Question about Universal (not Islands of Adventure) vs MGM

[Pattygb]

A friend is going to Orlando Sun-Wed the week before Christmas. She has 2 teenagers, and is only doing EPCOT and possibly MGM at WDW. She is planning on doing Sea World and Universal, the older park, not Islands of Adventure. She's wondering about the difference between MGM and Universal--do you see similar things at both? Personally, I don't think that TOT and Rocknroll Coaster should be missed, but I haven't been to the older Universal park in years, and my kids were young then. She's staying off Disney property if that makes a difference....so no EMH for her.

Thanks,
Pat

 

[Bill From PA]

I'm a WDW fan to the core, but with teenagers, especially if they're male, IOA is the hands down choice. Many more thrill rides and the best ride IN THE WORLD, imho, Spiderman. If IOA is not an option, MGM beats Uni., again, imho.

Bill From PA

 

[Skylarr29]

Well with two teenagers I would actually say that my vote would be for Islands of Adventure but if that is not an option then I would say MGM is better than UNiversal. I was there on Saturday and I wasnt very impressed.But they do have the Mummy and that was a really amazing ride.

 

[Feralpeg]

Universal has Men In Black, The Mummy, Back To The Future, Terminator 3D, Twister, Earthquake, Shrek and Jaws. MGM has TOT and Rock'n Rollercoaster, Star Tours, Little Mermaid, Great Movie Ride.

I love MGM, but I think most teens would prefer Universal. The Graveyard Review and Monster Makeup Show are a hoot!

 

[jcriket]

I think universal is teamed better, they don't have as many shows. (it seems)The rides at universal IMO are more exciting. MGM has the disney appeal. I like universal better, but that might be due to I've over done MGM, about 8 to 1.

 

[goofyernmost]

Keeping in mind that I am a total Disney freak, it will come as a surprise to many that I way prefer Universal to MGM. The attractions at Universal are more varied and way more impressive than MGM's with the exception of ToT and RRcR.

Terminator is not to be missed, Back to the Future is exciting, Men in Black is much better than, say Buzz Lightyear. Twister, Earthquake, Jaws are all well done. Shriek is hilarious especially the pre-show.

If you get a park hopper there are quite a few "thrill" rides at Islands of Adventure but the best, for us older folk, would have to be Spiderman. In short, Universal is well worth a day trip. Much more to see and do than Disney MGM, I'm afraid.

 

[jlovesee]

I agree that after visiting both several times that Universal is probably the better of the two parks. The theming is better, as Universal still hangs onto the movie studio theming, while MGM has lost that a lot recently.

The rides are better too, though I am not a big fan of Back to the Future as it bangs you around a lot, you can't be Men in Black, or Terminator, Earthquake and Jaws are good classics. I also have ridden the new Mummy which is great, a good equivolant to Rockin' Roller COaster.

Jennifer

 

[Kuffam]

MGM is more family movie freindly (excect maybe Indiana Jones).
Universial are more older/Teen movies (except Barney).

Personally after a bad experience at US during the Mardi Gras parade I'd think twice before going again with my Family. But I do wish MGM had more themed attractions like Twister, King Kong, and Earthquake.

 

[lal32]

In terms of attractions, Universal wins over MGM. Terminator 2, Shrek 4-D & Men In Black are grejust brilliant and the "classics" like ET & Back To The Future are still very good. In terms of the park itself, I would say MGM is much more pleasant to walk around.

After spending a day at Universal my wife and I both agreed that the attractions are probably better as a whole than what is in Disney and a little less cute, but Universal doesn't put you into another world to the same degree. The next day we did Islands Of Adventure and thought for us (we don't like extreme rides) that the park was fantastic in it's design but not as many good attractions, apart from Superman which was worth the price of admission alone.

Hard to answer because while they share a common theme they really are very different parks. They offer different things to different people.

 

[raven69david]

Universal Studios is much better than MGM for teenagers. Once you visit you will understand what I mean. Just do it.....trust me, you will NOT be disappointed.

 

[LightBurnsBlue]

It is very interesting for me to read that many of you think the themeing is better at US than at MGM. I have been to US 4-5 times, but I have never been to MGM. I always thought that since Epcot, AK, and MK all have AWESOME themeing, that MGM too...looks like some don't think so. (That reassures me a bit for not going to MGM...although I do want to try out ToT and RNR one day.)

I concur with the other positive reviews of US (the regular one...never have been to IOA because my mom is not a thrill ride gal). We love it there...ET is a great ride for all ages, MIB is incredible, Terminator is thrilling (try sitting near the front...we thought we wouldn't like being so close, but it was great!), and the Mummy is out-of-this-world amazing! My boyfriend went with me to US when he was 24 (I think he has the mentality of a teen!) and he loved US the most out of all of us. From what I've read of MGM, it looks better for younger kids if you do not include ToT or RNR. US is definitely a park that would appeal to older children and teens. (Although they do have some little kids stuff like Jimmy Neutron and Shreck).

BTW, King Kong is gone (sadly). It's been replaced by the Mummy. Let's hope that Universal brings it back soon b/c of the new movie!

 

[afc104]

It's been a few years since I have been to Disney, returning this January, but have been to Universal 3 times in last 5 years and I agree with others that it has superior attractions to MGM but shows are better at MGM. I think with teenagers you may be missing the boat by avoiding IOA based on my teenage daughter's preference although now that Mummy is open she probably likes it as well. We have always stayed on the grounds and have had Universal express access all day which of course adds to the experience. We were there for President's week last year and rode the Mummy 18 times over 3 days and never waited more than 3 minutes even though the wait for regular lines at some points were 60+ minutes. IMO the Universal Express is the best perk given out at any theme park and I have always encouraged those I know to spend the extra dollars and stay on the grounds.

 

[LvsTnk]

It's been a few years since I have been to Disney, returning this January, but have been to Universal 3 times in last 5 years and I agree with others that it has superior attractions to MGM but shows are better at MGM. I think with teenagers you may be missing the boat by avoiding IOA based on my teenage daughter's preference although now that Mummy is open she probably likes it as well. We have always stayed on the grounds and have had Universal express access all day which of course adds to the experience. We were there for President's week last year and rode the Mummy 18 times over 3 days and never waited more than 3 minutes even though the wait for regular lines at some points were 60+ minutes. IMO the Universal Express is the best perk given out at any theme park and I have always encouraged those I know to spend the extra dollars and stay on the grounds.

It makes for a much more relaxing trip with the Express, you can arrive at the parks at your leisure and still have little to no wait. They have some great resorts and offer some nice room rates. For teens I would definately go for IOA/US over MGM.

 

[snowbunny]

It is very interesting for me to read that many of you think the themeing is better at US than at MGM. I have been to US 4-5 times, but I have never been to MGM. I always thought that since Epcot, AK, and MK all have AWESOME themeing, that MGM too...looks like some don't think so.

MGM is sort of movie themed but it seems less like a "real" movie studio.

I haven't been to Universal in a long time, since before IOA. Is it possible to do both in one day?

 

[Feralpeg]

MGM is sort of movie themed but it seems less like a "real" movie studio.

I haven't been to Universal in a long time, since before IOA. Is it possible to do both in one day?

You really have to be pushing to do this, or skip some things in each park.

 

[hockeygirl]

I just returned last night from Disney and we spent Monday at Universal. We were able to do everything in both IOA and US in one day. It was so empty we walked onto everything with no wait. It was great. So, if if isn't crowded you can do both parks in one day.

This was also my first visit to IOA and US, and I thought it was amazing. I think it is much better than MGM. However, I do think it is more appealling for the teenage/young adult crowd. Disney is geared more for children. I love Disney, but I thought Universal was awesome. I wouldn't miss it on my next trip.

 

[afc104]

You can do both if you have Universal Express but it would be pushing it.

 

[Safari Queen]

We always do US and IOA in one day but we don't ride roller coasters. You could do it if the parks aren't packed and you're willing to concentrate on the really good stuff. Spiderman and Back to the Future are fantastic but I'm okay if I never see Jaws, Twister or Earthquake again.

 

[F-L-A]

USF doesn't have any attractions on the same level as ToT, but overall, it's a much better park. A larger number of good rides and much, much better theming. It doesn't have as many shows as MGM, however. The shows it does have are enjoyable. The Horror Makeup Show is the funniest thing in any theme park.

 

[mill4023]

Mummy is one of the best rides I've been on. Terminator is one of the best shows I've seen.
Back to the Future is a complete waste of time. Jaws, Twister, and Earthquake are probably worth doing once, but I have no desire to go on any of them again.