In Need of Disney Opinions from Universal Addicts

[AllieKat]

Me & my bf will be staying onsite at Universal April 22-27. During our past 2 visits to Orlando we just did USO & IOA (except for a stop at Downtown Disney). This time around we're thinking of either going to MGM or seeing Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba.

I've seen Cirque's O & Zumanity and loved them both. My bf has never seen any Cirque performance. I've convinced myself that he'll like it, but what do guys really think of Cirque?

Neither of us have ever been to MGM, although we've both been to MK & AK. I didn't really care for MK because I kept comparing it to Disneyland (I know I shouldn't do that, but I did). I pretty much grew up at Disneyland and for some reason kept thinking MK would be the same. I didn't care for AK either. There seemed to be 2 miles between each attraction and I swear, they only had McD's fries to eat. Ok, that's a bit of an exaggeration but I seriously didn't love it. I expect a ton of walking at themeparks but AK just seemed excessive.

Do you think that MGM and/or La Nouba are not-to-be-missed attractions or should I just skip them and spend more time at Universal? TIA!

 

[yaytezIOA]

MGM is okay......you'll compare it to USF constantly.....and USF is better. I just have a problem spending that much money for a Circue show...I mean, really its the same price as going to a theme park. My opinion, do MGM....Its okay, and Rockin Roller Coaster is pretty good, Tower of Terror is top notch, and a lot of the shows are really pretty good. But my suggestion is just to take in a show at the house of Blues instead. Much better than Cirque, and cheaper, and you wont compare it too much. Again, thats just me.....

 

[Sylvester McBean]

we've never seen Cirque, although everyone my wife works with raves about it. MGM is my second favorite park behind the MK. the TOT to me is the most complete attraction at any theme park, and we love fantasmic. plus it's manageable to see the whole park in a day.

 

[rafiki]

We're veterans of both WDW and US. I have also seen La Nouba. I like everything about the Cirque shows, but I agree with the other post that while La Nouba is very good, if you are choosing between that and MGM, go to MGM, you'll get more for your money. Overall, the rides at MGM do not match the intensity of the good US and IOA rides, but there are a couple good ones. It is definitely better than AK. Unless you like the country pavilions, it is better than Epcot too. Of course, if money is not an issue, you could see the best of MGM during the day and still go to La Nouba at night.

 

[macraven]

i know i stand alone on this one but did not like cirque (la nouba) at all.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz,

 

[yaytezIOA]

No you dont stand alone. A bunch of silly french clowns and acrobats leaping and jumping around just doesnt get it for me. And to think, I love opera......you'd think I'd love that artsy fartsy circus thing. ToT and RNRC, IMO are the things really worth going to MGM for......in no way does it match the atmosphere at UO. I dont know, maybe I'm a bit biased.

 

[Girlsontour]

If we are all admitting to this - it's my turn........rather boring and a bit of a waste of money. Some bits were "WOW" but mostly it was just plain "zzzzzz" Husband hated it!! Wouldn't go back again
(Circus that is not MGM!)

 

[Motherfletcher]

A friend of our's used work at the Cirque and has offered us free tickets but we haven't gone yet probably for the reasons that have already been expressed.
MGM is worth a visit. Its smaller than US and there will be more people. Get there for the rope drop and sprint to ToT and then RR and you have the biggies out of the way. I love the Muppets and the subtle jokes in the pre-show like on the cieling there is a net filled with jello. A net full of Jello! Get it? How about Annette?

 

[bellelinus]

I like La Nouba and have seen it twice (I can't believe Motherfletcher has a chance to see it for free and doesn't!). Since you have seen two other Cirque shows, you know the style and obviously have enjoyed it. If you have the money, you could get to MGM for rope drop, do RnR and TT first, then head around the rest of the park, leaving late afternoon in time to make it to DD and La Nouba. That way you've only spent the one day away from Universal.

 

[AllieKat]

Thank you so much for all of your replies! I'm going to skip Cirque. I'll definitely be sure to be at MGM before they open and hit ToT & RR first as Motherfletcher suggested. We went on ToT at California Adventure last year...what an aweome attraction! We were both very, very impressed. We both really like House of Blues and we've been to 5 or 6 different ones. In fact, that's the whole reason why we first went to Downtown Disney. I know we'll definitely be making a stop there again this time around.

Thanks again for your help! I hate that I make mountains out of mole hills when it comes to travel plans, but I just can't help myself. Decisions, decisions.

 

[AllieKat]

I love the Muppets and the subtle jokes in the pre-show like on the cieling there is a net filled with jello. A net full of Jello! Get it? How about Annette?

I get it! I was trying to "get it" the entire time I was typing my response above. Took me a few minutes, but yes, I get it.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Need to check and see which days that MGM has the "extra Magic hour" for their hotel guests. I think it's Saturday. Hotel guests are let in an hour early so if you are at gates for the 9 o'clock rope drop the park could be nearly full. I've seen it where ToT had a 45 minute wait before the gates opened to the general public.

 

[Slacking]

Haven't been on ToT at DCA, but from what I've ehard MGM has the superior version.

And I know exactly what you mean about DL vs. MK! MK is very disappointing when compared to Disneyland, and definitely needs some love and care, and new attractions.

 

[AllieKat]

Need to check and see which days that MGM has the "extra Magic hour" for their hotel guests. I think it's Saturday. Hotel guests are let in an hour early so if you are at gates for the 9 o'clock rope drop the park could be nearly full. I've seen it where ToT had a 45 minute wait before the gates opened to the general public.

Thank you so much for this info, you've been so helpful in my planning. I had no idea that "extra magic hours" even existed. I've been doing research over on the Disney boards but most of it is Greek to me. The 24th is extra magic hours at MGM and I also found that there'll be no Fantasmic on the 26th, so I'll definitely avoid MGM on those 2 days. Again, thank you so much!

 

[AllieKat]

Haven't been on ToT at DCA, but from what I've ehard MGM has the superior version.

And I know exactly what you mean about DL vs. MK! MK is very disappointing when compared to Disneyland, and definitely needs some love and care, and new attractions.

Good info to know about ToT!

I thought I'd be flamed for thinking that DL is better than MK...glad to know someone shares the same opinion. I knew better than to compare the 2 while I was at MK, but I just couldn't help it.

 

[highlander447]

Hi don't forget that AK will have expedition everest open as well which might be worth a visit, TOT is very good as is RnR

 

[dvc_john]

Re: Cirque du Soleil. I think 'O' is the best. La Nouba and Mystere are different, but about equal. I really liked all three of those shows. I didn't care much for Zumanity.
Re: Extra Magic Hour for on-site hotel guests. Each Disney park has one day a week where they open 1 hour early. Each park also has a different day they are open 3 hours later. On these days, the parks tend to be more crowded, so if not staying on-site, you might want to avoid those days.

 

[macraven]

Re: Cirque du Soleil. I think 'O' is the best. La Nouba and Mystere are different, but about equal. I really liked all three of those shows. I didn't care much for Zumanity.
Re: Extra Magic Hour for on-site hotel guests. Each Disney park has one day a week where they open 1 hour early. Each park also has a different day they are open 3 hours later. On these days, the parks tend to be more crowded, so if not staying on-site, you might want to avoid those days.

not all parks opens one hour early each day.
a couple of days a week (3) one park is open one hour early. it is a different park each time.
then some times a week, one park has extended hours past park closing time to stay open up to 3 hours later.

the schedule changes for high crowd times, then the regular schedule goes back into place. at high season times you may have the early entry and extra magic hours days changed around and sometimes an additional day is added to the schedule.

 

[tbird89]

MGM is okay......you'll compare it to USF constantly.....and USF is better. I just have a problem spending that much money for a Circue show...I mean, really its the same price as going to a theme park. My opinion, do MGM....Its okay, and Rockin Roller Coaster is pretty good, Tower of Terror is top notch, and a lot of the shows are really pretty good. But my suggestion is just to take in a show at the house of Blues instead. Much better than Cirque, and cheaper, and you wont compare it too much. Again, thats just me.....

I agree with this statement. My wife and I were thinking about going to see La Nouba this summer when we paused and asked ourselves, "Hour and a half show, or a full day at a park for the same price?" MGM is our favorite Disney park. Once we went an rode ToT and RRC over and over from rope drop to 3PM. The park is small enough to where you can walk from Star Tours to ToT without giving much thought to it. End the day with dinner at 50's Prime Time Cafe...can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tbird89]

Sorry!!! I forgot the main reason for my previous post. Here is the link for the Extra Magic Hours page:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/extraMagicHour?id=CalendarExtraMagicHoursPage