Oh No They Didn't !

[CPM]

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!!

If it's ever open at night while you're there, go at night. It's so cool and you get such a nice view of the park all lit up.
food's yummy too!!

 

[ChrisFL]

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.

from the outside that is true, and it's because that Universal was built to look like a movie studio to begin with. However on many attractions, once you get inside, there is a lot of theming...especially on E.T., The Mummy (and several interactive places when you're in line also!), and MIB (where they have the actual alien "lizards" talking to you just like in the movies).

The premise of both theme parks is totally different, US is to ride the movies where IOA is to experience a totally unique set of lands. Universal really put a ton of work at IOA on the little things people could never notice (not exactly like hidden mickeys, but other things) like hearing voices of guys upstairs playing cards when you're entering the park, there's voices coming out of the armored car near Dr. Doom in Marvel Island, there's tons of details in the Port of Entry alone to discover.

 

[CPM]

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.

Less than an hour to see everything?

It's hard to walk the entire park in an hour. Come on now.

 

[Planogirl]

I think that some of the theming in the original Univeral park in Florida is actually quite good. New York is very well done and Amity is nice too. But it's true that IOA is much more spectacular and the area where MIB is located (can't think of the name) is really ugly.

Why are all of these insults necessary anyway? Why does mistating something like Universal being like Six Flags make a person somehow feel better? I don't get it.

 

[Robinrs]

Less than an hour to see everything?

It's hard to walk the entire park in an hour. Come on now.

LOL...

I've been about 20 times and STILL have not seen everything... I remember leaving one time and reading someone's trip report and feeling so stupid because I missed so much.

There is NO pleasing everyone.....

This trip I'm doing Mardi Gras and Ellen Degeneres will be filming while I'm there! Can't wait!!

 

[ChrisFL]

I think that some of the theming in the original Univeral park in Florida is actually quite good. New York is very well done and Amity is nice too. But it's true that IOA is much more spectacular and the area where MIB is located (can't think of the name) is really ugly.

Why are all of these insults necessary anyway? Why does mistating something like Universal being like Six Flags make a person somehow feel better? I don't get it.

I have a feeling it's because Disney, besides a few examples, like the new Everest, hasn't produced what we've come to expect from them in top quality attractions since the mid-90's. So another company comes along and hires many former imagineers to build a $2 Billion theme park and resort area, and people suddenly feel threatened by this "new" competition in town.

But IMO this competition can only mean good things for both Disney and Universal. Disney can no longer rest on the past successes and must continue to build new attractions to keep their guests, not to mention having new services like "magical express" which Im sure was directly due to Universal.

 

[mickeysgal]

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

You're absolutely right...I stand corrected. The better comparison is Six Flags.

 

[Patch'sD]

I guess I have to agree with Brookyn on this. You find out that you could have bought a better car for less money. What are you going to do? Kick yourself or Try to convince yourself you got a good deal.

Universal is a great park. It is for older kids who are not going to get excited about seeing Mickey and Minnie or ridding Winnie the Pooh. Disney has some great rides, However you have to go to four different parks, Busses, BusStations Parking lots. to get to them. Universal is walking distance between parks and CityWalk. A walk to Universal Hotel is less than you spend waiting for bus at Disney.

Disney has taken away so much from the guest over the years. I remember going their in 1990. The Grand Floridian and Caribean Beach had just opened. I think the Total number of rooms was about 5,000. Early Entry really meant something than, Now you stay out of the park with Early Entry. Restaurant Reservations were given to Hotel Guests first. Package Delivery back to your room, Magic Kingdom Club. All Gone at Disney, But alive and well at Universal.

Fotl is great. What a perk. Hotels are excellent with Excellent Service. I like the one about club level not being that exclusive. Comparing that to the park down the road, where the main dining option is the Food Court.

And the it's just like Going to Six Flags, That one is on Page 1 of the Disneyphite Bible. Please Show me a Sixflags With Spiderman. Please Show Me. I am going to listen to people who make their kids dress up in Princess Dresses and go to a theme park, tell me what theme park is better, I think they spent to much time listening to busy signalstrying to get that Magic Moment Breakfast with the Princess.

 

[ead79]

from the outside that is true, and it's because that Universal was built to look like a movie studio to begin with. However on many attractions, once you get inside, there is a lot of theming...especially on E.T., The Mummy (and several interactive places when you're in line also!), and MIB (where they have the actual alien "lizards" talking to you just like in the movies).

The premise of both theme parks is totally different, US is to ride the movies where IOA is to experience a totally unique set of lands. Universal really put a ton of work at IOA on the little things people could never notice (not exactly like hidden mickeys, but other things) like hearing voices of guys upstairs playing cards when you're entering the park, there's voices coming out of the armored car near Dr. Doom in Marvel Island, there's tons of details in the Port of Entry alone to discover.

Yes, I agree with you that the theme is somewhat limited at Universal Studios since it’s meant to look like a backlot. I actually think that Disney-MGM Studios suffers from this problem as well. It’s hard to do as much with square buildings as you can with areas like Fantasyland or the Seuss area at IOA.

I have been to Universal Studios (three times, but all were several years ago), and I agree with you that there is some elaborate theming in the queues especially. ET comes to mind for sure. Though it certainly wasn’t pretty since it was meant to look like a Subway station, I remember Kongfrontation’s queue looking pretty realistic too. I just meant that from what I’ve heard, Universal did a much better job with theming IOA (which can only mean good things for them, IMHO).

 

[ChrisFL]

I just meant that from what I’ve heard, Universal did a much better job with theming IOA (which can only mean good things for them, IMHO).

Right, IOA is not a "movie studio" park at all, it's what I think of 100% themed start to finish, much like the Magic Kingdom. Every area is 100% themed down to the trash cans and light poles, and every ride fits the theme perfectly for that "island". Yes, the Hulk and Dueling Dragons are outdoor coasters, but the queues are very well themed also. Dueling Dragons has a queue that is nearly it's own attraction with a long tour of the castle which houses the past victims of the fire and ice dragons. There's soldiers frozen onto the ceiling, swords and shields with words of warning on the walls, skulls and bones everywhere and cryptic voices from the shadows.

 

[DebbieB]

I work with people in my companies Orlando office. They don't go to Disney, they prefer Universal, especially those with teenagers. My bet is they are targeting the local audience, not those who go to Disney on vacation with children.

I almost fell over when I was down there last month, a girl in the elevator mentioned she was getting married and was going to honeymoon at Disney, she hadn't been there in years!

 

[Sylvester McBean]

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!

I wouldn't do either one.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

if you want to compare WDW and UO theming apples to apples, walk into the New York section of MGM and then Universal Studios. you'll see the minimal time and money spent in haste to open MGM ahead of US. MGM was a reaction to the building of Universal Orlando. WDW didn't make that same mistake when it came to AK, it's the most intricately themed park on property.

 

[Loves Disney]

I noticed they mentioned Disney does not allow pets at "On-Site" resorts. In fact, they said "none". Is Fort Wilderness off-site? LOL. We never stayed there but know for a fact they allow pets in the cabins. They even have a pet daycare! I wouldn't mind so much of a comparison, but I mean come on!! They should at least have their facts right!

I also noticed their choice of words. It is one thing to compare to another park and another to degrade another park. "Yesterday's fairytales"? That was just low.

I don't like Universal's way of "comparing" and I can say honestly, I think they have lowered themsleves by some of the words choices and unfactual information. That, of course, is just me two cents about it.

 

[taylor1293]

Actually, I believe that pets are only allowed at certain campsites. They are never permitted in the Disney cabins. So it does seem that they have their facts right.

I noticed they mentioned Disney does not allow pets at "On-Site" resorts. In fact, they said "none". Is Fort Wilderness off-site? LOL. We never stayed there but know for a fact they allow pets in the cabins. They even have a pet daycare! I wouldn't mind so much of a comparison, but I mean come on!! They should at least have their facts right!

I also noticed their choice of words. It is one thing to compare to another park and another to degrade another park. "Yesterday's fairytales"? That was just low.

I don't like Universal's way of "comparing" and I can say honestly, I think they have lowered themsleves by some of the words choices and unfactual information. That, of course, is just me two cents about it.

 

[Planogirl]

I've always understood that pets are not allowed in the cabins either. Now some people may be bringing them anyway but that's another matter.

I've never been bothered by pets at the Loew's hotels. I understand that the hotels set aside certain room areas for pets which I think is wise due to allergy issues.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I noticed they mentioned Disney does not allow pets at "On-Site" resorts. In fact, they said "none". Is Fort Wilderness off-site? LOL. We never stayed there but know for a fact they allow pets in the cabins. They even have a pet daycare! I wouldn't mind so much of a comparison, but I mean come on!! They should at least have their facts right!

I also noticed their choice of words. It is one thing to compare to another park and another to degrade another park. "Yesterday's fairytales"? That was just low.

I don't like Universal's way of "comparing" and I can say honestly, I think they have lowered themsleves by some of the words choices and unfactual information. That, of course, is just me two cents about it.

Universal has had the comparisons to WDW for quite some time. it was only after the new site design that they made it a home page drop-down item. if their comparisons weren't factual, WDW would have fired off a cease and desist order long ago.

 

[sha_lyn]

I noticed they mentioned Disney does not allow pets at "On-Site" resorts. In fact, they said "none". Is Fort Wilderness off-site? LOL. We never stayed there but know for a fact they allow pets in the cabins. They even have a pet daycare! I wouldn't mind so much of a comparison, but I mean come on!! They should at least have their facts right!

Just because WDW has kennels to board pets during the day, does not mean that pest are allowed in any of the resorts rooms. Pets are not allowed in the cabins. They are allowed on a few of the camper loops. They are only allowed in campers/RVs not with tents and there is an additional charge. Instead of claiming Universal doesn't have thier facts right, perhaps you should check yours.

 

[FayeW]

if you want to compare WDW and UO theming apples to apples, walk into the New York section of MGM and then Universal Studios. you'll see the minimal time and money spent in haste to open MGM ahead of US. MGM was a reaction to the building of Universal Orlando. WDW didn't make that same mistake when it came to AK, it's the most intricately themed park on property.

You know what's funny? Until I read your post I didn't even know there was supposed to be a NY section at MGM! When we first went to US what struck us was how you really felt like you were walking through specific parts of the country. FWIW, I feel more "magic" when I hear the tinkling music in the trees at the Flying Unicorn than anywhere at WDW! (Ok, that's IOA, but you get my drift).

 

[Loves Disney]

Actually, I believe that pets are only allowed at certain campsites. They are never permitted in the Disney cabins. So it does seem that they have their facts right.

Well from research we have done on Fort Wilderness, they are allowed in some cabins and even if it was only certain campsites, that is more than "none" and "none" is the word Universal uses lol.