Poll from Theme Park planning thread

[damo]

Thought this poll should be linked here to even out the bias from putting it on the Disney planning board.


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3127554

 

[kohlby]

Ack, what about people like me who love them both?? IOA is my favorite, very closely followed by EP. Then MK. Then HS. Then US. Then a huge gap. Then AK. I think this might average out to a tie.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Thanks for bringing this over here, Damo. I voted yesterday and thought about linking it here.

 

[OKW Lover]

Might be interesting to post the exact same poll on this section.

 

[damo]

Might be interesting to post the exact same poll on this section.

We generally try to stay away from the Disney vs. Universal debate on this board. In the past (not so much anymore) people would come to the Universal boards just to bash and it got very tiring. Since Harry Potter, there is considerably less bashing and a lot more praising.

 

[OKW Lover]

Understand the reluctance to post a poll. However, this would be an interesting opportunity to see how different the answers are between the Disney regulars and the Universal regulars.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

I think its an unfair comparison, even if they are competition. Disney World has four theme parks, two water parks, a ton of hotels and more, while Uni only has two gates, CityWalk, and three hotels. That being said, I love both resorts very much. And for its size, Universal is certainly holding its own right now which is very impressive!

I find it very sad that people dismiss Universal simply because they have their Disney blinders on. Especially the ones who boast of their many Disney vacations but would never consider stepping foot on Universal property simply because it isn't Disney. It's like never trying a new restaurant simply because you have a favorite you've been going to forever. But I guess if people want to limit their experiences, that is their own choice.

People often cite the nostalgia and magic of Disney is what Universal lacks. If people allowed Universal to become a part of their lives it, too, would become nostalgic for them. That's the funny thing about nostalgia.. you have to experience it first before the nostalgia sets in!

 

[damo]

Ya, it's kinda like which child do you love the most. You love both for different reasons. I guess a better question could have been that if you had 3 days to vacation in Orlando staying onsite, which resort would you choose---WDW or Universal Orlando.

 

[DCTooTall]

I had to post in that thread.... and as always... got a bit long winded.

I figured I'd save the people here from most of it, but thought I'd share this little bit I thought was an interesting way of looking at things lately....

Honestly.... the easiest ways to put it is that Disney has always had that "Magic"... even before Disney tried to use the term "Disney Magic" to describe everything about the parks and what they had to offer.

Unfortunately, What I've seen over the past several years is Universal putting all sorts of money, hard work, and effort into improving their product and the guest experience to try and help maintain and drive their growth and image. Disney however has decided to rely simply on the Magic they stockpiled over the previous 50years of their Theme Parks to maintain and drive their growth..... which has had mixed results in our experience as reality does its best to make itself seen behind the pixie dust.

 

[calmpets]

I think the Disboards are so pro-Disney that it would be virtually impossible to get a valid sampling. I love Disney, but I'm not blind to it's flaws, and I've noticed that threads that makes Disney look less than stellar or have a negative tone tend to disappear entirely or get locked quickly. Perhaps a more neutral board without a Disney focus but that still attracts a large cross-section of travelers? Maybe in the destination forum on cruise critic? Just a thought... For what it's worth, I was just at Universal in March and has really impressed with what they've done in the past decade since I last visited them.

 

[TaylorsDad]

I am quite surprised that about 20% there seem to have voted for Universal. Considering the poll is on a board where anyone who has less than praise for anything Disney is usually ganged up on that is an impressive number. Just 2 or 3 years ago less than 5 percent would have been more likely.

I still don't understand why anyone enjoying something other than the mouse exclusively seems to bring out such negativity in others. When I go to Universal I take my Mouse Colored Glasses off - no wait, I never owned any Mouse Colored Glasses-and always have a wonderful time. I can appreciate both parks and only feel sorry for those that won't give Universal a try. The funny thing is in a few years when Universal and IOA has all the new additions completed those same naysayers will be acting like they were the ones who "discovered" how great the place is and spread the word.

 

[Irishman]

Being a outsider here.From Maryland.My son and me came down to Orlando for the first time in awhile.( his first trip he was 4yrs old & I was married).We had stayed on Disney property.BUT NON-Disney resort.While we were at downtown disney.We had acouple people snub us after we told them..
I went and talked to some of my time share folks and asked how they were able to set up a resort on disney property BUT there not disney related.Great stories,( the mouse can be evil)...Well we went to Gatorland ( ME)...NASA ( him also..Disney...BUT I think we both had more fun at universal.Rides were fun.food and drink...better.p.s see ya all in acouple weeks ...WERE COMING BACK....

 

[damo]

I am quite surprised that about 20% there seem to have voted for Universal. Considering the poll is on a board where anyone who has less than praise for anything Disney is usually ganged up on that is an impressive number. Just 2 or 3 years ago less than 5 percent would have been more likely.

I still don't understand why anyone enjoying something other than the mouse exclusively seems to bring out such negativity in others. When I go to Universal I take my Mouse Colored Glasses off - no wait, I never owned any Mouse Colored Glasses-and always have a wonderful time. I can appreciate both parks and only feel sorry for those that won't give Universal a try. The funny thing is in a few years when Universal and IOA has all the new additions completed those same naysayers will be acting like they were the ones who "discovered" how great the place is and spread the word.

30% now!

What annoys me is the people who just can't understand how anyone can like Universal and that Disney is "clearly" so much superior with all the magic. When I walk into IOA or Universal, that is my happy place. It isn't something I consciously chose. It is just what happened.

 

[Bluer101]

30% now!

What annoys me is the people who just can't understand how anyone can like Universal and that Disney is "clearly" so much superior with all the magic. When I walk into IOA or Universal, that is my happy place. It isn't something I consciously chose. It is just what happened.

Damo,

The only "Magic" that happens now a days is money disappears when I visit Disney.

I'm with you. When we get off the turnpike and onto I4 you start to get that Xmas morning feeling as a kid. Then we pull up to RPR and say , it's good to be home.

Then just walking over the bridge to IOA and hearing that music at Port of Entry, man can't wait till next week. We even enjoy after hours just sitting outside IOA listing to the music there's just something about it.

 

[glocon]

We have been going to WDW and UO since my son was 5 (it was also my DH and my first trip to FL). We have nostalgia for both parks. Both are magical to us because we watched our son grow up with both and I am so very happy for this. He has magical memories from two great themeparks. The memories and nostalgic feelings are different for both places, and I'm glad he has both to remember, not just one.

 

[schumigirl]

Magic happens wherever you find it.

We find magic at Universal Orlando Resort. Whether it be in the parks or our hotel, we just love every second we are there.

We tried Disney. It`s not for us anymore. Not knocking it in anyway as it does a good job at what it does, but I`d rather be at Universal with everything Universal has to offer, and it gets better every year. Last few years have been very exciting and so will the next few years be.

Most people are surprised that we come all the way from the UK and not go near Disney.....but heyho........Universal and RPR has our hearts...all the way.