Impressions: Just back from Disney, Universal & Sea World

[gottalovepluto]

...So back to that Disney magic. It isn't really magic at all. It's experience, an efficient administration, helpful employees, effective signage, coordination of staff, control of rides and lines and boundaries set to let guests know what behaviour won't be tolerated to the benefit of all. Combined, that is the magic of Disney. It isn't the rides or the food (which is better than the other parks) the decorations or the characters. It's how they implement all the nuances of running a theme park. Something their competitors could learn a thing or three from.

I really appreciate your time to make this post. It's been years since I did Seaworld (I did the penguin tour too and it was AMAZING to pet a penguin, no Emperors then though!). Anyway, I'm so used to WDW now I didn't appreciate the high standards I hold for it. I just expect line management, crowd control, competent CMs, etc. This was a great step back moment to see how much effort Disney has put into running the best theme parks in the world. Even as I bemoan the monetization of things like FP, I'll be reminding myself how happy I am they're still putting in the effort to be the best at park basics.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I am a roller-coaster conundrum. I like them thrilling but I have a limit to how much my head can get tossed and shaken like a martini in the head restraints. That number is usually 3 times per ride. Any more than that and I'll start getting a headache. Some rides might be just twice and I'm done. The Hulk is one such ride. The head restraints are more jarring than the coaster.

I do like themes, from the intellectual properties I like such as Marvel, Remy, Toy Story and Jurassic Park. I like the harry potter rides but I dislike the films/books. The titular character always struck me as underwhelming. Hermione always seemed to have more acumen with magic than potter.

Like you, I do think screen based rides are nice, such as the avatar ride at Animal Kingdom and Soarin' at Epcot but for the most part, I prefer a more 3D/4D experience. The Jason Bourne show at Universal is amazing and it uses a screen in sch a way, it blurs the line between 2D and 3D very effectively.

I like staying on site at Disney for the same reason, it is more immersive since the real world is so far removed. This was Walt Disney's intent and it works. I'm just disappointed we couldn't go to the Star Wars hotel while it was there. I always figured we had time. I couldn't have imagined Disney would shutter something so expensive to bring to fruition, compelling for the fans and at the center of a renowned IP with fans the world over. I couldn't have been more wrong.

Disney Paris is on our bucket list but I don't expect it to be much different from Disneyland in California, it's constrained by space in much the same way.

We're in NC as well though we sometimes drive down, especially if we're doing a longer trip and visiting multiple parks. Flying from RDU is such a breeze with non stops to Orlando. It really only works for us on Disney-only trips when we can skip the car.

Will you be down for the Food & Wine Festival? We're going in October and staying at GF.

IMO, DL Paris has a better bubble than DL CA. It's not surrounded by suburbia, and if you stay onsite you really don't have too much of a sense of the outside world (except for the Davey Crocket Ranch). If you want to splurge, stay at the Disneyland Hotel there as you'll be steps away from the prettiest castle park (imo). But at this point, I would wait until Frozen and maybe also Lion King open at the Studios Park/Disney Adventure World.
Actually, if you like Iron Man you might love the NY Art of Marvel hotel! it's very nice, we stayed there for New Year's Eve 2022 soon after it had opened.

Yeah, RDU is a nice little airport. And Air France has nonstop flights to Paris from here, then it's a quick train ride to Disneyland Paris

 

[crazycatlady]

Thank you for your report!

When we have stayed on-site at Universal, I think the "bubble" is comparable to Disney's since we don't venture from it. We love Universal and I am itching to get back! We bought DVC a couple of years ago and have Disney APs
so, we haven't taken a Universal trip in a couple of years, and I miss it so much. We are going to let our APs lapse next year and take a few Universal trips and I am very excited. We plan to a do a weekend of Orlando Informer meet-ups on our December trip this year and are debating about a couple of Epic days because I just can't wait.

That being said, I love Disney World (and Disneyland) just as much and am very glad that they are all different and I am lucky enough to experience all of these amazing parks on a regular basis. I think all of them are magical.

 

[vadersprincess12]

DH and I were recently at SeaWorld as part of an excursion from our cruise ship. We enjoyed seeing the animals and some of the coasters. We were happy when we walked in and saw Chick Fil A, a favorite of ours. We were absolutely floored when the meal (2 sandwiches, one fry, and two cokes) cost $46.00!!!! We get that it's a stand alone, but.............................

 

[IMMkXLVI]

We were happy when we walked in and saw Chick Fil A, a favorite of ours. We were absolutely floored when the meal (2 sandwiches, one fry, and two cokes) cost $46.00!!!! We get that it's a stand alone, but.............................

I imagine Sea World charges a hefty fee for the use of space. I'm not a fan of chik fil a, we find it to be overly salty but since we don't use salt at home beyond a sprinkle here and there, we're always sensitive to when fast food or restaurant food uses salt as the main or only flavoring. Adding a fast food from beyond the wall to the park is a smart move. I do wish Universal and Disney would do that. Sometimes I just want a Big Mac and McDonalds fries while at Disney but just not enough to leave the park for 2 hours and by the end of the night, that isn't what I want for dinner. The closest is at Universal where they have things like Panda Express inside City Walk and that is just outside the two main parks, VERY convenient but Toothsome usually wins out, that or Antojitos Cocina Mexicana which has some of the best Mexican I've had outside Tucson. Seriously, if you like Mexican food, you have to try it! (then go over to Toothsome for a milkshake!!)