Universal Cheaping Out In 2009

[A Mickeyfan]

You do know there is only one track at ET..right? There's two platforms for loading and unloading, but ONE track.

One track but they do load from both sides, so it is like 2 tracks.. so when people here are saying one, as me.. we are meaning loading one. Yes, I know they merge together.. I would think others do to.. so while there is one track, but 2 loading platforms, cutting down to one platform means you are using half the amount of "bikes".. which is still using half the ride..

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I was going to go up this weekend and decided not to. I didn't want to deal with the crowds or the "cold" .. yes I said cold... for me it is cold this weekend..

 

[Disneyhappy]

We visited last weekend and noticed some attractions were not running at full capacity. This is true for WDW as well during slower times. We could not believe how empty the Studios was. IOA had more crowds but wait times still did not compare to spring break and summers IMHO. We usually tour in the Am and relax by the pool in the afternoon to return in the evening. The parks closing at 6 PM put a hitch in that plan so we hung out at IOA until about 3 PM. I will say the crowds were much heavier in the afternoon. Go to the parks before opening and you will hardly have any wait times.

 

[Muushka]

The difference between a busy Disney and a busy USF is that at least at a busy Disney you have access to fast passes without having to stay at their resorts or buy them.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

Something that bothered me when my family was there in June, was the "wear and tear" I noticed at various locations throughout the park. For example, in Seuss Landing, the paint was pretty faded on mulitiple attractions/buildings and I even noticed chipped paint on some (Caroseussel). We had been at WDW for a week prior, and the difference in upkeep was noticeable.

 

[ky07]

Something that bothered me when my family was there in June, was the "wear and tear" I noticed at various locations throughout the park. For example, in Seuss Landing, the paint was pretty faded on mulitiple attractions/buildings and I even noticed chipped paint on some (Caroseussel). We had been at WDW for a week prior, and the difference in upkeep was noticeable.

Thats funny cause we were there in July and had plenty of time to look around and never noticed that and trust me my oldest Ds can point out stuff like that in an instance but never heard a peep out of him other than how good things looked

 

[donaldduck352]

Thats funny cause we were there in July and had plenty of time to look around and never noticed that and trust me my oldest Ds can point out stuff like that in an instance but never heard a peep out of him other than how good things looked

Went Saturday.It was busy,but I still look at the little things..Nothing look wore down to me eighter!!

 

[pixeegrl]

me either and we were just there at Christmas time.

 

[macraven]

Something that bothered me when my family was there in June, was the "wear and tear" I noticed at various locations throughout the park. For example, in Seuss Landing, the paint was pretty faded on mulitiple attractions/buildings and I even noticed chipped paint on some (Caroseussel). We had been at WDW for a week prior, and the difference in upkeep was noticeable.

i was there in mid october last year but didn't notice what you posted.

for the Seuss Landing area, that place is always spiffy.
the widow of "Dr. Seuss", has high standards and doesn't allow that island to be in any disarray.

i don't doubt what you said you saw, just saying the parks looked fine to me when i was there after you were.

 

[damo]

I know that they paint the Suessland area quite frequently because the bright colours fade so quickly.

 

[inkkognito]

Last time we were at USF, walking towards Disaster, it looked like a lot of the shopping carts had been spiffed up with new paint. It was very noticeable.

 

[damo]

Last time we were at USF, walking towards Disaster, it looked like a lot of the shopping carts had been spiffed up with new paint. It was very noticeable.

Took me a while to figure out what you meant by shopping carts. I was thinking grocery store and couldn't picture any grocery carts over by Disaster, lol.

 

[minniejack]

The difference between a busy Disney and a busy USF is that at least at a busy Disney you have access to fast passes without having to stay at their resorts or buy them.

Uh..would that busy time be that they are out of fastpasses by 10 a.m.?

And you have to make a plan to run from each fastpass attraction to get them. Meaning that you are exhausted from running all over the park to get said "fast" passes...

I like the Motherland and all, but their system isn't the greatest either...

 

[minniejack]

me either and we were just there at Christmas time.

Ditto for me.

Seems like we are getting several on this side of the boards who want to glorify Disney because nothing is ever wrong with their over priced exhaustion--whoops--I meant vacation.

 

[Muushka]

Uh..would that busy time be that they are out of fastpasses by 10 a.m.?

And you have to make a plan to run from each fastpass attraction to get them. Meaning that you are exhausted from running all over the park to get said "fast" passes...

I like the Motherland and all, but their system isn't the greatest either...

I guess you are right. But there are rides at WDW that don't run out quite that early.

I am a little jaded after our Jan visit at USF. Give me another visit, I'll be better.

 

[Muushka]

Ditto for me.

Seems like we are getting several on this side of the boards who want to glorify Disney because nothing is ever wrong with their over priced exhaustion--whoops--I meant vacation.

Trust me, that would not be me. I am not afraid of saying the Mouse has no clothes!

I was just very disappointed in my past visit (had not been in 5 years) and the crowds and lack of express pass (which was gone and I didn't realize it). The parks were so crowded it was not worth visiting. Next time I will be prepared.

Disney does not give me the thrills that USF does!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

This is a picture of a WDW bus.. real clean hmmm

as to the faded paint in Suess Landing, I was there on 12/28 & 1/1 and did not see any faded paint

 

[A Mickeyfan]

The difference between a busy Disney and a busy USF is that at least at a busy Disney you have access to fast passes without having to stay at their resorts or buy them.

but Disney doesn't have single rider lines & Universal does.. now if you don't use them, that doesn't help you. We use them and they are a great benefit to us.... cuts your wait time down more than express pass or fast pass

 

[macraven]

i stay on site and can use all the express lines but i do the single rider lines when they are available.

i like having that option.

 

[Muushka]

but Disney doesn't have single rider lines & Universal does.. now if you don't use them, that doesn't help you. We use them and they are a great benefit to us.... cuts your wait time down more than express pass or fast pass

Um, I know this isn't a Disney vs USF you-know-what contest, but Disney does have single rider lines for at least one good ride (Test Track comes to mind). And I am pretty sure I remember seeing them at at least 1 or 2 others.

When I was at USF I attempted the single rider lane at Mummy and was discouraged from doing it because they told me the line was about the same and at MIB, the regular line was 60 minutes and the single rider line was 30, not much of a deal to me.

Honestly, I have no dog in this fight, it is just that USF has problems (at least they did when I was there) and I remember being able to go and get to ride a lot of rides (several years ago). I just want to do that again!

Again, I