Universal vs. Disney - Observations from a 1st time Universal Visitor

[Tinky]

Isn't it nice that we live in a time and place that everyone can have an opinion.

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Well said DocB.!

Universal has it's own "magic". Though it's not the magic of fantasy and things not real, it's magic is in bringing our favorite classic movies to life. I find "training to become an MIB agent" or "surviving an earthquake or tornado" to be quite a "magical" experience. Universal has it's "special qualities" that make up it's park. Disney's is very different. Not any worse or any better. Different.

Then again, I'm just talking about Universal Studios. Islands of Adventure is well, probably one of the most magical places ever.

Yes, I will repeat as many have said. You walk up through the Port of Entry with music playing to set your mood for the excitement about to happen. The different "worlds" you get to visit. All the details and theming are extremely good. You think you are really in these places. And music is played throughout the park, matching the theme of the "world." I also found walking through the Jurassic Park sign a tad "magical." You hear the theme song playing and you see a replica of the sign you recognize from the movie and you feel teleported into the movie like MAGIC.

Same goes for all the other areas. They are magical in their own way, but nonetheless magical

 

[Planogirl]

I would have taken "sticky" as meaning sweaty. I didn't understand the fuss until someone pointed out another meaning.

My son and I visited Universal for the first time this year. We've been to WDW a little over a dozen times and Disneyland once. Nothing is quite like the mouse but Universal is super IMO. The mouse does pull at one's heartstrings but I think it's mostly because of the characters and stories that remind many of us of our childhood. Universal's characters don't do this as much but I think it's because the park is more cutting edge and doesn't dwell as much on the past as Disney has been prone to do. And I've noticed that Disney is getting further away from the past with many of their newer attractions.

I've decided that I love both resorts and I am in no way in that younger demographic that's "supposed" to prefer Universal. I can relax and reminisce at Disney and I can enjoy some excitement and laughter at Universal. I feel that Universal has its own type of magic and can definitely stand on its own merits. So what if Universal pokes a bit of fun at Disney, I wish that Disney would lighten up and return the same! I also don't mind a few bawdy jokes but that's just me.

From now on, we have a big problem. We HAVE to visit both resorts during each trip. Now about Sea World and those beaches....

 

[damo]

The "moist" joke was used at our visit to the Horror Make-up show. We had a bunch of kids with us and none of them got it. The parents thought it was very funny and so did the audience.

We love Universal because we can do things over and over again and never get tired of them, unlike Disney. We loved Disney for the first few times and then got tired of it. Our kids just don't seem to tire of Universal. In our last vacation we spent 7 days there and one day we spent three hours straight at MIB (rode it many,many,many times). I can't find one ride at Disney that I would do over and over again for three hours. I'd probably only get to go on it three times there anyway.

As to the parking value, we don't bring a car to Orlando and we don't get charged for parking at Universal. However, at Disney, they do not give us a discount for not parking. I find this to be poor value; I don't like to be charged for something I am not using.

We also find that Mickey Mouse is very over-used at Disney and we get really tired of everything Mickey. Universal offers such variety and freshness that we don't seem to get at Disney.

I'll go back to Disney when the new coaster at Animal Kingdom goes up. But I'm only going to give up one day of my Universal vacation.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Originally posted by damo
I can't find one ride at Disney that I would do over and over again for three hours.

Awwww c'mon.. what about It's a Small World??

LOL



>>^..^<<

 

[damo]

Originally posted by >>^..^<<
Awwww c'mon.. what about It's a Small World??

LOL



>>^..^<<

HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA!

Or Body Tours?

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Originally posted by damo
I'll go back to Disney when the new coaster at Animal Kingdom goes up.

They're putting a new one up? Good! AK is my least fave of the Disney parks, and I had to DRAG my mom on the Primervial Whirl coaster. I plan on going to Epcot later this year to do Mission: Space, Journey to Imagination (Version 3), Test Track, and Norway.

As for the "3 hour" bit, you can always do Test Track and if you get stuck on it, ther'es your 3 hours!

 

[heart4dis]

Thanks for your post. It was helpful for those of us who, like you, are Disney-holics and are preparing for a day or so at Universal. I've done Universal but it was over 10 years ago. My evaluation was similar. I had no idea that people are so polarized. It seemed a harmless commentary. No one needs reminding that we're free to express our opinion. Don't take the negative feedback personally!

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Originally posted by heart4dis
I've done Universal but it was over 10 years ago. My evaluation was similar.

10 years ago? Well, experience a practically new park. A few new rides have popped up since then that you will like. Includes Shrek, Jimmy Neutron, and MIB!! Plus most of the shows are completely different now. This includes Horror Make-up Show and The Extreme Ghostbusters (which replaced Ghosbusters).

I had no idea that people are so polarized. It seemed a harmless commentary. No one needs reminding that we're free to express our opinion. Don't take the negative feedback personally!

I hope I wasn't part of these people that made you feel like we were upset.
But I just hope that Disney fans realize that just because you looove Disney so much like this person that you'll feel the same way about Universal as this person did. We wanted to share the differences between the two parks and why we like US better than Disney. This is for further information for Disney fans. At least, that's what I tried to do. I can't speak for everyone though.

 

[BarryHom]

Originally posted by the Dark Marauder
As for the "3 hour" bit, you can always do Test Track and if you get stuck on it, ther'es your 3 hours!

I've seen a 3 hour line for Test Track.

Conversely, I've seen a 110 minute wait for the Hulk (that's about 2 hours folks) and a 45 minute wait for Triceratops Encounter at IOA.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Originally posted by heart4dis
Thanks for your post. It was helpful for those of us who, like you, are Disney-holics and are preparing for a day or so at Universal. I've done Universal but it was over 10 years ago. My evaluation was similar. I had no idea that people are so polarized. It seemed a harmless commentary. No one needs reminding that we're free to express our opinion. Don't take the negative feedback personally!

Very well said - heart4dis

>>^..^<<

 

[Robinrs]

I'd hate to think what would happen to me if I made a similar post about Disney on the Theme Park board. I'd be STONED.

nuff said...