Lines short this week...unfortunately, though....

[prudence64]

We went to IOA once and disliked the experience. I would be interested to go to the main US gate though. Just can't seem to find time to fit it in.

 

[Canuck16]

We are a Disney family through and through and we absolutely do not like Univesal Hollywood.

So when we took our first trip to WDW last year we decided to spend a few days at USO before WDW as DD loves Harry Potter. I have to say that we were amazed at how much we liked US/IoA and the Express Pass is a wonderful perk for onsite guests.

We would never trade in our time at Disney but we will definetly be going back to USO again especially now that Diagon Alley is open.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Our last trip in October was a split Universal/Disney trip. We had much, much more fun at Universal than at Disney, and a big part of it was that we didn't have to plan to the nth degree at Universal or face long lines. The value of Express Pass for onsite Deluxe guests is astounding. And the rides they have at Universal blow most of Disney away. I pity people who went to Universal 10+ years ago and think it's the same park now. Nothing could be further from the truth. But you can have the crowds, your 3 reserved rides, and the same old omnimovers at Disney.

 

[EarsAndTiaras]

I love Universal, especially the Wizarding World, but I can only spend 2-3 days there before I run out of things to do, while I can spend a full week at Disney and still miss things.

Some people like the Disney bubble & some hate it. I like feeling like I'm in another world on vacation. Universal just doesn't have the same feel for me, but I really do enjoy the parks... just in a different way.

FWIW, both parks have a lot of "the same ride." Disney has a lot of omnimovers & Universal has a lot of "here are your glasses, enjoy the 3D experience, and by the way - it spins!"

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm really not trying to be awful but I just have zero desire to go to universal. Lol

When people say "Oh there was no wait at universal for anything!" to me is like saying "Oh there was no line to see the trees in my backyard!" They both have basically the same appeal. Again I'm not trying to be a jerk. I just love Disney and really there is no magic for me at universal.

Since you haven't been there, you have no idea of any "magic". So comparing something many of us truly enjoy (more than WDW for me) to *trees* IS being somewhat jerky.

It's not that there are no lines. It's that they are better managed.

I had no desire to go to DCA until I went there. And then I kicked myself for ages because it was so awesome. And that was before their renovations. I hurt no one but myself for the two years of "why would I go to a CA themed park in CA " silliness.

Thankfully I had learned from that experience and we made US part of our be ry first Orlando trip. And wished we had devoted more time to it. 4 days onsite just wasn't enough.

 

[mickeymom629]

DS and his wife just got back from a week at WDW. They went to U/IoA one day, mostly to see the HP stuff. They were blown away by the HP experience and said that Universal really got it right in immersing you in that world. They also said that the QS restaurants had people telling you where to sit, which they thought was more effective than choosing your own seat, like at Disney, because a table for 4 wasn't taken by a group of 2, for instance. They also liked that there were free lockers to put your things in during rides. However, U/IoA is a LOT of coasters (which they love) but after 3/4 day there, DS was starting to feel extreme motion sickness and they left to go to Disney Springs for the remainder of the day.

 

[metzgardesign]

The pretty cool part of a vacation is that people can do what they enjoy most. How awesome is that?

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

The pretty cool part of a vacation is that people can do what they enjoy most. How awesome is that?

I always think the same thing when I read these threads. Universal is great. Disney is great. Some people like one better than the other. Some people used to like one better than the other and now they have changed that opinion.

I guess it is fun to talk about though. I always wind up reading for a while.

 

[Goddesstree]

DS and his wife just got back from a week at WDW. They went to U/IoA one day, mostly to see the HP stuff. They were blown away by the HP experience and said that Universal really got it right in immersing you in that world. They also said that the QS restaurants had people telling you where to sit, which they thought was more effective than choosing your own seat, like at Disney, because a table for 4 wasn't taken by a group of 2, for instance. They also liked that there were free lockers to put your things in during rides. However, U/IoA is a LOT of coasters (which they love) but after 3/4 day there, DS was starting to feel extreme motion sickness and they left to go to Disney Springs for the remainder of the day.

I wish they had a different park in a more open area for the WWoHP - it is nicely done to a point, but you can see backstage in the FJ queue, and a lot of blank backface of Hogwarts as well. Not to mention hearing so much noise from all the coasters, both the HP ones and those nearby. Universal is just so squeezed in, with a main road right behind Hogsmeade. We heard sirens going by while we were there on our first trip. Diagon Alley is nice, but it's just one new attraction, a restaurant, ice cream (which is delicious) and very crowded shops. Of course, it was the shopping district for the HP series, so the shops make sense, but lots of the stores are just fronts. The wand interactions are fun, if you can get to them.

We were seated at a table for 4 when we were at the leaky cauldron, even though there was only two of us. I wouldn't have picked that table, not only becuase it was too big for us, but because it was at the opening, and we had people on top of us the whole time. We should have asked to be moved, and I would if we were seated there again.

 

[mdoc]

We had a similar experience during Thanksgiving week a few years back. With the express pass we had from staying at a Universal Resort, combined with much lower crowds, Universal was as easy, very enjoyable experience. Disney was much more crowded, which makes it a bit more stressful. We still enjoyed both, though. Last Christmas was our first trip to Disney since the FP+ system was implemented. We have been going to Disney for 15 years (often more than once a year) and only at crowded times - Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter - and last Christmas was our least enjoyable trip because our "normal" method of touring didn't work. We weren't going to go back this year, but decided to try one more time. Judging from what I'm reading on here, it has only gotten more crowded. I'm sure we'll have a good time, but if it's another year like last year, we'll likely be choosing Universal next year, as we like both (although I could spend weeks at Disney and only a few days at Universal). 3 fast passes vs. the many we used to get under the old system just doesn't cut it for us - we are so much more limited in what we can accomplish in a day. I suppose if we hadn't managed to do just about everything we wanted in the past, even during the most crowded times of year, I'd feel differently, but we were spoiled.

 

[mickeymom629]

I wish they had a different park in a more open area for the WWoHP - it is nicely done to a point, but you can see backstage in the FJ queue, and a lot of blank backface of Hogwarts as well. Not to mention hearing so much noise from all the coasters, both the HP ones and those nearby. Universal is just so squeezed in, with a main road right behind Hogsmeade. We heard sirens going by while we were there on our first trip. Diagon Alley is nice, but it's just one new attraction, a restaurant, ice cream (which is delicious) and very crowded shops. Of course, it was the shopping district for the HP series, so the shops make sense, but lots of the stores are just fronts. The wand interactions are fun, if you can get to them.

We were seated at a table for 4 when we were at the leaky cauldron, even though there was only two of us. I wouldn't have picked that table, not only becuase it was too big for us, but because it was at the opening, and we had people on top of us the whole time. We should have asked to be moved, and I would if we were seated there again.

Well then, I guess it's all in the eye of the beholder and/or the luck of the experience. From reading these Boards, that's why we all have different views and reasons why we feel the way we do.

 

[agame2323]

This should NEVER happen with the invention on Fast Pass+ ...right?

 

[RachaelA]

We got there right as the welcome show was finishing at MK this morning for EMH (we haven't done a morning EMH since our very first trip in 2007!). I feel like we got plenty done. We rode Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Barnstormer x2, Dumbo and Speedway all between 7:55 and 9am. Waited 15 minutes for Merida. Then met Mary Poppins and Rafiki. Waited 20 minutes for Pirates (our boat didn't get wet at all). 15ish minutes for Haunted Mansion. Then DD1 and DH used a special pass we had for 7DMT and then we ate at Cosmic Rays. DD2 and I went and used a FP for A+E while DH and DD1 went to go do something. This was all done before 1pm today. We have FPs for ETWB, MSEP and something else that I can't remember off the top of my head for tonight.

It definitely was pretty crowded when I was just walking out to walk back to BLT, but I still don't find it anymore crowded then when we go in October (the 3rd or the 4th week).

Even the coasters other than 7DMT had low waits most of the morning (30 minutes or less).

 

[BigAlsGal]

Since you haven't been there, you have no idea of any "magic". So comparing something many of us truly enjoy (more than WDW for me) to *trees* IS being somewhat jerky.

It's not that there are no lines. It's that they are better managed.

I had no desire to go to DCA until I went there. And then I kicked myself for ages because it was so awesome. And that was before their renovations. I hurt no one but myself for the two years of "why would I go to a CA themed park in CA " silliness.

Thankfully I had learned from that experience and we made US part of our be ry first Orlando trip. And wished we had devoted more time to it. 4 days onsite just wasn't enough.

I don't have to go there to know I don't like transformers or Harry Potter. Different strokes.

You can say I'm being jerky but I'm just stating my opinion which is what people do on these forums. I can't help that I feel the way I do. I have NO desire to ever visit universal plain and simple. I compare it to trees because they hold equal appeal (to me). Sorry if I rubbed you or anyone the wrong way.

 

[Planogirl]

I don't have to go there to know I don't like transformers or Harry Potter. Different strokes.

You can say I'm being jerky but I'm just stating my opinion which is what people do on these forums. I can't help that I feel the way I do. I have NO desire to ever visit universal plain and simple. I compare it to trees because they hold equal appeal (to me). Sorry if I rubbed you or anyone the wrong way.

I personally like trees but would never compare them to a themepark. But yes, to each their own.

By the way there is a lot more there than transformers or Harry Potter. But you were probably already aware of that. Some people may not know that though.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I like both. They each offer something different. This next trip we are splitting our time in order to do more things away from Disney, partly because I miss doing the other parks and partly because I don't enjoy myself as much with crowds. Anywhere.

 

[csmith041177]

I feel like I am as big of a Walt Disney World fan as there is. I mean heck, I listen to grim grinning ghosts every morning in the shower if that tells you anything. I love almost everything about WDW. However, I also love both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Are they different from the Disney parks? Of course there are. I won't spend 10 pages spelling out what I think the differences are, other than to say (with the exception of the Harry Potter invasion), the Disney parks are generally better themed with better backstory, and have more of an "adult feel". Having said that, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is an absolute game changer. These are completely immersive environments that literally transform guests into that world. I think that is what Walt wanted with his time parks, to tell a story in such an immersive environment that guests felt like they were part of those stories. That is what the Wizarding World does. You don't even have to be a Harry Potter fan to appreciate the lands. If you have never been, do yourself a favor and check it out.

 

[Csaks]

Well, Disney must be doing something right if it's crowded there, and what's going to happen to Universal if it's 'spontaneous' because the parks are so empty?

Universal is far from empty, at least when we had gone. I guess you missed my point but that's OK. The spontaneity I speak of is getting up in the morning, checking to see what parks were best for that particular day of the week and off you go. Decide that morning which park you feel like visiting instead of planning your whole vacation six months out. What a novel idea. Reading these boards I realize there are some uber planners out there and they just thrive in the new system. That just ain't us, if I don't feel like going to Epcot a certain day for whatever reason but I've planned the day six months ago (fast passes, dinner reservations) it's a pain in the *** to change it all around that morning. Then there is no guaranty you'll find half decent replacements at the new park you change to, so you are basically stuck.
Call me an old fuddy dudy but I miss that way of things. Get up whenever, decide the park either the night before or that morning. Hit Guest Relations as soon as you get there and find out restaurant availability and reserve something. Start touring, if the line is to long , check out the Fastpass return time and see if it works with what you are doing and either get one or move on. I can still tour this way at Universal, yes it's smaller but Disney did it with four parks once. We were long time visitors, multiple trips kinda people who gave the new system a few tries and find it lacking. It's OK, Disney doesn't care because they have new replacements for us, just wonder how many of them will visit in the future, as much as we did in the past.
Have fun folks, I'll give her another try down the road if they ever finish any of their new lands.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

I went to Universal and IoA one time a few years ago. I gave it an honest shot.

I would rather wait in a 90 minute line for Carousel of Progress than spend another minute in either park at Universal.

I respect people who like Universal and IoA but there was absolutely nothing special about it to me. At all.

 

[DisneyOma]

Universal is far from empty, at least when we had gone. I guess you missed my point but that's OK. The spontaneity I speak of is getting up in the morning, checking to see what parks were best for that particular day of the week and off you go. Decide that morning which park you feel like visiting instead of planning your whole vacation six months out. What a novel idea. Reading these boards I realize there are some uber planners out there and they just thrive in the new system. That just ain't us, if I don't feel like going to Epcot a certain day for whatever reason but I've planned the day six months ago (fast passes, dinner reservations) it's a pain in the *** to change it all around that morning. Then there is no guaranty you'll find half decent replacements at the new park you change to, so you are basically stuck.
Call me an old fuddy dudy but I miss that way of things. Get up whenever, decide the park either the night before or that morning. Hit Guest Relations as soon as you get there and find out restaurant availability and reserve something. Start touring, if the line is to long , check out the Fastpass return time and see if it works with what you are doing and either get one or move on. I can still tour this way at Universal, yes it's smaller but Disney did it with four parks once. We were long time visitors, multiple trips kinda people who gave the new system a few tries and find it lacking. It's OK, Disney doesn't care because they have new replacements for us, just wonder how many of them will visit in the future, as much as we did in the past.
Have fun folks, I'll give her another try down the road if they ever finish any of their new lands.

We've been able to still be spontaneous at WDW. We plan our FP+ for the afternoon, and get up when we want to, pick a park, go there, then park hop to our FP+. No rushing to rope drop (unless we feel like it) and we've found plenty of places to dine - but we do like CS a lot more than TS. We do 1-2 TS a trip, and plan those out accordingly. We use MDE so we don't have to criss-cross the park looking for wait times, etc.

When we go to Universal, we feel like we need to be there right at rope drop to ride the HP attractions, so it's more of a stress to get there, park, and press in with the crowds. No time to linger and soak in atmosphere. Staying onsite is too expensive, plus I don't like I4 at my back.

Since Universal doesn't have anything like FP (the express pass is similar, but do you get a return time?) comparing one to the other based on the old FP and EP doesn't make sense to me.