Oh No They Didn't !

[Sylvester McBean]

All of you guys make excelent point, i have never been to universal, but what has unverisal have in there record books. Maybe unverisal is jelous of disney, you never know.

if you've never been to UO, you certainly can't comment on the state of their parks, resorts, or restaurants.

 

[nicurn]

haha, i guess somebody lost there ear and made a joke out of it. but what is the yellow in his mouth, a disney rain poncho. yeah that cute in an evil way

rofl, those pictures are hysterical! So, does this mean that y'all hated shrek because last time I checked it was poking fun at disney every chance it got. (and personally I loved the movie). as for the comparison chart on the universal webpage, exactly how is it "bashing" disney? it's a comparison chart! The tv ad is also hysterical by the way. I am a disney fan, but I'd go to universal, the price is worth it as compared to disney. maggie

 

[mill4023]

Hmmm. I'm paying $160 next week. Well worth it for a deluxe resort and express access!!!

Yes, I know there are good deals, especially for AP holders. But in general, the Universal resorts are very expensive for what you get. We paid $220 last May at RPR and although the FOTL was very much worth the cost, the hotel itself was very disappointing. For this March, the cheapest we can get lat time I checked was close to $250. Don't get me wrong, I'm not comparing Universal resorts to Disney resorts. The point was just that Disney offers free FP's to all guests, even those who are paying $50/night at an offsite Marriott.

Even though I'm a huge Disney fan, I don't understand how easily offended some people are by things like this. As far as I'm concerned, it's just good business to advertise those areas where you have an advantage over the competition. Especially if you are the underdog and you're trying to gain some market share from the leaders.

 

[damo]

Yes, I know there are good deals, especially for AP holders. But in general, the Universal resorts are very expensive for what you get. We paid $220 last May at RPR and although the FOTL was very much worth the cost, the hotel itself was very disappointing. For this March, the cheapest we can get lat time I checked was close to $250. Don't get me wrong, I'm not comparing Universal resorts to Disney resorts. The point was just that Disney offers free FP's to all guests, even those who are paying $50/night at an offsite Marriott.

Even though I'm a huge Disney fan, I don't understand how easily offended some people are by things like this. As far as I'm concerned, it's just good business to advertise those areas where you have an advantage over the competition. Especially if you are the underdog and you're trying to gain some market share from the leaders.

Normal lines should run a lot faster at Universal now that express passes are very limited. Most of the rides are set up for double loading systems and in the past the one side was used only for express passes. This was not creating the capacity that the rides were designed for. People without express passes should get to ride a lot more quickly now than they did before. Many attractions at Universal don't need express because they are audience attractions instead of individual ride systems.

Time will tell.

There are also a lot of really good deals at the hotels for AAA users. You get discounts throughout the parks as well.

 

[mill4023]

Normal lines should run a lot faster at Universal now that express passes are very limited. Most of the rides are set up for double loading systems and in the past the one side was used only for express passes. This was not creating the capacity that the rides were designed for. People without express passes should get to ride a lot more quickly now than they did before. Many attractions at Universal don't need express because they are audience attractions instead of individual ride systems.

Time will tell.

There are also a lot of really good deals at the hotels for AAA users. You get discounts throughout the parks as well.

The prices I mentioned were AAA rates.

We could spend all day having the express/wait times discussion, but I won't believe the regular lines will move faster until I see it. From what I've heard so far, it sounds like lines have been just as long. I think a lot more people are going to buy the express passes and if I'm right, the lines will still run basically the same way they do now. The only difference will be that it costs more. In any case, I don't particularly care how long the regular lines were before because if free express was available, I would have used it.

Anyway, I didn't mean to begin a discussion on the merits of FP / Express systems. I was just pointing out one area where Disney has a big advantage IMO. I guess I'm still irritated that we bought our US tickets when free Express was still being advertised as a great feature, then they took it away. I thought about biting the bullet and staying at US for a night, but there is nothing available at any of the resorts for the night we need.

 

[CPM]

We went to Universal once - hated it.
They didn't compare that the citywalk feels like a street fair with the arcade/
play and win prizes games all over.
Universal has 2 parks which can be done in a day.
Has 3 resorts, of which the "club level"(we were upgraded at check-in)
felt like anything but "exclusive".
Funny, all this makes me appreciate Disney even more!

I honestly don't see how anyone could possibly do both parks in a day, unless maybe you started at opening, had unlimited express passes and stayed until a late closing. This certainly wouldn't be enjoyable for anyone.

The arcade and win games are only in one section of Citywalk, near the resort boat docks. My kids love it!! Gives them something to do. Not much else for young kids to do at PI or Citywalk.

Club level, at RPR, they knew us by name, made all our dining arrangements, checked on our rooms, sent us a thank you afterwards. NEVER had this level of service at any Disney conciege. These are Loew's resorts, one of the top luxury chain hotels in the country. Maybe the Poly or AKL comes close.
Also, you can take bottled waters and other beverages out of the club lounges unlike most Disney concierges.

I enjoy Disney and it's Magic just as much as the next person, but it's so nice to have a great alternative like US/IOA to enjoy as well.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

The prices I mentioned were AAA rates.

We could spend all day having the express/wait times discussion, but I won't believe the regular lines will move faster until I see it. From what I've heard so far, it sounds like lines have been just as long. I think a lot more people are going to buy the express passes and if I'm right, the lines will still run basically the same way they do now. The only difference will be that it costs more. In any case, I don't particularly care how long the regular lines were before because if free express was available, I would have used it.

Anyway, I didn't mean to begin a discussion on the merits of FP / Express systems. I was just pointing out one area where Disney has a big advantage IMO. I guess I'm still irritated that we bought our US tickets when free Express was still being advertised as a great feature, then they took it away. I thought about biting the bullet and staying at US for a night, but there is nothing available at any of the resorts for the night we need.

I've been on record many times in the UO forums that the removal of the free Express Passes is the greatest disservice the parks has ever done to their guests. the standby lines are actually longer now. weekend or quick weekday visitors like us now suffer at the expense of resort guests. our benefit is we're there in an hour and can afford a few waits before we head home. tourism is alive and well again, so the deals just aren't there. the best resident rate offered at the WDW values right now is $79.00. if we're staying overnight, I'd rather pay $149.00 at the RPR and stay in a AAA 4 diamond resort with FOTL. they're much nicer resorts than the contemporary or the poly.

 

[Freyja]

grow up and open your mind. there's more to life than just WDW.

This is like joining a Christian message board and saying you believe in Allah!

 

[allie&mattsmom]

I don't see anything wrong with it. We love Universal. We were just there in October. We won't go as often as we do to WDW however, but it is great fun for a change of pace!

 

[Andrea]

lol last time we went and that was the first time we have been in years and years

we just went to Universal and seaworld and no disney parks... oops lol

 

[ChrisFL]

We went to Universal once - hated it.
They didn't compare that the citywalk feels like a street fair with the arcade/
play and win prizes games all over.
Universal has 2 parks which can be done in a day.
Has 3 resorts, of which the "club level"(we were upgraded at check-in)
felt like anything but "exclusive".

Funny, all this makes me appreciate Disney even more!

play and win prize games all over? I've never seen these, unless you mean the ones like Disney's Boardwalk has...yeah there's a couple of those...just like at Boardwalk...I wouldn't call it "all over" in the least.

Sigh, some people never learn to respect other places and all they can do is bash away...

 

[ChrisFL]

Also, someone said that Dinosaur and The Mummy should be considered the same...no, not in the least.

The Mummy IS a TRUE rollercoaster, meaning that at one part of the ride, there is no pushing of the vehicle, it is using gravity to "roll" it along, hence the name.

 

[Planogirl]

The Mummy blows Dinosaur out of the water but then Dinosaur is just a lousy copy of the wonderful Indiana Jones ride in Disneyland. I REALLY wish that Disney would build Indy in Florida.

My son and I love both resorts and we split our time equally between them now. Of course, Universal is smaller but we personally enjoy riding certain rides over and over again so it equals out. The Citywalk restaurants are superior to those in Downtown Disney IMO but the Marketplace has superior shopping. I do think that the Loew's hotels are far superior to the Disney hotels and that's always been true whether they're on Universal property or not.

I think that it's great to enjoy them both. We can go to Disney and enjoy the pixie dust and mostly more child-like fun. Then we go over to Universal and enjoy their more adventurous spirit. It's like two vacations in one IMO.

Oh, the commercials don't bother me at all, as a matter of fact I think that they're funny. I hope that Disney jumps on that bandwagon and starts poking a bit more at Universal (like they did with some of The Incredibles stuff).

 

[Quiksilver45]

There should be something where mickey mouse and woody woodpecker fight, but they wouldnt do that cuz obviously woody woodpecker would win, peckin mickeys eyes out.

 

[Sandcass]

There should be something where mickey mouse and woody woodpecker fight, but they wouldnt do that cuz obviously woody woodpecker would win, peckin mickeys eyes out.

And, hate to tell ya, but Fiona could take on any Disney Princess, any day!

 

[Aimeedyan]

I was told that the marketing company that designed these Universal commercials were the Disney marketers that were fired Funny how that happens! Disney ticks people off and they run to the competition and do a great job of creating competition.

I think Universal keeps Disney on their toes - esp in the technology dept. Right now, Universal is far ahead in that game and winning by a long shot. We visit Disney often, I have family that work there, we itch to get back but there is no comparison between the quality of technologically advanced attractions. Let's just hope Disney gets into the game at some point - it'd make it even better! =)

 

[ilovepcot]

Just now took a look and it "appears" to me that Universal is just telling it like it is. Plain and simple.

 

[dbarker]

I have nothing against Universal. I don't even have an opinion of them since I have never been there. And, I probably never will go there since their main draw seems to be big thrill rides. I have Six Flags 100 miles from my house.

However, I think the advertising is horrible. They are telling my why I should visit them instead of WDW, but they do not tell me why I should visit them instead of Six Flags. IMHO if you are going to compare yourself to major competitors, include more than one competitor.

 

[Planogirl]

I have nothing against Universal. I don't even have an opinion of them since I have never been there. And, I probably never will go there since their main draw seems to be big thrill rides. I have Six Flags 100 miles from my house.

Universal is no more all big thrill rides than Disney is all kiddie rides. Universal has three actual big coasters (if you count both sides of Dueling Dragons) and one mini-coaster. It is NOT like Six Flags.

I don't understand why people make these assumptions about Universal when they really don't know what it's all about. I see frustration when people post about others thinking inaccurate things about WDW so often and it amazes me that I see it done to Universal on a regular basis.

 

[VSL]

Since when is Pixar stuff (ie, 'Monster's, Inc.') 'Yesterday's Classic Fairytales'?!

I like US/IOA but they don't compare to WDW, IMO.