Ive realized something big..

[Albion218]

After my Disney trip this past May and my trip to Six Flags Fiesta Texas 2 weeks, I am a spoiled Disney brat.

I saw so many comparisons of how Disney has running these major theme parks down to an exact science. It really is awesome! But my trip to Six Flags just made me miss Disney more! Now that I've seen both parks and took both of them in as an adult, Disney tips all. I love the thrill rides, but Disney has pixie dust.

Oh well, I guess that means another Disney trip soon. Doesn't sound so bad

 

[JeffryK]

Most of us will agree, i even have that with Universal. Theres a difference between theming and theming. Especially at Universal where they sometimes manage to get close, i keep getting the feeling that theyre after your money. Dont get that at Disney. Well played Disney!

 

[FiggieFan]

We had the same issue in February at SeaWorld. You don't realize how much happier, more friendly and more helpful the staff is at Disney until you go elsewhere. SeaWorld staff just looked miserable. I don't think one person smiled all day. I was so depressed by the end of the day.
It also drove me nuts and struck me as a bit circus-like that they were pushing merchandise so bad. Disney has all the stores, which I do enjoy on occasion, but I thought it was a bit odd that at all SeaWorlds shows, staff was at every show standing in front holding up beach towels, etc.

 

[Brocktoon]

I've never been a huge fan of Six Flags parks from an aesthetics and staffing point of view, but do enjoy some of the thrill rides. Six Flags is probably the complete opposite end of the spectrum from Disney.

I think other parks are starting to give (or have been) Disney a run for thier money though ... Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a beautiful park with great theming, pretty good food, and great staff. I also think Universal is doing a great job, with Harry Potter matching anything Disney has been doing with theming (and I'm not even a Harry Potter fan)

I still feel WDW is the gold standard for total theming/service, but I also think they've been slipping over the years, while others are quickly catching up.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I hate to say this, but I know several people who were fired by Disney and now work at Universal and/or Sea World.

 

[pookie10]

Disney does it for a reason, I watch a disney movie, see that castle in the beginning, and i want it! NO ..I NEED IT! its terrible!

 

[DCTooTall]

Most of us will agree, i even have that with Universal. Theres a difference between theming and theming. Especially at Universal where they sometimes manage to get close, i keep getting the feeling that theyre after your money. Dont get that at Disney. Well played Disney!

That's because with onsite hotel rates, Ticket pricing, and the DDP, Disney already HAS all your money by the time you visit, so they don't have to try hard once you are there.




Sorry... I couldn't resist.

 

[Gamegrl1]

I agree with the OP! Have only been to Disneyland so far (a bunch of times), not WDW - our WDW trip is 209 days away - but there is no comparison with how Disney does it vs. other theme parks. Those seem like they're trying so hard and just not making it...kind of cheap and tawdry, like a carnival.

That is why when we go to WDW we're visiting USIOA the first day because I don't want to go to Disney, then Universal because I'd be shaking my head all day at USIOA, going *tsk tsk tsk*...haha

A co-worker of mine has been to USIOA a couple times and commented on how confusing certain aspects of it are compared to Disney, especially figuring out how to get around the WWoHP. Also how L-A-M-E it is for them to charge extra for their version of FP! Ugh. But I love Harry Potter so we'll start there, get it out of the way (so to speak) and then revel in Disney-ness the rest of the time.

 

[DCTooTall]

I agree with the OP! Have only been to Disneyland so far (a bunch of times), not WDW - our WDW trip is 209 days away - but there is no comparison with how Disney does it vs. other theme parks. Those seem like they're trying so hard and just not making it...kind of cheap and tawdry, like a carnival.

That is why when we go to WDW we're visiting USIOA the first day because I don't want to go to Disney, then Universal because I'd be shaking my head all day at USIOA, going *tsk tsk tsk*...haha

A co-worker of mine has been to USIOA a couple times and commented on how confusing certain aspects of it are compared to Disney, especially figuring out how to get around the WWoHP. Also how L-A-M-E it is for them to charge extra for their version of FP! Ugh. But I love Harry Potter so we'll start there, get it out of the way (so to speak) and then revel in Disney-ness the rest of the time.

FWIW.... Universal's Express isn't really the same as Disney's FP. It a totally different system and doesn't really directly compare..... at least IMHO.

Disney's FastPass system is like a virtual line. You have to go to the attraction, Request a Fastpass ticket, and then wait until your window opens before you can then enter the Fastpass line where you may still have to wait a short amount of time (10-20min sometimes) before you can ride the attraction. You also usually can't get more than 1 FP every 2hrs. Disney lines are also usually crazy, to the point that you really need to use the FP to have a chance to see everything in a single day.

Universal's Express however is very different. There is no need to backtrack, because you can just walk up to the attraction and use your Express to enter the express line... which your wait often will be under 5min, but may reach up to 20min if the attraction is SUPER busy. Once you've used your express, You can then immediately go to another attraction and use it there as well. There is no "wasted time" waiting for the window to open. Universal's lines, other than during peak times, is often low enough that you can really get around the parks and still see everything in a single park in a day even without the express.


Because of Universal's smaller size, and lower crowds, The Express pass really is an optional perk. (And one included free for everyone staying onsite... a true onsite perk!). At Disney, because of it's size and high crowds...even during off-peak times... The Fastpass feels much more like a required tool in order to enjoy the parks.

The Universal system feels much more like a perk.... yet it would never work at Disney because of Disney's size.


(FWIW, Universal USED to have a much more Disney-esque Free version of their Express pass, but it was discontinued years ago in part because it wasn't really that beneficial to most people touring the parks)

 

[bettyann29]

I am also spoiled with Disney! I have a Six Flags park within 20 minutes from my home and I buy a season pass each year.. it just isn't the same..