Universal is showing their inferiority to Disney on the web

[kaabost]

I went to the US website today because DH wants to spend a day of our vacation at IOA. Anyway, evrything on the site has "compare to Disney, Compare to Disney, Better than Disney." Now, don't get me wrong, I love theme parks in general and will have a good time at IOA. But, I doubt that I will like it as much as Disney and the website is not helping to convince me otherwise. Disney and US are definitely competitors but I don't see "Better than US" all over the Disney website. Hmmmmmm, I wonder who's winning the competition?

By the way, how much time do you usually need to spend in IOA? A whole day? Half day? Two days? Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[CathrynRose]

By the way, how much time do you usually need to spend in IOA? A whole day? Half day? Two days? Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I may be in the minority, but I happen to love Uni Parks.

Dont get me wrong - I SUPER-DOOPER LOVE Disney Parks, but Uni has a lot to offer, and them competing with Disney just means more quality and value for me.

This year - Im spending 2 full days there. One at Uni, one at IoA (which IMO, is wonderfully, wonderfully themed!!!). And Im very much looking forward to it. Theyre nice parks!!!

You know when Uni first opened they got a lot of disgruntled Disney workers - who are still with them today. They treat their folks very well.

 

[Chicago526]

My brother and I blew through IOA in about 5 hours, including a stop for lunch. But we didn't have kids with us to slow us down and only hit the major rides and roller coasters, plus there were no lines at all. Pretty sweet, actually.

Anyway, US has a lot to offer I'm sure, but it's the mark of a company that is secure with itself that it doesn't have to mention it's competition in it's advertising. US needs to fire their ad company and find a new one that can showcase US strengths and let people come to their own conclusions about US v. Disney.

 

[damo]

I went to the US website today because DH wants to spend a day of our vacation at IOA. Anyway, evrything on the site has "compare to Disney, Compare to Disney, Better than Disney." Now, don't get me wrong, I love theme parks in general and will have a good time at IOA. But, I doubt that I will like it as much as Disney and the website is not helping to convince me otherwise. Disney and US are definitely competitors but I don't see "Better than US" all over the Disney website. Hmmmmmm, I wonder who's winning the competition?

By the way, how much time do you usually need to spend in IOA? A whole day? Half day? Two days? Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are definitely some things that Universal does better than Disney. Do you honestly think that Disney is perfect?

Three days is good for Universal Orlando, but one day at IOA will do as long as you get there before the park opens. If you go to the Universal Boards, they will answer all your questions.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I love Universal! It is nice to kick back at the Hard Rock and have a 10 minute walk to the theme parks.

Uni & WDW are different parks and I don't compare them.

Six Flags...ok...Uni & WDW have spoiled me when it comes to going there.

 

[Laurajean1014]

I don't think you can compare US to WDW. WDW is more than an amusement park (IOA) and has way better entertainment than US. WDW also targets all generations, not just the 18-30 bracket.

The commerical where the girl says she tired of princesses, is not only a direct jab to WDW but to US, themselves - hence, Princess Fiona.

 

[kirbsam]

i think most people here like universal as well as disney. so i dont think you are in the minority, cathryn rose. i do agree that to constantly compare yourself to disney is the wrong way to go, and you should focus on your positives, but universal still is a good time.

 

[jgmklmhem]

I think Universal can be fun, but IMHO not as much as Disney, but from this and their recent commercials I think someone in their marketing department has a serious inferiority complex not necessarily the whole company. I agree that a better stratagy would be to highlight their own rides, parades etc without bringing Disney in to the equation at all.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I always have a great time at Universal. We stay in the Uni hotels for that part of our trip. It is a pain to switch hotels, but Uni gives you free Express Pass (like Fastpass) if you stay in the hotel. Unlimited Express! And the Universal hotels are every bit as nice (maybe even a little nicer) than the Disney ones.

And Universal is keeping their public restrooms clean, which is a lot more than I can say about Disney the past year or so. But that's my pet peeve with Disney right now.

You absolutely must do Spider-Man and Poseidon's Adventure and the Terminator show! And even if you don't have younger children, you must see the Dr. Seuss Caroseussel. That thing is amazing. And if you liked reading the Cat in the Hat to your kids, you should ride that. The fish is there!

The folks on the Universal boards are super-friendly and helpful. If you steer clear of the Universal Express issue, they never even argue, I don't think! They can answer any stupid question. Believe me, I'm the queen of stupid questions.

Have a great trip and a great time at Universal! You will, I promise!

Oh, we usually stay 3 days at Universal (2 nights).

 

[Honu]

I love Universal! It is nice to kick back at the Hard Rock and have a 10 minute walk to the theme parks.

Uni & WDW are different parks and I don't compare them.

Six Flags...ok...Uni & WDW have spoiled me when it comes to going there.

I agree, they are different. But I think it's pretty obvious that Universal researched the Disney way and found ways to improve upon it, in many areas. We only stay at the Universal resorts now. They really are so much nicer and a better value for your dollar.

 

[BeckWhy]

I will admit that the 5 day ticket for $75 is a good deal. It is making me consider a trip there. (The first time I went, we spent $75 a person for an annual pass.) But I will say one thing that prevents me from visiting Universal... the lack of onsite hotels. For what it costs to stay onsite at Universal for like 3 or 4 nights I could stay at WDW for like a week and a half. (I really can't remember off the top of my head.) So if we were to go, we are given two options, drive down or rent a car. Either way costs more money that I wouldn't have to spend if I went to WDW where I can stay at a value resort and not have to worry about transportation or anything like that.

Edit:
I did look at the site... and all I saw that had Disney in it was "Unlimited something something for less than one day at Disney."

Edit:
Oh wait I see the compare to Disney thing now.

 

[kaabost]

I do expect that Universal is a great park. Like I said, I know I will have a giid time. Any park that can compete to any extent with Disney in the same area definitely has a great product. I guess you guys picked up on my tone that I don't agree with their marketing. I have always been annoyed with advertising that bashes the competition as opposed to highlighting their strong points. But, if this works for them, I guess I can't blame them. They have to prosper against some severe competition. I'm just saying that, to me, it shows their inferiority (or maybe just their inferiority complex).To those of you who have never been (like myself), do you have a good sense of what the park has to offer from their advertising? All I know is that they have a couple of great roller coasters and it's "cooler" than Disney. Other than that, their advertising has not informed me as a consumer.

 

[mommiepoppins]

i like unversal but i love disney

 

[kayeandjim00]

I love Universal and I love Disney. I don't feel the need to have loyalty to one over the other. When we go to Florida they are both always on the agenda. We are seriously considering staying at US next time as we have been less and less impressed with WDW room quality when compared to the price. IOAs themeing is incredible and the Spiderman Ride is not to be missed!!

 

[Robinrs]

I just returned from Universal last Wednesday. It was Michael and my 35th trip since IOA opened in 1999. Needless to say we love that place!

We closed the park on Saturday, went to Fear Factor for the first time that weekend and on Tuesday tried the new ride in Seuss Landing. Everytime I go we do and try something different!

Pepsi compares itself to Coke, Avis does it to Hertz, Universal does it to Disney. Disney has a loyal following that USf wants a piece of, it's marketing! I don't appreciate the comparisons but it's marketing.

Until people, including the promotors, learn to live and let live and let apples and oranges exist there will be these stupid comparisons. It's preference, I appreciate your preference and expect others to appreciate mine. Disney loses nothing is someone loves Universal or vise versa.

 

[Andrea]

my best friend and her family just returned and they loved usi more then disney. in fact they did universal island of adventure and universal studios. The kids wanted to return to universal and not disney.

They only spent one day at each universal parks though.

 

[ChristmasElf]

Well, try living in Orlando and having to see commercial after commercial on how Universal is better than having to see all the Princesses.

Universal currently is offering a great deal to FL residents. Buy ! year and get 1 year free. Buy by the end of Sept and use by 12/31/06 and the pass is good for 2 years from date of first use.

We still stick with Disney in spite of these kind of offers.

 

[CPM]

Personally I don't see anything wrong with US comparing themselves with Disney. It is their biggest competetion. Lots of large corpoarations do it.

I love all the theme parks. I do find US/IOA is a much better value.

OP, IMO you need at least a day in each park if you're going to see it all including shows, if not three for more leisurely days.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I like Universal and WDW. My 6yo also likes them both. The rest of my family--my DH and my older kids--ages 12-18--all prefer Universal. It's not that they don't like WDW, because they do. They just prefer Universal. They like the atmosphere, prefer the rides, like the hotels and and think it's great to be able to walk from any of the hotels to the parks. Also, when staying onsite, the front of the line perk can't be beat.

When we go to Universal as a family (as opposed to me hopping over there from WDW for a day or two) we usually spend at least 3 days. We like one day at each park, plus a day to split between the parks.