking at it. And a few other things. I'm sure Disney does not mind or care that I didn't re-new after many years, but neither do I.

 

[BigAlsGal]

Didn't re-new my Disney ones. FP+ is worthless to me. I'm not a planner, don't want to wear a wrist band and do all that needs to be done to have a fast pass.
The stand by lines are now too long due to FP+. Disney management has done an A+ job of coming up with ideas to keep the parks full almost every weekend day of the year, hardly any "good" times to go, good for them, not good for me. Free dinning bringing down the quality of food. Too much construction. I know it needs to be done but it's been going on now for a long time at MK for example. I got tired of dealing and looking at it. And a few other things. I'm sure Disney does not mind or care that I didn't re-new after many years, but neither do I.

And neither do I.....

 

[Jennasis]

I agree with putting your money where it will matter. There will definitely be trips in our future that will be strictly USO/SW trips (even though we own DVC and will use that resort as our "base")...but it's mostly due to the INCREASED awesomeness of the offerings at USO rather than my dislike of WDW (and I do dislike a lot of what's happening).

The good news is that nothing is written in stone Art. If someday the Disney parks beckon to you with their siren song, and you feel it's a good value/investment for your family, you can always come back. But for now, there are other things you'll find to love in Orlando. Enjoy your trips!

 

[Laketravis]

We just got back from two weeks at WDW and have never been to Universal, but we have a 6 night/7 day reservation at Royal Pacific Resort booked for the end of this month over the New Year's holiday.

2015 will also be the first time we've ever had AP's for both WDW and US, so we are looking forward to experiencing the differences between the two.

 

[MrInfinity]

Didn't re-new my Disney ones. FP+ is worthless to me. I'm not a planner, don't want to wear a wrist band and do all that needs to be done to have a fast pass.

I'm sure Disney does not mind or care that I didn't re-new after many years, but neither do I.

Of course they don't "mind". I'd guess even Disney employees would agree you should do what's right for you and your family. Question is tho why you're posting about this on a Disney board. Go sign up for a Universal board and have fun!

 

[DOOM1001]

I've had Universal,Sea World and Busch Gardens AP's for like 16 years,I also I had Disney seasonal passes for almost as long and even though I will be renewing all of them,probably for life since I really like theme parks I totally understand your points.I've been saying for the last couple of years that Disneys Christmas decorations and events have been minimal with some being removed like the lights of Winter at Epcot,on the other hand Sea World's Christmas celebration in my opinion is the most Christmasy of all the parks,no they don't have anything that can rival the Osborne Lights or Cinderella castle in lights but as far as the whole park glitzied up with lights at night,there was no comparison Sea World was the more impressively decorated park,its Holiday shows and events are also awesome.Universal also does a good job with its Macy's Holiday parade,Grinchmas show and Mannheim steamroller concerts.This year I will be taking a day away from Disney to do Busch Gardens Christmas town event that I've heard is also amazing.

 

[aribelle]

Didn't re-new my Disney ones. FP+ is worthless to me. I'm not a planner, don't want to wear a wrist band and do all that needs to be done to have a fast pass.
The stand by lines are now too long due to FP+. Disney management has done an A+ job of coming up with ideas to keep the parks full almost every weekend day of the year, hardly any "good" times to go, good for them, not good for me. Free dinning bringing down the quality of food. Too much construction. I know it needs to be done but it's been going on now for a long time at MK for example. I got tired of dealing and looking at it. And a few other things. I'm sure Disney does not mind or care that I didn't re-new after many years, but neither do I.

Hope you were able to buy them on Black Friday when they were half off.

 

[Laketravis]

Hope you were able to buy them on Black Friday when they were half off.

Huh? Seriously?

 

[pampam]

I understand where the Op is coming from. We've had APs for many years, and spend 3+ weeks at WDW every year. We never have bothered too much with U.S. This year we will spend our first week at U.S. with the following time in WDW. Next year, before our WDW AP expires, we will come back and if we are enjoying U.S we will get AP's for there instead when our WDW APs expire. WDW just isn't my happy place any more. However, DD is very very fond of WDW. We will see how U.S. goes for us. Maybe it will become our new happy place.

 

[staceyeileen]

Huh? Seriously?

Yes, Sea World/Aquatica APs were half off.

 

[Laketravis]

Yes, Sea World/Aquatica APs were half off.

Oh, okay - but not Universal, right?

 

[gdrj]

And neither do I.....

 

[staceyeileen]

Oh, okay - but not Universal, right?

No. I would have been tempted by that.

 

[prudence64]

Disney doesn't care because attendance is through the roof.

 

[Laketravis]

Disney doesn't care because attendance is through the roof.

Is it? I thought Disney didn't release attendance numbers.

 

[jade1]

Disney management has done an A+ job of coming up with ideas to keep the parks full almost every weekend day of the year, hardly any "good" times to go, good for them, not good for me.

 

[DawnM]

I would still prefer Disney APs, but we just got Universal APs. I had 3 day passes to Universal from Costco and they allowed me to pay only a little bit more for an AP and use the Costco tickets towards the AP.

I am glad I asked!

My boys are teens now and really enjoy Universal.

Dawn

 

[prudence64]

Is it? I thought Disney didn't release attendance numbers.

Back recently and it was clearly much more crowded than when I went other years. We had a nearly perfect, trip though.

 

[LvsTnk]

That's great have so much fun totally understand your reasoning. Being DVC our AP's are pretty cheap but we also buy the Costco tickets for Universal. WWofHP is something else can't wait to see the new addition.

 

[Laketravis]

Back recently and it was clearly much more crowded than when I went other years. We had a nearly perfect, trip though.

We just got back Friday and thought there weren't as many people as the same time last year. I guess crowds are like temperature, though - a different feel for different folks.