Like Disney/Not Like Disney Comparisons

[keishashadow]

i enjoy them both

many good points made here , my thought no "welcome home"it gives me the warm & fuzzies

seriously, imo a TS w/FOTL perc would be incentive for guests who like that type of vacation experience ...think it'd be a very hot ticket

 

[happymommy]

FOTL was very nice! It was the best part. Although we only needed it a few times, as we went in the morning and the parks weren't crowded, it was much better than fastpasses.

If I were going to US during any type of busy time, I would say you HAVE to stay onsite!

It was fun all in all, and the kids enjoyed it a lot, but I really think Disney is a notch above.

 

[antmaril]

We recently returned from five nights at Universal (Portofino Bay). We have been to Universal before and do enjoy it, however, it's not Disney and I know going in I won't enjoy it as much as Disney.

What I do like is that I get a deluxe resort with Club level for a reasonable amount of money. FOTL is fantastic - the best perk ever and the cost of a ticket was VERY reasonable (I paid $80.50 through AAA for a seven consecutive days/two park ticket).

Universal doesn't feel as "special" to me. Kind of hard to explain. I don't think they pay as much attention to the details. For example, when we did Poseidon's Fury, I remember thinking when walking through the line where it gets very dark, that it gets too dark - you are almost afraid you are going to stumble. I think at Disney it would be handled differently. I don't know - I can't put my finger on it, but it is different.

I took my son (21) and his girlfriend (also 21) on this trip. They enjoyed the trip (although they both missed Disney) and overall we had a nice time.

I will say my son is looking forward to the opening of "Harry Potter" at Universal, which will probably require a return trip in 2010! He's still a kid at heart.

Just my two cents, of course.

 

[damo]

Interesting!!! I think Disney has a lot of nostalgia to it. If you are a person who did Disney when young, it is hard to let it go. We took teens (well, 18 and 23) this year who had never done either Universal or Disney before an they both much preferred Universal because they felt they were always doing something where at Disney they felt they were always watching. They preferred the more thrills at Universal. They all felt that Disney catered to the younger set.

My kids who are 19 and 22 love Universal -- we've been going since before IOA was built but they also love Disneyland -- we've gone 3 times in the past 6 years. They aren't too crazy about WDW and they've probably been there 10 times.

They are all really looking forward to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter too.

 

[Phil from PA]

Interesting!!! I think Disney has a lot of nostalgia to it. If you are a person who did Disney when young, it is hard to let it go.

Funny you brought that up as I was going to say the same thing. I have been going to DW since 1972. Nothing can capture the overwhelming shock value and impression that was going on when you went to the MK for the first time back then. At that time you never saw anything like the Pirates of the Caribbean or the Haunted Mansion.

Keep in mind the entertainment available in the 70's - no computer, no cable TV, no VCR's, etc. Plus WD was the front runner in creating that style of amusement parks. Now everyone has caught up/copied what WD has done, which therefore diminishes slightly what peoples first impressions are these days.

I think the history of the Mouse as an identity and singular unifying character for all of the parks creates a cohesiveness that you don't find at US. I believe this creates a different type experience than you will find anyplace else,

 

[Subi WRX]

Uggh. I was not trying to be subjective here; just factual. All opinions on Universal v. Disney are a dime a dozen. Please don't make this into that kind of thread.

Subjective: Universal doesn't have magic. Disney does.

Objective: You can get unlimited express pass access to the rides when you stay on site at Universal. You get extra magic hours when you stay on site at Disney.

Any chance we can keep this objective and factual, rather than subjective and opinionated?

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Here's a similarity -- no matter which you go to, you will swelter in the Florida heat during the summer!

Both offer "luau" experiences, and both have a South Pacific themed hotel. Both offer character meals, and both have characters you will recognize from everyday life, rather than a knockoff, made up mascot.

You generally pay for parking at both venues. Both have designated "lands" or areas where a specific theme is emphasized. Both have gift shops o'plenty, and both have many rides that empty right into the gift shops. Both offer shows and photo ops.

You will get funny looks from friends and relatives if you repeatedly return to either complex.

To the PP who said that the staff at UO looked "scruffy" and were bearded in comparison with the Disney cast -- you are right, the Disney cast would not look like that because they are not allowed to have beards , or hair past a certain level, as I understand it. I could be wrong, but I am under the impression there are very strict standards for the personal appearance of Disney cast. If you need your ride operators without facial hair, Disney is the experience for you.

Maria

 

[wen8jr]

While we had a GREAT vacation at Disney last year and we know there aren't many things in life quite like it, we are looking forward to going to US, IOA and SW just as much (now that we have Disney under our belts).

I think we have discovered that staying onsite is the key to a great vacation for my family. We love to be within walking distance of attractions.

My DS is 13 (soon to be 14) and he is really hyped up about going to US, more so than he was about Disney. I think it is an age factor and what the child and adults are more interested in. We love movies and thrill rides, so it is a given that US and IOA will probably be cool for us. Our favorite park at Disney (second to Epcot) was Hollywood Studios...MK was the least favorite, (except Space Mountain...my personal fav). Now if I had younger children, my opinion may have been different.

We like to experience different things...we are not expecting it to be just like Disney, if it were than it would not be as fun!!!

 

[minniejack]

Another positive about Universal is the fact that it has many large and small rides packed into a small area which means far less walking to and from attractions.

Disney's rides are spread out within each individual theme park and you have to have 4 parks for a similar amount of attractions.You have to have transportation from one park to the other. At Universal you can hoof it from one park to the other. Therefore, you save a lot of time not waiting for transportation or walking from attraction to attraction. Time is also not wasted on retrieving fastpasses for big rides while doing something close by just so you can go back to ride it.

Smaller crowds at Universal so less chance that your and family will get irritable and grumpy.

 

[minniejack]

Here's another fact: Cheaper

Due to us getting one-day parker hopper passes, including water park option,for being there during Hurricane Charley, I checked the Disney site to see what kind of magic I was getting. If we would have had to pay for those tickets, cost would be $747 for the 4 of us for one day.
Wow.

So....I then thought what about Disney hotels for the same time period that we would be staying at the PBH with parks included.
My PBH stay in a deluxe with citywalk pass and parks included, incl. tax is $2322.07 for Dec 27-Jan1 09

The following hotels were only chosen because that is all that would show due to unavailability, park hopper option, no dining plan:
Coronado Springs 5885.08
Animal Kingdom $3671.80
Wildreness $3562.02
Yacht $3899.52
Saratoga $4355.12

So...based on those figures alone, Universal is a much better value.
If you factor in the deluxe accomadations and several great rides in two smaller locations, then Universal is definitely for the value minded consumer.

 

[rwdavis2]

To those who have never been to Universal. It is not Disney. Do not go into the park ready to compare and contrast.

Go into the parks ready to have fun.

You will go on a vacation not a kamikaze mission to see how you can get the most bang for your buck.

I agree! I've likened a Disney trip to an Everest expedition. Planning, the stamina necessary, packing, and the cost.
Bob

 

[minniejack]

bump

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

Prices!

For 3 adults, 1 child and 4 days ..

Universal:
Portofino: 1107.00
Royal Pacific: 912.00
Hard Rock: 927.00-1017.00

Disney:
Polynesian: 1485.00


Tickets:
Universal: 54.00 for 1 day 1 park [not florida resident]

Disney: for 1 day florida resident $92.50 for 1 person plus park hopper.

Just comparing..