Looks like Universal win this round

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

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.

Oh okay...that makes sense. My only disagreement with that reasoning is about the crowd levels. Except for the MK, crowds at the other three parks are extremely manageable(and sometimes non-existent). EPCOT used to have 14 million visitors a year at one time...now it barely has 11 million. DHS could have used something like Potter big-time.

But I get what you're saying...you want to enjoy Disney without the crowds and journey over to Universal to check out HP. The only problem with *that* is that if Disney doesn't have "crowds" it will eventually shut down. It's way too expensive to operate without 'em.

 

[surferdave]

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

As the oldest of 3 siblings by more than 5 years I have to say that this thread is resurfacing my repressed memories as a tweener & teen of having to do all vacations that mainly entertained a preschooler! Your job as the oldest child is definitely to be patient while the younger ones are entertained, and if you're not the squeaky wheel that probably means all the time. I'll bet nobody is more sad to see the FP+ limits on the tiny number of thrill rides at WDW than the teenagers who can't go to Uni or Bucsh Gardens because their younger siblings still enjoy the WDW dark rides.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

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

I have gone twice with pre-schoolers. I would rather the older kid bored than the youngest. But for us, the oldest is NOT actually bored. We don't not to Universal for that specifically, however--when we do not wish to split up as a family all day, it is unfair to the one child to force them to just do nothing until we get to Seuss land. For us, there simply isn't enough attractions the youngest can do and she is old enough to realize that she isn't getting to do much. HP was very important to us, so we did go, but eventually the youngest and I spent a lot of time riding Cat in the Hat over and over again. Delightful, but I do prefer more variety for $200. But we manage within the parameters of our height issues.

It is more likely that my oldest will have a good time at Disney doing a lot than my youngest will have at Universal riding very little and waiting most of the time. So we choose accordingly.

 

[clsteve]

As the oldest of 3 siblings by more than 5 years I have to say that this thread is resurfacing my repressed memories as a tweener & teen of having to do all vacations that mainly entertained a preschooler! Your job as the oldest child is definitely to be patient while the younger ones are entertained, and if you're not the squeaky wheel that probably means all the time. I'll bet nobody is more sad to see the FP+ limits on the tiny number of thrill rides at WDW than the teenagers who can't go to Uni or Bucsh Gardens because their younger siblings still enjoy the WDW dark rides.

Yep, been there....

There's nothing like being a 15 year-old boy forced onto IASW, hoping and praying the soundtrack breaks, or one of the donkeys in the Mexico scene goes on a berserk rampage and has to be put down by a CM, or there's at least a cute girl in the next row to distract you from the pain.......

 

[nickcapp]

We're fans of both. Prefer to stay onsite at disneyworld and moonlight to universal every other trip.

One thing I will say that has made me think twice about universal is that we had to be patted down and examined with metal detector wands prior to the halloween event this past october.

Hey, I know its for my protection, but it certainly did no leave me with a warm and fuzzy feeling. Says a lot about the target audience.

Event was great though, went off without a hitch and we'll likely go back.

 

[jmulvaney]

My teenage kids (17 & 19) would choose US over WDW any day. While DD still likes WDW too, DS does not. I really enjoy both parks a lot for what they each have to offer.

 

[Hannathy]

I'm just glad that Universal got Harry Potter because they did something with it!!! Disney would have screwed it up I'm sure.

Look what they have done with Star Wars!! They have had that how long and all they've managed to do is 1 simulator ride and a gift shop?
They should be ashamed of themselves. To have a wonderful story like that with the mass of fans and not just kids, adults spend tons of money on Star Wars, and only do 1 lousy simulator ride and a bland gift shop. The rides and themeing they could have done, could have been amazing. Absolutely amazing.

Oh well Disney keep building more meet and greets, yep go after the cheapest possible way to add attractions.- Those college kids are dirt cheap.

 

[Planogirl]

I can only hope that somehow Disney is now motivated to do something amazing with Avatar and later Star Wars. They have been uninspiring at best lately and this FP+ business certainly doesn't excite us.

We do love Universal though and it's nice to see so many positive things happening there. I agree with those who say that this is likely to be a win-win for everyone in the long run.

 

[Planogirl]

We're fans of both. Prefer to stay onsite at disneyworld and moonlight to universal every other trip.

One thing I will say that has made me think twice about universal is that we had to be patted down and examined with metal detector wands prior to the halloween event this past october.

Hey, I know its for my protection, but it certainly did no leave me with a warm and fuzzy feeling. Says a lot about the target audience.

Event was great though, went off without a hitch and we'll likely go back.

I found that odd too. I was told by someone that they're trying to avoid any bad situation from locals by catching the bad element before it has a chance to start trouble. It reminds of the stories we always heard about a certain group causing trouble at Pleasure Island back in the day.

Who really knows though?

 

[CalSea12]

Honestly WDW takes it for me. I enjoy the characters more, as does my 2 yo. We love the whole being immersed in WDW, something I personally dont feel at Universal. I was thinking about possibly taking a day away from Disney and going to US this trip. Sadly what did I find, practically nothing kid friendly, that is worth anything. My DD would be bored. Now if me and DH ever go alone, or once my DD is tall enough, heck yes I will add a day or two of US. The fact of the matter is WDW is all age friendly, where US really is not.

 

[cel_disney]

We have been to universal twice with kids...our youngest was 1 and 2 on those trips....it was dreadful for my youngest when she was two because she was VERY short still and was soooo sad she couldn't go on so many of the rides (she was not 34inches tall etc). When she was 1, she didnt care as much and was more easily occupied by the colored decor etc when her brother went on a ride...

We are HUGE potter fans, but we won't be going back for a few years to allow everyone to grow some more...

I am sure when they are both over 10 we will spend more days there than we would now...

To be honest - I think those saying to go at any age have not tried to take a two year old before....

 

[jeffbear]

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.

Yeah. There's immersion and then there's not being able to turn around without making physical contact with a stranger. I'm for slightly less authenticity when it services a bit of practicality. My daughter has a bit of social anxiety disorder and won't go back to Hogsmeade despite being the biggest Potterhead I know.

Nothing is for everyone, but she rarely has issues at Disney parks.

 

[elyse43230]

Snow White is timeless... Harry Potter is not. I think it's a huge expansion for a dying franchise.

In a short decade that entire area will be as relevant as Beetlejuice and Fantasyland will still be timeless.

But at the end of the day, I don't think it's worth it to compare them since most people just do both anyways (a few days at USF and the rest at Disney World).

 

[surferdave]

Snow White is timeless... Harry Potter is not. I think it's a huge expansion for a dying franchise.

What are your opinions on Avatar?

 

[4minutesflorida]

I'm a Universal passholder (and WDW) so I enjoy those parks. But I'm getting rather sick of roller coasters and screen simulators. What I love most about Disney are the detailed dark rides with the animatronics and the amazing sets. There isn't a single ride in Universal that can compete with something like Haunted Mansion, Pirates or Spaceship earth.

And chalk me up as someone who has never been impressed by Harry Potter land. The ride is nauseating and not worth the wait in line (which you can't bypass with the express pass). I've never stepped foot into any of the stores more than once because of how cramped they are. And the whole area is my least favorite themed land in the islands of adventure. Usually walk right past it without doing anything.

 

[Jennasis]

Snow White is timeless... Harry Potter is not. I think it's a huge expansion for a dying franchise.

In a short decade that entire area will be as relevant as Beetlejuice and Fantasyland will still be timeless.

But at the end of the day, I don't think it's worth it to compare them since most people just do both anyways (a few days at USF and the rest at Disney World).

Puh-lease....Harry Potter will continue to enjoy the same cult following as Star Wars. It's already timeless.

 

[Hannathy]

Snow White is timeless... Harry Potter is not. I think it's a huge expansion for a dying franchise.

In a short decade that entire area will be as relevant as Beetlejuice and Fantasyland will still be timeless.

Hardly! Harry Potter to my DD's generation is more well known than Snow White! It is their snow white etc. Harry Potter has been going strong for over 15 yrs already and the Potter fans are not letting up.

Comparing it to Beetle juice is not appropriate. Beetle juice never had the following that Potter does. Compare it to Star Wars if you want to compare it to anything.

Disney is missing the boat with Avatarland. If they wanted to attract a genuine "fandom" and attract a mass following they should have down something with Star Wars.

 

[Networth]

Having been to both too many times to count(born and raised Floridan)

Universal is a day or two.
WDW is a week+ vacation.

People that compare the two are a little off to me. But hey that's why everyone gets an opinion.

And yes US defiantly has a different demographic than Disney hence the TSA like security.

 

[prudence64]

Didn't enjoy our only trip to IOA but will try universal again In a few years when my daughter is at least 48" tall and if she turns out to like roller coasters and such. Right now, it would be largely a waste for us. The theming does look very impressive, however.

 

[Kellykins1218]

It is more likely that my oldest will have a good time at Disney doing a lot than my youngest will have at Universal riding very little and waiting most of the time. So we choose accordingly.

We went with young kids and it was awful. They could ride very little and had to watch everyone else going off to have fun. Plus, our group had to split up constantly. At DW, even the youngest can ride almost everything and isn't stuck riding the same ride over and over. A few rides and an outdated show does not make Universal a family park.