Looks like Universal win this round

[Lisa loves Pooh]

This is exactly why we don't go to Universal. Husband, myself, and oldest son are huge Harry Potter fans. We would love to go and see it all but it would be hard to enjoy it with our youngest three kids. We know there is more for them at Disney and more that they are interested in. We might add Universal into our Disney trips when they're all a little older but for now Disney wins for us.

We did a day at Islands before our cruise in February and a day at Magic Kingdom after.
While my oldest 2 loved all the coasters, my youngest too were too little. We still had an enjoyable day at Islands--we were there specifically for HP. We thought it was GREAT. That said, my son was too short for one ride in HP land. My 3 year old was too short for ALL of those rides. She was also too short for one ride in Seuss land and ALL rides in the rest of the park. (She is a little pop squeak.). She will remain too short for all but that one Seuss ride for the next 3 or 4 years.

We need to remember that both theme parks have their strengths and cater to much different audiences. I think those who get into the this park is better than the other miss the forest for the trees.

And for the time being, our vacation dollars will be focused at Disney so that my 4 year old can enjoy more than 2 or 3 rides for her nearly $100 cost of entry. But we would still be happy to return for a HP fix. Not sure when though since Diagon Alley (or whatever the train ride is called) requires admission to both parks.

I'm sure we are not the only family with this issue. But what I do know is that my kids do look forward to new experiences at Disney they are tall enough to enjoy. So Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Belle were big hits.

 

[jknc]

I think Universal has a edge but you have to remember, disney is way more family friendly than Universal and a fire breathing dragon.

Depends on the age of your kids.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I don't know how to take this. I'm just going to assume this is a random observation/compliment and nothing else.

Uhhhh...yeah. I just saw that you have it listed as an "upcoming trip" and wish I was staying there next month.

I hope I didn't freak you out.

 

[jeffbear]

Worth repeating ... the consumer is the winner when both Parks are churning up good entertainment. That's all that really matters

 

[andyman8]

Uhhhh...yeah. I just saw that you have it listed as an "upcoming trip" and wish I was staying there next month.

I hope I didn't freak you out.

Not at all! Took it the wrong way, that's all. My problem entirely! We are certainly a lucky bunch but it helps that we live in Florida and don't need to pay for airfare and get the FL Resident discount. That said, we leave Friday, so I'm pretty pumped!

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

The new Harry Potter ride and areas completely blow away the Mine Train and actually all of new Fantasyland.

Funny thing is it took about half the time to build and put into operation.

Now...grant you that I haven't been to the HP expansion but I have seen plenty of pictures of it...even new ones posted in this thread. It looks great, but nothing I've seen looks like it "blows away New Fantasyland". NF looks AWESOME and the SDMT will complete the beautiful picture.

It's all subjective, isn't it?

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Not at all! Took it the wrong way, that's all. My problem entirely! We are certainly a lucky bunch but it helps that we live in Florida and don't need to pay for airfare and get the FL Resident discount. That said, we leave Friday, so I'm pretty pumped!

Awesome...have a blast. We stayed at the Poly last year(LOVED IT) and we would walk over to the GF at night and fell in love with it, too. It's on our wish list.

 

[disneymac000]

Can we leave this at some people will get blown away by NFL because thats what they like and some people will get blown away by Diagon Alley because thats what they love and also the fact besides the coaster and the train Universal has been very hush hush about a lot of stuff in Diagon Alley unlike Disney and NFL so the fact is the less hype around something the more like people will blown away when they see it making the entire conversation already unfair.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I'm more excited about Universal's upgrades (Diagon Alley and Springfield) than I am about anything Disney has churned out lately (including all of NFL). HOWEVER, I still love Disney, just bought DVC and am hopeful that Disney will wake the heck up shortly and give the people what they want...more attractions. Our plan is to use our DVC as a home base and to do some trips without going into a Disney park at all.

HP is not a flash in the pan anymore than Star Wars is. I have faith that Disney has big in-park plans for Star wars, so I am looking forward to an announcement probably at next year's D23, preceeding the release of the film.

I agree 100% (except that we didn't just buy DVC ). DH has always preferred Universal to Disney. I still prefer Disney but have a great time at Universal. And my kids and I LOVE HP, so it is so exciting to see Universal continue to expand the HP world. Cannot wait to see Diagon Alley and Gringott's! I am sure I will be reading the HP books out loud to my grandchildren - they are here to stay.

We are not big Star Wars or Avatar fans, but I am still looking forward to seeing what Disney comes up with. And we have not been to WDW for two years, so I am excited to explore the parts of NFL that we haven't seen.

My kids are 15 and 11, so they have just recently grown into the big coasters at Universal. But they have loved Seuss Landing, Curious George, ET and Woody Woodpecker since they were in strollers.

 

[sethschroeder]

Sethschroeder...could you clarify what you are saying here...I'm sorry I keep re-reading it and I still don't get it. I love the rest of your post, tough.

1.) Do I think it would be nice to have Harry Potter at Disney? Yes
2.) Would I take Harry Potter if it means extra crowd? No

If Disney were to add Harry Potter for instance (if they had the chance) it would have only driven up their attendance even faster.

Solution:
Have Harry Potter down the road where you can split of a day or a partial stay if you want to catch Harry Potter.

PS - I like additional areas and rides but Harry Potter is more trouble than its worth with attendance it can drive in the next 5 years.

 

[Iowajes]

Harry Potter at Universal Studios looks absolutely amazing. But it seems to be pretty much all coaster based. As someone with a severe neck injury history, I can't ride any of the three rides they have there. I'm not sure if they plan on putting any "family" rides in (and I don't count the train to the other park). So basically it boils down to just walking around and looking at the shops, and I'd rather read the books.

Universal Studios (Islands of Adventure especially) fits a great niche for those who want thrill rides. There are a few at Disney but thrill rides isn't really what Disney does.

But really, I think gains for either park are gains for both. Many many people come to Orlando because they can do both (and Sea World). That's what makes Orlando a destination. There is stuff for everybody.

 

[luisov]

I usually support Disney over Universal, but I agree with this one. New Fantasyland was not exactly well executed. They limited their budget a lot, they branded the area as a princess M&G, and overall, they didn't exploit all of the potential of creating a brand new land at MK.

I particularly agree that the WWoHP is great. The level of detail, the attractions, the merchandise... Everything is beautiful. However, I feel like WWoHP >>>>> the rest of Universal.

I'm not a big fan of simulator/screen combos, but overall I think Universal has done a wonderful job with WWoHP. Let's hope Avatarland and other future projects at WDW are just as good as classic Disney innovation.

 

[Kate and Family]

When will the New Harry Potter area be open? Wondering how that will affect the crowds at WDW.
Wouldn't mind if it decreased crowds for the latter September, early October time frame.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

Harry Potter at Universal Studios looks absolutely amazing. But it seems to be pretty much all coaster based. As someone with a severe neck injury history, I can't ride any of the three rides they have there. I'm not sure if they plan on putting any "family" rides in (and I don't count the train to the other park).

Forbidden Journey, which is already open in Hogsmeade at IOA, isn't a coaster. It's a motion simulator. Not sure if the neck injury would prevent you from riding it, though. But walking through the castle is amazing in itself.

In the new Diagon Alley area, Gringotts has a lower height requirement than Forbidden Journey, so it should be more family friendly

Personally I'm excited to see both Diagon Alley and the rest of New Fantasyland. With the improvements at both parks, it's an exciting time for Orlando!

 

[jade1]

Looks like WE win this round.

WDW this year, Universal and RC cruise next year, then Avatarland in a few years...yep, I think that goes in the win column.

Exactly-let them both spend billions on us, more the better so who cares.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think the fact that New Fantasyland was built in two stages really hurt in terms of perception anyway.

If everything had opened at once, let's say this summer (ETWB, Little Mermaid, BOG, Gaston's, Mine Train), it would have gotten a much better reception. More "wow" factor.

Instead, they opened most of it two years ago and then there was a construction site in the middle of it for the next two years. Then they open the coaster, which is a kiddie coaster by design, two years later.

Which is fine, it's done, who cares, but they didn't get the momentum that Universal got by building the whole land at once.

 

[jeffbear]

I particularly agree that the WWoHP is great. The level of detail, the attractions, the merchandise... Everything is beautiful. However, I feel like WWoHP >>>>> the rest of Universal.
.

Agree. It's a whole different level than the rest of those parks. I like the Seuss and Simpsons areas there and the coasters are fine, but the Potter stuff is a whole new ball game for Universal.

One thing bugs me about Hogsmeade though. The walking areas and stores are so doggone narrow and cramped that it feels even more crowded than it actually is most of the time. I do not like that aspect of that area at all. I know that's what Jo Rowling wanted but she's a bloody writer, not a theme park architect.

Just sayin .. WWOHP is great but it's not perfect either.

 

[Love Tink]

My kids are 15 and 11, so they have just recently grown into the big coasters at Universal. But they have loved Seuss Landing, Curious George, ET and Woody Woodpecker since they were in strollers.

Ssssh! You're not supposed to mention that stuff! We're supposed to all just accept that Universal is "all about thrill rides" (I guess because they have three big outdoor coasters...in two parks). Don't discuss the entire Dr. Suess area (with five rides), the three different kid play areas, the Barney show, meeting the Marvel characters...

One thing bugs me about Hogsmeade though. The walking areas and stores are so doggone narrow and cramped that it feels even more crowded than it actually is most of the time. I do not like that aspect of that area at all. I know that's what Jo Rowling wanted but she's a bloody writer, not a theme park architect.

Perhaps you could feel the same level of immersion if you walked into the Harry Potter shops and they felt like Target. But most of us couldn't. I've always been quite impressed that Universal and Rowling agreed to keep the space feeling the way it has to feel to be truly immersive and authentic, even if it doesn't help with crowd flow. I think it's pretty perfect.

 

[rastuso]

I never understand people saying they don't hit Universal because their youngest is too small. That's just dumb. That likely means your oldest is getting bored with a lot of WDW, and they would very well LOVE Universal. And Uni has plenty of little kid stuff. But yeah, kids hate the minions, and Dr, Seuss.

I rarely read anyone say they have all older kids, so they simply don't do Disney. The anti-Uni folks are just purposefully limiting their fun in Orlando. And for what purpose? My brother never hits Uni, yet his daughters are HUGE Potter fans. I don't get it.

-Jason

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Ssssh! You're not supposed to mention that stuff! We're supposed to all just accept that Universal is "all about thrill rides" (I guess because they have three big outdoor coasters...in two parks). Don't discuss the entire Dr. Suess area (with five rides), the three different kid play areas, the Barney show, meeting the Marvel characters...

How could I forget the Barney show? For a while, I knew every line of that show after seeing it so many times. My DDs loved the little play area after the show and also meeting Barney. Kind of glad they have grown out of that, though.

Storm force accelatron is basically the same as the tea cup ride, just themed more superhero. DD11 is bummed that she is too tall for pteranodon flyers now. They both like the animal actors show and the Fear Factor show (eww). Flight of the Hippogriff is better than Barnstormer and Woody Woodpecker is about the same as Barnstormer. MIB is very similar to Buzz Lightyear, but DD11 does find it creepy. Anything with minions is tops for DD11, though.

We have always found plenty to do at WDW and Universal no matter how old the kids are. I'm just glad they both keep bringing us new things.