The Good and The Bad of Universal Vs. Disney

[Timmy Boy]

I have compiled a list of reasons as well as pluses and minuses of each entertainment industry. Please note, that these are my personal opinions, so please view them with an open mind.

Walt Disney World, Pluses
- over 20 resorts to choose from
- 4 parks
- 3 water parks
- TONS of activities besides water/theme parks
- various themes
- Cast Member treatment
- great for kids (3-12)ish
- you feel as if your in a whole different world (due to seclusion)

Walt Disney World, Minuses
- transportation is a problem (if you don't have your own car)
- may take as much as 30 min. to get across the resort
- too big to take it all in, should plan for a least a week for vacationing
- rides are rides that are found elsewhere, just themed very, very well (although quite a few are original)
- may encounter very long lines and congested parks
- hard to get back to hotel room to nap during the day or dry off

Universal Orlando, Pluses
- Front of the Line Access (if you are staying on-site, you can use your room key to bypass the standby line and ride with minimal to no wait)
- smaller atmosphere
- MUCH easier to get from one place to another (via water taxi, bus or walking trail from all resorts)
- great nightlife
- outrageous themes (some even more clever than Disney)
- great for teens and adults (13-55)ish
- on site-resorts
- 2 fantastic parks
- employees aren't bad either
- very easy to return to hotel for breaks

Universal Orlando, Minuses
- may never be as big as Disney
- most of the Resort is not suited for younger ones (although many areas are)
- only 2 parks
- only 3 on-site hotels
- can be all dont in less than a week
- doesn't have that "in another world" feel (as you can see downtown Orlando from rides, where as Disney is so secluded)

That's it! If you would like to add more, please be my guest! Hope this helped!

 

[Dznefreek]

3 water parks

Now only 2 that you can attend since RC's fate has been up in the air for a couple of years now.

- can be all done in less than a week

How is that a minus? If you have limited time it is perfect.

- various themes

As does USF/IOA

- great for kids (3-12)ish

So is USF and IOA.

although quite a few are original

Very Few are "original." Just as you stated "rides that are found elsewhere."

 

[Timmy Boy]

Dude, you're like prodding every small little detail I put and making it sound like a huge thing! Sorry I insulted your Disney, I'll be more careful next time.

Just, chill out bud.

 

[JessicaR]

I understand you started this thread and did say it was "your" opinion. A thread was closed this week based on a similar topic. You cant expect people to just view them and not post their own opinions. It's bound to happen with any topic but especially so here when comparing these 2 parks.

 

[EUROPA]

A very touchy subject around here....this will not end well and never has in the 50+ post that I've seen on this subject.

 

[Muushka]

I appreciated the post. While I like USF more than WDW, I enjoy reading what other people's opinions are.

Thanks Timmy Boy

 

[ChrisFL]

/me ducks, waiting for the mudslinging to follow

 

[theycallmewinnie]

I say hooray for differences! I love reading everyone's opinions even though one should take them all with a grain of salt just as I do when I read any other type of review. Having been to Disney two summers ago, my family is looking forward to the different things at USO. Better or worse? - I'm sure even my two young sons will both have different opinions; neither is right, just a different take.

Having said all this, my now 7 year-old's favorite ride two years ago was the Tower of Terror. Anything similar at USO? My now 9 year-old preferred Space Mountain and Splash Mountain. Does anyone have a comparison to USO rides? I found all three of these to be at my limit for motion sickness, so I'm always somewhat leary of new thrills.

Thanks for any (and all) opinions!

 

[Planogirl]

Your list isn't too bad except for a few things I don't agree with. I would include Wet-n-Wild on Universal's list for one thing. I also think that your ages are a bit off. My 10 year old loves Disney and has been several times but he really LOVES Universal Park and Spiderman. He could do everything at Universal except the coasters and Dr Doom and that was by choice since he was more than tall enough.

I would add cost as another factor too. I found it much easier to save money at Universal than at WDW this year.

 

[UniversalAddict]

Let's just be happy that there are differences. It's wonderful that Universal offers some friendly competition to Disney. We all benefit. Where else can you go where there are 6 of the world's best theme parks within a few miles of each other.

 

[Tigger Woods]

Timmy,
While I disagree with some of your observations, I give you 100 Bonus Points for not saying that Disney is more 'MAGICAL' than Universal.

 

[Dznefreek]

Sorry I insulted your Disney

If you read my response you will realize I am a USF/IOA fan.

waiting for the mudslinging to follow

I don't enter a battle of wits with someone who is half-armed!

 

[gschmerl]

Originally posted by theycallmewinnie
I say hooray for differences! I love reading everyone's opinions even though one should take them all with a grain of salt just as I do when I read any other type of review. Having been to Disney two summers ago, my family is looking forward to the different things at USO. Better or worse? - I'm sure even my two young sons will both have different opinions; neither is right, just a different take.

Having said all this, my now 7 year-old's favorite ride two years ago was the Tower of Terror. Anything similar at USO? My now 9 year-old preferred Space Mountain and Splash Mountain. Does anyone have a comparison to USO rides? I found all three of these to be at my limit for motion sickness, so I'm always somewhat leary of new thrills.

Thanks for any (and all) opinions!

Dr Doom at IOA is the closest thing to Tower of Terror, but it's quite different. For one thing it's outside. For another there's more emphasis on the lift up than on the drop.
Dudley Doo Rights Ripsaw Fall is the closest to Splash Mountain. The coasters at IOA have Space Mountain beat by a long shot.

 

[kellymonaghan]

Originally posted by Timmy Boy Universal Orlando, Minuses
- may never be as big as Disney
[/B]

I think for a lot of people, this is a plus.

 

[Cindy B]

I think your ages are off as well. My eight year old is upset about going to Disney, but would LOVE to go to Universal if given the chance.

 

[Molokai Gram]

I think that the JP ride is a more scarey Splash Mountain.

 

[Tekneek]

I can spend a week at Disney, but I cannot imagine more than 2 days at Universal. There just isn't as much to offer, IMHO, but spending 2 days there is something we are adding to our originally Disney-only trip in September.

Having said that, I like them both, and hope they both continue to thrive. It is better for all of us for both of them to exist and do well, regardless of what your personal opinion may be. I am very tired of the pissing contest that "fans" seem to have over this all of the time. The people who insist you can only like one or the other, not both of them. People of all ages probably like at least a few parts of both if they are honest and objective.

 

[phamton]

To me it is impossible to compare. It's like asking some one which movie they liked the best, "Gone with the Wind" or "The Matrix."

I love them both for different reasons and no trip is complete without visiting WDW and UO/IOA.

 

[Laz]

Having just got back from 3 very enjoyable days at Universal (stayed at HRH), I have to agree with Phamton. Each one is unique and should stay that way. IMO, the biggest plus to Universal is the lack of feeling rushed to get everything seen and done. I didn't feel like I missed something by going back to the pool. I wonder if WDW can find some way to copy the Hotel Express advantage?

 

[Timmy Boy]

Laz, with the Hotel thing, I doubt it. Disney has 20+ resorts, where as Universal is planning on 5. With 20 resorts with approximately 1,000 rooms per resort, that's approximately 20,000 rooms. That would be WAY to many people to bypass the standby line at any given time.

So, Disney's greed was their downfall. (Heh heh)