Some Disappointment in US/IoA

[Jennasis]

To be fair a lot of my problems with the place were a result of my group. By day two most of the family wanted to murder each other.

Butterbeer is horrid! Not a single person in my group of 7 could choke down more than a sip.

However, Pumpkin Juice made butterbeer seem like ambrosia. VILE stuff. Everyone in my group spit it out the second they took a swig.

The lines were poorly managed. Chaos when the line extended past the ride entrance (particularly FJ). And on the Mummy, there were NO employees to direct us to the right row at the top of the scaffold/stairs to board the ride. We just sort of milled around up there until one of us got up the gumption to just go where we wanted.

Line wait times were GROSSLY underestimated. Waits were routinely double-triple what was posted. Should've bought express passes.

TM just not very into their jobs. Not rude or anything...just "there". KWIM.

This business of having to put your stuff in a locker is nonsense. Disney manages without mandatory lockers, so what makes USO so special? It was a total time-suck.

I saw two LARGE adults booted off rides...one at FJ and one at Dragon Challenge. I felt so bad for them. It's one thing to catch them as they try to get on line, but a whole 'nuther thing to let them wait in line for eternity and then embarrass the heck out of them by kicking them off the ride in front of everyone.

We ate at Finnegan's. A great big meh.

We were constantly...CONSTANTLY harassed by those morons from some tv survey something-or-other to waste my vacation watching and rating some tv pilot. Apparently "NO" once wasn't good enough. I had to say it a dozen times...to each one of the team we came across. There was also some guy in the parking garage trying to sell us on something too. Obnoxious.

We paid for preferred parking but were still forever away from the park. The parking situation there is kind of stupid.



One the plus side...LOVED all the rides. FJ was awesome (though it caused me crippling motion sickness so bad that I was on the brink of passing out. next time I'll wear my transdermal scop patch). Loved the overall layout and theming. The parks were both beautiful and clean. I was so excited to see Cinnabons at the parks and will know next time to save room for one!

 

[Planogirl]

We loved the frozen butter beer. LOVED it. We always see plenty of TM's at the Mummy and they are always strict about where we go. The TM's are also routinely nice when we go. We also love covered parking but we go in the summer so it's a relief.

I won't comment about the rest of your post except to say that we never experienced any of that. I'm not denying that you did but I can't comment when our experience has been so different during several trips.

 

[Brit_Jude]

Sorry that you did not have the best experience. Seems completely different to our trip in Jul/Aug and we went with 8 people. We found all the TM's great and did not experience anything like you have written on the rides and it was busy, busy, busy. But I don't need someone to herd me into an obvious line for an attraction. We also found the wait times pretty accurate.

FJ has modified seats now for 'LARGE' people and I believe Dragon Challenge does to so I don't understand what you saw, maybe they were moved to safer seats for their size as safety is paramount at these rides.

I also don't know anyone who takes a backback or bag or is allowed to take a backpack or bag on a ride that moves fast and spins which is where UO has lockers. In fact at Disney we hand our stuff to someone who is not going on the ride to take care of thinking Rockin' Roller Coaster/Space Mountain as a Disney comparrison. Having the option of the lockers is great because that means everyone can ride if they want to.

As for butterbeer some liked it, some thought it too sweet, but I don't like root beer and others do. To us older ones it was like cream soda from our childhoods so we liked it. The ones who didn't like it aren't really soda drinkers anyway. I loved the frozen butterbeer. People here on the boards rave about Dole Whips at Disney and I tried one on our last trip and though meh - what is all the fuss about - didn't make me slam the stuff though I just won't have one again.

Maybe your judgement of the park was mared by what I assume was the complaining of your group that would make anyones trip teadious.

 

[Metro West]

I haven't had Butterbeer yet and probably won't...too sweet for my tastes.

Now...I wanted to offer some thoughts about a few of your points listed above:

1. Preferred parking does nothing to shorten the walk from the garage to the parks. All it does is put you on level three so you won't have to take the elevators/escalators. It's not worth the money.

2. The reason Universal has a no carry on rule is there is too much risk of someone getting hurt either riding or observing. It's also to cover Universal in case that would happen. Disney doesn't have the type of rides that require lockers at Universal and frankly...I'm surprised Disney hasn't had an incident where someone got hurt by something flying off of a rider. I would be thrilled if Disney required lockers for some of their more exciting rides but until someone is hurt, that won't happen. Hopefully that won't happen.

3. I wonder if the "large people" you saw booted off of Dragon Challenge didn't fit in the seats and didn't bother to try out the test seats before entering the queue line? Or it could be they had something with them that wasn't allowed on the ride. Who knows? Either way, the TMs were simply doing their jobs and trying to keep everyone safe. I'll never fault a TM for doing their jobs. Maybe they should have handled it better if the "large people" were yelled at in front of everyone...if that's what the TMs did.

4. Salespeople at the parks are very obnoxious but are simply trying to make a living. Is it too much sometimes? Sure and I get irritated with them too but I just ignore them when they approach me...which they usually don't.

5. I haven't had too many issues in the past with line management but I could see where this is an issue. HHN has been great with line management so I'm not sure why they can't get it right for day guests.

6. Finnegan's is usually pretty good...sorry you didn't like it. Maybe next time you could try Mythos or Thunder Falls Terrace at IOA? Those are my favorite places to eat.

I'm not trying to defend Universal but I'm merely giving a point of view from someone who has been to the parks more times than I can count.

I hope you'll be back in the future.

 

[Jennasis]

I know the "missing TM" at the Mummy was a mistake, because the second time we rode it there was a TM there.

Disney has plenty of rides that are thrilling that don't require lockers so that argument holds no water with me. Heck even Space Mountain and BTMRR are jarring enough to launch an unsecured item. Then there's Rock-n-roller coaster, Tower of Terror, Splash Mountain. I think it's nice that the lockers are offered at USO but they shouldn't have to be mandatory.

The guy I saw at Dragon Challenged tried to sit in a regular seat, couldn't get the harness right, a TM came over, tried to mash it down, then said something to the guy who then shook his head and got off the ride. I assume/hope the TM offered the guy the "modified seat", but it looked like the guy was kind of humiliated and just wanted to leave.

On Space Mountain I saw a woman who was HUGE. I was convinced there was no way she was going to be able to ride the ride. She was much much much larger than the guy at IoA. Color me surprised when she got on and rode the ride. I know the rides are different, but Disney can manage to build rides that don't require a "fat seat" and include everyone who wants to ride, so I know Universal can too.

I'm a firm believer that Disney wins when it comes to magic and pixie dust, but Universal does innovation and special effects better.

The park itself never seemed crowded (like the streets and shops) but the lines for the rides were stupid! The Mummy said 10 minutes first thing in the morning, we waited 20. Jaws said 25, we waited about 45 minutes, Dudley Do-Rite (this line nearly caused a mutiny) said like 35 and we were on that Godforsaken line with that awful music for about an hour! It became a running joke after a while...you either laugh about it or it'll drive you mad.

As for the marketing folks wandering the park...I don't care if they're trying to make a living, just like I don't care if a telemarketer calls during dinner. They're an annoyance. Maybe they should have a booth set up somewhere so people could go up to them if they are interested (like DVC booths) rather than having the clipboard wielding people stalking guests.

Don't get me wrong. We had fun. As always, the rides were terrific...if I find the kid in the car next to us on MiB who kept hitting our exhaust pipe and causing us to spin out of control...and City Walk wins over Downtown Disney easily. But I now know that next time we go, I will need to adjust my expectations accordingly and adjust my touring plans. And of course, next time I'm leaving the rest of the family home and it will be just DH and I.

 

[jason10mm]

I've been able to bring a backpack on to RnR at Hollywood Studios that wouldn't be allowed at FJ or Mummy. Probably just a difference in safety opinion, though of course RnR has a very enclosed car while FJ is quite open, not sure there is anything at Disney even remotely that exposed (Soarin', I guess, which does have storage). Then again, they let a companion in flip-flops wear them for FJ, while in Soarin' they usually require flip-flops to be stowed.

It would be hard to match the level of customer service generated at Disney. US isn't there yet, but they are getting close. I agree that US seems more "money grubbing" due to the frequent "upgrade" stations, clipboard wielding folks, and carnival style booths, but then again, once the girls saw those mogwai stuffed toys (Stripe, spike?) that booth made SERIOUS cash! Same with the electric light shirts at HHNs, but are these stations really any different than the dozens and dozens of pin stations, carts, and store fronts at Disney?

Only think I would complain about at US is the "one beer per person" rule, instead of the much more reasonable "two drinks per person" rule at Disney. Makes it much easier for the wife to score a table while I wait in line.

 

[ky07]

I can see your point on some of the things but don't get me wrong I like Disney but I will pick Universal and IOA over them everytime .
Even though this year they opened Harry Potter in which I am not a fan of at all but the ride was ok and not to mention the first time me and DW rode FJ I sliced my arm open on pointed end of a rail due to people wanting to get thru the que lines to quick and thats something I can't understand cause come on people your on vacation slow down and enjoy and plus the fact the it was so crowded we never got to look or go into the shops
cause the lines were out rageous didn't bother me until the next day when DW just had to ride FJ just one more time before the vacation was over and we waited in line in the July heat for almost an hour and a half and by the time we did get in it was like I had took a shower in my clothes but even through all that and the crowds we loved the themeing and Universal as usual and don't see us stopping unless we can't afford to go

 

[damo]

Different strokes for different folks. We love both Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice. We find that the wait times are generally overestimated.

I guess I am so used to having to put bags in lockers at amusement parks will roller coasters that it doesn't affect me.

There are test seats in front of rides for a reason. People should use them.

In my many, many years of going to Disney and Universal, I have yet to have an issue with staff. I find them both to be pleasant, albeit Universal isn't quite as sugary as Disney.

 

[TDC Nala]

I liked the pumpkin juice (I think spiced cider is awesome) and the frozen butterbeer. Regular butterbeer? I have a lip gloss that tastes exactly like it. ugh. And I ate at Finnegans last week and really liked it. Much better fish and chips than the 3 Broomsticks (which was so crowded last week we couldn't eat there although my friend wanted to). They had a nice Belgian wheat beer. (Last time I went to Mythos - last year - I found it utterly disappointing though, and it's always been good before.)

There were massive crowds last week. Had a much better time at Harry Potter in September when I was able to hang out in the area most of the day without wall to wall people.

I hate the lockers. But just one look at the sunglasses net strung under the Hulk explains why Universal has them and insists on guests using them. There was also a teenage kid at Disney who scared the heck out of me on my Space Mountain ride since she brought along a backscratcher and waved it in the air for most of the ride. I was sitting behind her and spent the whole ride hoping she didn't let go of it. It's all fun until someone loses an eye.

 

[Bradsdadg]

The thing is, it just isn't Disney. We went for the first time in Sept. It was fun to us, and different. But just not the same, and not as good as MK or Epcot. I would rank it
3rd along with DHS and AK.

Butterbeer is just cream soda with a whipped topping on top. No big deal to us, but I would get it again.

The food was pretty good to us, probably about the same as Disney.

We didn't get bothered by any TV pilot or whatever that was you mentioned, but we were bothered by their version of the Photopass people.

I appreciate your comments though. We will probably make this a one day trip each week that we go down there to Disney.

 

[mjohnson96]

I wish you had a better time with your trip. From past experiences I know that when you are stressed out by family it is really hard to enjoy yourself

Maybe we have been lucky but everytime we rode a ride at Universal on our last couple trips the wait was always shorter if not right on with the wait time posted outside the ride. Now to be honest we hardly did the normal wait since we stayed onsite so maybe just those rides we did wait on seemed to be okay.

I understand about the drinks, we bought one of each and I did not like either but went ahead and tasted them just for grins and giggles! I don't like overly sweet drinks either so that is prob the big reason I just was not a huge fan of butterbeer or pumpkin juice. Now on the flip side I loved the Beer at the Hogs Head Pub but DH and I are beer drinkers and like to try new flavors.

I have never seen the I don't care attitude from the TMs at the Universal Parks, I have seen it more over at WDW lately for some reason. I know that it exists because not everyone loves their jobs

The locker situation, this trip we had the baby so used the child swap areas allot and did not have to worry about lockers to much. In the past I don't mind the lockers, since if it is required it is free, and only on FJ does it seem to really impact your wait. Heck with a large group you could go get into line and then let the others go to the locker and annoy people when they catch up to you.

Also, on the one beer/drink per person rule if you go up there and make sure you point out the other person and they wave back I have had them give me 2 drinks. That rule is there to help prevent underage drinking and since Universal imo is more of a party environment it seems that it can help.

 

[damo]

IOA has never had the goal to be a park for the entire family. Babies and Grandmas are not going to get to ride on all the rides. That is just the nature of the park. There are plenty of parks in Orlando that are designed for the entire family. IOA is a thrill ride park and it would be a shame if it started to put in only tame rides that don't meet their normal excitement standard.

 

[Coach81]

Hopefully most of your issues will be worked out by the time we are back to see Harry next Summer!!!

We are looking forward to it!

 

[Jennasis]

IOA has never had the goal to be a park for the entire family. Babies and Grandmas are not going to get to ride on all the rides. That is just the nature of the park. There are plenty of parks in Orlando that are designed for the entire family. IOA is a thrill ride park and it would be a shame if it started to put in only tame rides that don't meet their normal excitement standard.

Not sure what this post is in reference to? I made the suggestion that Disney was able to design rides to accommodate all who wished to ride them (from a size capacity) not a "tolerance" capacity. I don't think anyone suggested that USO tame their ride offerings down at all. I love's me some thrill rides!

I didn't think the TM's were rude or didn't care...just that they didn't seem to be "into" it. Maybe I'm just too used to Disney's CM's wishing us a happy anniversary every 10 seconds, or the Haunted Mansion CM's getting spooky with their roles etc.

This visit to the parks was a HUGE 180 from my last trip there (which was the day before IoA opened to the public and I was there touring as part of the press corp). I had my rose colored glasses on at the start of the day and by about midway through, somebody smashed them. I think it was right about the time I found myself sobbing on the curb outside of Finnegan's after my family had driven me off the edge of sanity.

 

[keishashadow]

jmho, as long-time U fan & of HP too

we visited HP area several times, each was even more crowded

the test seats were true to actual ride fit. I was concerned after reading some reports but could've fit two of myself in the seat -not sure if it'd have clicked ha ha (which i didn't hear anyway)

waited 20 min in line for frozen butterbeer (not my thing, tasted like a diet coke float to me).

Around 1:30 pm on friday 10/8, we were told there was a 60 min wait for the main attraction & stepped off the ride shortly shy of 60 min! We were told single rider line was 10 minutes, which gave us encouragement for next day...not! single rider line same time next day we were told 75 min wait. We'll catch it next year.maybe it'll be FOTL included then semi odd that people were joining the nearly empty single rider line by coming thru hole in bushes outside before you go into greenhouse. No line at that point, but assume it could be an issue if they don't bar that entry point.

Something just not right to me about waiting in line to shop (other than black friday lol) so we never did get into one single shop or restuarant. Bought souvies @ main shops in park, plenty of wands available for those who wanted to purchase.

my main gripe is really crowd control in the HP area. I realize by design it was built to capture the whole crowded street vibe, yet the throng of people all over the walkway needs solved. Perhaps temporary posts & chains & TMs to direct folk back to the FJ area from the butterbeer kiosk?I'm willing to bet there is a high % of 'missing kids', we laughed we never saw the cobblestones it was so darn crowded.

i do feel they had a handle on how long the ride lines would be and didn't inflate the wait times as disney seems prone to do, especially later in the day when they're trying to clear the parks.

 

[damo]

Not sure what this post is in reference to? I made the suggestion that Disney was able to design rides to accommodate all who wished to ride them (from a size capacity) not a "tolerance" capacity. I don't think anyone suggested that USO tame their ride offerings down at all. I love's me some thrill rides!

Thrill rides need more restrictions. If you lessen the restrictions, you lessen the intensity of the thrill ride. Disney does not have rides with the same intensity as Universal and they don't need to. Thus the difference in restrictions. There are no coasters similar to the Hulk and Dragon Challenge. RnR and Space Mountain do not have the same lateral g-forces and don't require the same restrictions. The only way that IOA can make the rides available to anyone who wants to ride them is to change the intensity of the rides.

If you go to any park that specializes in intense thrill rides, such as Cedar Point, there are going to be rides with restrictions. Even Manta at SeaWorld doesn't fit everyone. Space Mountain doesn't fit everyone. That's just the way it is. The more intense roller coasters have been engineered with safety and comfort in mind and companies such as Bolliger and Mabillard who make the Universal coasters, Cedar Point Coasters and Manta as well as many other coasters around the world aren't going to re-engineer their coasters so that they fit absolutely everyone.

 

[Brit_Jude]

The thing is, it just isn't Disney. We went for the first time in Sept. It was fun to us, and different. But just not the same, and not as good as MK or Epcot. I would rank it
3rd along with DHS and AK.

I don't understand is it because UO is in Orlando that people expectations are that it should be just like Disney. I don't expect Hershey Park or Bush Gardens to be like Disney??? And I am not disappointed when the are not

I like Disney and UO both for different reasons/rides/experiences and did not have an expectation that they should/would be the same. It's great that such two wonderful experiences are located so close to each other that I can do both in one vacation and get the best of both options.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think it was right about the time I found myself sobbing on the curb outside of Finnegan's after my family had driven me off the edge of sanity.

That would make any trip feel awful.





What did the butterbeer and pumpkin juice taste like to you?

 

[Jennasis]

That would make any trip feel awful.





What did the butterbeer and pumpkin juice taste like to you?

The butterbeer tasted like burnt sugar. It was sickeningly sweet. The pumpkin juice I tried despite knowing it was essentially apple juice (I HATE apples and applejuice). The flavor was indescribably bad. The others in my party like spiced cider, and apple juice but couldn't stand the stuff. I think one of them said they'd rather swig a beverly!

 

[Jennasis]

Thrill rides need more restrictions. If you lessen the restrictions, you lessen the intensity of the thrill ride. Disney does not have rides with the same intensity as Universal and they don't need to. Thus the difference in restrictions. There are no coasters similar to the Hulk and Dragon Challenge. RnR and Space Mountain do not have the same lateral g-forces and don't require the same restrictions. The only way that IOA can make the rides available to anyone who wants to ride them is to change the intensity of the rides.

If you go to any park that specializes in intense thrill rides, such as Cedar Point, there are going to be rides with restrictions. Even Manta at SeaWorld doesn't fit everyone. Space Mountain doesn't fit everyone. That's just the way it is. The more intense roller coasters have been engineered with safety and comfort in mind and companies such as Bolliger and Mabillard who make the Universal coasters, Cedar Point Coasters and Manta as well as many other coasters around the world aren't going to re-engineer their coasters so that they fit absolutely everyone.

I see....well I don't recall seeing any restrictions size-wise at Six Flags or Carowinds (since my super-sized cousin was able to ride everything there without a problem but would never fit at FJ). nor do any of them force you to put your stuff in a locker.

We had to use a locker at MiB. How exactly is that ride too intense to keep my purse on across my body?

I understand your desire to defend USO, just as I usually defend WDW from criticism. You and I happen to disagree and that's cool. The POSITIVE out of the things I found disappointing is that I'll know what to expect next time. Certainly nothing I found made me want to never go back.

While I'm at it, I should make mention that the cheeseburger at Margaritaville was unimpressive too. But I'm glad I at least got to try it.