Universal vs disney show suggestion.

[Accident]

I know these get done time to time but I have to admit, I just don't really go to universal much and steves article yesterday reminded me of that. When i do go, I feel lost, I'm not sure what any ride is like (if i'm lucky enough to fit on them). I dn't know how wet I'll get for what the temp is out.. is it safe to have a phone on me if it's a ride that doesnt' require empty pockets.

In light of steves article maybe a future show could update the disney vs universal (if you like this you'll love that) ride comparison and I wouldn't mind some basics of the part thrown into the discussion as well to help get some familiarization with those parks.

Thanks!

 

[Hunterr]

I know you didn't ask ME per say, but some random info:

Spoiler alert: every water ride..you won't get wet. You will get soaked. Drenched, even!
This could be a good or bad thing, depending how hot it is that day (bear in mind, if you're gonna go wait in lines after getting drenched, you'll be in the AC chattering your teeth. You can dry out in the sun for a while, or pay a few bucks to use the air drying booth )

Jurassic Park is hit or miss, though, with how soaked you'll get. Depending where you sit, you'll get as wet as you would on Splash Mountain.

Damn near every ride has lockers (most require you to store your stuff).
It might look like a giant cluster f and intimidating/tedious with the locker area crowded, but people move in and out fairly quickly. Just a quick fingerprint scan and thats it.

But with the Pluto water ride (the tube raft one), the center of the ride has a place for everyone to put their stuff and its covered in a plastic to keep it safe.
Ripsaw Falls (log flume) has lockers. Don't think they have anything to hold stuff inside.

Also, most of the rides will have a sample seat outside of the ride to test if you can fit comfortably in the restraint.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

I know these get done time to time but I have to admit, I just don't really go to universal much and steves article yesterday reminded me of that. When i do go, I feel lost, I'm not sure what any ride is like (if i'm lucky enough to fit on them). I dn't know how wet I'll get for what the temp is out.. is it safe to have a phone on me if it's a ride that doesnt' require empty pockets.

In light of steves article maybe a future show could update the disney vs universal (if you like this you'll love that) ride comparison and I wouldn't mind some basics of the part thrown into the discussion as well to help get some familiarization with those parks.

Thanks!

Great idea, since I've never been, so I'd love to see a comparison against Disney, since I'm familiar with that. I'd even suggest that for any attractions type shows (especially a comparison one), if the disability issue might be included - even if it's just the info found in the guidemaps, if the team doesn't personally know. That would help somebody like me out, who has had to use scooters in the past - even if I just used it to go to something, parked by the strollers, and walked on - don't know if I'd be able to do that anymore, but any info would be helpful.

 

[Accident]

Great idea, since I've never been, so I'd love to see a comparison against Disney, since I'm familiar with that. I'd even suggest that for any attractions type shows (especially a comparison one), if the disability issue might be included - even if it's just the info found in the guidemaps, if the team doesn't personally know. That would help somebody like me out, who has had to use scooters in the past - even if I just used it to go to something, parked by the strollers, and walked on - don't know if I'd be able to do that anymore, but any info would be helpful.

great suggestion, I found it complicated when my daughter needed to use a wheelchair our first trip a few years ago and it was like playing tag trying to find out where it got moved too. it's very different at universal.

 

[Accident]

Also, most of the rides will have a sample seat outside of the ride to test if you can fit comfortably in the restraint.

This is how I know I won't fit, but I also understand some have some amazing queues I might want to get in line and bail because I can't ride it. My understanding is there is some rides that is know for people getting sick on. I do have a minor medical concern I have to watch out for so it makes wanting to try any ride because I know nothing about it difficult. It literally could be a life and death mistake for me.

basically like steve's article, I just didn't appreciate the place much and sounds like a little guided discussion similar to his in person tour plus an update of like this at disney, you'll like that a universal. they do renovate often so not sure the last one (which looked like years ago) is still valid.

 

[wilkeliza]

Good idea @Accident! At first I thought you wanted like a value or what park is better type review but what you suggested actually makes a lot of sense for those who want to go to both but may be intimidated by Universal just because it does seem so different than Disney (and honestly is).

Off the top of my head I know things like

if you like the Winnie the Pooh ride you'll like the Cat in the Hat ride as they are very similar.

If you like Peter Pan you most likely really like ET

If you like gentler roller coasters then Hippogriff Challenge is one.

If you like Splash Mountain then Jurassic Park is your closest bet (I haven't done the rapids fall as it gets you soaked).

If you like Rockin Roller Coaster then you'll probably like dragon challenge although dragon challenge seems a little more intense to me.

If you like tower of terror then you might like Dr. Dooms fall. (A big might as the mechanics behind the fall are different and with Dr. Doom your feet dangle freely adding to the rush)

If you like Dinosaur then you should enjoy the simulators like Transformers and Spiderman (slightly more intense due to the 3D but the thrill level seems equal personally)

If you like BTMRR, Everest, and Space Mountain then you might enjoy The Mummy and Escape form Gringotts.

If you like Sum of All Thrills (RIP) you'll like Forbidden Journey.

Now the ones I know for sure there is no comparison to at Disney is the Hulk and Rip Ride Rocket. I am a thrill ride lover but Hulk both times I have done it has left me with a splitting headache.


This is by no means a perfect guide because each persons experience is different. That is why I said might as I tried to account for ride vehicle, ride style, but also thrill level. I.E. the dinosaur to transformer/spiderman experience. The ride vehicles are completely different but the level of turns and jerks and intensity of the story seem to be in line with each other at least in my mind.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

basically like steve's article, I just didn't appreciate the place much and sounds like a little guided discussion similar to his in person tour plus an update of like this at disney, you'll like that a universal. they do renovate often so not sure the last one (which looked like years ago) is still valid.

or perhaps in exchange for a donation to GKTW Craig could give the tour in person

I know they did a good overview of the hotels this year but perhaps it is time to revisit the parks in a 101-type format. Might be good timing if more people that normal are checking out Universal and Volcano Bay opening, etc.

Also, I think just an episode that expands on Steve's article would be good. Not just comparing the rides to Disney but more about how do you navigate Universal ... and Steve's article mentioned there were details pointed out to him that he didn't know but made him appreciate the parks more - what are those details? Stuff like that could be covered in an episode

 

[Accident]

Good idea @Accident! At first I thought you wanted like a value or what park is better type review but what you suggested actually makes a lot of sense for those who want to go to both but may be intimidated by Universal just because it does seem so different than Disney (and honestly is).

I can't take credit for the idea as it's been a past topic of the universal shows, it's just been awhile, things have changed and steve's article left me wanting a basic overview of the parks like he got on their excursion...

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Good idea @Accident! At first I thought you wanted like a value or what park is better type review but what you suggested actually makes a lot of sense for those who want to go to both but may be intimidated by Universal just because it does seem so different than Disney (and honestly is).

Off the top of my head I know things like

if you like the Winnie the Pooh ride you'll like the Cat in the Hat ride as they are very similar.

If you like Peter Pan you most likely really like ET

If you like gentler roller coasters then Hippogriff Challenge is one.

If you like Splash Mountain then Jurassic Park is your closest bet (I haven't done the rapids fall as it gets you soaked).

If you like Rockin Roller Coaster then you'll probably like dragon challenge although dragon challenge seems a little more intense to me.

If you like tower of terror then you might like Dr. Dooms fall. (A big might as the mechanics behind the fall are different and with Dr. Doom your feet dangle freely adding to the rush)

If you like Dinosaur then you should enjoy the simulators like Transformers and Spiderman (slightly more intense due to the 3D but the thrill level seems equal personally)

If you like BTMRR, Everest, and Space Mountain then you might enjoy The Mummy and Escape form Gringotts.

If you like Sum of All Thrills (RIP) you'll like Forbidden Journey.

Now the ones I know for sure there is no comparison to at Disney is the Hulk and Rip Ride Rocket. I am a thrill ride lover but Hulk both times I have done it has left me with a splitting headache.


This is by no means a perfect guide because each persons experience is different. That is why I said might as I tried to account for ride vehicle, ride style, but also thrill level. I.E. the dinosaur to transformer/spiderman experience. The ride vehicles are completely different but the level of turns and jerks and intensity of the story seem to be in line with each other at least in my mind.

Dragon Challenge is a suspension coaster though so not sure if there is really a perfect comparison at Disney

As for Hulk, not a perfect comparison but California Screamin' has the accelerator start so that is the first that comes to mind

 

[wilkeliza]

Dragon Challenge is a suspension coaster though so not sure if there is really a perfect comparison at Disney

As for Hulk, not a perfect comparison but California Screamin' has the accelerator start so that is the first that comes to mind

That is true there is no perfect comparison it is just the closets thrill for me to Rockin Roller. Thinking about it Dragon is more thrill for sure. Again they are big mights haha.

Hulk and California Screamin' the start is about the only thing. Rockin uses the same accelerator start as well. The big difference is the speed and number of turns and banks. Both Screamin and Rockin feel so tame after you go on Hulk.

 

[Accident]

Dragon Challenge is a suspension coaster though so not sure if there is really a perfect comparison at Disney

As for Hulk, not a perfect comparison but California Screamin' has the accelerator start so that is the first that comes to mind

I think that's a good comparison. Disney doesn't have this, it's the next step up that your teen or thrill seeker might want to experience.