Looks like the park reservation system is here to stay.

[jdrasin]

Oh, so Universal isn't a week or even a two week thing? We have gone to disney for anywhere between 5-10 days, with the 10 days option being our favorite trips....

We (kids were 6 and 10 or so) did two trips to Universal, 5 days and 4 and we were able to fill them up really well with the two parks and the water park (spent 8AM-8PM there). However, others are content with 1-3 days. We really enjoyed several of the themed areas. It doesn't have as many shows as Disney (or as many as Disney used to have), but they have some and the rides are good. A lot of it is that the lines are so much shorter (especially if you have express pass) that you get so much more done quickly.
We had two trips to Disney and while we had a wonderful time, the kids have no real interest in going back.

Joseph

 

[jdrasin]

I think their new areas will fix that and not to start a whole tangent lol but I’m not super excited for Super Mario Land, or whatever it’s officially called, it’s a lot of theming. But it just seems like a lot of wasted space. Like 2 attractions?

A lot of new lands at both parks get built with one or two rides (but plenty of shops and eateries). I thought Seuss Landing was brilliant myself and I thought the comic book section built to look like pages of a comic book was fun. I'm not as big a fan of a lot of Disney's theming (though some are quite brilliant), so I'm probably not the best judge for some.
The new Nintendo land in Japan (coming to the US) looks fantastic.

Joseph

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

A lot of new lands at both parks get built with one or two rides (but plenty of shops and eateries). I thought Seuss Landing was brilliant myself and I thought the comic book section built to look like pages of a comic book was fun. I'm not as big a fan of a lot of Disney's theming (though some are quite brilliant), so I'm probably not the best judge for some.
The new Nintendo land in Japan (coming to the US) looks fantastic.

Joseph

I agree with you that most lands (really add on to parks) only add 2-3 rides max. i like that Universal is adding a 3rd gate, but it feels more like an addition to Islands of adventures more than its own specific park. To compare it to Disney, i would say it feels like MK 2.0, where i would prefer it to be more like MK v Epcot if that makes sense

 

[Dcgc28]

A lot of new lands at both parks get built with one or two rides (but plenty of shops and eateries). I thought Seuss Landing was brilliant myself and I thought the comic book section built to look like pages of a comic book was fun. I'm not as big a fan of a lot of Disney's theming (though some are quite brilliant), so I'm probably not the best judge for some.
The new Nintendo land in Japan (coming to the US) looks fantastic.

Joseph

I think it’s just a different strokes different folks situation and I agree a lot of them only have 1 or 2 attractions but with the hype it’s getting it’s a bit underwhelming. It’s almost being sold as a “park” when it’s more of an area.

All opinion based of course. I think Universal is awesome and definitely don’t force myself to pick between the two.

 

[Jrb1979]

I think it’s just a different strokes different folks situation and I agree a lot of them only have 1 or 2 attractions but with the hype it’s getting it’s a bit underwhelming. It’s almost being sold as a “park” when it’s more of an area.

All opinion based of course. I think Universal is awesome and definitely don’t force myself to pick between the two.

Yes Nintendo is just one area. Universal monsters is another big addition plus add in another Harry Potter area and it's going to an amazing park. It's going to make Universal a 5 day visit when it opens.

I do agree it's different strokes for different folks. IMO most Disney fans rate theming higher then thrills or physical feeling on a ride.

 

[Dcgc28]

Yes Nintendo is just one area. Universal monsters is another big addition plus add in another Harry Potter area and it's going to an amazing park. It's going to make Universal a 5 day visit when it opens.

I do agree it's different strokes for different folks. IMO most Disney fans rate theming higher then thrills or physical feeling on a ride.

Yep and I love thrill rides but I have 3 DD under 6. Just not feasible for our vacation right now. They’d rather wait to see Cinderella

But when they’re older we’re definitely going to venture over to Universal. My oldest is already getting into Mario because we got her a switch and I assume Sonic might pop up around the parks in some fashion bc of the popularity of his movies, and they’re not scared to pay for IP out there. Which gives them a ton of options.

 

[glocon]

UO definitely has a different feel than WDW. If you go there expecting Disney you will be disappointed. It’s just different.

But we love it! We’ve stayed at UO anywhere from 3-7 days and were never bored. The resorts are beautiful! If you stay at one of the three deluxe resorts you get free express passes which are good for most rides ( only two don’t use EP). And most of the resorts are walkable to the parks. And you can pool hop there!

You don’t have to rope drop- you can sleep in, eat a leisurely breakfast, swim, then go to the parks. Or go to the parks in the morning then swim during the hottest part of the day. It just so much more relaxed than Disney.

We usually do a split stay with Disney and UO, but it is more expensive to do that than to just do one park or the other. The tickets are cheaper if you just do one or the other. The longer the ticket is for, the cheaper it is per day (for either park).

Everyone is different, but we were never bored on our 5-7 day trips to UO. And we never even did Volcano Bay! There’s just less pressure at UO to get things done and it’s more a go with the flow feeling.

I hope you have fun whatever you choose to do!

 

[jdrasin]

I think it’s just a different strokes different folks situation and I agree a lot of them only have 1 or 2 attractions but with the hype it’s getting it’s a bit underwhelming. It’s almost being sold as a “park” when it’s more of an area.

All opinion based of course. I think Universal is awesome and definitely don’t force myself to pick between the two.

I agree about the hype. I know they want to get people to make new trips based on them, but at the end of the day, very few of the new lands really justify the hype. I'm not a Star Wars fan at all, so I won't speak to Battu, but the Wizarding World has been the only land that I/we found to really be engrossing to the level that we've spent many hours many days just walking around it.
And yes, we've found Universal more to my liking, but I'm happy others like Disney. The more they have to compete, the better for all consumers.

Joseph

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

I think their new areas will fix that and not to start a whole tangent lol but I’m not super excited for Super Mario Land, or whatever it’s officially called, it’s a lot of theming. But it just seems like a lot of wasted space. Like 2 attractions?

Pandora, Galaxy’s edge both have only 2 attractions. Toy Story Land really only added two attractions as well.

 

[New Mouse]

Super Nintendo Land I believe is projected to have

Pandora, Galaxy’s edge both have only 2 attractions. Toy Story Land really only added two attractions as well.

2 major attractions and 1 minor one at started as well as an interactive experience around the land.

Thats more than what Disney tends to do these days.

Pandora, Galaxy’s edge both have only 2 attractions. Toy Story Land really only added two attractions as well.

 

[middlechild]

Someday, I hope someone can explain to me the difference in a "park reservation" versus a dated entrance ticket? How many "forever' tickets are still outstanding?
I looked into buying a ticket for the Magic Kingdom at a date that is a couple of weeks out. The sequence to buy a ticket does indeed include selecting at least the starting date:
2-Day Ticket with Admission to 1 Park Per Day
Valid any 2 days from Sun, May 15, 2022 – Wed, May 18, 2022
In this scenario, I am not sure that reservations make any sense. Other than a way to capture off an unused day due to "no reservations, hehehe". Seems to be the potential for long lines at guest services, at least from where i sit.

 

[jade1]

We've had pretty good luck with Park reservations over the last year, but being local and AP it's pretty low pressure. But I would still chose to see it go away. Hardly ever plan until a day or maybe a week before. About the worst luck we have is need to stop into one park to go to the one we want after 2. Usually closer to 4 or 5 though.

However we really like Epcot evenings and that's been very available.

Universal has been on our list a lot though, with no wondering if we will get in. Another park sounds great. More choices.

 

[jade1]

It's pretty common that kids that age may start preferring Univeral as it has bigger thrill rides, but they may still like Disney too. There's no harm in traying it out - maybe do a little of both. Disney does have some new thrill rides coming, like Guardians of the Galaxy and TRON (Guardians is open at the end of May), so your boys may really like those.

What we've been seeing is a lot of our extended family "FINALLY" going to Orlando for vacation. Yes partly because we always go/went and are down there most of the colder months, so some influence for sure.

But we have almost always (lately) recommended US/IOA at first. Mostly because the kids in question have been older and love H Potter. We also know many attractions are more intense, and the whole system is much easier to operate/navigate. Had a group onsite this winter and they crushed it there.

Now we have had a few come back here and there and add in some Disney days and they really love that as well. I mean actual water works.

 

[Dcgc28]

Pandora, Galaxy’s edge both have only 2 attractions. Toy Story Land really only added two attractions as well.

I agree but I added later it’s being sold as a bigger addition than it is.

 

[New Mouse]

I agree but I added later it’s being sold as a bigger addition than it is.

How do you figure?

 

[New Mouse]

Coming soon, vip tickets that allow you to enter any park at any time, no reservations or park hopping restrictions. Add on price of $20 per ticket per day.

Who wants to bet they are setting the stage to offer this new option to improve the guest experience?

 

[Mamabun]

I agree but I added later it’s being sold as a bigger addition than it is.

Maybe I’m misunderstanding, but it seems like you think Super Nintendo Land IS Epic Universe. There are 4 distinct lands and a hub, and Super Nintendo Land is just a fraction of the park. The rumors are that there will be 11-12 rides total (including 4 coasters) to start, and 2 or 3 new shows, plus tons of restaurants, a hotel inside the park, etc. The park will be about a mile down the road from the rest of Universal, and land-wise I believe it pretty much doubles Universal’s acreage. I think it’s fair to sell that as a huge addition.

 

[Dcgc28]

Maybe I’m misunderstanding, but it seems like you think Super Nintendo Land IS Epic Universe. There are 4 distinct lands and a hub, and Super Nintendo Land is just a fraction of the park. The rumors are that there will be 11-12 rides total (including 4 coasters) to start, and 2 or 3 new shows, plus tons of restaurants, a hotel inside the park, etc. The park will be about a mile down the road from the rest of Universal, and land-wise it will be about the size of Universal and IOA combined. I think it’s fair to sell that as a huge addition.

No I’m aware it’s just a land. But it’s been in discussion for so long that when I saw what Japan got, which is I’m assuming what California and Florida will get, it’s my opinion that it was oversold as a huge thing when really it’s just a small addition.

 

[JayMunOne]

I'm confident we will see AP beneficial changes at the parks in 2023. A few reasons:

1. Love him or hate him, Chapek will be the sacrificial lamb and not renewed. Likely shift to more customer focus in kneejerk reaction to all the negative press.

2. 50th will be over.

3. Recession is coming.

 

[Jrb1979]

No I’m aware it’s just a land. But it’s been in discussion for so long that when I saw what Japan got, which is I’m assuming what California and Florida will get, it’s my opinion that it was oversold as a huge thing when really it’s just a small addition.

It is a huge thing. Unlike Japan and California, Florida is also likely getting a Donkey Kong attraction as well.