Let me start off by saying that I love Disney and Universal. My last vacation was split up between the two destinations and I didn't notice any significant differences. Both vacation destinations had great theming, excellent service and were very clean. I am one of those people that believes that we are lucky to have two great vacation destinations competing against each other in Orlando and I am more than willing to divide my vacation money between them.
Without starting a Disney-is-better-than-Universal debate, I thought it would be fun to compare the two movie studio-themed parks - Universal Studios and MGM. I graded each park in different areas out of a score of 5. I didn't consider cleanliness or service because, as I said, in my opinion, there is no difference between the two parks. Here are my scores:
Theming/Layout: US: 5 MGM: 3.
First, I like US's layout better; it's more organized. Second, US does a better job with the theming, resulting in more distinct areas. At MGM, I often have a hard time telling when I've left one area and am in a new one. US has much more of the separate-land concept and they do a good job pulling it off. New York feels like New York, Amity feels like Amity and Hollywood feels like Hollywood. It's not perfect though. For example, World Expo doesn't feel like anything. But overall, it has a distinct advantage.
Simulators: US: 4 MGM: 3
Universal has two simulators. Jimmy Neutron is OK, especially for the younger set. BTTF still kicks butt. It has certainly aged much better than Star Tours. In fact, my love of all things Star Wars is the only thing that kept MGM from getting a 2 in this category.
3D Shows: US: 5 MGM: 3
US has a clear advantage here too. Again, US has MGM beat with two 3D shows to MGM's one. But the shows themselves are better too. Terminator 3D is a classic, though it's starting to show its age. But Shrek 4D is one of the best attractions in both parks. While I love Muppets 3D, Shrek is much better, IMHO.
Live Shows: US: 2 MGM: 5
Animal Planet and Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue are cute, but Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast are better. Now throw in the Indiana Jones Stunt Show and Lights, Motors, Action and MGM has an overwhelming advantage. Getting rid of the Wild West Show was a big mistake in my opinion.
TV knock offs: US: 4 MGM: 3
I haven't done Fear Factor yet, so this is a little bit of projection. But Who Wants to Be a Millionaire feels old to me.
Dark Rides: US: 4 MGM: 3
The line between dark ride and thrill ride is a bit blurred to me, but I think both parks have one pure dark ride. I think ET is better than the Great Movie Ride, especially for kids.
Thrill Rides: US: 5 MGM: 4
Very close here, but I gave an edge to US because of the Mummy. Special effects-wise, Mummy and TOT are comparable. Mummy has a longer thrill experience though, so it got the nod. Rock n' Rollercoaster is great, and it beats Jaws and Men in Black individually, but Universal has three rides to MGM's two.
Kids' Areas: US: 5 MGM: 1
Without a Magic Kingdom to draw in the kiddies, Universal had to do this section right. And they certainly did. The Kidzone, with Curious George Goes to Town, Fievel's Play Area and Woody's Nuthouse Coaster is awesome. MGM's Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set never really impressed me and Playhouse Disney gets old very quickly for anyone over two years old.
Special Effects Demonstrations/Educational/Tours: US: 5 MGM: 3
To me, Earthquake...the Big One compares to MGM's Back Lot Tour with Catastrophe Canyon. Earthquake gets the edge over the truncated Back Lot Tour. Also, the Universal Horror Make Up Show is much better than Sounds Dangerous. That leaves US's Twister and MGM's One Man's Dream. Anyone that takes the latter over the former is 'dreaming'.
Closing Shows and Characters: US: 1 MGM: 5
Disney's characters are more lovable and plentiful. At least for my kids (6 and 5), they love almost every Disney character. While they are happy to see Universal's characters, my kids will not wait in a long line to see any of Universal's chacters except Shrek. In addition, one thing WDW gets that US doesn't is the importance of a closing show. It keeps the people in the park until closing. Fantasmic is incredible. US draws a big zero in response.
Food: US: 3 MGM: 4
The fast food is about the same. However, MGM has more sit down choices and I think they are a little better than Universal's restaurants
TOTAL SCORES: US: 43 MGM: 37
Well, that should settle it. My analysis was pretty scientific. Just to make sure, I fed the data into the computer that determined where the last golden ticket was in Willie Wonka, and it confirmed my results.
Without starting a Disney-is-better-than-Universal debate, I thought it would be fun to compare the two movie studio-themed parks - Universal Studios and MGM. I graded each park in different areas out of a score of 5. I didn't consider cleanliness or service because, as I said, in my opinion, there is no difference between the two parks. Here are my scores:
Theming/Layout: US: 5 MGM: 3.
First, I like US's layout better; it's more organized. Second, US does a better job with the theming, resulting in more distinct areas. At MGM, I often have a hard time telling when I've left one area and am in a new one. US has much more of the separate-land concept and they do a good job pulling it off. New York feels like New York, Amity feels like Amity and Hollywood feels like Hollywood. It's not perfect though. For example, World Expo doesn't feel like anything. But overall, it has a distinct advantage.
Simulators: US: 4 MGM: 3
Universal has two simulators. Jimmy Neutron is OK, especially for the younger set. BTTF still kicks butt. It has certainly aged much better than Star Tours. In fact, my love of all things Star Wars is the only thing that kept MGM from getting a 2 in this category.
3D Shows: US: 5 MGM: 3
US has a clear advantage here too. Again, US has MGM beat with two 3D shows to MGM's one. But the shows themselves are better too. Terminator 3D is a classic, though it's starting to show its age. But Shrek 4D is one of the best attractions in both parks. While I love Muppets 3D, Shrek is much better, IMHO.
Live Shows: US: 2 MGM: 5
Animal Planet and Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue are cute, but Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast are better. Now throw in the Indiana Jones Stunt Show and Lights, Motors, Action and MGM has an overwhelming advantage. Getting rid of the Wild West Show was a big mistake in my opinion.
TV knock offs: US: 4 MGM: 3
I haven't done Fear Factor yet, so this is a little bit of projection. But Who Wants to Be a Millionaire feels old to me.
Dark Rides: US: 4 MGM: 3
The line between dark ride and thrill ride is a bit blurred to me, but I think both parks have one pure dark ride. I think ET is better than the Great Movie Ride, especially for kids.
Thrill Rides: US: 5 MGM: 4
Very close here, but I gave an edge to US because of the Mummy. Special effects-wise, Mummy and TOT are comparable. Mummy has a longer thrill experience though, so it got the nod. Rock n' Rollercoaster is great, and it beats Jaws and Men in Black individually, but Universal has three rides to MGM's two.
Kids' Areas: US: 5 MGM: 1
Without a Magic Kingdom to draw in the kiddies, Universal had to do this section right. And they certainly did. The Kidzone, with Curious George Goes to Town, Fievel's Play Area and Woody's Nuthouse Coaster is awesome. MGM's Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set never really impressed me and Playhouse Disney gets old very quickly for anyone over two years old.
Special Effects Demonstrations/Educational/Tours: US: 5 MGM: 3
To me, Earthquake...the Big One compares to MGM's Back Lot Tour with Catastrophe Canyon. Earthquake gets the edge over the truncated Back Lot Tour. Also, the Universal Horror Make Up Show is much better than Sounds Dangerous. That leaves US's Twister and MGM's One Man's Dream. Anyone that takes the latter over the former is 'dreaming'.
Closing Shows and Characters: US: 1 MGM: 5
Disney's characters are more lovable and plentiful. At least for my kids (6 and 5), they love almost every Disney character. While they are happy to see Universal's characters, my kids will not wait in a long line to see any of Universal's chacters except Shrek. In addition, one thing WDW gets that US doesn't is the importance of a closing show. It keeps the people in the park until closing. Fantasmic is incredible. US draws a big zero in response.
Food: US: 3 MGM: 4
The fast food is about the same. However, MGM has more sit down choices and I think they are a little better than Universal's restaurants
TOTAL SCORES: US: 43 MGM: 37
Well, that should settle it. My analysis was pretty scientific. Just to make sure, I fed the data into the computer that determined where the last golden ticket was in Willie Wonka, and it confirmed my results.
