Is There Any Majic At Universal???

[aimee11621]

IT SEEMS THAT THOSE OF US WHO ARE CRAZY ABOUT WDW DONT SEEM TO ENJOY UNIVERSAL AS MUCH.

CAN YOU REALLY FEEL THE MAJIC THERE?

I ENJOY THE RIDES JUST LIKE ANY THEME PARK , BUT THERE IS NO MAJIC!!!!

CAN ANYONE POINT OUT TO ME WHATS MISSING IF ANYTHING?

HELP DISSER'S

 

[wannabebelle]

I went to US as a kid (middle school), but I really don't want to go back. There's just no way it can ever be as magical as Disney.

Every time my husband brings up US, I tell him we can't go because it's Satanic. Of course, I'm joking, and he knows that, but I truly have no desire to be that close to the magic and be spending my time elsewhere!

 

[debkorb1]

I have to say I probably put Universal as my second favourite park behind Animal Kingdom (I know both choices will get a raised eyebrow or two).

I think the reason that many people don't feel the magic at Universal is because we define 'magic' according to the Disney style and standards - Universal is just different.

For me if we actually compare the Disney parks with Universal like for like, Universal comes out better - for 3d adventures Terminator and Shrek win hands down for me, as does the Mummy in the roller coaster stakes and Back to the Future for Simulators. I also think ET ranks as the best indoor children's dark ride. The shows and theming are also outstanding at Universal, as are the staff.

But having said all of that I still associate my Universal (and Sea World) experience with Disney; they were part of my Disney holiday. Disney was there first and Disney sets the standards of what magic is - I don't think any park in the world will ever live up to that Disney magic. It is a very powerful brand.

If you want to understand how Disney do it read 'Inside the Magic Kingdom' by Tom Connellan. By the end you'll have a better idea!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Universal certainly doesn't have Disney magic, but they don't strive to! DH LOVED UNiversal, it's all about incredibly cool technology, awesome rides, and thrills. They beat Disney all over the place in the latest and greatest rides and thrills - because that's not what Disney is aiming to do. We will make a trip to US/IOA each time now, because we love the thrill of their rides, they're just cool.

THe park itself is clean, well maintained, and themed up to standards of WDW, IMO. I certainly would not compare it to Six Flags or anything, it's up to standards like WDW, I think, just different.

For some kids that LOVE Nickelodean shows and stuff, it proabbly does have Magic that Disney doesnt have for them

You should exp it and see for yourself! I can do Disney World for weeks and weeks and not get bored, and honestly did US/IOA in one day (with FOTL), it's not a "destination" to me, but a cool place to spend a few days. Plus, their resorts are INCREDIBLE.

 

[aimee11621]

IN 2003 WE STAYED AT THE PORTOFINO HOTEL. I ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH FIVE STAR HOTEL WHATS NOT TO ENJOY. WE TOOK THE BOAT TO AND FROM THE PARKS. FLORIDA RESIDENT RATE $$175 A NIGHT . I HAD ALREADY PURCHASED THE PARK TICKETS THE YEAR BEFORE BUT HAD TO CANCEL THAT PRIOR TRIP. SO WE DECIDED TO SPEND MORE $$ ON THE HOTEL.

ENJOYED MOST OF THE RIDES AND OF COURSE THE PASS TO GET INTO THE FRONT OF THE LINE WAS GREAT.

HOWEVER, STILL MISS WDW "WE KEPT SAYING TO OURSELVES SOMETHING IS MISSING HERE. "

WENT IN AND OUT OF THEIR SHOPS AND COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING WE REALLY WANTED.

JUST THE REGULAR STUFF YOU CAN BUY BACK HOME AT YOUR LOCAL MALL FOR A FRACTION OF THE PRICE.

BY THE END OF THE SECOND DAY .
WE ENDED UP CALLING WDW WORLD RESERVATIONS AND GETTING THE FIRST AVAILABLE VALUE ROOM AT THE ALL STAR.

IT WASN'T UNTIL WE GOT TO THE HOTEL AND GOT TO OUR ROOM THAT WE FELT HAPPY.

WE WENT FROM FIVE STAR HOTEL TO VALUE RESORT.....AND FROM TAKING LOVELY BOAT SHUTTLES TO THE PARK.....TO BUS SHUTTLES TO WDW. WE WERE SOOO HAPPY TO BE BACK HOME AT DISNEY !!! DID'NT MISS UNIVERSAL AT ALL.

THAT'S WHEN WE SAID WE WERE HOME AT LAST.

STILL HAVE ONE DAY LEFT ON OUR UNIVERSAL PARK TICKETS.



HAY AIMEEDYAN THATS A NICE NAME!!!!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

We had Universal APs for a year (expired April) and we all (family of 6) went twice during that year and I went with our 4yo an extra time. My 4yo and I now have WDW APs and I'm planning a trip to Orlando (well, I'm planning lots of trips...) for my DH and myself, sans, children. I figured that we could spend most of our time at WDW since I have an AP and my DH hasn't been in a few years. He informed me that he would like to go back to Universal. I think we'll still spend most of our time are WDW since I have the AP, but will go to Universal for the Halloween Horror Nights, and maybe one day.

WDW has a lot to see since there are 4 parks, the water parks, Downtown Disney, etc, but we love the Universal parks. The rides are wonderful, the parks are well themed and clean, and the overall experience is great. There is something for everyone, including thrill seekers, which is the one area that WDW doesn't excel at.

Don't get my wrong, I love WDW (obviously or I wouldn't have APs), but Universal is also wonderful.

T&B

 

[Cinderella822]

I've tried to get excited about Universal, but just can't. I went about 7 years ago and enjoyed it, but I have to say, I didn't feel "the magic". I was considering going again on this upcoming trip and borrowed my neighbor's Universal planning video hoping that would get me excited, but it didn't. Yet, I can watch my Disney planning videos time and time again and get excited every time. I guess its just something inside of me - I'm a Disney lover at heart. I've decided to spend my entire week at WDW instead. Universal - maybe next time.

 

[hockey mom]

That's the beauty of 2 completely different parks. If I want that fairy tale feeling I go to Disney. When we want thrill rides and really comfy beds we head to Universal. Our trips to Florida would not be complete if we did not experience both each and every time.

 

[Prince Eric1]

The two parks can not be compared, as they are both great places with seperate identities. Disney is about the atmosphere, magic, its like being transformed to into another world where adults are kids again. Some rides are great (TOT, RnRc), others ok, but everythings magical.
Universal, on the other hand, has perfected the rides and in my opinion surpassed Disney in terms of riding experience. If Disney makes you a kid, Universal makes you a teen. If you stay on site and get the fotl, it makes the trip much more of a pleasurable experience. I don't feel the magic at Universal, but I'm not supposed to.
We love both parks and will go to them equally, but still can not fairly compare them. We miss Disney's Magic, but love the Universal experience.

 

[4greatboys]

Universal has its own atmosphere. Its not a "magical" atmosphere but still one we enjoy greatly. It is quite possible to love Disney and Universal. We do both every time we go to Orando.

 

[The Sweetness]

Its a whole other Universe!

It may be slightly more geared towards older kids/ adults, but they have their share of kiddie stuff. They have characters too. Woody woodpecker was too much fun last summer. DD *had to* take home a big plush of him.

I actually liked the food and food choices better at USF too. However... It was while I was there that I remembered how much I did miss WDW. I havent been in about 5 years.

Good times at both places... Just different.

 

[Micca]

I am not a fan of theme parks, I am a fan of Disney Regardless of the quality of the park, if it doesn't have , it doesn't get me I am sure other parks are fun, this is just me.

 

[ctrabada]

I've been a passholder to both WDW and US for several years and I love both destinations.

That being said, I go to Disney for the magic and to US for the thrills. Disney has the magic nailed... in Universal/IOA they have great rides, but they don't have the same commitment to customer service that WDW has. Yes, the employees are nice, but not as nice; the parks are clean, but not always... the atmosphere is just not the same. There have been several occasions where my DH and I look at each other and say, "We're not in WDW!" Universal really has no "atmosphere;" doesn't have all those little details that make Disney so special...


I have also stayed at Portofino and Hard Rock, and though both are beautiful hotels, I have had bad experiences every time... not so at WDW. Yes, we've had problems sometimes, but the % satisfaction at Disney hotels is much, much higher than Universal hotels.

Yes, you can have a good time at US; but it's at WDW where you have "magical" moments.

 

[Blueberry]

Ok..like several other posters said, we love both parks. It is like comparing apples to oranges, they are completely differnt but great places in their own rights.

Disney is wonderful, long established tradition of good clean family fun and entertainment. Universal is a growing set of parks, aimed at a slightly differnt set, those that love hi-tech fun and a bit more thrilling rides.

Universal is getting far ahead of Disney on its tech rides, but that is not what Disney is all about and I do not think they are out to compete with Universal for big thrill rides.

I love them both, just as you love two differnt children equally..No trip to Orlando would be complete without time in both sets of parks.

There is something for everyone at both sets of parks and if you have not been to Universal lately, check it out, you may be surprised on the new technology used on the rides and how much fun it can be there....

 

[phamton]

In my opinion, the magic is because of our warm childhood memories of Disney characters from books and movies. I grew up with Snow White, Cinderella, and Tinkerbell stories in books and movies. They were my fantasies.

Most people don't have the same attachment to Spiderman, Hulk, or Terminator from their childhood. Childhood fantasies equal magic. So walking in and seeing Cindy's castle or Mickey brings back all those warm and magical feelings from our childhood. As far as Universal having the magic, you are right but it has a sense of adventure and excitement all its own.

Some have mentioned the parks at Universal are not as clean. That may have been the case in the past but not anymore. Universal parks are very clean while WDW has gone downhill the last year or so in cleanliness. Just step inside PhilharMagic queue, in the late afternoon and let me know what you see. Check the bathrooms out also.

Castmembers at Disney are very special but there are some who are not so magical. Same with Universal. I have found both good and bad at both WDW and Universal and in about equal amounts between Universal and WDW. Many, many Universal employees are also castmembers at WDW.

I feel the same childhood magic when we turn on the lights of the Christmas tree. It brings back wonderful childhood feelings. I also get excited when I see a shiny new car I have purchased but it isn't magical.

Disney to me is the Christmas tree from my childhood and Universal is the shiny, new convertible. Both are exciting but totally different feelings.

 

[Planogirl]

Magic is in the eye of the beholder. I was convinced of this when I saw my 10 year old's face when we came upon Spiderman. His expression was much like when he was younger and first saw Mickey.

I think that Universal has its own form of magic which is completely different from Disney's. As for myself, I plan to split my stays evenly between both worlds.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Is there any magic at Universal??

None we've ever seen.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I am one of the biggist fans of WDW. WDW is where the magic lives, but USO is where the thrills are. They are 2 different types of experiences. Ask me to compare MGM to US... US wins hands down. Ask me to compare the thrill rides... IOA wins hands down. Ask me to compare the magic, the memories of being a kid...WDW comes out on top! As far as the hotels. I have stayed at nearly every Disney Resort & at the HRH & RPR.. yes, Universal has very nice resorts...however, I prefer the Disney...yes, the rooms are smaller but they have a more wider price range & most of them have a food court, or a "somewhat" inexpensive place to grab something to eat... Uninversal's do not... Yes, you can walk to the parks from Universal's & they also have the FOTL perk where Disney doesn't... If money were no object each time I went, maybe I would go with Universal's resorts over Disney...but it usually isn't ...so that is a major factor when I plan. I go very often & cannot afford a deluxe each and every time...I am a FL resident & Disney gives us great deals... a moderate for $74....Universal's RPR would be at least $119 (yeah I know they had great deals when they first opened...I got them myself).

 

[The Sweetness]

Any super-hero fanatics of any ages are bound to feel the magic at USF.

Also, and adrenaline junkies will be far more happy at USF than at WDW. WDW has a couple/ few awesome rides at MK/ Epcot/ and MGM, but I dont think they compare to the incredible thrills at USF (husbands opinion, as I am a major coaster chicken)

 

[zaxmom]

I prefer going to Universal. We go to Disney once every year or so, too. Universal just feels like a more relaxing and luxurious vacation to me. The Portofino is wonderful. FOTL can not be beat and I have no desire to wait in lines. I will only go to Disney at off times now. They have better restaurants to pick from in my opinion. My boys are 6 and 4 and much prefer to see Scooby and Spongebob and Spiderman to Mickey and Chip and Dale. They love the SuperHeroes and dinosaurs and Jimmy Neutron and Shrek, Nick Studios, Men In Black. Their kid playgrounds can not be beat. They also love Cat in The Hat. These are the things that they are growing up with right now and appeal to them more than Snow White and Peter Pan. I grew up going to Disney and there is a sense of nostalgia when we are there. But I prefer a vacation to Universal. It is compact, we can spend 4 days there and see and do it all as much as we want and have plenty of time for nice meals and relax. I am not telling the kids that we cannot go swimming because I paid $200 a day for them to stay and ride rides. It is so much cheaper to go to Universal. $89 for 5 days in a row. The only way to go to Universal is to stay in their hotels for the Front of the Line privileges. I think it is a vacation all by itself, not a side trip from Disney. We usually combine it with Sea World or a trip to the beach. If I had girls, I am going to bet they would like Disney better.