Looks like Universal win this round

[MakiraMarlena]

Oh no they are not going to get fired. it's just that it seems out of place. I don't know anyone who will be getting all that nostalgic and happy about Avatar as a film. They're going on the fact that the scenery will be nice and there's a conservation message that they believe fits in AK. Not on any fandom or emotional attachment to the movie.

Studios needs some more star wars. But they're going to wait on that.

 

[Murfee17]

This is how it breaks down for us. Just talking about the two adults in our family and not the kids. We go to both all the time. In fact my adrenaline junkie husband on our honeymoon, went for the first time to both.

We love both Uni parks and the 4 Disney parks. Has Universal churned out some spectacular rides(not including Transformers)? We think so! Has Disney been less active and not really introduced anything that tickles our fancy (in quite a few years)? Absolutely!

But here is the but for us, we just feel different in Disney! Yes it is corny, I am aware. But to win 1st place in our heart, Uni needs a little more maybe "magic" (so cliche'). I just feel Disney is a place I want to live and Uni is a place I want to ride some amazing rides.

Oh, and the above is just my opinion, not trying to change anyone else's

 

[MightyGitis]

Oh no they are not going to get fired. it's just that it seems out of place. I don't know anyone who will be getting all that nostalgic and happy about Avatar as a film. They're going on the fact that the scenery will be nice and there's a conservation message that they believe fits in AK. Not on any fandom or emotional attachment to the movie. Studios needs some more star wars. But they're going to wait on that.

When you put it like that it makes a bit more sense. I never considered the conservation aspect.

 

[disney meema]

As far as a complete theme land HP is great, but my vote would be for Carsland at California adventure ... Makes you feel like you walked into the movie ((( Incredible )))

 

[amg35]

Oh no they are not going to get fired. it's just that it seems out of place. I don't know anyone who will be getting all that nostalgic and happy about Avatar as a film. They're going on the fact that the scenery will be nice and there's a conservation message that they believe fits in AK. Not on any fandom or emotional attachment to the movie.

Studios needs some more star wars. But they're going to wait on that.

Personally, I'm excited about Avatarland - not because I was a fan of the movie (never sat through the whole thing) but because of how amazing I think they can make it look. I've read the plans about rides/shows and I think it can truly be wonderful if done right. I mean, glow in the dark plants, night time in Animal Kingdom, floating mountains, bring it on!

After this upcoming trip we didn't plan to go back for quite some time, going to Universal/Harry Potter next year for a couple days, but now will be back at WDW in 2017 for Avatarland. (hopefully)

See, the best of both worlds!

 

[Planogirl]

This is how it breaks down for us. Just talking about the two adults in our family and not the kids. We go to both all the time. In fact my adrenaline junkie husband on our honeymoon, went for the first time to both.

We love both Uni parks and the 4 Disney parks. Has Universal churned out some spectacular rides(not including Transformers)? We think so! Has Disney been less active and not really introduced anything that tickles our fancy (in quite a few years)? Absolutely!

But here is the but for us, we just feel different in Disney! Yes it is corny, I am aware. But to win 1st place in our heart, Uni needs a little more maybe "magic" (so cliche'). I just feel Disney is a place I want to live and Uni is a place I want to ride some amazing rides.

Oh, and the above is just my opinion, not trying to change anyone else's

I would live in either one personally. I'd prefer AKL in WDW and somewhere in the streets of New York in Uni.

 

[AmyB2006]

And Dinosaur at AK IS Indiana Jones from Disneyland. It's the exact same track, with different theming.

Both parks duplicate rides within their own parks. It doesn't make sense, to me, to hold it up as a negative for one park, but not the other.

I have not personally experienced both of those so I guess that's why. I have experienced transformers and Spider-Man. If you say it is the exact same then I agree but at least Disney's exact ride is in a different state not in the same park. . Lol

 

[amg35]

I have not personally experienced both of those so I guess that's why. I have experienced transformers and Spider-Man. If you say it is the exact same then I agree but at least Disney's exact ride is in a different state not in the same park. . Lol

Wait, Spiderman is gone?? Oh, that was our favorite!

Can you tell we haven't been since 2000?

 

[AmyB2006]

Wait, Spiderman is gone?? Oh, that was our favorite!

Can you tell we haven't been since 2000?

I have to be honest I don't know if Spider-Man is gone or not. We went this year for Halloween horror nights. Rode transformers. And I have to correct my earlier statement I just realized. Technically it's not in the same park just next door. Lol

But anyway I do like them both. When my kids get a smidge older I see us hitting up universal more often. I can't wait for the new HP land. I hope the rides are awesome.

 

[Planogirl]

Wait, Spiderman is gone?? Oh, that was our favorite!

Can you tell we haven't been since 2000?

Spiderman is still there....

 

[amg35]

I have to be honest I don't know if Spider-Man is gone or not. We went this year for Halloween horror nights. Rode transformers. And I have to correct my earlier statement I just realized. Technically it's not in the same park just next door. Lol

But anyway I do like them both. When my kids get a smidge older I see us hitting up universal more often. I can't wait for the new HP land. I hope the rides are awesome.

Spiderman is still there....

phew!

I remember when we first went on it, we thought it was sooooo amazing!

 

[Angel Ariel]

I have not personally experienced both of those so I guess that's why. I have experienced transformers and Spider-Man. If you say it is the exact same then I agree but at least Disney's exact ride is in a different state not in the same park. . Lol

They don't feel like the same ride because Indy is just light years better, but they are the same track and the same technology though the cars themselves are obviously programmed to move you differently, as what the cars are "reacting" to is different in both rides.

I guess I just don't get being negative about duplicating in one park, but not another. Theme parks do duplicate rides...I mean, come on, a good portion of MK was duplicated from Disneyland - and the DL originals are better more often than not (Pirates, I'm especially looking at you ).

 

[nugov2]

They don't feel like the same ride because Indy is just light years better, but they are the same track and the same technology though the cars themselves are obviously programmed to move you differently, as what the cars are "reacting" to is different in both rides.

I guess I just don't get being negative about duplicating in one park, but not another. Theme parks do duplicate rides...I mean, come on, a good portion of MK was duplicated from Disneyland - and the DL originals are better more often than not (Pirates, I'm especially looking at you ).

My dh would say WTP, POTC, IASW, HM, PP...basically any ride you sit in a car and see characters moving around acting out a scene while you float/cruise by is exactly the same...even splash mountain he complained when you float past all the stuff I still love them all!

 

[AmyB2006]

They don't feel like the same ride because Indy is just light years better, but they are the same track and the same technology though the cars themselves are obviously programmed to move you differently, as what the cars are "reacting" to is different in both rides.

I guess I just don't get being negative about duplicating in one park, but not another. Theme parks do duplicate rides...I mean, come on, a good portion of MK was duplicated from Disneyland - and the DL originals are better more often than not (Pirates, I'm especially looking at you ).

True. And thank you for presenting a logical argument instead of basically just "shouting" at me, "but what about this but what about that... ". Lol.

I still stand by the basic premise that the two places are just different. I don't think one will ever replace the other. Both will always be favored by one crowd or another. I like universal. I like Disney better. I don't think Universal has "won this round" as OP put it. I guess I don't think there is a round to be won even. It's good that they are both still trying to produce new things.

 

[Murfee17]

I would live in either one personally. I'd prefer AKL in WDW and somewhere in the streets of New York in Uni.

My fantasy home in Disney would be nestled somewhere in Italy or France. I guess you could twist my arm and make me live in Hogsmeade. I wouldn't complain too much.

 

[johde]

So your saying WDW grew 19% from 2004 to 2012 and US/IOA grew 13% from 2004 to 2012.

If my goal was to make Disney look real bad I would have picked

MK
1991 18 Million
2012 17.5 Million

21 Years 2.7% decline.

EPCOT
1991 14.4 Million
2012 11.0 Million

21 years 23% decline in Attendance.

DHS
1994 10.4 Million
2012 10.0 Million

18 years 3.8% decline

DAK
1999 8.6 Million
2012 9.9 Million

13 year 15% increase.

Through 2012, every WDW park except AK was off of it's high attendances in the '90's. It was announced though that for 2013 3 of the 4 parks hit new attendance records.

My point was if you look at the recent history. Disney has been pretty flat since 2008, or in reality 2007. While Universal has been making huge gains during the same period. It's interesting, I was just looking at the "major" theme park additions this century.
Red - "Minor" retheme of existing Attraction

2014 Festival of the Lion King Could switch to Green
2006 Expidition Everest
2002 Primevil Whirl & Triceritop Spin
2001 Mickey's Jungle Jammin Parade

Disney's Hollywood Studios
2011 Star Tours 2.0
2008 Toy Story Midway Mania
2005 Lights Motors Action

EPCOT
2011 Test Track 2.0
2009 Sum of all Thrills
2007 Grand Fiesta Tour with the three Caballero's
2006 The Seas with Nemo and Friends
2005 Soarin'
2004 Turtle Talk with Crush
2003 Mission Space
2002 Journey into Imagination with Figment

Magic Kingdom
2014 7 Drarf's Mine Ride
2014 Festival of Fantasy Parade
2012 Journey of the Little Mermaid
2012 Enchanted Tales with Belle
2012 New Fantasyland and Storybook Circus themed Area
2007 Monster's Inc Laughing Floor
2004 Stitches Great Escape
2003 Mickey's Philharmagic
2003 Wishes
2001 Magic Carpets's of Aladin

Islands of Adventure
2014 Hogwart's Express (Hogmead station) and additional themeing of Hogsmead.
2010 Harry Potter and Forbidden Journey
2010 Dragon Challenge & Flight of the Hippogriph
2010 Hogwart's themes area
2006 High in the Sky Suess Trolly

Universal Studio's
2014 Harry Potter and Escape from Gringotts
2014 Hogwart's Express (London Station)
2014 Diagon Alley and London Waterfront
2013 Kang's and Kodo's and Springfield Retheme
2013 Transformer's
2012 Universal's Cinimatic Spectacular
2012 Dispicable Me Minion Mayhem
2008 Simpson's Ride
2006 Disaster:A motion picture ride starring You
2005 Fearfactor Live
2004 Revenge of the Mummy

At the beginning of this Century, Disney was active with new Attractions and the Attendance figures show it paid dividends. Universal was pretty quiet after opening IOA in 1999 "resting on what they had created" in IOA and the attendance by 2004-2008 suffered because of it. In 2008-2009, Universal decided to get off their duff and it's appears to be paying dividends bringing back a pair of parks. Disney during the same time frame has sat on their laurels and has seen their growth disappear.

Looking ahead over the next 3-4 years at Disney we have Avatarland to look forward to and then maybe further down the road Starwars land.

At Universal, IOA has broken ground for the Return of King Kong probably in 2016. And there are credible rumors of Godzilla coming to USF, Expansion of Jurassic Park with a new ride at IOA, Kid's Zone getting a refresh with New major ride.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

HP is being built right now in Universal Hollywood to be opened in 2016.

That could work for us then. We are looking for Mid November 2015. Even more reason to go then before 2016! Thanks.

 

[Angel Ariel]

True. And thank you for presenting a logical argument instead of basically just "shouting" at me, "but what about this but what about that... ". Lol.

I still stand by the basic premise that the two places are just different. I don't think one will ever replace the other. Both will always be favored by one crowd or another. I like universal. I like Disney better. I don't think Universal has "won this round" as OP put it. I guess I don't think there is a round to be won even. It's good that they are both still trying to produce new things.

Oh I totally agree with the bolded. I don't see Universal as a whole the same way I see Disney, and I probably never will. HP is different to me..that is very Disney-like to me, and does give me that same immersive feeling that I have at Disney. All in all, though, the parks are just very different entities and I enjoy them both for what they are. I don't think there's any need for this whole "which is better" idea.

I was just responding to the idea that Universal just duplicates rides,but Disney doesn't...I think they both do..and that most theme parks do to an extent. I think it's almost inevitable.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

I guess I'm of the opposite opinion of some of the earlier posts. I LOVE LOVE LOVED Avatar as a movie, absolutely one of my faves ever. I saw it 3D no less than 4 times and every time was like a ride. I always said "I wish someone would make an Avatar ride", and talk about Disney reading my mind! Fire that guy?? Give him a medal! I guess people forget that that movie took the world by storm. Besides, Pocahontas in space, its perfect for Disney. I realize that Star Wars also needs a presence and I'm sure they will expand it in the future.

I for one am very very excited for the new expansion. I'm still happy with Star Tours and the new movies so bring on Avatar, I'll be making a trip just for that one. (And hopefully the naysayers will go to US and ride more HP.)

 

[Jennasis]

Ha ha!!! I am neutral....I just like to make sure there is balance..... so sometimes----okay most times I will play devil's advocate. Thanks- I will go on youtube to watch it. Now- I can't argue with you about WDW because it just doesn't seem fair how WDW is last on the list for new exciting rides!!

One more thing- those little goblins that work at the bank are animatronics but because it's Universal it's okay and not passe.

I was surprised Universal used Animatronics in Gringott's. I figured they'd do something..I dunno...more? Different? Like what they have in Hogwarts with the talking pictures or when Harry and the gang show up in D's office. Animatronics aren't impressive anymore wherever they are.