Just returned...wow!

[reddog21]

e's a huge difference between being able to refill your own water bottle with cold filtered water vs having to find & ask someone to fill it for you with maybe-cold water. No interaction wins any day of the week, even aside from water quality/temp.

Given the choice between self-service and interaction, I’m all about self-service. I must be picking the right Disney kiosks, because every time I get a water refill, it’s perfectly cold. At the end of the day, especially in the summer, just stay hydrated—whether it’s cold or warm, it’s all the same to your body. We use Brita bottles so the water tastes the same no matter where we get it from.

The Coke Freestyle machines will dispense ice and water at no charge, which I suspect (without being sure) a lot of guests don't know about.

During the hotter months, ice runs out by lunchtime, and once it’s gone, that’s it. The machines don’t make ice fast enough, and I’ve never seen a team member refill it manually. I do enjoy the freestyle program especially since you can refill with icee's!!!

Beats the Disney version of getting a tray full of food then going in search of an empty table with tired kids in tow by a million miles. and again

I really wish they would bring back the Covid rule that only allowed people with a mobile order to sit at a table. There are just way too many people taking up tables without even eating.

 

[Minnie1222]

I think the biggest standout to me for UO qs is the convenient and relaxing way you order...Beats the Disney version of getting a tray full of food then going in search of an empty table with tired kids in tow by a million miles.

It really depends on the timing of your meals. It can be very difficult to find a table at a Universal QS during certain hours due to non-diners resting everywhere. In those moments, it makes you wish it would be more like Disney, where only guests with a paid order can enter the seating area during busier hours.

Both methods are good and should be adopted and administered accordingly by Disney and Universal. I don't think one way is better than the other. A guest should not jump to a conclusion until they've experienced the best and worst of each scenario.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

It really depends on the timing of your meals. It can be very difficult to find a table at a Universal QS during certain hours due to non-diners resting everywhere. In those moments, it makes you wish it would be more like Disney, where only guests with a paid order can enter the seating area during busier hours.

Both methods are good and should be adopted and administered accordingly by Disney and Universal. I don't think one way is better than the other. A guest should not jump to a conclusion until they've experienced the best and worst of each scenario.

Sorry, but I have been to both parks a lot and by far the best method is like US has with the Leaky Caldron.

 

[TB'sWidow]

I'll say one thing about the food, since this stood out for me: was back late at my hotel (Dockside) and needed something to eat, and it was either the food court or somewhere offsite. Went to the food court, and the options were generally meh, decided to just go with the burger and fries. Go to the station, ask for it, and the guy pulls a pre-made burger and fries out of a weird reheating unit and hands it over. Burger was fine but they made no effort to hide that it was pre-made, I know not to expect too much with the value food courts at this point but that was a first for me.

You can sort of tell that they're making solid efforts at improving their options as they open up new spots. Zero complaints about anything I got at EU, would expect that the food court options are better at the newer hotels and park areas. Disney's also done well in this area though, the food options at Pandora, GE, and Toy Story Land are all pretty solid. Both companies know you can't just get away with cheap theme park theme park food anymore.

Totally agree with the food options at dockside what happened to you happened to us. If I can help it I won’t stay there again not just the food but was lacking in other areas too

 

[Lionezz]

Universal is great!

 

[Philsfan77]

WDW deluxe are very weak also. I think both want you to spend more $$$ and eat at their TS restaurants. I much rather have a good QS than a TS.

I think it depends where. Riviera's QS is very good. Also enjoy Grand Floridian and Polynesians as well. I like that at Animal Kingdom and Poly I can also order to go from Sanaa and Kona. Some of the others, I would agree with you though. Roaring Fork at Wilderness Lodge was just ok, same with the Boardwalk option and Artist Palette at Saratoga Springs. I'd still take them over the options at Royal Pacific, Hard Rock or Portofino though.

 

[Philsfan77]

Food is ultimately subjective. Cabana Bay is the one resort Quick Service at Universal, that I actually like. Dockside was a let down in my opinion, same with Terra Nova. Helios doesn't really even have one other than the small coffee shop, primarily with pre-made items, which is pretty much the norm at their "deluxe" properties.

There are things I like that Universal does...pizza delivery to the room is a nice touch for starters. Water situation is head and shoulders better at Universal as well. They've also stepped up their food game within the parks. Is it better than Disney's on scale? I'd still say no, but it's a noticeable improvement over the last 3 years when I've been going to Universal more regularly.

I am also going to be the outlier here and say that I don't love how they do QS ordering. I personally prefer Disney's ordering in advance than the setup at Uni where you get your table and then order. Until I get seated, put my order in, get my food 20-25 minutes has passed. At Disney, I mobile order, say i'm ready for it before I get to the restaurant, and I'm usually sitting at a table with my food within 5 minutes of entering the restaurant (saving me time). The in-park quick service breakfast options are nice in the Harry Potter world and at Epic...,but I can get decent options at Disney for $10-$14 (Sleepy Hollow, Ronto Wraps, Satu'li Canteen) while keeping it moving versus sitting down in the Harry Potter areas for a $20+ breakfast. Can get a biscuit sandwich for $8 or the Stuffed french toast sandwich in Animal Kingdom for $9...to each their own I guess.