Just got back, and.....

[maxx25]

We arrived on the 18th of January....We hit MK first and there was no lines at all......Wednesday we hit IOA and Universal and no lines either....The Universal parks are incredible, the shows the rides. Universal has Disney beat when it comes to thrill rides.......Thursday, we visited MGM and again no lines.. I rode the Aerosmith ride with a buddy of mine....we sat on the front row, before the ride started we realized we were the only ones on the coaster. Friday, we visited the Animal Kingdom.....We rode the safari ride visited Dinoland and left......Animal Kingdom needs more attractions. We headed back to the MK and the crowds were everywhere. Saturday, we visited Epcot......that park seems very dated. We left after two hours and headed back to MGM. Next year I will spend more time at the Univeral Parks.

 

[disney's daughter]

I have found that I can go to Disney World with either my sister or husband...and don't have to have the grandchildren along to feel the magic....However...when my husband and I went to Universal/IOA...we both decided we'd not go back UNLESS we had children with us...I enjoyed Universal/IOA....but I just didn't get that "special magical feeling"...as with Disney.

 

[SamanthaL]

i totally agree with Disney's Daughter. I go for the Magic and I have not felt that at US. The feeling I get on Main Street is my thrill!!

 

[maxx25]

If you enjoy thrill rides than Universal is the place to be....Disney is still much more magical.......of course.

 

[Mom2RinJen]

I enjoy Disney more so that US/IOA, but the theming of US/IOA is much more detailed in my opinion. Disney is magical though and US/IOA can't even come close to that. We will probably go back to US/IOA another time in the future, but its not on our TO DO list every year. If you have little ones, there really isnt much they can do there. Disney will forever be #1 in my heart. Nothing can compare to that feeling you get when you walk up Main Street heading for the Castle knowing all the wonders and fun that await you. 4 more days!!!

 

[SamanthaL]

I just booked the plane tix this second!!! I am soooo feeling the magic already!!

 

[PratersloveDW]

I am a Disney fan all the way. I have been to Universal and wasnt impressed in the least. I didn't feel there was as much to do at Universal and the workers were not NEAR as friendly. I just didn't feel the magic. We didn't go to IOA because we go to Cedar Point a lot and can go to Six Flags anytime. I don't feel like paying the Universal price and taking a day out of my time at Disney. I may go back one day, when my little one is older. But if I don't, I won't mind that either.

 

[Sandyincanada]

Wow, nothing like posting your personal report and then get jumped on, eh Maxx.
Not sure why everyone is going on about "magic" since you did not use that word in your report. I agree, USF/IOA is tops for thrill/fun rides and has great theming but comparing DW and USF is like comparing apples and oranges, they are entirely different parks, with different goals. USF says Come ride the movies...not come feel the magic.

They are both great parks, we always do both and I am glad they are so different, it gives us a great variety on our holidays. oh, and theres no comparing 6 flags to IOA..again, totally different.

Glad you had a great time, Maxx

 

[WDSearcher]

I didn't get the feeling that anyone was "jumping on" maxx, only stating a different opinion. Considering maxx's comments about the parks not being as thrilling and that he'll spend more time at Universal and IOA next time, it's only natural that Disney fans will pipe up about why Disney holds interest for them even without the thrills. These are the Disney boards, after all -- you'd kind of expect that response. No one was mean or insulting -- just stating their opinions like he did.

 

[DissyLove]

As a long-time Disney fan, I was looking forward to all the thrill rides when I went to US/IOA 2 years ago. It may have been just a bad week, but we had rude staff, tons and tons of ride breakdowns, an I was dissappointed. I didn't ever get to do many of the top thrills, so in my book, since they usually work, Disney thrill rides are better! Disney sure isn't perfect, but things seem to run better there.

I would like to try US again in a few years and hope for a better experience.

 

[webray]

Universal and Disney...you can't compare..you have to take them for what they are. Our family loves them both, and we continue to go to both on a regular basis. Universal treats their passholders and FL residents much better than disney does. They also treat their AAA card holders much better. Discounts for everyone at universal, on food, resorts and souveniers. Same at Sea World.

 

[Aspen]

Hey Maxx25,
I'm glad you had a great time! We've never gone to US.
How old do you think kids should be before they can really enjoy US? I was thinking about going there some time, but I want to make sure my kids will be able to ride the rides! It sounds like a lot of fun for us adults though!!
Thanks!

 

[Aspen]

They also treat their AAA card holders much better. Discounts for everyone at universal, on food, resorts and souveniers. Same at Sea World.

Wow, this is great to know! I'll make sure and have my AAA membership when we do decide to go to US! Thanks!

 

[maxx25]

ASPEN......Universal has enough rides for kids to keep them busy...I would suggest doing both the Universal parks and Disney parks.

 

[Sandyincanada]

I didn't get the feeling that anyone was "jumping on" maxx, only stating a different opinion. Considering maxx's comments about the parks not being as thrilling and that he'll spend more time at Universal and IOA next time, it's only natural that Disney fans will pipe up about why Disney holds interest for them even without the thrills. These are the Disney boards, after all -- you'd kind of expect that response. No one was mean or insulting -- just stating their opinions like he did.

Anyone who dares mention that they like Usf/IAo gets jumped on. Most people who are Usf/Ioa fans are also Disney fans, it is possible to love both. And yes, I'm coming to expect those type of responses but wouldn't it be nice if once, just once, everyone could say "Hey, sounds great, glad you had a great trip" insteading of defending their choice of parks? I guess I just don't get it.

 

[LeoGrrrrl1982]

It goes unsaid that all the parks have their own "thing" going on. Disney, as stated, is magical.....transports you back to your childhood. Universal (especially IMO Islands of Adventure) will pack your day with thrill rides. Sea World is an experience all its own as well. Everytime I visit Orlando I think to myself I could be there for a month and still not see it all!

 

[DrTomorrow]

Whoa! If some of you folks think this is a harsh thread, don't ever read a post on 'Occupancy', 'Refillable Mugs', "Taking Kids Out of School for WDW' or 'My Child is 3 YO But Doesn't Look It - Do I Need a Ticket?'. This is a DIScussion board, and when someone posts their opinion, they should be prepared for it to be DIScussed.

DW and I enjoy US/IOA, too - we're not "Cheating on Walt" just because we enjoy other Orlando attractions. I am somewhat surprised that people think US/IOA has better theming than WDW. We found that the theming is often only superficial, and not carried out as fully as at WDW.

As for non-WDW attractions offering higher discounts - FL, AAA, etc. - it's simple marketing; they're not doing it to be "nice", but to draw folks away from WDW.

IMHO - YMMV

 

[Sandyincanada]

Whoa! If some of you folks think this is a harsh thread, don't ever read a post on 'Occupancy', 'Refillable Mugs', "Taking Kids Out of School for WDW' or 'My Child is 3 YO But Doesn't Look It - Do I Need a Ticket?'. This is a DIScussion board, and when someone posts their opinion, they should be prepared for it to be DIScussed./QUOTE]

LOL.....some of those are quite funny. Nah, I don't think its a harsh thread, its just getting old already. I love the theming at Dr Suess, too darn cute and I also love Main Street at WDW. Come to think of it, I also love Seaworld, nice and relaxing. They are 3 different parks, why compare them at all?? I just want to enjoy them all without someone telling me that they went to Universal in 1975 and they didn't like whatever..... know what I mean, lol.

 

[WDSearcher]

I guess I just don't get it.

Human nature. When someone brings up cats on a board about dogs, you're going to have discussions about the differences simply because the topic of the BB is dogs. There are plenty of people who like both, but on that particular board, it's all about dogs. Here, it's about Disney. No one slammed maxx or told him he was wrong or sent him to the Universal boards or tried to convince him that he shouldn't like Universal so much or called him a traitor or anything ... they just stated their opinion about why they preferred Disney. Now, maybe they did it with the hope that he'd rethink how he looked at the park; maybe they were defending their favorite place in the world. But it was all done very nicely, IMO. It would be a pretty darn boring thread if all anyone said after his initial post was, "Hey ... glad you had a great trip."

 

[Michelle2]

I totally LOVE both of them! And we were so impressed with US/IOA that DH wanted to spend more time there than at WDW, but of course I couldn't have that...so they will be about the same. Love them!