Universal Guide Book - Written by disgruntled Disney employee?

[boomhauer]

I'm a big fan of guide books. I have pretty much all of the Disney ones. Since we're doing a Universal only trip and haven't been there in about 12 years, I picked one up today. Kind of disheartening. When you read a Disney-only guidebook, they don't even mention Universal. When you buy a Central Orlando guidebook, they talk about both, but don't pick sides. This one, which is stricly a Universal guide book, takes about half a dozen cheap shots at Disney in the first 2 chapters alone. What irks me is, the shots he's taking aren't even true. Basically calling it "lame" for older kids and adults. I'm an adult and I LOVE WDW. Kind of makes me feel like I need to be on some sort of adrenaline B-12 shot to handle Universal.

Then looking at Universal's website, the "compare to Disney" chart. I guess I shouldn't care, but the fact is, I'm a Disney die-hard. It'll be kind of disappointing if the entire weekend is set in a "Disney Sucks" kind of atmosphere. Seems like Universal wants to present itself as the antithesis of WDW.

 

[AlexandNessa]

Which book are you talking about? I can assure you that Kelly Monaghan is not a disgruntled former Disney employee, but I don't know what book you are referring to.

I think most of us Universal regulars cringe and groan when someone wants to compare Universal to Disney. I know I personally hate those threads and avoid them. They're 2 different parks. Each able to be enjoyed in its own right. I suppose Universal exploits its differences with Disney because that's what makes it, well, Universal. Many people go to Universal naively thinking it's an extension of Disney. You'd be surprised by how many people think Universal and Disney are the same thing. Or are as you describe, "disney diehards" and then get mad that they're not in Disney when they're at Universal. So, I think that Universal just wants to differentiate itself. The Disney parks aren't the only theme parks in Orlando. Many people don't know that. And, I can assure you that you won't spend all your time in Universal with "disney sucks" being the only mantra you see and hear.

Just don't go to Universal expecting Disney. Take it for what it is, and enjoy yourself. Don't bother comparing. It's not worth it, and it takes the fun out of it.

 

[stephensmum]

Which book are you talking about? I can assure you that Kelly Monaghan is not a disgruntled former Disney employee, but I don't know what book you are referring to.

I think most of us Universal regulars cringe and groan when someone wants to compare Universal to Disney. I know I personally hate those threads and avoid them. They're 2 different parks. Each able to be enjoyed in its own right. I suppose Universal exploits its differences with Disney because that's what makes it, well, Universal. Many people go to Universal naively thinking it's an extension of Disney. You'd be surprised by how many people think Universal and Disney are the same thing. Or are as you describe, "disney diehards" and then get mad that they're not in Disney when they're at Universal. So, I think that Universal just wants to differentiate itself. The Disney parks aren't the only theme parks in Orlando. Many people don't know that. And, I can assure you that you won't spend all your time in Universal with "disney sucks" being the only mantra you see and hear.

Just don't go to Universal expecting Disney. Take it for what it is, and enjoy yourself. Don't bother comparing. It's not worth it, and it takes the fun out of it.

sorry, did'nt mean to quote this post.
On our first family trip to orlando (05) we booked Seaworld tickets from a Universal rep at Premier shopping outlets. When we told him we were staying at Disney, he had a fit, telling us that it was a big mistake & how badly Disney treated their staff. He went on & on, we could'nt get away quick enough. If he'd have just told me good things about Universal I would have been more likely to visit. This year we will visit US/IOA & although we love Disney are determined not to compare but take it on it's own merits.

 

[damo]

I'm a big fan of guide books. I have pretty much all of the Disney ones. Since we're doing a Universal only trip and haven't been there in about 12 years, I picked one up today. Kind of disheartening. When you read a Disney-only guidebook, they don't even mention Universal. When you buy a Central Orlando guidebook, they talk about both, but don't pick sides. This one, which is stricly a Universal guide book, takes about half a dozen cheap shots at Disney in the first 2 chapters alone. What irks me is, the shots he's taking aren't even true. Basically calling it "lame" for older kids and adults. I'm an adult and I LOVE WDW. Kind of makes me feel like I need to be on some sort of adrenaline B-12 shot to handle Universal.

Then looking at Universal's website, the "compare to Disney" chart. I guess I shouldn't care, but the fact is, I'm a Disney die-hard. It'll be kind of disappointing if the entire weekend is set in a "Disney Sucks" kind of atmosphere. Seems like Universal wants to present itself as the antithesis of WDW.

Well, Universal pretty much is the antithesis of WDW. As they say in the Horror Makeup show, "This isn't Disney, we don't have to be nice to you." It is a completely different mindset. Don't go expecting it to be like a Disney extension because it certainly is not. I, for one, really really like that about Universal, because I find that WDW is geared toward the younger crowd. However, I still like to go every once in a while but much prefer Disneyland and DCA which I find geared more towards the older crowd.

And about the "Compare to Disney" chart, you wouldn't believe how many posts we get over here on, "How does Universal compare to Disney?" So this chart is answering that question.

 

[Metro West]

I'm a big fan of guide books. I have pretty much all of the Disney ones. Since we're doing a Universal only trip and haven't been there in about 12 years, I picked one up today. Kind of disheartening. When you read a Disney-only guidebook, they don't even mention Universal. When you buy a Central Orlando guidebook, they talk about both, but don't pick sides. This one, which is stricly a Universal guide book, takes about half a dozen cheap shots at Disney in the first 2 chapters alone. What irks me is, the shots he's taking aren't even true. Basically calling it "lame" for older kids and adults. I'm an adult and I LOVE WDW. Kind of makes me feel like I need to be on some sort of adrenaline B-12 shot to handle Universal.

Then looking at Universal's website, the "compare to Disney" chart. I guess I shouldn't care, but the fact is, I'm a Disney die-hard. It'll be kind of disappointing if the entire weekend is set in a "Disney Sucks" kind of atmosphere. Seems like Universal wants to present itself as the antithesis of WDW.

As long as you go with an open mind and not worry about other people's opinions, you will have a good time. I think most Disney folks go to Universal after hearing stuff like this and can't help themselves in comparing the two. They tend to find every little thing that's wrong with Universal (paint chipped or an empty cup on the walkway) as a sign that Disney is better. I like both and have APs to both but I don't use other people's opinions as a basis for my enjoyment. If you do the same, you should enjoy yourself.

 

[phamton]

sorry, did'nt mean to quote this post.
On our first family trip to orlando (05) we booked Seaworld tickets from a Universal rep at Premier shopping outlets. .

Just to clear up a little misconception. It is not a Universal rep who sells tickets at Premier outlet. They are 3rd party ticket vendors. They are no different than the people who sell at the hotels or at Walmart. They buy tickets in bulk and resale them. They are no way connected with Universal, Seaworld, or Disney.

Boomhauer, I am not sure what book you are referring to. I'm guessing it might be Kelly's book because his is the only one I know that is completely about Universal. Maybe you can ask him as he posts here. I didn't see it as a slam to Disney but more of an "there are tons of books about Disney so check those out as this one is a guide book for Universal." Many of the other guidebooks really do seem devoted to Disney with Universal thrown in as an "if you have time, check out Universal" afterthought. I didn't see Kelly's book as dissin' Disney but more of a move over "Mickey, there's another themepark in town." Maybe he just likes the parks like the rest of us.

The Disboards have 34 plus forums about Disney and 3 for Universal. We have just a small piece of real estate here on the DisBoard. There are many forums here that can help people plan their Disney trips and just our little group to help with Universal. Several times a week, we have posts that are about how Universal doesn't measure up, how someone went to universal and didn't see any magic, or the employees there are rude, the food too expensive, the guests who visit there are trashy, etc. So yes, we do get a little defensive. Many of us have annual passes to both Disney and Universal and love to go to both. But we don't spend a lot of time praising Disney on this board because, frankly, there are 34 other forums to do that on. We are the minority here and very protective of Universal and IoA. None of us think it is perfect but we are here to help everyone see a little magic in Universal.

Disney doesn't need to do a comparison. Most people who come to Orlando on vacation are coming here to go to Disney. The other themeparks do have to encourage the Disney vacationers to try the other themeparks. The other parks seemed to be doing a good job of that also. So then Disney started Magical Express. Nothing better than discouraging visitors from getting rental cars. Get the people onsite and no other transportation. If you think Disney just offered that to be nice, then I have a bridge I'd like to sell.



Possibly you're not ready to step away from Disney quite yet. Nothing wrong with that. But if you do go, don't try to find the differences as a comparison but enjoy it because they are different. You really can love Italian and also love Mexican food. We'd love to help you plan the perfect trip to Universal and IoA.

 

[kirbsam]

you will not be inundated with anti-disney stuff at universal. we did our first stay at universal last year, and are going again this year. we did disney in between for a week. universal stands on its own merit. it is hard not to compare it with disney for our family, but it is not in a bad way. it is more, like, this fotl is way better than fast pass. or we tend to compare rides. not to see which one is better, because they all have their own merits. you will see very little comparing with disney at universal, so just enjoy. it is ok to be a fan of both. we are.

 

[boomhauer]

It actually was Kelly's book. I just picked it up today. It's definitely a good read and has the most diverse information on Universal. The sentence that stuck out most in mind was "Disney World as perceived by many as a kids park that adults will enjoy". I think that would be said by someone that has never been to Disney World. Any adult that has been knows that simply isn't true. Another one that got me is saying Disney tends to present itself as a park of yesterday, where Universal is a thing of tomorrow. That might be a knock. I happen to love the theming of the "yesterday" parts of Disney, primarily in the Magic Kingdom.

I have no doubts I'll enoy myself. In a way, I think I may feel like a Red Sox fan at Yankee Stadium.

 

[yankeepenny]

I have that book you are talking about. I took that book with us this past Sept and found it it be helpfull, fact filled and not at all what you mentioned.

It was our first Uni trip and I recommend this book to anyone.

Kelly is basically telling you not to compare the two places.

We went open minded and quickly saw what he was saying, they are different parks ,and cannot really be compared and you will enjoy both if you realize this.

 

[phamton]

"Disney World as perceived by many as a kids park that adults will enjoy". I think that would be said by someone that has never been to Disney World.

I think the key to that is he said "perceived by many." Actually I do think that is true. Most people do perceive Disney as a kids' park. That doesn't mean it is correct but it is a perception that Disney has fought for years. I think that is one reason they started introducing a few thrill type rides.

Another one that got me is saying Disney tends to present itself as a park of yesterday, where Universal is a thing of tomorrow. That might be a knock. I happen to love the theming of the "yesterday" parts of Disney, primarily in the Magic Kingdom.

That's not a knock. I want to quote one of our former posters on this board (Doc Bosch):

"The night they closed Kongfrontation, I started questioning my attachment to Universal. I figured that Disney had its supposed "magic" and history, things that you’re allowed to value, but why did I have such strong feeling for Universal? They had just closed a classic attraction to replace it with a roller coaster. While Kong was iconic, the original ride was just meant to thrill, and when it stopped doing that, it would be replaced by a different movie's high tech ride. I wondered where the reminiscence was in that.

When I walked out of the park, I started to think about how there is so much more now then there was in my memories of my first visits. I tracked the expansion of the Universal property for over two years but I wondered if it had grown too much for me to genuinely care for it all. Then I looked over to the IOA skyline, with the lighthouse beaming and Hulk snaking all over the sky, and remembered how amazing it was. Then I looked at CityWalk, all lit up in the night, and remembered how amazing it was. And I remembered that the reason I liked Universal so much the first time was because it was so amazing.

The "nostalgia" of Universal isn't nostalgia at all, but innovation. Universal isn't about things staying the same forever, so we can relive our childhoods over and over again, but about things evolving and getting better, and getting 'cooler'. Disney is magical because of it's classic attractions, and the classic characters they are based on, while Universal's charm comes from it's ability to create spectacular things, regardless of the subject, that will amaze us.

Which is what makes my time at Universal magical.”

Disney is based on nostalgia. It holds the memories of my childhood. Universal continues to change. I miss the old rides at Universal but love the new ones. Saying Disney is based on nostalgia of yesterday is not a cut. It is true. I love nostalgia and would be the first one to protest if they ever closed Pirates of the Caribbean at Disney. I know that Universal rides will come and go though.

I have no doubts I'll enoy myself. In a way, I think I may feel like a Red Sox fan at Yankee Stadium.

No, you'll be fine. Think of it this way. No doubt you have a favorite restaurant. Mine is a seafood restaurant. But sometimes I go out to eat at other restaurants. It's not a loyalty thing.

BTW, don't go to the Horror Makeup Show as they do have a few Disney jokes.

 

[bubba's mom]

Just wanted to chip in and agree with everyone....

I HAVE Kelly's book (2005 & 2008) and I love them both and recommend them to everyone.... You simply cannot find any more detailed info about Universal Orlando than in that book.

phamton said it best....with everything she said

I just can't say it any better!!!

Do your homework and plan to have the best time... You're already ahead of the game...you got us to help you

 

[loribell]

I for one can not imagine going all the way to Orlando and not doing Disney & Universal. We did both on our very first trip and will continue to do so. I don't compare them at all. They are both very special places for me & my kids.

Hope you have a great time.

 

[ChrisFL]

About the concern about Universal showing it's not Disney...most of the attractions have nothing to do with Disney "bashing"...there IS some lighthearted humor in the Shrek attraction about Disney, but it's in tasteful fun IMO.

Universal defintely IS different than Disney, but that's not a bad thing.

 

[keishashadow]

Coming from a peep who devours travel guidebooks akin to fiction, I can state that Kelly's book is the most comprehensive Universal book out there

Will also state that while this board has many die-hard fans; i've found that most of my family, friends & associates question as to why i keep returning to WDW (and Universal)...they make the same sort of statement the OP (i believe infered out of context) in a disparaging manner "it's a kid's park, aren't you tired of it yet"

This usually coming from disgruntled guests who didn't do their homework and spent hours waiting in line for the privlege of riding a couple rides; couldn't get a seat at a table serve restaurant; then returned to hotel where they were paying rack rate miles off site.

Each individual's perceived experience is exactly that, individual. If you don't go prepared and with an open mind, I guarantee you...you won't have a good time, anywhere.

 

[F-L-A]

I'm a big fan of guide books. I have pretty much all of the Disney ones. Since we're doing a Universal only trip and haven't been there in about 12 years, I picked one up today. Kind of disheartening. When you read a Disney-only guidebook, they don't even mention Universal. When you buy a Central Orlando guidebook, they talk about both, but don't pick sides. This one, which is stricly a Universal guide book, takes about half a dozen cheap shots at Disney in the first 2 chapters alone. What irks me is, the shots he's taking aren't even true. Basically calling it "lame" for older kids and adults. I'm an adult and I LOVE WDW.

How is this a cheap shot? Many people, both young and old, do in fact find Disney "lame." Just because you love it, that doesn't mean everyone else automatically has to. Biased? Yes. Cheap shot? No.

Seems like Universal wants to present itself as the antithesis of WDW.

I wouldn't call it the antithesis. That's going a bit far. Universal's more like the edgier alternative. Six Flags is the antithesis.

And just to state the obvious, the "Were not Disney" jokes you'll sometimes hear are exactly that... jokes. Universal strives for guest satisfaction just like Disney. They just do so with a sense of humor.

 

[boomhauer]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I do find the book very helpful. There were many parts about the hotel and City Walk I'd have been unprepared for if not for the book.

I think the surprise to me was just that I'm so used to Disney, and they don't even mention Universal in the parks, resorts, website or guide books. Not in a good or bad way. They just don't acknowledge them. Yet since I've been planning this Universal trip, it seems as though a point has been made NOT to compare the two. I guess that's a good thing, but I'm a bit surprised at the emphasis being made to do so.

 

[micksterlee]

On our last trip to Universal we heard a few pokes at Disney such as the security guy commenting on my wifes Mickey fanny pack saying "we don't allow rats in the park". We thought the remarks were witty and made in good fun.

And don't be too quick to say that Disney never mentions Universal . On our last trip to WDW we were standing in the rain in a long line to get in to the Nemo show and a couple of CMs that were walking up and down the line and humoring guests yelled "You know what would make this worse don't you? You could be standing in the rain at Universal" Everyone laughed .

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

On our last trip to Universal we heard a few pokes at Disney such as the security guy commenting on my wifes Mickey fanny pack saying "we don't allow rats in the park". We thought the remarks were witty and made in good fun.

And don't be too quick to say that Disney never mentions Universal . On our last trip to WDW we were standing in the rain in a long line to get in to the Nemo show and a couple of CMs that were walking up and down the line and humoring guests yelled "You know what would make this worse don't you? You could be standing in the rain at Universal" Everyone laughed .

That's really funny.. See, I enjoy that sense of humor.

I've also seen a volunteer at Lights, Motors, Action! Stunt Show over at Hollywood Studios poked fun of because he wore his Spiderman tee from Islands. "You wore the wrong t-shirt on the wrong day.."

 

[boomhauer]

Yeah, stuff like that I wouldn't mind. In fact, I wouldn't mind hearing it myself if it was directed at me (for whatever reason.)

 

[goofy!]

I have read Kelly's book and it is a great guidebook.

And the quotes you presented are spot on. Even Disney markets the "Everybody Wants to Be a Kid Again" feeling of Disney.

You have three kids right? And they are all different, but you love them equally, correct?

Well, that is the same as the three major theme parks in Orlando. Each has its own personality, so you love them for their personality. You don't say - gosh, I wish all three were exactly alike. You love and embrace the differences.

And, you might just hear some good-hearted joking if you come completely decked out in Mouse gear to Universal.

But the same can be said for Disney. We went over to Epcot last year and I was wearing a Universal sweat shirt. I was purchasing over $700 worth of tickets, but paying with a Universal credit card. The lady in the ticket booth jokingly gave me all kinds of grief that I would have to change my sweatshirt before I entered, then she joked she couldn't take the Universal credit card.

I didn't get offended. I laughed right along with her. It was all in good fun.

If you are going to get offended if anybody says anything jokingly about Disney, or if you are going to be looking for offensive undertones in anything that is said, then I have to agree you may not be ready to leave Disney yet.

I think all the emphasis on the "don't compare" is just because so many people come over here and say..

We hated Universal, it just wasn't Disney.

It would be quite boring if it was just like Disney. That is the great thing about Universal, it is not Disney, nor does it try to be. We love Disney for Disney and Universal for Universal. Just gives us 2 more great parks to enjoy when we are in Orlando.