Universal/IOA over Disney?

[Metro West]

Let's not start another Disney vs. US/IOA war..PLEASE?!

They both have many things to offer the visitor. Both have world class hotels, great food, awesome rides..big and small. I've been to Disney many times over the years and since moving to Orlando, I've been 24 times in the past year with my AP. I still enjoy US/IOA more because I love coasters and thrill rides. But, Disney is great fun too. I enjoy the MK mostly since most of the rides I enjoy are there like HM, Splash Mtn, Space Mtn and PoTC.

I think if you go to US/IOA, everyone will have a great time but just don't go with the preconceived notion that you have to compare Disney and US/IOA.

Just have a great vacation..wherever you decide to go!

 

[glass-slipper]

My family prefers Disney, my kids are 12 & 17. We love the atmosphere , the special attention to details and the quality of service we've always received at Disney. We hated US , thought it was very outdated and kept waiting for it to get better, but it just got worse!(We went before the new Mummy ride was open and that does sound really awesome, but not worth it based on that alone). It was funny during the twister attraction, I was wondering when it was going to start getting "wild" and the "best " part was already over. Jaws , ET and Earthquake were lame. Back to the future & Men in Black were ok. We liked the animal planet show and Shrek. We really liked IOA and think Spiderman is one of the best rides ever! Actually, we thought Sea World has the best coaster in Kraken, but that is just our opinion These are all our personal opinions and every family is different and experiences things differently. If you have time, try to go to both. If you stay onsite at a US hotel you get the express line advantage, which we thought was US best feature and you can visit both parks in 2 days without much difficulty. Whatever you choose, have fun!

 

[JessicaR]

First of all I was unclear on the fact that you planned an entire trip to Disney already and you are now second guessing yourself over a month later.( I read your other posts.)

I "thought" you were deciding between the 2 destinations I did not realize you were just looking to feel justified with your choice. Sorry, I was hasty in reading.


I had no intention on highly offending you. Read your own posts...So many people have told you to go to Universal/IOA and just about everyone you have talked to that have been to both picked Universal cause they feel your kids would be bored (your words not mine). So.. you enlisted the opinion of many others before asking the same question here. And they answered you. Your preconceived notion that Universal is primarily thrill rides is incorrect and an opinion that I see often by individuals that have NEVER been there before.Its just frustrating to read over and over. I apologize if I upset you.


"I really don't see how anyone could get bored with Disney! Please convince me I'm not making a mistake"!

I do wonder since you are concerned you are making a mistake, why not just ask the kids?



"You don't know me so how dare you assume that I'd choose what I want over what my kids want"!!

Lighten up Frances your going on Vacation!

 

[Motherfletcher]

There have been comparisons between Universal and Disney since June 7, 1990. It needs to be settled once and for all- Celebrity Death Match
Goofy vs. Bullwinkle
My money is on the moose!
Popeye vs. Grumpy?
No contest!
Princess Fiona against Jessica Rabbit?
A swimsuit competition would be different!

The only mark in the W column for WDW would be Mickey vs. Fievel.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Mostly I agree with MazdaUK. I have been to all six parks repeatedly. Universal does have some of the best overall rides, but Disney has more great rides, IMHO. US/IoA seems more purely geared towards those in the 18-30 crowd, while Disney was literally built on the idea of having something for everyone in the family. Even infants have a lot of choices at Disney. IoA has a lot of bigger thrill type rides, IMHO. If you aren't into them, you'll be skipping much of the park. I consider flume rides with a big drop to be big thrill rides, and avoid them, along with rides like the Hulk coaster. At Disney, there are only a few rides that I consider to be too intense for me, but I am willing to go on spinnig rides like Mission Space. If you like mellow-er rides, you'll probably like US (movies side) better than IoA, while if you HATE mellow rides, then you may find more to skip at Disney.

For us though, there is nothing in the world like WDW. In fairness, it has something to do with the memories we've built up over the years, but I also think the non-ride details are much better at WDW. We like the characters better at Disney. The landscaping is better at WDW, and Disney is better at adding what I think of as layers. What other park could have hidden mickey's? If any other park tried, it would just be a cheesy copy. You can go to Disney repeatedly, and still find new details. However, if Snow White topiaries perfectly in bloom don't excite you, then these details might not have much meaning. Also, the MK doesn't have alcohol - while US has it everywhere (the other parks at Disney do have it, but it is generally less visible than at US).

I don't think you've made a mistake going to Disney. I could take or leave Universal. Disney is the reason we go to Orlando.

 

[LisaS]

I can't compare WDW with US/IOA because I've only been to Disney. But because you mentioned your 17yo DS loves animals I just wanted to mention something about AK. One of the areas you might want to check out at AK is the Conservation Station. They have a veterinary clinic there. First thing in the morning they often do a couple of procedures there that you can observe through a large picture window and also via television monitors. They might be doing a physical exam on one of their animals or even a surgical procedure. When we were there in January, they were doing a laparoscopy on a pintailed duck that was not feeling well. They were looking around inside this duck to check for enlargement of internal organs and collecting a few tissue samples to biopsy. The output from the laparoscope was fed to the TV monitors so those of us gathered outside the window could see what the doctor was observing. It was very interesting! They have a microphone in there as well and a couple of times one of the veterinarians who was assisting picked up the microphone to give us an update on what was going on.

We weren't aware of any of this on our first visit to AK. By the time we got up to the conservation station, it was early afternoon -- all the procedures were long over. So we made sure this time to get there early.

There are other things to see there. On a previous visit to the conservation station, I got a chance to talk with one of the elephant keepers who talked about the preparations they were making for their first elephant birth at AK.

So if your son's interest in animals extends to things like this, he might find the Conservation Station well worth a visit.

 

[Cindy B]

My 10 year old loves US/IOA over WDW! My seven year old goes on everything at US/IOA with the exception of Hulk, and Dueling Dragons (only a height issue)


Older kids I know love US/IOA. I would never say 18-30 demographic for IOA because my son was 7 years old his first visit and LOVED IT!

 

[gjw007]

I'm taking my boys and my son's gf to Disney for a week in June. They are 17, 17, 13, and 9. So many people have told me to take them to Universal/IOA instead. Just about everyone I've talked to that have been to both say they will be bored with Disney. My kids are not real fans of rides, meaning the big, crazy rollercoasters and such. I figured that because Disney has more attractions than regular rides they would like it better. Plus my son who is graduating from HS is a huge animal lover, and he really wanted to see AK. I just feel really bad that everyone is telling me this. I really don't see how anyone could get bored with Disney! Please convince me I'm not making a mistake!

You've gotten a lot of interesting advice. I would advise looking at both websites, review the material, talk with the family, and enjoy your vacation. There are few other options as well including SeaWorld (only 1 roller coaster that I can think of but many consider it to be the best in Orlando - very relaxing), Discovery Cove (have you ever swam with the dolphins?), Busch Gardens (Tampa area but definitely the choice if you want to see animals), Kennedy Space Center, etc. that you could probably just let each member of the family, including yourself, choose a place that they would want to spend a day. It might be enlightening to see what the results are. I'm heading to Orlando on May 20 to 27 and will go to IOA/Universal, SeaWorld, and the Disney parks (park hop between most of them) so I can't really recommend one over the other as I like them all!

 

[PatsGirl]

This "debate" seems rather heated so I'll limit my response somewhat. My children and I love all the parks but they are quite different so... we alternate trips. We do Sea World (which I love because it is so calm compared to the rest) and IOA/Universal one trip and then WDW the next trip. I would recommend staying on-site at Universal and taking advantage of the pass you get which really saves alot of time and aggravation of standing in lines. All the resorts are beautiful. TO be fair, I've only stayed at POP but have ressies for CSR this November and staying onsite between the two for 9 days. I'm hoping that staying inside will make the difference I'm looking for. Always seems in the past that we've done WDW commando-style and maybe that has taken some of the joy out of it. I don't do most "big" rides but find that all the parks have something for all of us. I would agree that splitting the two (if another trip in the future isn't likely) with 2/3 days at Universal and 3/4 days at Disney makes the most sense (and Universal tickets are reasonable).

 

[Sherrilatte]

I'm heading to Orlando on May 20 to 27 and will go to IOA/Universal, SeaWorld, and the Disney parks (park hop between most of them) so I can't really recommend one over the other as I like them all!

Ditto!!! Only I'm leaving in June, plus adding Wet 'n Wild to the mix!