Just back friday after 5 nights..mixed review

[caroline1851]

We (me, my mom, my dad, ds9 and dd6) at Royal Pacific. Very nice hotel, decent food options, okay staff. Not the staff greeting I'm used to at Disney.

Loved walking to the parks or taking the boat back (with almost no waiting). Also loved the Rickshaw option. Super fun!
Loved that there were no lines to get into parks.
Loved not having to make dining reservations and just eating whenever, unlike Disney's dining plan.
LOVED Express Pass and Early entry into Harry Potter. We literally NEVER waiting for anything the entire trip. We rode Harry Potter 5 times never waiting and Spiderman 6 times. Cannot imagine doing these parks without it.
Loved the IOA theming. Just perfect.
Loved Jake's Restaurant at RP
Loved Forbidden Journey and Spiderman. Never expereinced anything like those before! Just great!

Disliked lack of organization at Character greeting sites. No organized lines, like Disney.
Disliked the feel of Universal Studios, just not exciting, sort of lame.
Disliked Meal Deal. Tried it one day and ate at International Food and Louie's-both really not good and pretty unclean.
Disliked the women who purposely agressively shoved me in the locker area at Harry Potter. Isn't this supposed to be a fun vacation place?
Disliked the lack of enthusiasm and friendliness from staff that I'm used to seeing at Disney.

*Overall, i think the food at Disney is better, value for dollar better at Disney and enjoy option of 4 parks better at Disney. But no rides at Disney can outdo Forbidden Journey or Spiderman.

Last year 4 of us went to disney for 6 nights including park passes, food, flight, hotel, extras for $3300.

This year, 5 of us at US/IOA for 5 nights spent about $6000

Any questions, feel free to ask.

 

[Metro West]

Glad you had an enjoyable visit although I do have some questions/comments...

1. Who are these women who purposely shoved you? Were these TMs or visitors? If they were other visitors I don't see how Universal can be blamed for their behavior. Just like Disney can't be blamed for the Brazilian groups...right? If they were TMs, I hope you said something at Guest Services. TMs should not be shoving anyone.

2. How is the greeting at the Disney hotels better than at Universal?

3. I agree with you on the Meal Deal...it's usually not a good deal and the better restaurants are not on it. I disagree about Louie's...it's my favorite place at the Studios and I eat there often. I also disagree that Disney food is better than Universal...Disney's quick service food is average in most cases. Plus the portion sizes are better at Universal so you're getting more for your money.

4. Explain more about the behavior of the TMs as opposed to CMs at Disney. You know there are people who work at both resorts right?

5. How did not having organized lines affect your ability to meet/greet characters and/or sign autographs? I've seen many more people turned away at Disney because of the long, organized lines since it was the character's break time or something of the sort.

I'm not trying to pick on you or be critical...really...but it seems like you did an awful lot of Disney/Universal comparisons instead of enjoying the differences between the two resorts...at least in the report. We tell people on the DIS to not compare the two or they won't have a good time. I wonder how much more you would have enjoyed the trip and if you want everything "like Disney", then I guess you know any other resort is not going to compare.

Again...glad you had an enjoyable trip.

 

[Foxes Den]

Thanks form the TR. Question on the costs, when you did Disney for half the price, was it during the free meal deal, and did you have a pin? Do you have a break down? Were the hotels the same standard?

Glad to hear you had no lines, sorry that you got pushed in line.


T

 

[caroline1851]

Glad you had an enjoyable visit although I do have some questions/comments...

1. Who are these women who purposely shoved you? Were these TMs or visitors? If they were other visitors I don't see how Universal can be blamed for their behavior. Just like Disney can't be blamed for the Brazilian groups...right? If they were TMs, I hope you said something at Guest Services. TMs should not be shoving anyone.

2. How is the greeting at the Disney hotels better than at Universal?

3. I agree with you on the Meal Deal...it's usually not a good deal and the better restaurants are not on it. I disagree about Louie's...it's my favorite place at the Studios and I eat there often. I also disagree that Disney food is better than Universal...Disney's quick service food is average in most cases. Plus the portion sizes are better at Universal so you're getting more for your money.

4. Explain more about the behavior of the TMs as opposed to CMs at Disney. You know there are people who work at both resorts right?

5. How did not having organized lines affect your ability to meet/greet characters and/or sign autographs? I've seen many more people turned away at Disney because of the long, organized lines since it was the character's break time or something of the sort.

I'm not trying to pick on you or be critical...really...but it seems like you did an awful lot of Disney/Universal comparisons instead of enjoying the differences between the two resorts...at least in the report. We tell people on the DIS to not compare the two or they won't have a good time. I wonder how much more you would have enjoyed the trip and if you want everything "like Disney", then I guess you know any other resort is not going to compare.

Again...glad you had an enjoyable trip.

1. A guest, not a TM. I never blamed Universal, just mentioning a negative experience. Relax.

2. Disney CM's, in general, are a lot friendlier and seem to love their jobs (or fake it really well). Not a smile from the person at Universal. Overall, Disney Cm's were friendlier. That's overall, not to say some Universal staff were fantastic!!

3. As for Counter Service, I was giving my opinion and my experience. I'm comparing Louie's and the International place to Flame Tree BBQ and Pepper Market. Huge difference! AGain, my opinion. Also, I don't judge quality by portion sizes because my goal isn't to stuff myself at every meal.

4. Whether or not employees work at both is not something i'm concerned with. In my experience, 100% of Cm's are phenomenal at Disney whereas 50% at Universal. The 50% of employees at Universal who were below par were those who seemed to hate their jobs and simply didn't want to be there. Like the woman who told me that I should be prepared for all the non-english speaking visitors and that I should not be afraid to push back becaues they're all rude. This conversation was not initiated on my end....

5. The character area's were confusing because there was no line. I don't like to be pushy, but i felt like i had to shove my kids up there to make sure they got a turn. and one of the cm's at one of these spots...i think...wolverine, was complaining that the guests weren't capable of forming a line. Should be more organized.

As for comparisons....yup, i compare. Just as i would if I went to 2 islands in the Caribbean. They are 2 different experiences, obviously, but considering they're both located in the same area and are both theme park type vacations, it's fair to me to compare. When you travel, feel free not to compare or when you do your trip reports, don't compare.

 

[caroline1851]

Thanks form the TR. Question on the costs, when you did Disney for half the price, was it during the free meal deal, and did you have a pin? Do you have a break down? Were the hotels the same standard?

Glad to hear you had no lines, sorry that you got pushed in line.


T

DISNEY

6 nights in November 2010
1 room, Coronado Springs
Dining Plan (free)
Flight
Park Passes (non hopper)
$3000
$300-$400 extra spending (drinks or tips, etc.)

UNIVERSAL

5 nights in January 2012
2 rooms, Royal Pacific ($1800)
Flight ($1300)
Park Passes ($1050 appx)
Airport Transportation ($140)
$4300
$1250-$1500 food/drinks
$ extra spent on other stuff that doesn't count...souvenirs, etc.

This is approximately. Luckily my parents paid for almost all of this trip for my kids and me. I think i spent maybe $500 on drinks/food,etc

 

[mercydisney]

Caroline, I am sorry that your experience was not as great as your Disney esperience. I stayed at RPR last weekend and truly enjoyed my stay. I do have to agree w/you about the hotel staff. Upon checking I did not get the warm fuzzy feeling. The check in clerk was a bit of a snob. But I did not let that spoil my trip. The CM's were very informative and funny. At one point
DD went to buy a chocolate frog and the CM explained to her that the one she was buying was $5. because they had a limited addt card inside.

We enjoyed our stay so much we will be returning in 3 months!

I love Disney but my kids are older. They will always love Disney but they are at a Universa/IO mental stage in their lives right now. Your kids are still young maybe that is why you have Disney in the brain. I did for yrs until my kids turned into rollercoaster fanatics!

 

[waterbottle]

Thanks for the report. It will help me during my planning.

 

[Seeker615]

Wow - that is awful you got pushed. I wish people would be more considerate. When we were at Disney in the Winnie the Pooh line someone people were trying to cut in the fast pass line and were very rude. A CM came over and took care of it!

I truly enjoyed all the CM's at Universal. They were all very helpful and fun. We had one CM who took our picture with my camera in front of Mr. Weasley's car and then proclaimed my camera was broke because the picture was not moving! And she did all this with a British accent! Another at the Forbidden Journey pretended not to fasten my safety harness because I was wearing a Slytherin t-shirt

I do agree the lines for the characters can be a bit chaotic. Luckily we were there when the parks were not crowded and were able to be among the first for most character greetings. There really is no line...

 

[RMulieri]

Of course your pricing will be different.At universal you had 2 rooms at a deluxe resort( and yes they are considered deluxe) .At Disney you had ONE room at a moderate resort.There will be a difference in pricing.For example I generally stay deluxe at Disney.My cost at BC resort was $3100 for one room,5 nights. At Universal Portofino Bay, one room for 5 nights was $1363.If you are used to paying value/moderate prices at Disney, Universal will seem much more expensive to you.If you are used to paying deluxe prices at Disney, Unviersal doesn't seem so bad.T

 

[jcapizzi]

Sorry you found the staff at RPR less than expected. My family and I have been going to RPR since it first opened and have never had less than ABOVE average treatment from all staff there.

Metro was really trying to be very nice in response to you. Really no need to be defensive!

 

[mischief32]

I have found Universal and RPR to be much better then Disney. I was able to stay at a deluxe hotel with club level for less then I paid to stay at Disney(moderate) and that was with the stay 4 get 3 free(stayed 9 nights) prices with regular dining plan. I am now spoiled and can not imagine staying at Disney without going deluxe but I could never afford $300+ a night. I think the prices a Disney are now out of control. I will take the Universal hotels over a Disney hotel anytime.

 

[Bamagirl1973]

I'm going to WDW and IOA in June. I was actually looking forward to doing a TR but I think after the blasting on here I'll just hold my wonderful memories to myself.

YIKES!!! Aren't TR supposed to be the poster's opinion.

Thanks OP for your views.

 

[hayleyp]

I completely agree with Bama. I am new to dis and have been amazed at all the great info and helpful advice. Posters have been extremely knowledgeable, respectful and polite. I was surprised by a couple of the responses to this TR.

Caroline thank you for sharing your experiences.

 

[davemill]

I too, appreciate everyone sharing their experiences. Haven't been to Disney in years, nor Universal and have been seriously thinking of going sometime this year. I moved closer this year and now it is within a decent driving range as I don't like to fly.

Keep the reviews coming!

 

[Mikkimús]

Kids! now play nice

everyone has their own opinions, i would tho say that OP is lucky that the post is in here posting experience in US/IOA. Would not like to be the one saying the same thing about the Motherland

Everyone like different things and people handle different situations differently. So befor you jump up to protect your beloved Redheaded themepark of Florida. Relax its just their opinion

 

[goaesco]

Caroline, I am sorry that your experience was not as great as your Disney esperience. I stayed at RPR last weekend and truly enjoyed my stay. I do have to agree w/you about the hotel staff. Upon checking I did not get the warm fuzzy feeling. The check in clerk was a bit of a snob. But I did not let that spoil my trip. The CM's were very informative and funny.

 

[jfelcie]

We will be going to Universal in June for 3 nights. The cheapest room without a code or AAA is about $300.00 a night at RPR standard room! That is $1,000.00 just to sleep in the cheapest, standard room! You can get a value at Disney for much less. I know June is a busy time but teachers can only vacation at busy times. We are DVC owners at Disney, but we also love Universal!

 

[Tarffri]

I'm a first time visitor to Orlando in general, so I have no prior experience at either WDW or Universal. I was at WDW POP from 3/2/12 - 3/8/12 and transferred to the Royal Pacific on 3/8/12 and checked out on 3/11/12.

My experience with RP and Universal customer service was very different! From the moment we stepped out of the cab at RP, we were greeted by the HUGEST warm smiles, and we encountered very pleasant staff. I recall saying to DD that they were trying to out-Disney WDW! It was a wonderful experience. And I definitely had my sights set low because I didn't want to over expect and be disappointed. We were genuinely impressed with the courteous service. Who knows, maybe a company-wide memo went out since OP visited in January or maybe they've instituted a new incentive program to improve their customer service, all I know is that I was treated every bit as well at RP as I was at the POP. I spoke with others who stayed at the RP, and they reported being pleased with the customer service as well.

My only issue with my beautiful room was a slow sink which they promptly fixed (the plumber or repair person had to clean out the trap). And the room was exceptionally clean. Walking distance to the parks was so convenient, and the scenery and pretty landscaping along the way made our walks there very pleasant. We didn't need to use a water taxi or rickshaw for a 5 minute walk.

I agree with the OP that HPFJ and Spiderman were the best rides. Truly thriilling. We rode them both multiple times. We also adored the Simpson ride and rode that 4 times. We thought Shrek 4D was somewhat meh, but YMMV on that one. I love the Universal parks and hope to go again some time.

 

[k&Jsmom]

I live in Florida so I am at both Universal and Disney muliple times a year.

I have encounted rude employees at both parks. I have also seen some very friendly, happy cast members at both parks. I just got back from Disney the other day and it is always a mixed bag of personalities. Some good, some bad.

The OP stayed at the Coronado springs in Disney. I stayed there last year and found the cast members there extemely unfriendly. The person who checked us in had an attitude and the people who worked in the restaurants were the most unfriendly bunch I have ever seen.

It just goes to show how everyones experience can be so different. I hated the peppertree market at this hotel.

There is always going to be nice and not so nice employees at both Disney and Universal.

 

[kamcgrory]

We are all human, and all have bad days. I just try to brush it off and most likely the next employee you meet will be very friendly. You just never know what is going on in their personal life at any given moment, so it's up to their supervisors to determine if it's a bad attitude, or just a bad day.