Universal pokes a little fun at WDW

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
I stayed for a few minutes and was surprised that the show had nothing to do with the movie ghostbusters. Humor about boy bands just is not amusing to me.

And noting that you are both about to turn 17 & 18 , I am not going to attempt to have a serious conversation about why Universal is not as good as Disney. Universal is primarily targeted at your age group, not mine and certainly not families.

Primarily, yes. Restricted to only? No. My parents, hate to break it to you, love Universal, and hate Disney. They are 46 and 48. We haven't gone to Disney in years, with exception to Night of Joy...but now we have completely moved on to Universal. My aunt, who is 51 also prefers Universal. My mom's other sister and her boyfriend are Universal fans (both around 30ish) and have been annual passholders for 4 years. Believe it or not, those who aren't teenagers have managed to have a good time at US/IOA.

And be careful when you say "families" because that is a loose term. My parents and I are a "family," and we spend most of our quality time togehter at Universal...having fun and everything. If you mean families with small children, that's not necessarily true either. You figure that they have AWESOME play areas for kids...did you SEE all of Kidzone?! If I was younger, I'd find that place to be a great play area! I've heard in trip reports the parents that rave about it, when they take their kids.

If you are talking about the shows, take them to see Animal Planet Live and Barney...they'd enjoy those more likely. However, I met a nice little 7-year old boy who loved the Ghostbusters show so much, he saw it many times....so aside from the one word "fr*ggin" not much else bad is said...besides kids wouldn't really pick up on it anyway because Beetlejuice says it while the Ghostbuster car comes, and most peoples' attention is turned towards them.

But I see you don't like thrill rides...well I'll be. No wonder you dislike the parks! Universal has the best thrill rides (and I'll admit that Disney has some of the best atmosphere, but Universal has it's own unique flavor that I really enjoy). With Jaws, which you found boring...I always did too...but in cases like this, you need to get involved to have fun with it! Now I play the part of the "scared tourist" everytime I go on it. I've had times when I've gotten the entire boat the play along, screaming "Shoot him!!!!!!! Shoot him!!!!" And this included some business men in their 40s or so. Everyone had a blast.

Well, about the Ghostbusters Show, yes, when you are expecting a show to be related to the movie, I'd see why you'd be disappointed. That's why when people ask me about the show, I usually tell them it has nothing to do with the movie, so they don't expect...whatever you were expecting. Maybe next time you can read the show description in the park map so you don't waste your time.

 

[momof2inPA]

Over the last five years that we have been visiting Orlando, I have seen Disney become dirtier, less friendly, and lose atmosphere (TOD), while US/IOA has become cleaner, friendlier, and added atmosphere (Whobilation). My family members still prefer the Disney parks, but we like the Universal hotels and the ticket prices. We will probably trade off years now. Buying annual passes one year at Disney, the next at Universal.

Cute Universal add. Yeah, they're in second place, but they're gaining.

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

I just can't beleive how many 'disney-snobs' there are about!!! At the beginning of this thread, it was more about 'Universal-fans' saying why their favourite was as good as Disney but as it's gone on we've had 'Disney-fans' trying their hardest to list the spurious reasons why Universal is no good!

As momof2inPA said this just proves to me that Universal is catching Disney up - and the disney-holics don't like it!!!!!!!

Personally I like ALL the parks in different ways - and next trip we're taking my DD (who'll be just 4). I KNOW she's gonna LOVE many rides at Disney - Buzz, Winnie the Pooh, Splash Mountain, Dumbo, Test Track, etc but I also KNOW we're gonna have to sit through several showings of Shrek (her favourite film!), make ourselves sick on Cat in the Hat and have to cope with the mother of all tantrums when we try to get her out of the Kidzone!!!

I'm sure if you're only in Orlando for a few days, then you have to make a decision - I'm just glad we're there for longer as I would find it very hard to go to Florida and not do both Disney and Universal!!! In our previous trip (before DD was born) we didn't bother with MK or MGM as we had to choose them or US - and US won every time!!!!!

 

[damo]

Our family travels from Canada twice a year to go to.....gasp....Universal. We have not been to Disney for five years since our kids have become teenagers and won't go back. For what you get, it is so overpriced. We find Universal rides and shows to be far superior to anything Disney has to offer. We find Disney to be very sugar coated and very superficial. There is no return value, if you've done it once, there is nothing pulling you back (unless you are a little kid). Universal continues to put in new rides and new shows where Disney continues to thrive on those who are happy to pay the big bucks for "pixie dust". We don't get it but that is just one family's opinion.

 

[phamton]

Originally posted by Uncleromulus
Our last trip at IOA, I don't recall seeing anyone over 20 years old

Gosh, I know my husband and I (who are both 53) look young for our age but 20 yrs.old?! Woo-Hoo!

Bev

 

[Fargoman2]

Little did I know that a couple of quotes from a TV ad would elicit such a lively and spirited debate about the merits/demerits of Disney vs. Universal.

Clearly, it is wise for Universal to differentiate itself from Disney--Disney already owns (and built) the "pixie dust and fairy tale" market. Likewise, Disney would be wise not to get too caught up in trying to play Universal's main game.

Both Disney and Universal would be wise to remember who their "bread and butter" target audiences are.

In short, enjoy what you like. For me, I just stand by my original comment that I hope our family never outgrows pixie dust and fairy tales. After all, what father will ever forget the magic of seeing his kids enjoy Disney for the first time? That's something that will be forever etched in my heart.

For me, I just don't think it's likely that Universal could provide that same impact-nor is it fair for me to expect it to.

 

[ritzbuddy]

We can't wait for our upcoming trip to US! We've done WDW and had an incredibly fantastic time. However, our 12 and 17 yr old sons (OK and the 47 yr old DH) have been harping about going to Universal for a couple of years now. Finally we are able to swing it and there have been no requests to go to WDW for a day. Last year we were even lucky enough to visit Alaska, and while there, the boys dared to ask when we were going to visit Universal. If I may be stereotypical, I think it is the boys in our family that are dying to try to the rides and movie theming. We're staying at HRH too because music is so very impt in our house too, and not the happy Disney stuff (as it is called in our house). Can't wait for FOTL to avoid long ride lines.

Just can't wait in general!
P.S. we didn't really enjoy MK or AK when at WDW and loved MGM. There's a different take for the Disney-ites!

 

[4greatboys]

Originally posted by Meesh277

As far as annual passes go, I've been looking into getting passes for everything here in central FL, and the UO/IOA AP is about $170 +tax for 2 parks, while I can get a WDW AP for $318 including tax for 4 parks!!. They both have the same benefits (free parking, merch & food discounts, etc) but with UO/IOA you can spread out your payments, where you have to pay for WDW all at once. I think a WDW AP is actually a BETTER deal (more parks!!), even though it costs more.

We got a deal on our Universal AP's--buy 1 get 1 half price and our Disney AP's cost $375 WITH our Disney club discount. We get better benefits with out Universal AP's.

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
And noting that you are both about to turn 17 & 18 , I am not going to attempt to have a serious conversation about why Universal is not as good as Disney. Universal is primarily targeted at your age group, not mine and certainly not families.

Well that sounds pretty rude. They can still have a valid point of view being 17 and 18 As far as Universal not being for families well we are a family and we love Universal. We range in age from 40 all the way down to 2 yrs and we ALL really enjoy the parks--not just my 2 teens.

We have not encountered rude employees at Disney OR Universal. The Universal parks have been clean everytime we have been--and that has been yearly for the past few years. Their resorts are great--all 3 right on par with Disney's deluxe resorts. Citywalk might not be DTD but it does have some really cool places there. We would not think of going to Orlando and skipping Disney OR Universal--we love them both. Not they are not exactly the same but different doesnt mean bad.

 

[gbluvr2886]

I'm not a Disney hater and your comment about Universal not being for families, well sorry I'm not EVEN going to go there. I'll explain MY opinion in why I condsider it a family place (and if you people don't like it, oh well...that's why it is called an opinion):

We take one day a week (me and my mom) and go to Universal to spend time with each other since she works every day and I go to school every day THEN work so we get to see each other for what...TWO hours tops??. Then some days I come home from school and my dad goes "Hey feel like taking a drive down to Universal?" I mean me and my dad don't get much time to hang-out either with our schedules and it is GREAT family time!! Sometimes my sister, her fiance (Rob), my mom, Rob's mom, my best friends, Rob's nieces, and anyone else who can come, we all take a HUGE trip to Universal. I mean come on, Disney AND Universal can both be family parks.

Universal has Curious George land and let me tell you the last time I played in there it was for FOUR hours and I was the youngest one in there. Most of the parents were playing in the nerf ball area.

And thanks to 4greatboys and sha_lyn for realizing the rudeness in that comment

Again many people do think the GB show has to do with the movie, but it's called the EXTREME GHOSTBUSTERS SHOW. I guess we should just tell people to read the park map and see if they may enjoy it or not by what it says.

Just because I'm going to be 18 does not mean I don't have a voice and am not allowed to express my opinion. Just because it doesn't agree with what you may think doesn't mean I don't know what I'm talking about or what not.

I enjoy both Universal AND Disney, but I know more about Universal since I have MANY friends who work there and I prefer visiting them over a mouse

 

[mainewmn]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX


And noting that you are both about to turn 17 & 18 , I am not going to attempt to have a serious conversation about why Universal is not as good as Disney. Universal is primarily targeted at your age group, not mine and certainly not families.

WOW! I did not realize that Disney fairy tales and pixie dust can get people to behave this rudely!

Rude employees at US or IoA? Cannot remember anyone! Rude employees at Disney? One person at the parking booth at MGM.
I love Disney and Universal they are different and I defiantly appreciate them both for their uniqueness.

Anyhow as far as I’m concerned what makes this country great is your ability to choose, if you don’t like US and IoA then don’t go! More room for people who like and appreciate these parks

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Originally posted by mainewmn
WOW! I did not realize that Disney fairy tales and pixie dust can get people to behave this rudely!

I had heard about this, but now that I've seen it....yikes! *teleports out*

 

[chrisn]

and I LOVE Disney's dreaming doggie too. We LOVE both parks and always visit both parks. We LOVE City Walk and PI both. I have always ever encountered clean parks and wonderful cast members at both places. We love Universals Theme music they play the parks. We take a 2 week trip to WDW/Universal every year and always visit and enjoy both places. I will never outgrow fairytales and pixe dust either but the Universal parks are also standouts in our book. Can't wait for the next trip!

 

[TINK61]

IMHO - I really like Universal and am actually hoping to squeeze it into my December trip to WDW. But, I really LOVE WDW and will never outgrow pixie dust. But, previous poster was right - the commercial is clearly aimed at the "too cool for pixie dust" type teen to early 20's. Although I believe everyone, every age enjoys a little pixie dust every now and then whether they like to admit it or not.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

So apparently only Universal lovers are allowed to express their opinions??

Jeez, I'm sorry I even said anything.

My visit to US/IOA was awful. I did not enjoy and yes I did read the map. I thought from the show descriptions that the characters would at least resemble the film characters

And I believe I heard more than a few Nelly songs blasting at US last Sunday. Awful. I would seriously rather stay home than be made to listen to "hip hop" or whatever the top 40 music they were playing was.

And my crack about teens had nothing to do with thinking you have no right to an opinion so before you jump to a conclusion and get all snippy, I was merely stating that young kids tend to like whats fast paced and not sugar coated and have different tastes in what you like and obnviously I was not going to change your mind.

I'm leaving this thread now. It's getting too snippy around here for me and quite frankly, I come to these boards to read about Disney trips. My last one included US / IOA and I'm sure future ones will as well, as there are a handful of things we enjoyed. We'll probably do one day there every few years. But overall I was just not impressed one bit. To each their own I guess.

 

[gbluvr2886]

I agree with you Tink. Of course everyone needs a little bit of Disney every so often. I enjoy going there once in awhile. I like it during Christmas time with the decorations and when they had the lights at MGM.

And sorry to Esmerelda for getting "snippy", but I'm one of the few over here who is sticking up for Universal so I was just putting in my opinion. EVERYONE is entitled to their opinion!! I like hearing the different ideas both Universal and Disney lovers have. It's just the bashing!! My gosh!! If everything in the world was the SAME it would suck.

That's it!! I'm out!!! I'm going back to my "side"!! LOL!!!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by gbluvr2886
I agree with you Tink. Of course everyone needs a little bit of Disney every so often. I enjoy going there once in awhile. I like it during Christmas time with the decorations and when they had the lights at MGM.

And sorry to Esmerelda for getting "snippy", but I'm one of the few over here who is sticking up for Universal so I was just putting in my opinion. EVERYONE is entitled to their opinion!! I like hearing the different ideas both Universal and Disney lovers have. It's just the bashing!! My gosh!! If everything in the world was the SAME it would suck.

That's it!! I'm out!!! I'm going back to my "side"!! LOL!!!

It's okay. I wasn't trying to bash you or Universal. I just hate negative advertising campaigns and the fact that they are trying to make Disney seem babyish just strikes me as silly.

I'm not NEVER going back to US or IOA. I am actually quite interested in the Mummy ride, since thats one of my favorite movies. And I can't go too long with Spiderman. I am just not going to make a long trip out of it the way I would with Disney.



I think Spiderman is possibly the best ride I've ever been on , anywhere.

By the way, my mom , who'd shoot me if I posted her age, likes IOA better than WDW. Spiderman is her favorite ride of all time, anywhere.

 

[Eclpz314]

After reading 6 pages of posts in this thread I am left wondering one thing...........not which parks are better because I've stayed at all different levels at WDW over the years and thoroughly enjoyed our stays. Each stay was geared towards our kids ages....and my 70+yr old mom on the last stay (who by the way, went on Tower of Terror with my son and I when no one else would) Last summer we went to US & IOA for the first time. We stayed onsite and had a blast. Our boys are teens now, and believe it or not, they asked to go back there again this summer and stay longer. We used to take side trips every year to an amusement park.....Great Adv., Dorney Park/Wild Water, Bush Gardens, Hershey, etc. Anyway, back to my point here. The one thing I'm wondering about this whole thread.....where's the magic and pixie dust everyone is talking about? What I mean is, I picture WDW (along with the commercials of either little kids seeing Mickey for the first time or "sorry son, you can't go this time" as the son sits behind his office desk while older parents go to WDW, etc.) I'm not seeing/reading any of that magical stuff here. Instead, I'm being reminded of the families here and there in ALL parks (no, ALL is not an abreviation....just the word ALL) who have that kid that is crying or screaming because they've been "over-stimulated" and obviously not having fun and needs to take a break to rejuvenate that "magic" Sure, we can all be "kids at heart"......but that doesn't mean we have to act like those kids who need a break.

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Well, I'm glad we're now talking on better terms.

Anyway, to be honest, I've never heard Nelly played at Universal...but maybe that's because my mind was fully on Ghostbusters and the Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue (*bam bam bam* Keriann knows what I'm talking about!!!)! Also, I heard the Extreme Ghostbusters are to resemble more those from the cartoon "Extreme Ghostbusters" who are a bunch of college aged kids (like most of the guys who play the parts). I'm actually glad they don't resemble the GB movie characters...I'd drool over GIRRR Boy over a Bill Murray look-alike anyday. lol.....

BTW - each section of Universal Studios has different music. You'll hear nothing that resembles rap over by Back to the Future. That's all....Indian, Irish, world music stuff. New York plays the "New york, New York" Moulin Rouge song, "She Bangs" (hehe), etc. So, at least it's not all rap then!! I don't like rap either...so it would drive me crazy if it were!!!!

Enough of that now...the only Disney magic I like is from Disney movies, and Blizzard Beach. Lion King, Aladdin, and LILO & STITCH(!!!) are some of the best movies ever made!!

I just hate negative advertising campaigns and the fact that they are trying to make Disney seem babyish just strikes me as silly.

But I don't look at Universal's comments are serious. I take them in fun...sort of a teasing the older "sister park" or whatever. You know what I mean? Universal just pokes fun...not in a mean way though...at least not the experiences I have.

I remember one cute story: The mystical fountain at IOA talks. One little girl, around 8 years old was wearing Mickey Mouse ears, despite not being at Universal. The Fountain asked the girl, "Why are you wearing satellite dishes on your head?" LOL.



BTW - I hope I wasn't "snippy" in my replies...I tried not to be...but establishing relationships with these people who work at Universal, sometimes I get a bit defensive...especially when it comes to the Ghostbusters.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by Flyfly_Eclipse
Well, I'm glad we're now talking on better terms.

Anyway, to be honest, I've never heard Nelly played at Universal...but maybe that's because my mind was fully on Ghostbusters and the Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue (*bam bam bam* Keriann knows what I'm talking about!!!)! Also, I heard the Extreme Ghostbusters are to resemble more those from the cartoon "Extreme Ghostbusters" who are a bunch of college aged kids (like most of the guys who play the parts). I'm actually glad they don't resemble the GB movie characters...I'd drool over GIRRR Boy over a Bill Murray look-alike anyday. lol.....

BTW - each section of Universal Studios has different music. You'll hear nothing that resembles rap over by Back to the Future. That's all....Indian, Irish, world music stuff. New York plays the "New york, New York" Moulin Rouge song, "She Bangs" (hehe), etc. So, at least it's not all rap then!! I don't like rap either...so it would drive me crazy if it were!!!!

Enough of that now...the only Disney magic I like is from Disney movies, and Blizzard Beach. Lion King, Aladdin, and LILO & STITCH(!!!) are some of the best movies ever made!!



But I don't look at Universal's comments are serious. I take them in fun...sort of a teasing the older "sister park" or whatever. You know what I mean? Universal just pokes fun...not in a mean way though...at least not the experiences I have.

I remember one cute story: The mystical fountain at IOA talks. One little girl, around 8 years old was wearing Mickey Mouse ears, despite not being at Universal. The Fountain asked the girl, "Why are you wearing satellite dishes on your head?" LOL.



BTW - I hope I wasn't "snippy" in my replies...I tried not to be...but establishing relationships with these people who work at Universal, sometimes I get a bit defensive...especially when it comes to the Ghostbusters.

This is quick cause I'm on my way home from work (first day back after a 10 day trip to Fl...ugh)

We actually stopped and sat by the fountain for an hour each day we were there. It was pretty funny watching it squirt little kids. There was some kid there with a high school band and it was mkaing fun of his bleached hair on (I think) Sunday (maybe Saturday) and that was pretty funny.

I like the fountain.

We heard Nelly playing over by the area that I think used to have the Wild West stunt show? (I could be wrong I don't have a map near me) It just seemed...odd.

I definately liked being able to go on Spiderman 6 times in a row (we got there at 9 am Saturday) in the arly am though.

Okay time to catch a train. Have a good night!

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

ooh alright, that makes sense...near Jaws and the Stunt Show stage...yep. That's where they play the most "different" music because nothing else fits there, I guess...but then I've heard "Around the World" which is a catchy tune over there.


Yeah, Spiderman is great. And the fountain always cracks me up. But I can't find myself at IOA anymore!! Not with the Ghostbusters over at US at least.....