Thinking of trying Universal? Read this first timer’s impressions (kinda long)

[Metro West]

DS is still a lap-sitter and he'd probably be too little for everything except maybe Seuss Landing (is that right? Is that the kiddo section?).

I think most rides are no lap sitting even in Seuss Landing. This is because of the restraints....safety issue really.

I also have this weird feeling it would be disloyal to go to Universal since they are in such competition with Disney.

This is a statement that truly blows my mind. I don't understand how it can be disloyal to go from one big corporation that only wants your money to another.

 

[LadyJeanPirateQueen]

Oh..I didn't know that about Seuss Landing. Hubby may have to re-think vacation if DS can't go on anything.

This is a statement that truly blows my mind. I don't understand how it can be disloyal to go from one big corporation that only wants your money to another.

I don't see Disney as 'one big corporation that wants my money'. I mean, it is, but I don't see it that way most of the time. I have a strong emotional connection to WDW and the Disney brand, which I don't have for Universal or their products.

Ladyjean

 

[RVGal]

DS is still a lap-sitter and he'd probably be too little for everything except maybe Seuss Landing (is that right? Is that the kiddo section?).

I also have this weird feeling it would be disloyal to go to Universal since they are in such competition with Disney.

Ladyjean

Seuss Landing is the kid section in IOA. Kids, however, still have to sit next to the adult in all the rides. My DS2, who just tall enough to ride everything, only complained a little about Cat in the Hat.

Woody Woodpecker's KidZone is the kid section in US. That's where the Barney show and Barneys Backyard playground are.

It's your money and you have to decide where you want to spend it. Disney does build a loyal following. So loyal, sometimes, that they can get away with just about anything it seems. Personally, I think competition is a healthy thing for businesses. WDW hasn't done much in the past few years other than put a new face on some old attractions (ie Nemo, Stitch, Laugh Floor, etc.). With the exception of EE, which opened in 2006 (and most classify as a thrill ride), WDW hasn't had a new everybody-can-ride ride in years. If Pixar Place and/or Toy Story Mania becomes a reality, it will be the first real ride (dark ride) that Disney has unveiled in a decade. The concept art makes it look like it will be very nearly a clone to Buzz Lightyear, but since Buzz is a popular ride I can understand wanting to duplicate it. Add that to the fact that they keep raising prices and it makes me stop and scratch my head. I love Disney and everything it has to offer. I was raised on Wonderful World of Disney and had a Mickey phone and watched the Mickey Mouse Club (all variations over the years). I would probably find a reason to go to WDW every few years no matter what. However, I do find myself choosing to spread my vacation dollars among all the parks available in Orlando these days. As I said before, competition is a good thing for we the consumers. If Disney has to share enough of their clients (I mean "guests") with other parks, it might just push them to pump some more money back into our experience at WDW.

JMHO. File it or flush it.

 

[LadyJeanPirateQueen]

DS is probably big enough (at almost 4) to sit next to us in the Seuss Landing rides (I'm assuming, because he is kind of on the tall end of normal).

DH has wanted to go to Universal for several years now, but every time he brings it up I tend to squash it because I am such a big Disney fan. He thinks if he takes me one time, he'll convert me to being a Universal fan. I'm not so sure about that, but at least I'm willing to give it a shot now. Sort of.

Still wimbling about it though. Not sure if I'll enjoy it or if I'll try to make myself miserable because it's NOT Disney. Or if I'll try to make myself miserable and end up enjoying it anyway. I am such a wimbler.

Ladyjean

 

[AlexandNessa]

Good grief! Will all you people STOP making my home away from home so palatable to everyone else?! Geez. Yes, Universal is a little slice of heaven, but if this continues, we won't be able to afford our 2-3 trips per year (in comped suites) with unlimited Express, and AP and AAA discounts on merchandise and food, without having to pine for a PIN code accidentally addressed to your cat that you can't use... We'll have to call 18.5 months in advance and be on the phone at 06:59:59 am to book a package... Making reservations for Mythos 360 days in advance ... STOP THE MADNESS!

 

[AlexandNessa]

Oh, and Barb, that just didn't slide by .... you broke my heart. Using the rickshaw menaces and tipping them well and then advertising them. You're dead to me. Dead!

 

[LadyJeanPirateQueen]

AlexandNessa---

Ladyjean

 

[wicket2005]

I have a strong emotional connection to WDW and the Disney brand, which I don't have for Universal or their products.

Ladyjean

The thing is, it is always nice to try something new. Go to Universal and Islands, try them. You may love them, you may hate them but at least you have given it a go and will have an opinion. I love all the parks in Orlando and coming from England tend to group the parks into one big theme park. Each and every one of them offers a different experience and I wouldn't dream of not visiting each of them on our visits. Saying that we spend 14 days across there so do have the time to do this.

Your hubbie obviously fancies trying these parks so it would be nice to let him have the opportunity to visit them. My sons were 5 and 7 when we first visited Orlando, they enjoyed Universal at this age. Islands wasn't open then.

 

[LadyJeanPirateQueen]

Alright..I'll give them a go. But if I hate them, I am blaming all of you.

Ladyjean

 

[bubba's mom]

Lady Jean..... I think that you "giving it a go" for your hubby is quite wonderful... however, please remember to TRY NOT TO COMPARE Universal to Disney. This is where a lot of WDW lovers go wrong and they start to compare the two parks and then nit-pick and find things wrong with UO. Please go with an 'open' mind and you will most certainly have a good time


Jodie.... ...about the rickshaw, BUT, i will say that it was our "wet" day and we were heading back to the room to change for dinner and one of my boys was, um, 'chafing' and the walk back was just going to be unbearable for him ......so, since I have a 'valid' reason, I'm sure you can forgive me (that is the only time we have ever used them...we usually enjoy the walk!)

 

[damo]

DS is still a lap-sitter and he'd probably be too little for everything except maybe Seuss Landing (is that right? Is that the kiddo section?).

I also have this weird feeling it would be disloyal to go to Universal since they are in such competition with Disney.

Ladyjean

Repeat after me, "Disney is not a religion."


We just got back from 4 days at Disneyland. We love Disneyland. We love Universal. We love having fun as a family and that is the bottom line. We go to all parks everywhere just because we love to have fun as a family. Each of us has a different park preference and because of that, we love them all. If one of us wants to try something else, off we go with a VERY OPEN MIND. At the end of the day, we will all have differing opinions but it is so nice to see when one of us is absolutely thrilled by a new experience. If you don't want to go for yourself, go for your loved ones and love it because they do.

 

[macraven]

Oh, and Barb, that just didn't slide by .... you broke my heart. Using the rickshaw menaces and tipping them well and then advertising them. You're dead to me. Dead!

homie, hey, i tried to get your attention when the subject came up
i still remember the thread about it.



you know, i had no idea bubba's mom did the rickshaw thing.....

 

[bubba's mom]

you know, i had no idea bubba's mom did the rickshaw thing.....

we only did it ONCE!


....and besides, I think it's a good idea to mention it to the 'new' people so they don't get there and see the rickshaws and go "what are those?" "how much?" ....did you know they will take you from resort to resort too? I'm postin' the information...and that's what peeps are here for! .....so, if any of you people use the ricks, don't tell Jodie...she has "rickshaw issues"

 

[t-and-a]

Repeat after me, "Disney is not a religion."

Amen Sister!

We just got back from 4 days at Disneyland. We love Disneyland. We love Universal. We love having fun as a family and that is the bottom line. We go to all parks everywhere just because we love to have fun as a family. Each of us has a different park preference and because of that, we love them all. If one of us wants to try something else, off we go with a VERY OPEN MIND. At the end of the day, we will all have differing opinions but it is so nice to see when one of us is absolutely thrilled by a new experience. If you don't want to go for yourself, go for your loved ones and love it because they do.

I agree completely! Yes, go with an open mind and you will have a WONDERFUL time!

DS is probably big enough (at almost 4) to sit next to us in the Seuss Landing rides (I'm assuming, because he is kind of on the tall end of normal).

From the way it sounds, your child will be able to ride the rides in Seuss Landing while sitting next to you. Measure your child and look at the information on this link: http://www.universalorlando.com/pi_height.html You will see the height requirements for all the rides at US and IOA. There may be a lot of rides that he can get on. If he's 40", you will have to try Spiderman at IOA! Also, Shrek and Jimmy Neutron at US will be must-do's for you guys! Disney's height restrictions are much the same as Universal's height restrictions.

 

[t-and-a]

we only did it ONCE!

That's what I always used to say when I'd get busted by my parents when I was a teenager! Once is all it takes, don't you know that Barb? It sounds like you need to prepare to be flogged by Jodie and Mac.....Poor Barb.....

 

[bubba's mom]

actually, it took us more than once


....AND, I'm not afraid of jodie and mommamac....I GIVES the floggins, not "get" 'em

 

[WDW Princess]

Oh..I didn't know that about Seuss Landing. Hubby may have to re-think vacation if DS can't go on anything.



I don't see Disney as 'one big corporation that wants my money'. I mean, it is, but I don't see it that way most of the time. I have a strong emotional connection to WDW and the Disney brand, which I don't have for Universal or their products.

Ladyjean

That’s a well-trained consumer! Seriously, LadyJean, there is no need to compare the parks – this is one of the instances when more IS better. Instead of having only WDW, we have a privilege of having USF, SeaWorld, Discovery Cove….Corporate competition is a wonderful thing for us. I know you already said you’ll give Universal a whirl, so I hope you enjoy it for what it is and you’ll have a great time there!!!

I love everything Disney and practically grew up at DLP. I have Mickey polo shirts, drink my tea from a Mickey cup and get butterflies in my stomach thinking about going to Disney, but if I have an opportunity for more fun and different experience, what loyalty are we talking about? I guess I just don’t understand the drama of Disney lovers trying to decide on Universal.

 

[ChrisFL]

Oh..I didn't know that about Seuss Landing. Hubby may have to re-think vacation if DS can't go on anything.



I don't see Disney as 'one big corporation that wants my money'. I mean, it is, but I don't see it that way most of the time. I have a strong emotional connection to WDW and the Disney brand, which I don't have for Universal or their products.

Ladyjean

Let me put it to you this way, Most of Universal and Islands of Adventure's great quality comes DIRECTLY from former imagineers that were LAID OFF FROM DISNEY after Eisner decided it was their fault that EuroDisney wasn't drawing the crowds he expected.

So in actuality, when you visit IOA especially, you're seeing the work of former Disney Imagineers given real budgets and creative freedoms that Disney has rarely had in the past decade or so.

 

[AlexandNessa]

actually, it took us more than once


....AND, I'm not afraid of jodie and mommamac....I GIVES the floggins, not "get" 'em

Wha, wha, what??????? You're not afraid of me?! You do know I weigh twice as much as you, right?

 

[macraven]

actually, it took us more than once


....AND, I'm not afraid of jodie and mommamac....I GIVES the floggins, not "get" 'em

Jodie.... ...about the rickshaw, BUT, i will say that it was our "wet" day and we were heading back to the room to change for dinner and one of my boys was, um, 'chafing' and the walk back was just going to be unbearable for him ......so, since I have a 'valid' reason, I'm sure you can forgive me (that is the only time we have ever used them...we usually enjoy the walk!)

we only did it ONCE!


so, if any of you people use the ricks, don't tell Jodie...she has "rickshaw issues" [/SIZE]

you only did it once..

and then you did it more than once.


your nose is growing