Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

[lugnut33]

~Thanks for sharing this, Dan. It's a great article.

~This the first I've heard about plans for Star Wars being shelved??? Really? I don't know about that. It seems a little too soon to shelf something was never planned to begin with.

~I really miss the old Disney under Eisner. We would have five full parks by now. I think Free Dining, Food & Wine and DVC are working very well for Disney. Why build expensive new E ticket attractions, when people are demanding Free Dining?

~While Universal is firebombing Disney with one new attraction after the next, Disney shoots out a flare every now and then for damage control as a response. I really don't get it. But, part of me says -- ultimately we're to blame for this new Disney. The signs were glaring and present for several years, but profits and attendance continued to soar at Disney. It took Harry Potter at Universal for Disney to even notice how bad the parks were neglected. Oh well, we'll see.

~With that said, I still am excited about the 7MDT -- but now we may have to wait until June for this???? Ugh....

~ETA: I think June is a mistake. Why does Disney want to go to war with Universal's Diagon Alley? It's just not enough, lol. I hope the Mine Train debuts before Spring Break.

I've never been to Universal, but I'll admit I'm interested in going now considering how many good things I'm hearing about the park. Especially when I hear Pete from the Dis Podcast talk about how Universal workers seem much more happy than Disney workers. I'm trying to figure out a way to make it happen, but I have an AP at WDW that's good until November. Gotta get my money's worth out of that.

 

[fairyprincess88]

,Universal is too much more like the real world and I head to Florida to escape the real world

See this I don't really understand. Have you been to Universal, especially recently? It is as well themed as Disney, and in some places, way more themed. There is nothing at Disney that can compare to the detail and immersive theme of the WWoHP, at least not at WDW, although Carsland is close at DL. The new Simson's area is also like nothing in the real world.

This has always been something I just don't get when used in the Universal/Disney debate. There is nothing inside the parks at Universal that takes away from the theme of the park. Yes, there is City Walk on the way in, but that is no different than DTD. What exactly makes Universal more "real world" than Disney?

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

Disney has been coasting on their laurels for years, and Universal is finally making a difference in crowds. IOA SHOULD have done something, but it was successfully called a teenager park, and it floundered. I, and many others, realized its awesomeness, and started spending equal time between Disney and Universal about 10 years ago.

Harry Potter is making even the average Orlando visitor start thinking of less Disney days. Magical Express saved Disney for many years. It was brilliant. Kidnap your visitors at the airport, raise their room price, and give them "free" food. ANYTHING to keep them from leaving Disney property.

However, limiting their rides sure isn't going to keep people onsite. Neither is the most insanely overhyped roller coaster ever built. Especially when it opens at the same time as an insanely UNDERhyped coaster. I mean really, we're just a few months away from the Troll coaster at Universal, and there is NOTHING released about it. Universal has barely even admitted it is part of the expansion. Although the blueprints leaked on Monday, there are still NO official details. Universal is going to blow people away this summer. Disney, on the other hand is going to greet visitors with a 2 hour wait for a one minute kiddie coaster, and a new 3 ride limit.

Disney SHOULD take an enormous plunge in attendance in the last half of this year. And they deserve it. There is no reason a Star Wars land shouldn't be half built at DHS right now.

One of the local car rental places, or Meers, should be preparing to offer transportation to Universal for thousands of upset Disney visitors a day. if they aren't, they are just plain stupid. Hell, I should move there and get a limo license and run a bus from Disney to Uni all day. It would be EXTREMELY lucrative, until Disney banned your from their property, or something similarly crazy.

Jason

~Wow, I totally forgot about Magical Express, I admit it does work! But I agree Universal is practicing Walt's long time, tested, tried and true philosophy to under promise and over deliver -- and continually "plus" the parks.

Amen!

If the decision to delay until June is strategic, I can't see the logic behind it.

If anything, with Easter being so late this year, you'd think they'd be motivated to finish before then.

~Hey Mason! Hallelujah to that -- I hear you! If Disney rolls this Mine Train back to June, then I'm thinking they want to face off with Universal. Why? I don't know. Just stick with Spring like you promised, Disney. I can't wait anymore!

I've never been to Universal, but I'll admit I'm interested in going now considering how many good things I'm hearing about the park. Especially when I hear Pete from the Dis Podcast talk about how Universal workers seem much more happy than Disney workers. I'm trying to figure out a way to make it happen, but I have an AP at WDW that's good until November. Gotta get my money's worth out of that.

~You should definitely give Universal a try, I love it! I'm looking forward to going back again just to see the new stuff. But honestly, I would be fine just traveling to Disney without visiting Universal, I really wouldn't miss it. Just being honest. I believe Universal has and can continue to win many Disney guests over, though. Happy planning.

 

[disneylovin24]

See this I don't really understand. Have you been to Universal, especially recently? It is as well themed as Disney, and in some places, way more themed. There is nothing at Disney that can compare to the detail and immersive theme of the WWoHP, at least not at WDW, although Carsland is close at DL. The new Simson's area is also like nothing in the real world.

This has always been something I just don't get when used in the Universal/Disney debate. There is nothing inside the parks at Universal that takes away from the theme of the park. Yes, there is City Walk on the way in, but that is no different than DTD. What exactly makes Universal more "real world" than Disney?

I have no problem admitting that I have never been to Universal, so I know I could be wrong but I still have no interest in going to Universal. Disney is just so amazing to me once I get on WDW property I don't want to leave and honestly maybe I just don't see how Universal could be just like WDW. I am also not talking about jut the theme parks, does Universal has a large resort area that is like its own world?

 

[JanaDee]

I have no problem admitting that I have never been to Universal, so I know I could be wrong but I still have no interest in going to Universal. Disney is just so amazing to me once I get on WDW property I don't want to leave and honestly maybe I just don't see how Universal could be just like WDW. I am also not talking about jut the theme parks, does Universal has a large resort area that is like its own world?

If you've never been there, how do you expect anyone to take you seriously when you say "Universal is too much like the real world?"

If you've never been there, you have no idea!

 

[disneylovin24]

If you've never been there, how do you expect anyone to take you seriously when you say "Universal is too much like the real world?"

If you've never been there, you have no idea!

People don't have to take me seriously! I'm just stating why my family isn't running away from WDW yet because of their lack of new rides or whatever.

 

[JanaDee]

People don't have to take me seriously! I'm just stating why my family isn't running away from WDW yet because of their lack of new rides or whatever.

Don't complain about Universal being too much like the real world if you've never been there. You don't know.

I have never been to Universal and have never pretended otherwise. But I sure am taking a serious look at it now.

 

[disneylovin24]

Don't complain about Universal being too much like the real world if you've never been there. You don't know.

I have never been to Universal and have never pretended otherwise. But I sure am taking a serious look at it now.

From the outside looking in after spending years at Disney, I just don't see how I can go and spend an entire vacation there in their resorts and their theme parks and be transported to a different world like at Disney. Could I be wrong? Absolutely. Should people not go there based on my thoughts? No, please go. But I am just sharing why I continue to choose Disney over Universal and will going forward also. If it ain't broke don't fix it! Disney ain't broke to me yet so I ain't gonna try and fix it.

And like I said above, I am just not a fan of any of the characters/movies Universal has to offer, I prefer Disney films and characters.

 

[mom2rtk]

Don't complain about Universal being too much like the real world if you've never been there. You don't know.

I have never been to Universal and have never pretended otherwise. But I sure am taking a serious look at it now.

You really should take a look. We haven't been in a few years, as Disney did quite a remarkable job of capturing 100% of our vacation dollars in recent years. Now that they are opening the door, we have it ALL under evaluation and I can almost guarantee Universal will be playing a role in our next Orlando trip. What remains to be seen is just how large a part it will play.

I'm not sure if I can go cold turkey on Disney, but I'm considering staying onsite at Universal, doing FOTL in the mornings, then running over to Disney a few evenings for some pre-scheduled FP+ rides. It would probably cut Disney back from 100% to about 15% of our vacation dollars.

Between FOTL at Universal and FP+ at Disney, it would be like ride-palooza for my thrill ride junkie of a daughter! Good thing I don't get motion sickness.

It still makes me sad though to think of making Disney take a back seat. My heart is still with them. But it appears my dollars might not be.

 

[BrianL]

You know, adding new stuff is great, and Universal is doing a nice job of it, but it's actually the Classics that keep me going back to Disney. Universal can build whatever new-fangled, cutting-edge, technological thrillhouse they can come up with, but if it's not better than the Haunted Mansion, then they haven't won me over.

Hey, I like Universal too, and it's great that they are investing in the rides, but Walt's place still has the edge for me. Now, 7DMT needs to be open this spring and I don't know why they are dragging their feet. Of course, MK was the park in least need of new attractions and yet here we are.

 

[Jennasis]

I have no problem admitting that I have never been to Universal, so I know I could be wrong but I still have no interest in going to Universal. Disney is just so amazing to me once I get on WDW property I don't want to leave and honestly maybe I just don't see how Universal could be just like WDW. I am also not talking about jut the theme parks, does Universal has a large resort area that is like its own world?

Yes. Yes it does.

 

[disneylovin24]

You know, adding new stuff is great, and Universal is doing a nice job of it, but it's actually the Classics that keep me going back to Disney. Universal can build whatever new-fangled, cutting-edge, technological thrillhouse they can come up with, but if it's not better than the Haunted Mansion, then they haven't won me over.

Hey, I like Universal too, and it's great that they are investing in the rides, but Walt's place still has the edge for me. Now, 7DMT needs to be open this spring and I don't know why they are dragging their feet. Of course, MK was the park in least need of new attractions and yet here we are.

I think this is part of the point I am trying to make also. I don't see any problem with what WDW has, it keeps attracting me and millions of other people every year because WDW is filled with classics that you can enjoy over and over again.

New rides are great, but I don't think WDW has to add a new ride every year to be a better theme park than Universal. They don't even need to add a new ride every time Universal does.

 

[Missyrose]

You really should take a look. We haven't been in a few years, as Disney did quite a remarkable job of capturing 100% of our vacation dollars in recent years. Now that they are opening the door, we have it ALL under evaluation and I can almost guarantee Universal will be playing a role in our next Orlando trip. What remains to be seen is just how large a part it will play.

I'm not sure if I can go cold turkey on Disney, but I'm considering staying onsite at Universal, doing FOTL in the mornings, then running over to Disney a few evenings for some pre-scheduled FP+ rides. It would probably cut Disney back from 100% to about 15% of our vacation dollars.

Between FOTL at Universal and FP+ at Disney, it would be like ride-palooza for my thrill ride junkie of a daughter! Good thing I don't get motion sickness.

It still makes me sad though to think of making Disney take a back seat. My heart is still with them. But it appears my dollars might not be.

If we didn't own DVC, we'd be taking the same plan under consideration. Instead, when we go to Florida for eight nights in December, we'll spend the better part of two days at the Universal parks. Getting there early in the morning and getting stuff done before the crowds build. And once we've had our fill of Universal each day, we'll pop into a Disney park for the evening and use the 3 FP+ they deign to give us. And if we didn't have to go to AK in August for our animal-loving friend, we'd add a second Universal day on that trip too.

I really don't understand the all or nothing approach. Why do you have to prove your loyalty to Disney by never stepping foot in a Universal park? They both have their pros and they both have their cons. The nice thing is, you can enjoy them both!

 

[mom2rtk]

WDW is filled with classics that you can enjoy over and over again.

..... which is precisely why I prefer the old FP system where you could use it to ride your favorite classic over and over again. The inability to duplicate rides with FP+ is one of the biggest drawbacks to me.

 

[disneylovin24]

Yes. Yes it does.

Universal has 3, soon to be 4, on-site hotels. WDW has over 30...I don't think the size is comparable.

 

[BrianL]

New rides are great, but I don't think WDW has to add a new ride every year to be a better theme park than Universal. They don't even need to add a new ride every time Universal does.

You are right. What they DO have a need for is higher capacity at the parks other than MK. The TT/Soarin situation is pretty rough. If they want to get into an arms race with Uni, that is where they should concentrate. MK always has been and always will be THE theme park of all theme parks.

 

[fairyprincess88]

I have no problem admitting that I have never been to Universal, so I know I could be wrong but I still have no interest in going to Universal. Disney is just so amazing to me once I get on WDW property I don't want to leave and honestly maybe I just don't see how Universal could be just like WDW. I am also not talking about jut the theme parks, does Universal has a large resort area that is like its own world?

Yes Universal has amazing resort hotels, and they are truly deluxe. They are themed as well, such as Portifino is a themed around the Italian Rivera and Royal Pacific is of course pacific tropical. There is also the Hard Rock. They are also about to open their first "value" resort, with family suites. All three of the main hotels at Universal are in walking distance to the parks, or you can take the boats. There is no need for buses or planning travel. Each hotel has signature dining as well. So yes, the hotels are just as immersive as any at Disney. Plus you are allowed to pool hop from resort to resort. There is no Motel Six real world vibe at the Universal resort.

I can get not being interested but to say "it's too real world" is absolutely false.

 

[disneylovin24]

..... which is precisely why I prefer the old FP system where you could use it to ride your favorite classic over and over again. The inability to duplicate rides with FP+ is one of the biggest drawbacks to me.

But if you like the favorite classics then why are you going to spend your next trip mostly at Universal

 

[mom2rtk]

If they want to get into an arms race with Uni, that is where they should concentrate.

But they have explicitly stated that they are not interested in an arms race of rides with Universal. They really have been very up front about that.

 

[disneylovin24]

You are right. What they DO have a need for is higher capacity at the parks other than MK. The TT/Soarin situation is pretty rough. If they want to get into an arms race with Uni, that is where they should concentrate. MK always has been and always will be THE theme park of all theme parks.

EPCOT is actually my favorite park which I probably do enjoy more than the MK so I obviously like it the way it is and think it is a fine theme park that doesn't need to get into an arms race with Universal. Sure it could use another ride or two, but I still love it as is.