Universal In, Disney Out.

[NickyKnack]

I've only been to islands of adventure and did not enjoy ourselves so won't be going back anytime soon. I would be interested in seeing the regular side when my daughter is taller and if she ends up liking thrill rides. My husband won't go on coasters or thrill rides so we didn't find enough to do at IOA. The Harry potter ride was also broken that day and the rest of the HP world was too crowded to enjoy.

Granted we used the early morning access given to hotel guests, but we had no trouble HP world at all. Got in first thing - then got back out before the crowds hit.

We didn't LOVE IOA the way we did the Studios, we did Universal Studios and wanted an extra day to do that again. That said - I would still rather do IOA then Disney, except maybe MK... and then only because of Haunted Mansion and the Sorcerer game.

 

[disneyhousewife]

I don't mind that Disney is geared towards kids and their parents. I'm just sick of spending wads of cash on a place that isn't geared towards me, if that makes any sense? I don't begrudge the local playground - but I'm not going to go play on the slide either, esp if it costs me a couple grand.

That, I understand. But that's not Disney's fault and it doesn't make Universal "better than" Disney. Disney is for people with younger kids and people that are Disney lovers, and Universal is for people with older kids and those that like thrill rides.

 

[ethanwa]

After staying at Royal Pacific last November I could not even imagine spending too much time at Disney. (Now once my little grand-daughters are a bit older I would happily go and spend a week there but until then...)

From Royal Pacific we were able to walk to both parks and the Citywalk, no waiting in long lines for a shuttle..if we wanted to go to another park or back to our room it was a 15 minute walk max!

Ever been to DisneyLAND? Same thing. Three hotels, Downtown Disney, and two theme parks all within walking distance.

 

[prudence64]

I had a great adult only trip back before my now husband and I got married. We didn't spend time in magic kingdom though. There's plenty for adults, just a different type of trip.

 

[metzgardesign]

For us (and me specifically), Universal just seems to be trying harder than WDW is now. They are investing in exciting new attractions that open relatively frequently. And the imagination involved with those attractions just seems, at the moment, better (even though I do think they rely a bit too much on the motion-theater idea....but it works well, especially as it's integrated with better overall show presentation).

WDW is half-a**ed firing off relatively staid attractions, with the prospect of others coming in a few years....years.

Right now WDW is more concerned with fine-tuning their shell game of how they can maximize attendance with little to no attraction expansion. That is where their focus lies for now.

This is a sad observation from a person who grew up with going to WDW. But a realistic one, from my point of view.

We went to Universal on our last trip, and I truly went into it wanting to hate it....we were going for my son to see Harry Potter, as a pit stop on the way to WDW. And our entire family came away with the realization that Universal flat-out stomped WDW. The dining on premises was better overall (we are table-service types of people), the hotel was far nicer than our WDW hotel, and the parks were just better....the Express Pass rocked, the attractions were very engaging, the staff seemed 'happier' in our interactions, and the parks just felt 'fun.'

I think we will go back there way before we go back to WDW. Universal is trying to earn customers, and it shows. WDW is trying to manipulate their offerings and crowd management, while primarily relying on their nostalgia effect to generate business.

In terms of innovative leadership, WDW is quickly losing their leadership position.

 

[pktbMouse]

For us (and me specifically), Universal just seems to be trying harder than WDW is now. They are investing in exciting new attractions that open relatively frequently. And the imagination involved with those attractions just seems, at the moment, better (even though I do think they rely a bit too much on the motion-theater idea....but it works well, especially as it's integrated with better overall show presentation.

WDW is half-a**ed firing off relatively staid attractions, with the prospect of other coming in a few years....years.

Right now WDW is more concerned with fine-tuning their shell game of how they can maximize attendance with little to no attraction expansion. That is where their focus lies for now.

This is a sad observation from a person who grew up with going to WDW. But a realistic one, from my point of view.

We went to Universal on our last trip, and I truly went into it wanting to hate it....we were going for my son to see Harry Potter, as a pit stop on the way to WDW. And our entire family came away with the realization that Universal flat-out stomped WDW. The dining on premises was better overall (we are table-service types of people), the hotel was far nicer than our WDW hotel, and the parks were just better....the Express Pass rocked, the attractions were very engaging, the staff seemed 'happier' in our interactions, and the parks just felt 'fun.'

I think we will go back there way before we go back to WDW. Universal is trying to earn customers, and it shows. WDW is trying to manipulate their offerings and crowd management, while primarily relying on their nostalgia effect to generate business.

In terms of innovative leadership, they are quickly losing their leadership position.

 

[ArwenMarie]

We went to Universal on our last trip, and I truly went into it wanting to hate it....we were going for my son to see Harry Potter, as a pit stop on the way to WDW. And our entire family came away with the realization that Universal flat-out stomped WDW. The dining on premises was better overall (we are table-service types of people), the hotel was far nicer than our WDW hotel, and the parks were just better....the Express Pass rocked, the attractions were very engaging, the staff seemed 'happier' in our interactions, and the parks just felt 'fun.'

I think we will go back there way before we go back to WDW. Universal is trying to earn customers, and it shows. WDW is trying to manipulate their offerings and crowd management, while primarily relying on their nostalgia effect to generate business.

In terms of innovative leadership, WDW is quickly losing their leadership position.

I agree, especially comparing the onsite experience. I really felt that Universal wanted our business. I don't feel like that at Disney anymore when we stay onsite. I feel like a number, like they don't care, take it or leave it.

 

[Planogirl]

We go to and enjoy both. I admit that most of my enjoyment at WDW is for nostalgic reasons but there's nothing wrong with that. Unless we go to Universal for Halloween, we hopefully will always visit both.

 

[Mad Hattered]

For us (and me specifically), Universal just seems to be trying harder than WDW is now. They are investing in exciting new attractions that open relatively frequently. And the imagination involved with those attractions just seems, at the moment, better (even though I do think they rely a bit too much on the motion-theater idea....but it works well, especially as it's integrated with better overall show presentation).

WDW is half-a**ed firing off relatively staid attractions, with the prospect of others coming in a few years....years.

Right now WDW is more concerned with fine-tuning their shell game of how they can maximize attendance with little to no attraction expansion. That is where their focus lies for now.

This is a sad observation from a person who grew up with going to WDW. But a realistic one, from my point of view.

We went to Universal on our last trip, and I truly went into it wanting to hate it....we were going for my son to see Harry Potter, as a pit stop on the way to WDW. And our entire family came away with the realization that Universal flat-out stomped WDW. The dining on premises was better overall (we are table-service types of people), the hotel was far nicer than our WDW hotel, and the parks were just better....the Express Pass rocked, the attractions were very engaging, the staff seemed 'happier' in our interactions, and the parks just felt 'fun.'

I think we will go back there way before we go back to WDW. Universal is trying to earn customers, and it shows. WDW is trying to manipulate their offerings and crowd management, while primarily relying on their nostalgia effect to generate business.

In terms of innovative leadership, WDW is quickly losing their leadership position.

Extremely well put!

It all boils down to what we, the one's spending our cash, feel we are getting in terms of value. I've been to WDW more times than should be allowed by law so I am sure there is some burnout involved. Whether it's that or the "militarized" scheduling now involved in a WDW trip, it's just not worth the effort for us anymore....at least until Soarin' over Pandora opens up.

Universal has sooooooo much more on the table in terms of their park expansion and offerings that are going to be coming down the pike. It makes us excited and WILLING to go back to enjoy new things. It's just sooooooo darn relaxing there (and we are commandos to the extreme max when at WDW by choice). It's literally a whole different "world"....and it's a welcome addition.

For the record...I have also been going to Universal since the year it opened so it's not like we are just jumping on the "Universal is better than WDW bandwagon"....Universal has honestly earned our business. And their themeing in recent years is, at a minimum as good as Disney, but far superior in other areas.

More on Gringotts...

http://www.wesh.com/See-a-sneak-peak-of-Universal-s-Escape-From-Gringotts/25960658

And speaking of themes....it looks like Universal has come a long way in the animatronic world. And stay for the very end of the following video....it's part of the actual ride. Tell me there is no themeing in the first set of this ride...and if that doesn't look like Bellatrix and the goblin are there live and in person then nothing will. For a projection in an extremely large themed set I find it pretty amazing.

http://youtu.be/tNgSO395XCE

 

[La2kw]

We love Universal. We love Disneyland. We don't love WDW. We used to love WDW, but it's so stagnant now and princesses seems to be the main theme. Great if you're a five year old girl, not so great for anyone else. I would love to see WDW invest in their parks, invest in something besides character meet and greets. Avatar is not going to do it for me, the movie was stupid and I have no interest in another flying simulator. How about some new countries in World Showcase, a new pavillion or two at Future World, some more rides at AK, fixing the Yeti, and more rides at MK.

 

[metzgardesign]

^ Nice! (Mad Hattered)

Ultimately, I get that many people will continue prefer WDW over Universal. And that is perfectly fine.

I still love the "idea" of WDW....but recently, the reality falls far short of what the promise tells me. I wish that were not the case. I wish WDW had consistently spent capital AND creativity on developing attractions which said "We are the best." Instead, they concentrated on new ticketing technology and maximized crowd patterning through slight-of-hand techniques.

And in return for all that, they continue to increase the prices throughout their WORLD without really contributing back much, at all, to those that come there, other than familiarity (dare I say, even, reducing the ROI for the increased prices paid?).

I truly do get perplexed at the powers that be saying "I think we're good." We've got this new Mine Train, and the Little Mermaid ride, along with some princess meet-n-greets. We're good! Oh, and Avatarland in a few year. We're good!! Star Wars themed area?....Naw, we don't need that. We're good!!! Our rides are falling into increasing disrepair and we have empty shells of buildings littering the parks (or at least most noticeably, EPCoT). We're good!!!!

But, I guess they have their reasons.

 

[TuneTownMagic]

For us (and me specifically), Universal just seems to be trying harder than WDW is now. They are investing in exciting new attractions that open relatively frequently. And the imagination involved with those attractions just seems, at the moment, better (even though I do think they rely a bit too much on the motion-theater idea....but it works well, especially as it's integrated with better overall show presentation).

WDW is half-a**ed firing off relatively staid attractions, with the prospect of others coming in a few years....years.

Right now WDW is more concerned with fine-tuning their shell game of how they can maximize attendance with little to no attraction expansion. That is where their focus lies for now.

This is a sad observation from a person who grew up with going to WDW. But a realistic one, from my point of view.

We went to Universal on our last trip, and I truly went into it wanting to hate it....we were going for my son to see Harry Potter, as a pit stop on the way to WDW. And our entire family came away with the realization that Universal flat-out stomped WDW. The dining on premises was better overall (we are table-service types of people), the hotel was far nicer than our WDW hotel, and the parks were just better....the Express Pass rocked, the attractions were very engaging, the staff seemed 'happier' in our interactions, and the parks just felt 'fun.'

I think we will go back there way before we go back to WDW. Universal is trying to earn customers, and it shows. WDW is trying to manipulate their offerings and crowd management, while primarily relying on their nostalgia effect to generate business.

In terms of innovative leadership, WDW is quickly losing their leadership position.

Very well said on all points. I have gone to WDW for the majority of my trips to Orlando, and I took a long hiatus from Universal and finally went back a few years ago...and I was absolutely blown away by the WWoHP...they truly set the bar high and if it is any indication of what's to come with the Gringott's attraction and Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express train, then its going to be an amazing expansion. Right now, I think naturally just with the overall size of Universal and number of its attractions being smaller than those at WDW, Universal and IOA might only take 2 or 3 days to for a full visit...but I don't think that's a reflection on how entertaining or immersive they are, it's just a reflection of overall size. Universal seems to continue growing though, and becoming more detail-oriented and inventive as time goes on.

OP, I have a special connection to Disney World and share that magical feeling so many people do when being there, and there is just something that stays with you when it comes to WDW, whether or not some of the rides are a let-down at times...but I respect and understand where you're coming from in terms of being regarded as less than worthy of enjoying the parks. I have occasionally had that feeling in the parks too, as I don't go to parks with kids and am an adult who enjoys all things Disney. It is unfortunate, and maybe it's just a matter of luck in terms of which CM's you interact with. I do hope you have a better time if you ever decide to go back, but I can understand the leaning towards Universal! I like them both, personally and don't think of them as competing in my mind.

I'll admit, there are moments at the parks when I am sitting there in Philharmagic, wondering why my 3d glasses don't work and why the screen is so dim...and I think, 'Wow, Disney is lucky I have that special nostalgic connection with their characters, because anywhere else, this might make me think twice about returning.' But then, I go on Carousel of Progress or Splash Mountain and I am happy again

 

[metzgardesign]

I guess it's a good thing I don't work in a corporate environment like what I am sure WDW is, internally, where the business is done. I'd probably be fired in a New York second.

Absolutely no problem sitting in a pow-wow and saying "This is NOT working. Nothing we are doing is working right now. Our rides are not working, are future plans are not working, our marketing is not working. What WILL be working when people realize that the nostalgia no longer convinces them to flood our turnstiles in the numbers they currently do? What WILL be working if *gasp* we do lose our standing as one of the world's top tourist destinations?

But maybe, they need some more people like that.

 

[sethschroeder]

Ever been to DisneyLAND? Same thing. Three hotels, Downtown Disney, and two theme parks all within walking distance.

Also a more aggressive building schedule as well right that WDW? That makes sense. UNI is like DL of the east? But with more thrill rides and HP.

 

[Mad Hattered]

I guess it's a good thing I don't work in a corporate environment like what I am sure WDW is, internally, where the business is done. I'd probably be fired in a New York second.

Absolutely no problem sitting in a pow-wow and saying "This is NOT working. Nothing we are doing is working right now. Our rides are not working, are future plans are not working, our marketing is not working. What WILL be working when people realize that the nostalgia no longer convinces them to flood our turnstiles in the numbers they currently do? What WILL be working if *gasp* we do lose our standing as one of the world's top tourist destinations?

But maybe, they need some more people like that.

I personally think they don't really realize just how much "nostalgia" is being "born" in today's youth when they do visit Universal. Those kids will eventually grow up to. Will Brer Rabbit do the trick or will they remember where Harry Potter, Transformers, Despicable Me or Spiderman were located?

 

[metzgardesign]

I personally think they don't really realize just how much "nostalgia" is being "born" in today's youth when they do visit Universal. Those kids will eventually grow up to. Will Brer Rabbit do the trick or will they remember where Harry Potter, Transformers, Despicable Me or Spiderman were located?

Good point. My son has actually expressed a preference of Uni over WDW, for those very reasons alone (and he's not even a really thrill ride kid.....didn't ride any of the coasters at Uni, even though he has ridden R'n'R numerous times).

I am thinking the next generation will be a real telling period for what WDW is doing today. Are they building enough brand loyalty with the future family vacation planners? Are they continuing to inspire a majority of the kids' dreams and fantasies? Or, are other creative outlets (for good or bad) starting to do that? Is Disney's brand of wholesome goodness going to persevere (to a wider audience than the young girls who still believe in princesses), or will it become passé?

 

[agavegirl1]

I never grew up with Disney...well except the TV show. I was never fortunate enough to have parents who thought of a Disney vacation as a right of passage or whatever it is considered today. I also never had the luxury of taking my children to Disney numerous times. My two youngest went exactly once at the ages of 9 and 11. Four years later, we went to US/IOA only. Another lovely vacation and very age appropriate.

I go now because my imagination refuses to age along with the rest of me. I also go to Universal for the same reason. I have no loyalty one way or the other. I just love theme parks and someday, I will be too old to go. That isn't now so I go... without children but with a sense of the child that is still inside of me.

I haven't felt like a second class citizen at WDW or US/IOA. I also have never experienced the "pixie dust" others claim from WDW. I just get what I paid for.

The magic is what you make it. I have no other expectation. I do feel that boards like this make me feel I must be missing something. So, in a sense, maybe I am "second class".

No matter what, I love both parks but my goal is to see the Tokyo parks someday. I'm saving up. From what I hear, they are what WDW used to be: impeccably clean, beautifully themed with happy, helpful CMs and a total immersion in the "fantasy".

 

[Mad Hattered]

Good point. My son has actually expressed a preference of Uni over WDW, for those very reasons alone (and he's not even a really thrill ride kid.....didn't ride any of the coasters at Uni, even though he has ridden R'n'R numerous times).

I am thinking the next generation will be a real telling period for what WDW is doing today. Are they building enough brand loyalty with the future family vacation planners? Are they continuing to inspire a majority of the kids' dreams and fantasies? Or, are other creative outlets (for good or bad) starting to do that? Is Disney's brand of wholesome goodness going to persevere (to a wider audience than the young girls who still believe in princesses), or will it become passé?

There is definitely a slant towards the 5 year old girls at WDW. I have no idea how long that demographic rules the Theme Park world but it's quite skewed towards them. I grew up a fan of Disney because of watching Wonderful World of Disney on TV with my parents. It's the only time we all got to eat dinner in the living room and watch TV (that Mom was a stickler for the kitchen table). We visited WDW in 1972 for the first time. History...

The world is a different place now. Kids can never be exposed to that part of Fantasy ever again. Everything is "in their face now" and their sensory level is bombarded on every level. Why does an 8 year old need a smartphone now?? It's like when I hear my friend's 8 year old son complaining because the shark in Jaws doesn't look real(*smack*). It USED TO LOOK REAL TO US!!! The nostalgic technology at WDW will always amaze me because I grew up in an era where that just didn't exist in the real world. Kids have been there done that, for lack of better words, in this day and age. I see one park trying to capture both sides of the sensory attachment and one wanting me to believe that their stuff is cool because it's old.

The dilemmas....

 

[Mad Hattered]

No matter what, I love both parks but my goal is to see the Tokyo parks someday. I'm saving up. From what I hear, they are what WDW used to be: impeccably clean, beautifully themed with happy, helpful CMs and a total immersion in the "fantasy".

This 1000%!! We want to do that soooooo bad!!! Perhaps I will wish upon a star...

 

[DOOM1001]

Good point. My son has actually expressed a preference of Uni over WDW, for those very reasons alone (and he's not even a really thrill ride kid.....didn't ride any of the coasters at Uni, even though he has ridden R'n'R numerous times).

I am thinking the next generation will be a real telling period for what WDW is doing today. Are they building enough brand loyalty with the future family vacation planners? Are they continuing to inspire a majority of the kids' dreams and fantasies? Or, are other creative outlets (for good or bad) starting to do that? Is Disney's brand of wholesome goodness going to persevere (to a wider audience than the young girls who still believe in princesses), or will it become passé?

Something that Disney did several years ago that was a sign of the way the company's culture was headed was remove Grad Nite.For literally as long as you could remember Disney World hosted Grad Nite,one day they decided financially it made better sense to end it.Grad Nite was a rite of passage for thousands of graduating seniors,today Universal hosts the event and as indifferent as Disney is about that all those thousands of high schoolers their memories are now associated with Universal and as little as they want to believe that it matters it was a shift,I did Grad Nite at Disney and I talk with people younger than me and their visits to the parks revolve more around Universal than Disney.So I don't even think you have to wait for current kids to grow up to see a shift,I'm seeing more parents in their 20's taking their kids to Universal.I'll always do Disney along with Universal as well as Sea World and Busch Gardens,but I'm a theme park person,each park to me does different things and has events that I do throughout the year.My point is that I see a shift in younger people favoring Universal,I'm not saying removing Grad Nite is a reason but just something that came to my mind as I remember being shocked when I heard Disney abandoned Grad Nite.