Spent 2 days, not a fan

[justme88]

I would move into Universal if that were legal. The bf and I joked about packing our stuff and moving into the Garden of Allah Villas onsite

It's my favorite place ever. Probably because I've been going there since I was probably 6 years old, and I'm about to be 24... I could ride nearly everything there repeatedly, for days on end. The only exceptions to that are Disaster (I do know who Christopher Walken is,lol, and he was the best part of that thing.) Twister is admittedly pretty lame as well..No joke, everytime we walked by it, it was a 10-minute wait..I came to the conclusion that they just keep it at that time to make it seem like people actually want to see it, but not so many that it's a super-long wait..(that made more sense back when i said it..not so much now written out in front of me...*end ramble*)

Seriously, though, the Mummy and Rockit are so amazing, I think Universal is practically worth the admission for those two rides alone. And Islands is spectacularly themed overall..just my 2 cents on this

 

[medeng99]

and - drum roll please - worst of all, the waits. You wait for everything at Disney.

for us it was the opposite. we didnt really wait much at WDW parks. Dont get me wrong, im not saying Universal is a bad place. Maybe it was just the heat and there seemed to be hordes of school groups or something. All these people in the same colored shirts with a leader carrying a matching flag.

we tend to stay out of the Magic Kingdom, it seems to always be crowded. doesnt matter when you go.

 

[burnurcomputer]

Universal has smokers, just like Disney. Both parks have smoking areas. If you check your Universal map you will see where they are located. I find that Disney does a better job of marking the smoking areas vs. Universal. You know, as a smoker (electronic cig) I still get dirty looks in the smoking section because poeple do not look at the map to find smoking areas, unless its a service that you choose to use. Just remember that those dirty smokers payed the same as you did to get in the park!


Plus, our family loves Universal and Disney. They are different in many ways but both fill parts of our hearts <3

 

[medeng99]

Just remember that those dirty smokers payed the same as you did to get in the park!

I am a former smoker (smoke free over 12 years now), so I know the habit. Areas or not, people were walking all over the park smoking, not just in confined areas. But this wasnt about my issue with smokers. I guess it just wasnt like it used to be for me. Plus, I grew up in CA going to the original Universal Studios, when they actually used to take you on movie backlots. I am sure thats all gone as well.

 

[damo]

I am a former smoker (smoke free over 12 years now), so I know the habit. Areas or not, people were walking all over the park smoking, not just in confined areas. But this wasnt about my issue with smokers. I guess it just wasnt like it used to be for me. Plus, I grew up in CA going to the original Universal Studios, when they actually used to take you on movie backlots. I am sure thats all gone as well.

I'm surprised about the smokers. I usually see one or so a day that aren't in their usual area. I see about the same at Disney.

The people in the same colour shirts would be foreign tourist groups.

 

[toddinboston]

My wife liked US better than IOA, I enjoyed them both...I would be impressed with being able to do US in half a day...we went on a low crowd day and were there from 9 to 4 (and didn't do RRR). We walked on to most rides except Disaster and mummy.

 

[damo]

My wife liked US better than IOA, I enjoyed them both...I would be impressed with being able to do US in half a day...we went on a low crowd day and were there from 9 to 4 (and didn't do RRR). We walked on to most rides except Disaster and mummy.

So many of the attractions at Universal aren't rides and they are only scheduled at certain times, so the half a day thing surprises me as well. Between the Horror Make-up show, Terminator 3D, Disaster, Twister and Animal Actors show, that is already several hours. Despicable Me and Shrek also have quite a long pre-show. The only short little things to do are RRR, Mummy, Men in Black and ET --- and RRR is never a walk-on.

 

[brenda1966]

Yeah, I have to wonder if people who are disappointed are not doing the shows?

And I have to laugh when I read "We hated US, it was so HOT!" Like US can do anything about that miserable Florida weather. LOL.

I like different things about each of the parks. Of course my heart will always belong to DisneyLAND, my favorite of them all, but I can find things to like about each park. Like express pass -- it just rocks. We'll be going to US/IoA without it shortly and I'm sure I'm going to feel the pain of not having it. Can't wait to ride E.T. again and I know DD is looking forward to The Mummy ride and Harry Potter. That land is just magical.

 

[macraven]

From sept 24 thru oct. 12, it was HOT in all the parks, motherland and the dark side

I know as I was there.

This was the hottest year it has been for me in the past many years I have been going in that time period.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

I love Universal but have to admit with Back to the Future and Jaws now closed, I love it a bit less. Love Harry Potter so that makes up for some of it. I tend to go on 2 of my 7 days there each year.

 

[smull1982]

Just got back from a four day stretch. I read all the boards and thought I was prepared but boy were my DH and I blown away! We loved everything about Universal and hated to leave. We did all the rides we wanted, many twice, FJ three times, saw three of the shows that were great, ate at Finnegans to do the stay and scream and did HHN on Thursday. We got four houses in (Gothic, The Dead, Silent Hill and House of Horrors). After waiting in line over an hour for House of Horrors we stuck to the rides and just walked on with no wait.

The WWOHP was also awesome and we spent alot of time drinking butterbeer at the hogs head pub and shopping. My DH likes Universal better than Disney because it seems to have more attractions he enjoys and is more "adult". I have to admit I never saw any crying children at MNSSHP like I did at HHN but that's all part of the "uniqueness" of disney being such a kid friendly park. I love both parks but if I had to choose a preference it would definately be Universal!! On the way home my DH asked me what my favorite part was and I couldn't answer him. It was all great!

 

[Squirlz]

So many of the attractions at Universal aren't rides and they are only scheduled at certain times, so the half a day thing surprises me as well. Between the Horror Make-up show, Terminator 3D, Disaster, Twister and Animal Actors show, that is already several hours. Despicable Me and Shrek also have quite a long pre-show. The only short little things to do are RRR, Mummy, Men in Black and ET --- and RRR is never a walk-on.

RRR was nearly a walk-on last week, and you reminded me of a funny story. Our very first ride on it the line attendant stopped my Wife for just a second to tell her to remove her hat. The couple behind us pushed past us in just that brief time. Well when we got to the loading zone Mr. and Mrs. Impatientpants were directed to the last row of a car and we got the front row of the next one. Nah nah n nah nah!

 

[andyman8]

Real question; what does that mean?

Basically, it means things are becoming a bit inefficient at UOR. For example, I get the mentality behind the new Express onsite hotel photo ID but we were never informed of this at check-in. Another example would be the long lines FL residents must wait in to pick up their tickets and sometimes, depending on the nature of the TM, being sent to guest services because you don't have photo IDs for one of your two teenagers.

That being said, I still really enjoy UOR and find it to be a much better value (and more relaxing) than Disney.

 

[macraven]

When you check in, you should be told of the kiosk set up for express line usage.

I heard that spiel over and over when I was at the lobby counter during my stay there this month.


Guests are also told to read thru the packet given to you at check in.
Info about the kiosks for the picture pass is listed in there also.

 

[DOOM1001]

I love Disney and I love Universal,Universal for the last 5-6 years has given you a lot more to be excited about,just look at all the projects going at Universal,the Potter area at IOA and we already have rumors or even possible new construction at IOA of a new Grinch coaster or new ride in Jurrassic Park as there was even a crane spotted back there somewhere.I just visited the new Fantasyland area in MK and quite honestly the place is way too hyped for what it is,they do have the seven dwarves coaster yet to open but overall not the biggest deal.Both Disney and Universal have several special events that are both great and we look forward to throughout the year.I've always felt no need to compare Disney to Universal to a Sea World or Busch Gardens,I enjoy them all and have AP's to all of them.

 

[Planogirl]

I always wonder why people come to a Universal board to slam Universal. I wouldn't do that on the Disney boards. I'm not talking about you OP but others I see doing this so strongly.

Anyway, I do miss Jaws. I also wish that Universal had a way to be a bit more efficient when it comes to lines. I take the kid to the TNA shows when we are there at the right time and the lines for these are handled by Universal staff. It's a pretty, long miserable wait to say the least.

I do love Universal though and I'll continue to give them way too much money.

 

[hazlnut]

Nope, I love Universal. It's my favourite place to be. Second favourite is Disneyland. WDW is down the list as there are only a few rides I like at each park and it is such a hassle getting between parks.

I love that I can walk to the parks from the hotel and from park to park. I love that I can get an annual pass for $250 and then renew it annually for $160. I love that I can stay at a deluxe hotel for $170 with my AP discount. I love the food at the parks and the hotels. I love the re-ridability of so many of the rides. I love butterbeer. I love the complexity of the rides and the way that the parks are building and improving. I love staying onsite and getting early admission to the parks every day as well as unlimited express access for all but a combined 3 rides in both parks.

Agree. Totally Agree.

I don't know why WDW doesn't have unlimited Fast Passes for Concierge Guests and Premium Resort guests.

I love WDW, but the Express pass for onsites is the main reason we're going back to Universal.

Travel is stressful enough, moving through lines fast gives us 3 extra hours to line around at the pool or just nap before dinner. Even with FP, we're still exhausted at the end of a Disney day.

 

[bumbershoot]

Guests are also told to read thru the packet given to you at check in.

Blushing. I'm a big reader, but I only noticed the written info about the shuttle buses to and from the parks until it was almost checkout time (or was it when we got home?). I just never read the info they gave us, and found out about the shuttles over an hour into a massive thunderstorm when the boats were shut down.

this was before the new express pass, but I'm glad to know the info for that is in written form as well!

 

[pokee99]

Agree. Totally Agree.

I don't know why WDW doesn't have unlimited Fast Passes for Concierge Guests and Premium Resort guests.

I love WDW, but the Express pass for onsites is the main reason we're going back to Universal.

Travel is stressful enough, moving through lines fast gives us 3 extra hours to line around at the pool or just nap before dinner. Even with FP, we're still exhausted at the end of a Disney day.

Yeah, I've heard some horror stories from people that have gone to WDW - esp. from folks from the west that are used to DL. It's a bit of a shocker, I'm told.

Our family did DL recently...despite the fact that WDW probably has more to see, I am more excited about seeing some NEW stuff. And the BIG sell is the Expresspass...we must travel during peak times, and don't want to suffer the 60-90 min lines...so willing to pay more to not have to wait. Wish all parks had that option. Doesn't seem fair to the people who can't afford it (or are too frugal to pay not to wait), but that's how the world works and theme parks shouldn't be any different!

 

[DawnM]

I am worried i will be disappointed. We are heading to US next week for a day. I got the 3 day passes from Costco and plan to use one day per year as we come down every year.

We are huge Disney fans.

I haven't ever been to US Orlando, but have been to US Hollywood as we moved from SoCal to NC several years ago.

I guess I will find out next week!

Dawn