Oh No They Didn't !

[ChrisFL]

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.

If you think Six Flags compares in ANY way to Universal, then you're greatly mistaken. There is nothing they have similar besides a couple of big rollercoasters. Other than that the theming of Universal not only outdoes them by a mile (seeing as Six Flags is an AMUSEMENT PARK and not a THEME PARK)....but actually outdoes some of Disney as well.

Universal is SO MUCH more than thrill rides, but unfortunately in order to distance themselves from WDW, they have to advertise that fact, as that is the one thing they can say is totally different. The rest you cannot merely explain, you have to see it for yourself.

I really don't understand why people continue to insist that Universal is anything at all like Six Flags if they've never been there...it's the most perposterous thing

 

[CPM]

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.

True. Nine out often times when people slame Universal, they have never been there. Amazes me.

 

[Robinrs]

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.

I cannot tell you how ignorant that statement is.... and when I say ignorant I mean from the latin "those who do not know -- "ignoramus"

I live near and get FREE tickets to Six Flags Over Georgia. Comparing Universal to them is like comparing the neighbors dog yard to the Bronx Zoo....

Why bother comparing them to a neighborhood park???? They want the person who chose to vacation in Orlando!

I've always felt the need to defend Universal but I refuse to do it anymore. It's like the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, you can visit and tour BOTH. No one compares them.

I prefer Universal but that is ME. That is MY CHOICE. I obviously do not mind being around Disneyphites because I frequent this board and KNOW I'm outnumbered. I appreciate what they love and will never put them down for it.

Marketing Universal is a different ballgame than marketing Disney. Disney does not have to market to outside groups, they already have a very loyal clientele who have memories from childhood. Universal is the red headed step child in Orlando and YES, they do have to convince those people that there is an option. My son rolled when he saw the little girl talk about the princesses because he told me that he thought the Magic Kingdom was very "girly". I reminded him about Alien Encounter and the Mountain rides so he straightened up. Just as Universal, as seen from a distance, is considered a "thrill ride" park, it's ONE aspect of it but not the entire story.

Some people feel the need to bash something in order to feel loyal to another. If that were the case I guess I'd have to be bashing Atlanta to stay loyal to New York...

 

[MUFFYCAT]

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.

That's exactly what Universal reminded me - Six Flags Park. We have 2 that we can drive to in the NY/NJ area. Why go to Florida for another one?

 

[ChrisFL]

Please tell me what Six Flags park looks like this:

Then there's the incredible food at the best theme park restaurant in the world, the unique custom handcrafted jewelry and windchimes, armory with unique medieval weapons, chess sets, etc. and attractions that you won't find anything like at Disney (Spiderman and Poseidon's Fury to name two)

 

[MUFFYCAT]

No wait, Universal does have the Lucille Ball musuem/house. That was good,
but it took less than a hour to see everything.
We did the 2 parks in a day and half tops. We spent the rest of day in the pool, then checked out a day early. My kids were too big for the Cat in the Hat rides.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

That's exactly what Universal reminded me - Six Flags Park. We have 2 that we can drive to in the NY/NJ area. Why go to Florida for another one?

yes, Universal is just another Six Flags. you're absolutely correct. now I need to go hurl.

 

[ChrisFL]

Im 27 and Im not too old or big for the Cat in the Hat...it's awesome

 

[CathrynRose]

Please tell me what Six Flags park looks like this:

((((many wonderful pictures edited out))))


Then there's the incredible food at the best theme park restaurant in the world, the unique custom handcrafted jewelry and windchimes, armory with unique medieval weapons, chess sets, etc. and attractions that you won't find anything like at Disney (Spiderman and Poseidon's Fury to name two)

I agree. I said earlier in this thread, my first trip to Islands the year it opened, had me looking around and thinking "Disney better take note!!!" Uni and Islands are amazing, beautiful parks!!

I did want to ask you - what "best restaurant" is this? Thanks!!!

Now again - never get me wrong - I adore Disney. if I *had* to pick one or the other - I'd pick Disney...but the fact of the matter is, I dont have to pick! And UNI & IOA are worth going to!!! AND our whole family is thrilled that this years trip will include a visit to both!

 

[CathrynRose]

Im 27 and Im not too old or big for the Cat in the Hat...it's awesome

2nd this!!! When I went with my MOm and kids - the first year it opened - My Mom, who was 50 (??? ish) at the time, and I were giggling like kids! It was too fun and CUTE!

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I did want to ask you - what "best restaurant" is this? Thanks!!!

Mythos at IOA. voted the best theme park restaurant in the world for 3 years running.

 

[CathrynRose]

Mythos at IOA. voted the best theme park restaurant in the world for 3 years running.

Thanks!

You know, we almost ate there one year and for some reason just didnt ...maybe we will give it a shot in September! Thank you!!

 

[In a hurry]

I loved the original Universal, and I have learned to really like the one in Orlando! I had to quit comparing them! I think the ads are a hoot, even though my favorite parks are still those at Disney.

A sense of humor and a bit of perspective go a long way in life! I can't for the life of me see getting all in a tizzy about a theme park ad!

Comparing to Six Flags really just shows a bias to begin with, because they are in no way similar.

 

[mickeysgal]

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...

Not only the Boardwalk area, but lets not forget the very defined fairway area of Animal Kingdom.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

Not only the Boardwalk area, but lets not forget the very defined fairway area of Animal Kingdom.

no, we have to forget Dinoland. it's too much like Six Flags.

 

[MagicalMom]

I could be wrong, but wasn't Mythos (located in IOA) voted the number 1# best themed resturant in the US? Hardly a Six Flags.


****edited to add**** Duh! Now I see that was already mentioned.

 

[MagicalMom]

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 don't remember any play & win games.

 

[ead79]

I’m not a huge Universal fan (as I already mentioned many of their rides are too intense for my tastes—I get motion sickness and am also a ride weenie in general, LOL!). However, I think it’s just plain silly to compare it to a Six Flags. Let’s just say that we refer to our local Six Flags (Six Flags over Georgia) as the armpit of the south. Universal’s theming is far superior to that. I must say from the pictures that it looks like Universal did a much better job with the elaborate theming at IOA than at Universal Studios. It looks really pretty. Our friends told us as much—that Universal Studios was just OK in terms of theming, but that IOA reminded them a lot of Disney with more thrill rides. I think that competition is a good thing for both parks. I have my preference based on my own vacation needs/desires, and so do other folks. You don’t have to hate one to love the other.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

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 suppose a person could GO to two parks in a day, but there isn't any way to do everything they have to do in a day. I can't do it in two.

No club level is exclusive. At Universal and at WDW and at almost every single hotel in the world, they let in anyone who pays for it. If all you need to do to get in is pay for it, it isn't exclusive.

The Universal hotels are gorgeous. Disney does not beat them on this count.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

(Quotes Sylvester McBean, "grow up an open your mind, there is more to life than just WDW") ...This is like joining a Christian message board and saying you believe in Allah!

I think I can attest to the fact that Sylvester won't be joining a Christian message board and saying that he believes in Allah!

Sorry, couldn't resist!