To Universal or Not Universal?

[utkscvol1]

Ok so we are going to disney 9-11 thru 9-21. We are contemplating taking 2 or 3 days off our parkhoppers and going to universal. Tons of questions as we have only been to the citywalk and never in the parks.

1. Is it worth it?

2. We have 2 girls ages 13 and 9. Both still like meeting characters and the oldest is one for the big rides, youngest not so much, but she doesn't want baby stuff.

3. What characters are there there?

4. Can both parks be done in one day?

5. What's the cheapest option money wise for tickets?

Thanks in advance. I appreciate any input!

 

[Tizzy_Meliss]

Ok so we are going to disney 9-11 thru 9-21. We are contemplating taking 2 or 3 days off our parkhoppers and going to universal. Tons of questions as we have only been to the citywalk and never in the parks.

1. Is it worth it?

Yes!

3. What characters are there there?

I copied these from when I was gathering info on the parks, don't remember where I got them, but thanks to who ever compiled them.

USF:
Scooby Doo and Shaggy, Woody Woodpecker, the Rugrats(Tommy, Chucky , Angelica), Eliza Thornberry, Spongebob, Jimmy Neutron, Shrek, Donkey, (Shrek and Donkey are found in the alley between the Shrek building and Monsters Cafe building. and are very entertaining) Fiona, the Flintstones (Fred, Wilma, Barney, Betty), Doc Brown, Marilyn Monroe, Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat, Crash Bandicoot;

**Spongebob gets his own area in the back of the Nick store (where the Jimmy Neutron ride kicks out). You get your photo done if front of a Bikini Bottom back drop.

IOA: Spider-Man, Captain American, Storm, Rogue, Wolverine, Dudley Do-Right, Popeye, Bluto, Olive Oyl, Betty Boop, Woody Woodpecker, Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 & Thing 2, Merlin, Sam I Am, the Grinch. The Cat in the Hat characters are in Suessville.

Most of the characters from Nick can be found by the I Love Lucy store. Scooby Doo and Shaggy also do a stage show bit outside ET. with Curious George, and the man in the yellow suit.

4. Can both parks be done in one day?

You wouldn't be able to fit everything in, in one day. You would miss alot, especially if you are don't have an express or fotl pass.

5. What's the cheapest option money wise for tickets?

$99.00 unlimited access to both parks for a week. http://www.universalorlando.com/tickets.html

 

[1girl1boy]

I was just thinking the same thing. I go in August with a 3 and 7 year old who have never done Universal or IOA. Now based on above i may be considering

 

[Jonny_Duck]

Tizzy summed it up perfectly! I will say that its a slower time and it may actually be possible to get most done in 1 day if you go commando and do no repeats. The best price for 1 day 2 park ticket is $10 cheaper at $89.

If it were me I would do atleast 2 days at the parks. Its a much more relaxing vacation and after my last family vacation doing both Disney and Universal, I wont be making another trip w/o adding Universal to the trip.

 

[schumigirl]

I wouldn`t miss Universal. And with the ages of your kids I think they are the perfect age for Universal.

We met loads of characters last year and the interaction was excellent from them and all TM`s actually.

It probably will be quieter in september, but don`t rush through both parks, there is an awful lot to appreciate in US/IOA, they are both wonderful parks.

Hope you enjoy them

 

[Fla Gator]

Just to add to the character list at US, the Madagascar Penguins and Alex were taking photos near where they have the live animal show when we were there last month. We've also found Zorro in front of Cafe LaBamba.

At IOA, we did the character breakfast at Confisco Grill with SpiderMan and the Cat in the Hat characters and they were all very attentive and fun. The Grinch was taking photos inside the bookstore, and he was very funny in a grinchy kind of way.

Scooby Doo and Shaggy were driving around the park in the Mystery Machine and got out for autographs. I've also, on another visit, seen Scooby and Shaggy do a musical-type show with other characters (can't remember who) in front of Fievel's Playland and all the characters stayed for autographs afterward.

 

[Lizboo]

We are kidless Orlando fanatics and we have only done one trip without Universal and we regretted it. It is a different pace than Disney and the rides are more thrilling but there is still plenty for the kiddies.

Go and have a great vacation.

 

[MikeyA50]

We have done both Disney and Universal in 1998, 2006 and 2007. This year we are only doing the Universal Parks. The whole family prefers Universal over Disney.

 

[Josh Hendy]

My kids are of a similar age, only a couple of years older. When I considered that (i) they have lost interest in characters and parades and now really only like thrill rides, (ii) there is nothing new for them in WDW except Toy Story Mania and their favorite ride Space Mountain is closed, (iii) they are bored by if not downright hostile to many of the "classic" attractions in WDW like Carousel of Progress, Small World, Tiki Room, etc. (iv) USF/IOA and SWO/BGT are chock full of rides, attractions and animals that they've never seen before, and (v) USF/IOA/SWO/BGT park hopping tickets purchased online are significantly cheaper than WDW tickets ... it was a no-brainer for me. Once I convinced the kids by showing them youtubes and maps.live.com park pictures that they're going to love Incredible Hulk, Sheikra, Manta, Dolphin Cove, etc. they totally bought into the idea that this year there will be no Disney.

We thought about trying to dabble a bit in both sets of parks but thanks to the way the tickets are structured, the cost is prohibitive. So instead of trying to do 8 parks in 8 days we'd rather experience the 4 new parks for one day each, and then revisit and hop around our favorite new parks and attractions for the rest of the trip.

 

[Sawyer]

Never been to Universal Fla but i picture it being dirty and lame. Will for sure have to go when Wizarding World opens. Hope it's not dirty and lame.

 

[ma2jr]

Absolutely

 

[Metro West]

Never been to Universal Fla but i picture it being dirty and lame. Will for sure have to go when Wizarding World opens. Hope it's not dirty and lame.

Now why would you think it's dirty and lame?

 

[Sawyer]

Now why would you think it's dirty and lame?

I have no real rational explanation for picturing it that way. I guess I imagine it as a sloppy second to WDW and for people who don't like clean fun. I picture baggy-pants teenage gang members on skateboards everywhere and drunkenness and broken liquor bottles. I'm afraid of being mugged if I go there. They do that Horror Night thing which sounds offensive.

I know, it is nutty of me and unfair to think those things since I've no personal experience. Don't know really how I got that idea in my head. Like I said, I can't not go to see the HP attraction so I may end up being a loyal visitor when I see it myself....

 

[Metro West]

I have no real rational explanation for picturing it that way. I guess I imagine it as a sloppy second to WDW and for people who don't like clean fun. I picture baggy-pants teenage gang members on skateboards everywhere and drunkenness and broken liquor bottles. I'm afraid of being mugged if I go there. They do that Horror Night thing which sounds offensive.

I know, it is nutty of me and unfair to think those things since I've no personal experience. Don't know really how I got that idea in my head. Like I said, I can't not go to see the HP attraction so I may end up being a loyal visitor when I see it myself....

Well...hopefully you will check out some of the picture and trip reports threads...You will see it's nothing like what you think. Halloween Horror Nights is the best event in the country and it's a blast! You definately need to give Universal a try sometime and you'll see how wrong you are.

 

[Planogirl]

Universal is many things but definitely not dirty! And they have some of the nicest people working there too. Where oh where do people get these ideas?

One thing: do NOT expect Disney! They are all themeparks but Universal has a whole other attitude and style. Not better or worse but different.

I will add that DS talked me into trying Universal after many years of only going to WDW. I was totally smitten once I gave it a chance and did so with an open mind. Universal isn't necessarily for everyone but some of you might just be as surprised just as I was.

 

[troobabiee7]

I have no real rational explanation for picturing it that way. I guess I imagine it as a sloppy second to WDW and for people who don't like clean fun. I picture baggy-pants teenage gang members on skateboards everywhere and drunkenness and broken liquor bottles. I'm afraid of being mugged if I go there. They do that Horror Night thing which sounds offensive.

The last time we were at both resorts, Universal was spotless while there were bottles and actual food floating in the Its a Small World water, there were clumps of hair stuck to the Splash Mountain seats, and garbage was littering the streets in front of the Great Movie ride so... I was actually shocked at how filthy and gross most of the Disney parks were. They're usually great with that, but the facade was definitely cracking on our last visit. The World Showcase and Animal Kingdom were spotless, but everything else was a mess.

And have you read the trip report with the woman at Animal Kingdom who was holding her baby in one hand and her beer in the other, and her whole family laughed as the baby continuously dipped its pacifier in the beer before sucking on it on it? Classy

You find all kinds of people everywhere you go. There are the fun families and the more... offbeat people at both resorts, and at every theme park around the world. It's ignorant to think that only one type of person goes to a world-class resort, whether it be Disney, Universal, or anything else out there.

I just don't get posts like this. If you don't like a particular resort, theme park, restaurant... that's fine! But what's the point of telling people who go somewhere that you think that same place is full of filth and trashy people, especially if you've never been? These are theme parks we're talking about - they're there for you to have fun. Why not take advantage of all the fun that can be had rather than turning it into a competition?

I love Disney World (a lot!) but I never understood why anyone would so vehemently defend or be loyal to a giant corporation that makes a ton of money off of them taking pictures with college kids in costumes?!! I get that's what theme parks are about, but to be so fiercely loyal to a company that you get nothing out of just doesn't make sense to me, especially when it means missing out on the fun and new experiences you could be having by enjoying all that's out there.

Universal's clean, safe and a ton of fun, as is Disney. And Busch Gardens. And Hershey Park. Fun is fun, regardless of what corporation is attached to it.

OK, off my soap box

 

[Kaler131]

My family & I were there for a week this past June and we had a GREAT time!! There are lots of fun things to do and rides to ride. My kids are ages: 15 (girl) and 12,9,& 6 (boys) and they had a blast! The only REALLY annoying thing for us after coming off a weeks vacation at WDW (the week before) is that the counter service food at USF and IOA pretty much stunk!! At least in our opinion. Many people say that WDW CS food is not good....but Universal's is worse (like I said in OUR opinion). But the parks are GREAT!!

 

[DisneyWalker44]

I have no real rational explanation for picturing it that way. I guess I imagine it as a sloppy second to WDW and for people who don't like clean fun. I picture baggy-pants teenage gang members on skateboards everywhere and drunkenness and broken liquor bottles.

I just got back from my first visit to Universal. It was exactly the opposite of what you imagine. The parks were spotless. Maintenance and staff were better than Disney. And the crowds were nicer and better behaved. No parents screaming at their kids, no mobs attacking characters, no meltdowns.

Heck, even the "Brazilian Tour Groups" were better behaved than at WDW. (Truth be told, they were actually from Paraguay, not Brazil)

 

[Sawyer]

Again, I have no explanation for my imagination running away with me on what I would find at US. Maybe it's subliminal messaging from the DIS all these years, who knows. I picture the whole park as PG-13 - R rated.

I am going to visit when Wizarding World opens - there's no question about that. It will probably be a most delightful surprise to find that it was nothing like I imagined.

 

[Josh Hendy]

... Many people say that WDW CS food is not good....but Universal's is worse (like I said in OUR opinion) ...

Are you talking about the food quality/selection/taste, the restaurant location/seating, the lineups, the price, or all of the above?

Are there any CS locations in USF/IOA which you would particularly recommend to visit or avoid?