Just another example of what a difference a day (or experience) makes...

[juliebug1997]

I love Harry Potter and this is the reason we go to Universal. When I first went to Florida on 2004 we went to USO and had a great time. When DH and I went back for our honeymoon in 2008 we did both parks (DH's first trip to both and my first trip to IoA). We went back in 2011 with our 17m old daughter and visited both parks again because of the WWoHP. We only went on one ride this time (Terminator, as DH is a big fan). I chose not to go on the HP rides as the queues were long and I didn't think it was fair to leave either DH or my mum with DD for such a long time. But the whole experience of WWoHP was magical for me. Yes, the shops are small (which for a theme park is silly) but they are trying to make the experience authentic by doing so (Hogsmeade isn't a huge place). We had 14 day ultimate tickets, so made the most of going back a few evenings (as parking only cost $3 after 7pm) and experiencing WWoHP at night, as well as doing some shopping in the gift shops. We are going back in July and have 14 day (UK) tickets again, and I'm really excited about Diagonal Alley opening. I am under no illusions and expect it to be busy, though.

But, as much as I enjoy USO and IoA, they are in no way a match for WDW. The staff don't seem as great as CMs and it just doesn't have that magic. I think it's wrong that they now charge for their 'Fast Track' which was free when I first went. And I still haven't forgiven them for getting rid of the BTTF ride!! There aren't many rides DD (4) and DS (2) can go on, and DH will have to do some things as a single rider.

But it's a nice day out and I'd rather be there than at work!

Like I and PP have said: I get it that they're trying to recreate Diagon Alley, but Disney has some shops that you think are going to be teeny tiny. However, their use of forced perspective and the ability to hide size means that I don't feel "like an NBA player inside a Hobbit's house" to quote PP. My argument is not with what they're trying to accomplish. My argument is with the second poster (the one behind OP) who said that they challenged their friends' opinion if they felt that the shops were small. That's what the discussion is here: that the shops are small. I think we can all understand why they're small.

 

[kmc]

Hard to give your friend's report any credibility if this was part of it.

Not sure why you say that, I love universal and the HP themed area but even when it's not super crowded the shops in there feel small and narrow. It's definitely not a comfortable stroll through the shops for me. That's my opinion and it wouldn't mean anything I had to say about my trip would render it not credible.

 

[Wendybird55]

It's interesting to read all the opinions...seems like most agree on the size/perspective of HP area. What's funny is that there was a thread more focused on the negative affects the new FP+ system is having on guests and comparing that to Universal and thag thread was overwhelmingly in favor of Universal over Disney.

My thought is to go next summer to Disney for 6-7 days. We would then leave Disney and check into a Universal resort (preferably one that includes the free "fast pass" thingy) and spend 3 nights there giving us lie 2 1/2 days for Universal. My son is not a big thrill-ride fan, but I think he will enjoy seeing Harry Potter, Simpsons and Dr. Seuss areas.

DS loves going to Disney and that's his choice of vacation every year. And though I don't argue with him, I think it's also important to take him to other places to experience other vacations. He's also gone to Lancaster County (when he was a baby), Sesame Place and other things in that area, Williamsburg VA, Washington DC....etc. In addition to our 2 Disney trips, this year we would also like to go to Boston (DS loves history). And though it is so tempting to stay only on Disney property we should take him to the other attractions in the area like Universal and Sea World and Kennedy Space Center.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Yes, I am a big movie buff and love Universal movies all the way back to the classic universal monster movies. Going to Universal I assumed there would be all kinds of Universal movies merchandise. Nada. I mean nothing. I finally found a store outside that had very very little. I was ready to drop a few hundred to get some cool Universal movie stuff and walked away empty handed.

Weird. Why? They don't want to make money?

We went to US frequently years ago when it first opened, and I have to say that, even as a huge HP fan, I enjoyed the park back then much more. It definitely seemed to be more "movie themed" rather than the current trumped-up-thrill-park they've created.

The Alfred Hitchcock thing was awesome. Kongfrontation & Earthquake were classic "get inside the movie" experiences.

Glad they kept the Blues Brothers & E.T., but I just feel like the whole vibe of the park has changed so much, and features very little of what I used to enjoy.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

No matter what I say about IoA, nothing can compare to the magic and nostalgia of the Magic Kingdom. It is also the best theme park by far for kids of all ages who can't do coasters and simulators.

Even though I'm the only thrill-rider in the family, we actually did have more fun at IoA than we have in the past at DHS, Epcot, or AK. However, much of that was due to early entry and the express pass: enjoying WWoHP when it was not crowded, skipping 30-45 minute lines to ride Cat in the Hat and the trolley multiple times, my ability to ride thrill-rides without making the family wait long, and the ability to take older DD on Spiderman when her stomach felt best. Using the express pass made me feel guilty, unlike FP, but it certainly is nice in the crowded afternoons. We did find ourselves unexpectedly impressed by the theming. And the kids really enjoyed the play areas, especially Jurassic Park. They were also happy to find the talking fountain after no PUSH at MK. And DH and the kids were huge fans of the stunt show.

 

[surferdave]

They've been to WDW before and had a great time again. This trip they went to Universal / IOA for a day because my niece just read Harry Potter and wanted to go.

I always expect avid Disney fans who decide to spend one day at the Universal parks to see Harry Potter to report a bad time. They tend to be skeptical, compare everything to their best days at Disney after years of going, and be very unforgiving or things that they don't even realize they now overlook in Disney parks like crowds, construction, less than helpful CMs, security or ticketing delays, or run down conditions and messes. These things exist to some degree in both parks (all theme parks actually) but people perceive them differently based on familiarity and brand loyalty.

Actually I wouldn't expect a stranger to Disney who drops in one of the WDW parks for one day to check it out to give a glowing report either.

 

[Hootch]

For me, I can't handle all the thrill rides and there didn't seem to be a whole lot of non-thrill rides at Universal that I was interested in. I enjoyed what I did ride or was able to ride, but it was not my cup of tea. However, I told DH that we should go sometime and check things out.

And I do agree that your vacation is what you make of it and the reason that there are so many different places to visit is that we're all different.

Universal/IOA last year for a short visit to see what the kids thought. They loved it so more time next trip.

I got really bored with Universal Studios. Everything seemed to be motion simulator. I was tired of being jerked around and placed in front of another screen every minute. I wanted a different sensation from a ride. It did not help that the last ride we did in IOA was Spiderman.

 

[Dorisk3]

I think a lot of the backlash towards Disney lately is really just a set group of people that go to Disney every year, multiple times a year, just getting tired of it, and using FP + as an excuse as to why they are unhappy. Disney just isn't adding enough new experiences for the repeat visitors. Go ever year for 8 years, and yes, most people will get bored. So they become hyper focused on a change being the reason they are trying something different. In reality, they really just need a change.

We love Universal as well as Disney and don't see the need to compare the two, or sillier yet "be loyal to Disney." Both are fun experiences.

 

[ShannonMB]

I always expect avid Disney fans who decide to spend one day at the Universal parks to see Harry Potter to report a bad time. They tend to be skeptical, compare everything to their best days at Disney after years of going, and be very unforgiving or things that they don't even realize they now overlook in Disney parks like crowds, construction, less than helpful CMs, security or ticketing delays, or run down conditions and messes.

So true. Anyone feel this way about any other vacation/trip in general? As an avid Disney fan who has beening going at least once a year for the past 7-8 years, I am starting to feel underwhelmed by ANYWHERE else I go. DD (13)and I just got back from a grand tour of Seattle and the Olympic Peninsula complete with a 2 night stay at a luxury spa in the mountains. When we got back, I asked her to rate our trip on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being our best ever Disney trip. She hit the nail on the head with a "6". I kept thinking, "for what this place is costing me, I could be staying at so-and-so or experiencing so-and-so at DISNEY!

Sorry, I know this isn't about Universal, but I think some of us might be a little ruined for anywhere else just because Disney is SO AWESOME!! It's a feeling, and I haven't really gotten that same feeling anywhere else.

 

[surferdave]

So true. Anyone feel this way about any other vacation/trip in general? As an avid Disney fan who has beening going at least once a year for the past 7-8 years, I am starting to feel underwhelmed by ANYWHERE else I go. DD (13)and I just got back from a grand tour of Seattle and the Olympic Peninsula complete with a 2 night stay at a luxury spa in the mountains. When we got back, I asked her to rate our trip on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being our best ever Disney trip. She hit the nail on the head with a "6". I kept thinking, "for what this place is costing me, I could be staying at so-and-so or experiencing so-and-so at DISNEY!

Sorry, I know this isn't about Universal, but I think some of us might be a little ruined for anywhere else just because Disney is SO AWESOME!! It's a feeling, and I haven't really gotten that same feeling anywhere else.

Are you sure that you're agreeing with me?

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think all six WDW and Uni parks are special in their own way and I'm glad they are all there. More to see for my plane fare!

 

[FLchick415]

I think all six WDW and Uni parks are special in their own way and I'm glad they are all there. More to see for my plane fare!

Agreed! I think all of the parks are awesome in their own way and I don't think any of them are superior to another. I love them all.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

I went to both on my trip in nov, i came back loving both.

For people complaining about the lines for olivander, the line is just as long as the story time for bell. I got to walk on, as I went to it as my first ride, I went there as my priority just like I would do in MK if I wanted to avoid a long line.

About the Staff, I found not a single rude staff at IOA or Disney. In fact I had fun conversations with IOA because I found out they have to pass a HP test to get in and a I had fun just talking HP stuff to the staff and loved it.

To the comments about small shops in HP area, I compare it to World of Showcase, which has lots of small shops to keep with themeing too. I think when they add the other HP area it will help spread out the line. And I loved all the things I could buy, it was a hard descion picking just one hp tshirt. I ended up buying also a themed headband and the jelly beans and the chocolate frogs.

One thing I think that I think gets some Disney people angry is they see unv spending all this money on adding new attractions and creating new tech rides and they look at disney and they see disney waste money on magic bands and think what could have disney done if they just even invested have that money into new rides and attractions in the parks.

 

[ShannonMB]

Are you sure that you're agreeing with me?

I'm TOTALLY agreeing with you. I don't know that some of us who have really taken a big chug of the kool-aid can be objective - especially concerning another theme park in the same locale.

 

[Planogirl]

Anyone looking for Harry Potter merchandise would be wise to check the big Universal Store in Port of Entry. They normally have quite a bit and it's very easy to move around in that store.

 

[juliebug1997]

Anyone looking for Harry Potter merchandise would be wise to check the big Universal Store in Port of Entry. They normally have quite a bit and it's very easy to move around in that store.

You can also order online and I've found that their store at the airport has a great selection too.

I also went first thing to Olivander's when I was there. However, the line was still 30 minutes due to all the early people. 30 minutes to get into a store! I was so claustrophobic that I left without seeing everything.