Our First Trip to US/IOA

[kiddoc]

My DH and I just returned from our first trip to Universal--a 3 day trip with NO CHILDREN!!! We had a great time! Now, we are Disney veterans and went on this trip with an open mind. We really enjoyed ourselves. In my opinion, I still like WDW better OVERALL, but Universal does some things that WDW can't hold a candle to. I'll share our likes and dislikes after the "trip report".
DH and I are both coaster lovers, so we had blast! Dueling Dragons is my favorite...front row, baby! We also really enjoyed Mummy. Hulk was at the bottom of our list, but still a great ride. We enjoyed all of the water rides...Jurassic Park River Adventure, Bilge Rat Barges, and Ripsaw Falls. Spiderman, which I had heard all the rave reviews about, just didn't do it for us. The simulator effect gave me a little motion sickness. On that note, DH and I both almost hurled on Back to the Future! Wow! DH had to look up over the side of the car to get his bearings and convince his body he wasn't really spinning! We rode Cat in the Hat and High in the Sky Trolley Train scoping things out for a planned future trip with DD7 and DD5--they were both good. The Poiseidon show was really cool--DH loved the special effects. Overall ambiance, DH really liked the Studios better. The Shrek an Twister shows were great. We really enjoyed ET. As above, we could do without Back to the Future. MIB was fun, but not all I was expecting. You were spun around too much for my liking. We both thought the Jaws ride was really cool.
The highlight of my trip, though...I got to be on Fear Factor Live!!!! My DD7 couldn't wait for us to call and tell her about this show. When she found out I was in it, she about passed out! I had a blast and came in second. I won a hat and 2 1day/2park passes! It was alot of fun!

OK...our thoughts on what WDW and Universal each do better...
(1) Rooms--PBH rooms were much better than anywhere we have stayed at WDW. However, I like the overall hotel ambiance better at WDW.
(2) Proximity to parks--you can't beat being able to walk anywhere you want to get at Universal.
(3) Universal Express vs Disney FastPass--Is it really a comparison?! You can't beat that unlimited FOTL access at Universal.
(4) Convenience/Ease of use--I have to give the nod to WDW here. I really missed my "Key to the World". It stunk to have to wait to check in at the hotel, and then wait again to exchange vouchers for tickets at guest relations at the park (booked through Southwest vacations). We also are really used to charging EVERYTHING to room charge at WDW, so that was an adjustment.
(5) Shops at hotels--HELLO!!! We were there 12/31 and 1/1, HOLIDAYS!?! The shop at the resort was closed at 7pm on 1/1 and didn't reopen until 10am. They missed my prime shopping time...after park closing.
(6) Customer service--You just can't beat Disney on customer service, IMO. We met so many staff members who never smiled, were not helpful at all, and some who were downright rude. I can honestly say that I have never spoken to a CM at Disney that didn't speak back and SMILE! (I know that many of you have had bad WDW experiences, but this is mine!)

Anyway, this is long. Overall, we had a good, POSITIVE experience on our first venture away from WDW. We did have to take one evening trip to DTD to get our "fix", but we did no WDW parks. We enjoyed ourselves and plan to spend 1-2 days at Universal with our DD's on our next Orlando trip.

 

[kiddoc]

One more thing to add before I get flamed...despite my "comparisons" at the end of my post, I totally agree that US/IOA and WDW cannot really be compared. They are 2 totally different experiences. I think that is why we had such a good time...we enjoyed these parks for what they are instead of being dissappointed that it wasn't just like Disney. I simply threw in the comparisons for those who have either visited neither resort or only one of the two. These are some things we were not aware of before our trip.

 

[damo]

Glad you liked it. I think, after you go a few more times, the magic will appear.

 

[fan of the TTA]

i'm glad you had fun on your trip

 

[Melisa1]

Glad you had a good time!

 

[kirbsam]

i enjoyed reading your post. your comparisons were actually very helpful. we are disney veterans. four or five trips in the last few years, and are venturing to universal for the first time. and really looking forward to it. your review was great.

 

[Angel1]

We too are venturing for the first time, and are going with an open mind, expecting tohave a great time!

 

[robvia]

At least you stayed on site and got the full effect. Most Disney people drive up for the day and then trash IOA/USF.

 

[Disney owl]

Thanks for sharing

Lucky you no kids!

 

[lawlesslovewdw]

Thanks for your post, we have a trip coming up without the kids - cant wait. We have always really enjoyed both parks, everytime i walk through Jurrasic Park island i get the tingles and want to cry, just like at MK.

We have always found plenty of things to do at both parks with 2 little ones, will try to post a trip report when we get back

 

[Cara]

Thanks so much for your report! We are also big Disney fans, but we are ready for something different. I know it won't BE Disney, but I am expecting it to be something wonderful all on its own. I cannot IMAGINE the FOTL access!

 

[mousiemom]

The past 5 years we have gone to US/IOA every yr just for the day. We love both parks and my 6yr dd loves all the Nick stuff. She rides Cat in the Hat 10 times w/her grandmother. We usually drive over mid week and it gives us a little break from Disney but we are always so happy to be back @WDW. We love the movies too so we like all that!

 

[lindalinda]

Great report! Thanks!