Is it even possible to compare Disney and Universal?

[CJK]

Are they very different or are there a lot of similarities? The reason I ask, is we have to figure out what Disney tickets to buy. I don't know if we will spend more time at Universal or Disney. We've been to Disney 20+ times and only Universal Studios once and IOA never. I guess what I'm asking is; what are the pros/cons of all the parks?

 

[Margie J]

I find them very different in offerings and feel.

IoA is a thrill riders dream park. It's exciting and busy. No Disney park offers so much in terms of high energy thrills in one place.

USF is most like MGM but with more punch. IMO, the "street scenes" at USF look more realistic also. If you prefer rides and action shows over stage (musical) shows, then USF is better IMO. Both offer their versions of behind the scenes magic (USF offers monster makeup and MGM offers cartooning) so it's a matter of preference.

My cons for both USF and IoA are the lines and parking location. The parks have started their own version of a FastPass system which helps. Parking is across the street for both and not convenient for those who may like to go back to their car during the day to stash items or grab a bite to eat from their coolers. Plus, you have to work your way through the crowds at CityWalk before you either get to a park entrance or back to the parking facility.

 

[RC Fan]

They really are so different.

US is much better than MGM. I would miss the Tower of Terror and the Rock'n Roller Coaster though.

As far as IOA, it has all the same types of rides that Disney has, but they are all at one park!

 

[robvia]

It's funny how Disney fans are hesitant to visit USF/IOA for a few days. I see message after message where a family is visiting Disney, and mention spending a ??day?? at USF/IOA, like they are committing a sin or putting their toe in the water seeing if it is ok to go in. Yet they've been to Disney many times. Don't worry, the lightning bolt won't come out of the sky striking you down, and the water is hot at USF/IOA.
Here, I'll help you out. Plan your next trip the opposite.
Start with Disney for 2 days, Visit USF/IOA for 4 days, on one of those take the shuttle to SWF. After you visit SWF, you'll see the Renaissance across the street and hear about DC. On your next trip, visit DC, and SWF for a few days staying at the Renaissance. Then head back to HRH for the rest of your trip.

You don't have to visit Disney on every trip, and there is plenty to see at the other parks. Not to mention the dinner shows like Arabian Nights and Dixie Stampede.

 

[Patch'sD]

Hotels to Hotels - Disney may have bulk but Universal has the Quality. Front of the Line can not be touched.

As for the parks if you traveling with the under 10 group I think Disney's Magic Kingdom has the edge. For preteens and teens IOA and Universal offers more excitement. I have never had a problem at Disney or Universal with CMs so as far as that goes no edge there.

They are both great parks, but I feel Universal just gives me more and I would always spend more time there.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Both great parks, but both completely different! I love both experiences, but prefer Universal only because of FOTL and the feeling of IOA!

 

[Metallicat]

I love Universal, but my heart is with Disney. FOTL is great and all but face it, after about 3 days of FOTL, you have pretty much seen it all. I go on average 4 to 5 times a year to Orlando and spend 10 days on each trip. I usually spend 3 of those days at US and 1 or 1 1/2 at SeaWorld and the rest at WDW. nothing can beat walking down mainstreet at the MK and seeing the castle. it is every little kids dream to go there someday and even when you get to be older, it never changes. Walt Disney discovered the fountain of youth when he built the MK. where else can a 43 yr old feel like a little kid again? nope, there is no comparison. WDW is definitly more magical, but Universal is fun too. (but not as fun except on halloween) but IMO, Universal treats their guests better with AP discounts and FOTL. Disney could learn a thing or two from Universal on that part.

 

[Laz]

Universals FOTL can not be beat! To walk to the front of the line on any ride at any time is fantastic. We have a blast at Universal

Having said that, I still must say that the overall experience of WDW surpasses Universal, but you have to work at it. IMHO, you must plan you days at WDW carefully, or you could end up spending your days sweating in line or on a bus. At Universal (with FTOL) you can just GO! For a last minute vacation, or an add on to an exisiting vacation, go universal. For an overall vaction experience of 4 or more days, WDW as long as it is well planned in advanced.

 

[robsmom]

We just did five days at both so here is my comparision:

Price: Pro Universal - the 5 days at universal cost about 60% of the five days at Disney. Tickets are much cheaper for the long stays (5 days for $89). That said, I saw the one day price for IOA was around $55 and express passes were about $25 at that time for the book. Since I would NEVER in my life go to US or IOA at a busy time without express or FOTL it would cost $80 to go for the day.

Hotel: Pro Universal: O.k. this is blashemy to those over on the disney resorts board but I love the HRH. I thought it was nicer than the polynesean in many ways. It was also $70 per night less so a better value.

Atmosphere: Pro Disney - there is just something about the Disney parks and experience...we did alot of charactor breakfasts and stuff and Universal just can't compete with Mickey and Friends. There is also still so much more to do at Disney. It is so big that in 5 days we could not do everything. The choices are tremendous. In 5 days at Universal we really did almost everything and repeated a bunch of stuff. This was cool for us because i have a 5 year old. This is the age that they watch the same movie 150 times in a year so riding something 2 or 3 times is not big deal!!

Parks: Toss up: I would say Mk is still my favorite but IOA is a close second. I would then take US over MGM followed by Epcot and AK which are my least favorite. MK really has that something specidl for the kid in all of us. IT is hard to make it thru in one day because there is so much to do there. There is something about riding with your kid the same things you rode with your parents that just can't be beat! IOA is the most fun park. it is the most wet park. We found ourselve putting on bathing suits and heading over just to do the wet stuff.

Lines: With FOTL Univeral, without Disney. FOTL is a must at universal. Even with it we waited 15 minutes and sometimes 20-30 minutes. They have oversold express from what it once was. There are just too many people with express. I would not go without express. It is like the haves and have nots. There is no park that is worth waiting 60/90/120 minutes for EVERY major ride. Universal has a serious problem in this area in my opinion that is going to prevent its further growth to take on Disney.


Food: Toss up. there are more choices at Disney but we had some good meals at Universal. It really depends on where you go.

 

[Motherfletcher]

If you have never been to IOA it is worth the price of admission. My Disney roots go back 45 years to Disneyland but like you I have been there too many times to count. The last time we went my DD10 knew the entire pun filled script from Jungle Cruise. When you have been there that many times we have to find ways to make each trip fresh and exciting. We have found most of the hidden Mickeys and have had competitions on the most attractions in a day. I have even give my kids each a disposable camera and told them I'd pay $100 for a photo of Daisy. We haven't been there since Halloween and my kids don't want to return until AK builds Mt. Everest. My kids have kind of outgrown the Mouse.
Other places are worthwhile as well. SeaWorld and Busch Gardens are both good parks.
The PROS are spending time with your kids.
The CONS are the costs!

 

[CJK]

Thanks to EVERYONE for their feedback. I really feel like I have a better sense of both Universal parks. Can't wait!! I am getting a little worried about the lines at Universal though. We aren't staying onsite so we won't have the FOTL access and we don't want to buy the extra express passes. My hope is that September won't be too crowded and that we can use the fastpass equivilant!!!!! Thanks again everyone!!!!!

 

[WDWmaniac125]

September shouldn't be too bad. July, on the other hand...

 

[robvia]

There is a discussion in RRC talking about this article
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4998871/
The thread is here.
http://groups.google.com/groups?dq=...q=rec.roller-coaster&hl=en&btnG=Google+Search

Disney makes guests stay longer by suggesting they visit the hotel pools during the day, or park hopping. Plus the rides take longer to do because there is a pre-show and some rides take 45 minutes in Epcot. So most guests only get a few attractions done, before heading back to their room.

The interesting comments were of guests who have been going to Disney, and swear by it. Almost like they won't consider anything else.

 

[cboudre1]

This is our first trip we are spliting between WDW and Universal. We are doing it because my DS is 16 and really wants to go to Universal. We are going to WDW first, so we don't get spoiled with FOTL. It sounds like we made a good choice.

 

[Dznefreek]

A wiser man than I once said. . . . ."If you want the total theme-park experience you go to Disney. If you want the total thrill ride exerience, go to Universal."

 

[SpideyHulk24]

I like that. They are both great experiences.

 

[patriciauk]

While I think Universal has the most technically accomplished rides, the atmosphere is so different. I found the background music in the studios horribly loud, and the prevalence of alcahol worrying. There were drunken hecklers in Shrek with us. Oh, and I'm 31, so not a grumbling granny...

 

[dreamflight99]

We've been traveling to Orlando for the past 14 years...consecutively!~Each summer, we make the trek from So. Cali via Delta AL, and LIVE the "R & R" of the sunshine state for 7+ weeks! We have ALWAYS included US/IOA in our plans, as well as Sea World and sometimes Busch Gardens, etc. In the days prior to IOA, we always visited US via "VIP" private tour. The extra $$$ per person was worth every cent, as there was no waiting in any line!! The CM took us personally around the park for about 5 hours of very private, guided FUN! We did this year after year, and became acquainted with many of the guides in guest services.

When Loews opened their Flagship resort, the Portofino Bay Hotel...we were THERE! We have stayed there each summer since, 3-6 eves each visit. We also visit Disney's Vero Beach resort (10 eves this summer... no, we're not DVC members), Key West, and WDW!! We have taken 2 Disney Cruises in the past three summers, and are already reserved for our fourth on the MAGIC~6/2005 (Los Angeles Cruise).

We have annual passes to US/IOA, and PAP's to all of WDW. We always reserve the WDW Dolphin, and another Disney resort when we play at WDW. Last summer, we stayed at the Dolphin & CR, both in suites on CL. We are reserved in another suite at the Dolphin, and still deciding on another property. We also always stay in a Villa Bayview butler suite @ the PBH.

There are SO many differences between WDW/US & IOA. It is difficult to draw many comparisons, other than these are two of the top tourist attractions in all of Florida. Citywalk is an ADVENTURE in itself, with great dining hotspots, shopping and a wonderful cineplex. We have always loved US, and enjoy IOA just as much. We have never encountered rude CM's, and have always had favorable experiences. We are never in a rush, and enjoy relaxing and taking everything nice and slow. Perhaps this is why we have so much fun...we are not HECTIC/FRANTIC/STRESSED to see it all! We just love the FEEL of these parks/properties.

Our summer ventures to Florida are always memorable and MAGICAL, @ US/IOA & WDW equally. We enjoy the variety of these different resorts and parks. We love the change of scenery, and experience. As many other wise posters typed..."FOTLA can't be beat!" This is 100% true. I only wish Disney offered something more for their resort guests, such as this perk. It makes staying on property worth every penny, and then some. Both places offer different things, which make them unique. I wish everyone whom visited WDW would venture to US/IOA. They truly have no idea as to WHAT they are MISSING!!! But then again...if they stay in WDW...it leaves all the more for the REST OF US!!

TTFN...DF99

 

[highlander447]

Gotta say u can enjoy them both as long as u do not compare them they are both diffrent and excellent in their ow rights as for price Disney I would say are starting to take notice of prices I have saw their hotels in recent months drop their prices and they are trialling dropping juice prices just now in AK so hopefully they introduce the refillable cup to all the parks am sure most families would appreciate this at Universal though incl IOA if they ever got rid of FOTL for onsite guests u would see those hotels very empty

 

[beachbunny]

CJK, I see you're going in September and won't be staying onsite. I was there last month, and like you, I didn't stay onsite and my visit bordered the summer crowds. Or so I thought. Frankly, Universal/IoA without FOTL sucked. By early afternoon, the lines were so long that we could not enjoy any of the attractions without waiting and waiting and waiting. And yes, I did feel like a second class citizen compared to those with FOTL access. If I were you, I'd want to know how those without FOTL access compared the parks.