Second trip to Universal . . . and probably the last.

[GreyStr0ke]

How can everyone complain about the parking at USF? You park in a PARKING GARAGE!!! Your car is not 105 degrees when you go to get back in it and leave like it is at any Disney park. To me thats worth the walk to the theme parks.

 

[damo]

Great post phamton!!! Like we always say, you see what you want to see at Universal.

 

[Yzerbear19]

You are all entitled to your opinion, as I am to mine. That was my review. You may all enjoy Universal and IOA, but I did not. Its not worth the amount of money. JMO. I prefer Disney as it has more rides that I enjoy. Again, JMO. And after spending 5 days at Disney then going to Universal, it seems to be only natural to compare the two. And yes, I knew what Universal and IOA was before I went, since I had been there before. Again, I did enjoy the rides I went on, but the amount of rides they have that I like for the price, isn't worth the money to me. Thats my opinion that I'm sure no one else will agree with, but I really don't care because I'm entitled to my own opinion. Not everyone is going to like Universal or Disney. I have a brother who hates both and in fact avoids all theme parks. Thats his right to not like them. Please respect that not everyone likes the same things. If I was given free tickets to Universal, then I might go again, but to pay the money to go isn't worth it to me.

 

[GreyStr0ke]

If you knew what was there and that you were only gonna ride 4 rides, how can you complain about that?

 

[perculata]

The OP makes some valid points, but others just seem somewhat trivial. I see why the pushiness of some of the outside companies Universal allows into their theme parks would upset them. I also see why having to pay for fast pass would cause them anger.

But the fact of the matter is that Universal is not Disney. Both companies do things better than the other. Unfortunately one of Universal's strong points is their thrill rides and the OP doesn't enjoy them.

The OP seems to enjoy more of the things that Disney excels in, atmosphere/theming, customer service, etc. Unfortunately not everyone can like both parks and the op is entitled to their opinion.

 

[goofy!]

I would be mad too if I payed $72 to ride 4 rides.

Oh heck, I spent over $400 for one day non-parkhopper tickets to take 6 people to Epcot last November.

We lasted 3 hours and rode 2 rides (test track & mission space) before we all just had to get back to Universal. Searching for Nemo just did not do it for my guys

And the crowds (Wed. before Thanksgiving) were so bad we were really, really missing our FOTL!

Actually, we bought the tickets because we were going to a magical gathering that night for a cousin's wedding anniversary, so we would have spent the money anyway. We had a blast at the Rose and Crown that night, although we froze our tushies off, so the money wasn't wasted.

But will we go back anytime soon? Nope. Even though Epcot is still my favorite park of WDW, it will never compare to Universal. And that is MY opinion.

 

[bamajill]

How can everyone complain about the parking at USF? You park in a PARKING GARAGE!!! Your car is not 105 degrees when you go to get back in it and leave like it is at any Disney park. To me thats worth the walk to the theme parks.

Gotta agree with this! We stayed offsite (I know, I know) so we parked in that deck five days in a row. I rather enjoyed it, the moving sidewalks, the upbeat music...even that first day I knew we were in for something special.

Universal was everything we hoped it would be and more. Sorry to the OP that you didn't enjoy it. I truly can't imagine not having fun there, but oh well...to each his/her own.

 

[goofy!]

The OP seems to enjoy more of the things that Disney excels in, atmosphere/theming, customer service, etc. Unfortunately not everyone can like both parks and the op is entitled to their opinion.

Ah, but that is opinion too. Many of us feel that Universal does excel in the atmosphere/theming and customer service departments.

Of course everybody is entitled to their own opinion. However, if you post a bashing opinion of Universal on a Universal board, don't be surprised if you get a lot of alternate opinions.

BTW - excellent post Phamton

 

[Nan]

I just don't understand why people take the time to write these Universal bashing posts here on the Universal boards. What are they trying to do? It doesn't help people who are planning trips. It's not that I can't deal with people pointing out negatives about Universal but what is the point? Just go over to the Disney side and bash all you want but don't come over here and do it without expectations that people here love Universal and will respond in kind.

We NEVER, EVER go to Disney. I have been and don't want to go back but I am not going to waste my valuable time going over to their boards and whining about waiting in line for an hour blah, blah, blah. Nobody cares.

We have been to Universal several times in the recent past. Our last visit was at Christmas and we were there for 5 days. I still did not get to do everything I wanted to do. I absolutely LOVE Universal! I want to jump up and down and dance as I walk through the arch. I get choked up walking down the Hollywood street past the Lucy tribute. Don't tell me Universal doesn't have something special. Just don't.

Thanks phamton for the fabulous post.

 

[F-L-A]

This person's mind was made up before stepping foot on property. Trying to change their perspective with facts is futile. One less person to wait behind.

 

[nymomof3]

i just have to say i enjoyed reading phamtoms post and really don't pay attention to the negativity cause there will always be one person to find somthing wrong with something that is just fine

 

[Fan2CSkr]

The OP seems to enjoy more of the things that Disney excels in, atmosphere/theming, customer service, etc. Unfortunately not everyone can like both parks and the op is entitled to their opinion.

I give up!

 

[Yzerbear19]

Of course everybody is entitled to their own opinion. However, if you post a bashing opinion of Universal on a Universal board, don't be surprised if you get a lot of alternate opinions.

Well, this is the TRIP REPORT board, which is described as this "Universal Studios Trip Reports Share your recent experiences at the Universal Orlando resort with the rest of the world!" I posted my trip report to Universal. I felt I was honest in my opinion. I shared my experience and my opinion.

 

[phamton]

Well, this is the TRIP REPORT board, which is described as this "Universal Studios Trip Reports Share your recent experiences at the Universal Orlando resort with the rest of the world!" I posted my trip report to Universal. I felt I was honest in my opinion. I shared my experience and my opinion.

The point is: How would you expect the report to be received? If you or I had posted a trip report (on the Disney Trip reports board) like the one I rewrote for you, you would have been flamed from here to where the sun don't shine. We have not flamed you. But we're also not going to blow pixie dust up your behind and say: "Thanks for the report! We loved it and agree completely with you."

Like I say, try that kind of report on the Disney trip report forums and see how receptive they would be to your negativity.

 

[perculata]

Well, this is the TRIP REPORT board, which is described as this "Universal Studios Trip Reports Share your recent experiences at the Universal Orlando resort with the rest of the world!" I posted my trip report to Universal. I felt I was honest in my opinion. I shared my experience and my opinion.

Don't let people discourage you and all. Universal fans seem to think all Disney fans are brainwashed. Some of their complaints are valid, but othertimes it just seems there is somewhat of an inferiority complex going on. Personally I think each group of fans and their respective parks have pluses and minuses. It'd just be nice if everyone could get along and appreciate both parks cuz they are both amazing places.

But keep on posting your experiences. There's nothing wrong with sharing your opinion as long as you're not malicious about it.

 

[F-L-A]

I shared my experience and my opinion.

... but we all know you could have shared your opinion just as easily without the experience.

 

[goofy!]

Don't let people discourage you and all. Universal fans seem to think all Disney fans are brainwashed. Some of their complaints are valid, but othertimes it just seems there is somewhat of an inferiority complex going on. Personally I think each group of fans and their respective parks have pluses and minuses. It'd just be nice if everyone could get along and appreciate both parks cuz they are both amazing places.

But keep on posting your experiences. There's nothing wrong with sharing your opinion as long as you're not malicious about it.

Actually, I think it is the Disney people who have the inferiority complex, as they feel the need to continuosly come over here and bash Universal. Usually when somebody feels the need to belittle something else, that means they are insecure about their own ideas.

The Universal people just don't feel the need to go over to the Disney Trip Report boards to bash Disney.

As I posted before, everybody is entitle to their own opinion. I personally thought Epcot was filthy, run down and the CM's rather cranky the day we were there. The lady we bought our tickets from was particularly miffed that I had a Universal sweatshirt on and that I paid for our tickets with a Universal Stuidios Mastercard. She even semi-joked that she wouldn't take the credit card as it was an Universal card. And then she suggested I go and buy a WDW sweatshirt before I wandered the parks.

As for the waits, we had to wait an hour and 20 minutes for Test Track right after rope drop. The line for Soaring was 140 minutes by the time we got off Test Track. Give me my FOTL anyday. But we did have fun that evening at a private magical gathering on the terrace of the Rose and Crown. And Illuminations was spectacular. But then, I wasn't trying to compare WDW to Universal, because I go in with an open mind and know they are completely different parks and I am able to appreciate the uniqueness of each park.

But if you are going to post trivial complaints on the Universal boards, as Phamton stated so eloquently -

But we're also not going to blow pixie dust up your behind and say: "Thanks for the report! We loved it and agree completely with you."

I couldn't have said it better.

 

[AlexandNessa]

Nevermind....

 

[perculata]

Actually, I think it is the Disney people who have the inferiority complex, as they feel the need to continuosly come over here and bash Universal. Usually when somebody feels the need to belittle something else, that means they are insecure about their own ideas.

The Universal people just don't feel the need to go over to the Disney Trip Report boards to bash Disney.

As I posted before, everybody is entitle to their own opinion. I personally thought Epcot was filthy, run down and the CM's rather cranky the day we were there. The lady we bought our tickets from was particularly miffed that I had a Universal sweatshirt on and that I paid for our tickets with a Universal Stuidios Mastercard. She even semi-joked that she wouldn't take the credit card as it was an Universal card. And then she suggested I go and buy a WDW sweatshirt before I wandered the parks.

As for the waits, we had to wait an hour and 20 minutes for Test Track right after rope drop. The line for Soaring was 140 minutes by the time we got off Test Track. Give me my FOTL anyday. But we did have fun that evening at a private magical gathering on the terrace of the Rose and Crown. And Illuminations was spectacular. But then, I wasn't trying to compare WDW to Universal, because I go in with an open mind and know they are completely different parks and I am able to appreciate the uniqueness of each park.

But if you are going to post trivial complaints on the Universal boards, as Phamton stated so eloquently -


I couldn't have said it better.

I really don't see what Disney people would have an inferiority complex about. I have noticed how some people do post unfavorable things about Universal, but I don't think all of them are intentionally bashing Universal. frankly I just think some people may be ignorant and not realize that what they are saying is offensive to some people.

I mean it makes sense that some Universal fans wuld have some kind of inferiority complex. I mean most seem to feel that their product is similar to Disney, but Disney continuously beats them out in popularity. I'm not saying that that means that Disney is better, but it gets annoying hearing about Disney all the time when you believe Universal is better. I just don't see how Disney fans could have a complex when Disney is successful as it is.

And I'm glad you feel comfortable expressing your opinions. If you think disney isn't up to par then you should say so. But i just believe that the OP has the right to do the same.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I really don't see what Disney people would have an inferiority complex about. I have noticed how some people do post unfavorable things about Universal, but I don't think all of them are intentionally bashing Universal. frankly I just think some people may be ignorant and not realize that what they are saying is offensive to some people.

I mean it makes sense that some Universal fans would have some kind of inferiority complex. I mean most seem to feel that their product is similar to Disney, but Disney continuously beats them out in popularity. I'm not saying that that means that Disney is better, but it gets annoying hearing about Disney all the time when you believe Universal is better. I just don't see how Disney fans could have a complex when Disney is successful as it is.

And I'm glad you feel comfortable expressing your opinions. If you think Disney isn't up to par then you should say so. But i just believe that the OP has the right to do the same.

Wrong. Most people here dont compare the two. Common sense dictates they are a different product that can be enjoyed, differently. The whole "better" theory is just an opinion of each individual visitor.

Opinion and fact are very different. Had the OP stated their post as pure opinion I doubt it would have gotten this much attention. Its the stating of facts that were incorrect and the bashing element that really isn't necessary when offering an opinion.