Hi, Just returned yesterday and did 3 days at both parks.
Loved Return of the Mummy and Back to the future and many others.
Of course Disney and Universal both are way different from each other and both have their own uniqueness BUT I felt that the entrance service should be better at Universal and IOA.
On all three days that I was there, we arrived at 10-11 am, there were only 3/4 entrance lines open with huge lines and it was worse in the evening compared to disneys several entrances open.
When we went back at around 4 pm after a break at the hotel, there was only 2 lines open to enter with terrible huge lines and only 1 person checking bags with a huge line also. If this only happened on one day I would understand but it happened all 3 days so I figured that in the morning they keep 3/4 entrance lines open and in the evening only 2 open with one person checking baggage which is ridiculous because of the long lines of people.
I definitly did see the difference in worker attitudes compared to Disney where I saw more happy and smiling cast members. Didnt have any problems personally but you can tell the difference in service. EX: at entrance a couples card was not working and the lady worker just told them rudely to go to guest services since she has huge lines for people to get in. It was minor stuff but I could tell the difference. Another example was when we got coke at the stand, no thank you or anything and at disney they would say thank you and have a magical day and same thing happened at the pizza place in Universal Studios. I paid and just a sulken face without a thank you.
Also the prices of coke and such are higher at Universal. A coke bottle at a stand near the Mummy ride cost me $2.75 and $2.50 at Disney. The fudge in the Universal Candy store was $3.49 or 6 for 16.XX and at Disney it was $3.00 or $12.XX at Main Street Candy store. Candy Apples were priced differently for different flavors and stared at $3.49 and at Disney they were $2.99 for all flavors. But in fairness the Turkey legs were cheaper in Universal by about $2.00 and also Universal had sales and clearance racks in their stores and Disney did not.
As far as value for the tickets, Yes Universal has great prices like the Kraft deal I had gotten for $89 for 5 days but you can tell the difference in other areas like cleanliness and service with a smile which is worth paying for at Disney parks. Universal also is doing what Six Flags is doing, They are adding things like Rock Climbing for $5.00. I hope they do not add more of these kind of pay for extra fun things.
Also on the Mummy ride, we were in express line when a bunch of teenagers just cut in from the regular line and ran in front of us. I wanted to complain but figured since I have 2 kids with me, I didnt want to pick fights with mean looking teenagers but if I was alone than it is a different story
. So yes there is a way to get from the regular line to the express line in the Mummy ride. It is very easy since it is dark in there. I saw where they cut and it is quite easy. The regulars to that ride probably know where it is also. By the way, This was our favorite ride. We had a blast over and over again with express feature from our hotel room key.
Also it is sad that they took away the whole tour from Nickelodeon studios. Now you go straight to the game.
FYI:
They also do not have front of line privileges for SHREK 4, Nickelodeon Studios, and a dinosaur ride(cannot thing of the name).
Overall the fun cleanliness and service of the employees is better at Disney but the Rides and prices are better at USF/IOA. You can tell the difference for paying the cheaper prices at Universal.
Their hotels are a different story though. Best Customer Service/ Best rooms and best overall themeing.
Just my personal opinion
Loved Return of the Mummy and Back to the future and many others.
Of course Disney and Universal both are way different from each other and both have their own uniqueness BUT I felt that the entrance service should be better at Universal and IOA.
On all three days that I was there, we arrived at 10-11 am, there were only 3/4 entrance lines open with huge lines and it was worse in the evening compared to disneys several entrances open.
When we went back at around 4 pm after a break at the hotel, there was only 2 lines open to enter with terrible huge lines and only 1 person checking bags with a huge line also. If this only happened on one day I would understand but it happened all 3 days so I figured that in the morning they keep 3/4 entrance lines open and in the evening only 2 open with one person checking baggage which is ridiculous because of the long lines of people.
I definitly did see the difference in worker attitudes compared to Disney where I saw more happy and smiling cast members. Didnt have any problems personally but you can tell the difference in service. EX: at entrance a couples card was not working and the lady worker just told them rudely to go to guest services since she has huge lines for people to get in. It was minor stuff but I could tell the difference. Another example was when we got coke at the stand, no thank you or anything and at disney they would say thank you and have a magical day and same thing happened at the pizza place in Universal Studios. I paid and just a sulken face without a thank you.
Also the prices of coke and such are higher at Universal. A coke bottle at a stand near the Mummy ride cost me $2.75 and $2.50 at Disney. The fudge in the Universal Candy store was $3.49 or 6 for 16.XX and at Disney it was $3.00 or $12.XX at Main Street Candy store. Candy Apples were priced differently for different flavors and stared at $3.49 and at Disney they were $2.99 for all flavors. But in fairness the Turkey legs were cheaper in Universal by about $2.00 and also Universal had sales and clearance racks in their stores and Disney did not.
As far as value for the tickets, Yes Universal has great prices like the Kraft deal I had gotten for $89 for 5 days but you can tell the difference in other areas like cleanliness and service with a smile which is worth paying for at Disney parks. Universal also is doing what Six Flags is doing, They are adding things like Rock Climbing for $5.00. I hope they do not add more of these kind of pay for extra fun things.
Also on the Mummy ride, we were in express line when a bunch of teenagers just cut in from the regular line and ran in front of us. I wanted to complain but figured since I have 2 kids with me, I didnt want to pick fights with mean looking teenagers but if I was alone than it is a different story
. So yes there is a way to get from the regular line to the express line in the Mummy ride. It is very easy since it is dark in there. I saw where they cut and it is quite easy. The regulars to that ride probably know where it is also. By the way, This was our favorite ride. We had a blast over and over again with express feature from our hotel room key.Also it is sad that they took away the whole tour from Nickelodeon studios. Now you go straight to the game.
FYI:
They also do not have front of line privileges for SHREK 4, Nickelodeon Studios, and a dinosaur ride(cannot thing of the name).
Overall the fun cleanliness and service of the employees is better at Disney but the Rides and prices are better at USF/IOA. You can tell the difference for paying the cheaper prices at Universal.
Their hotels are a different story though. Best Customer Service/ Best rooms and best overall themeing.
Just my personal opinion
