Universal vs. Disney

[misslissa]

Ok. So, this post is only for those of us who have been to Disney and maybe not done everything... but have seen it all.

DH and I are thinking of going for a quick 4 day trip in May. I am posting this on the CDN boards because you all know how it isn't entirely easy just to get away to FL for a quick 4 days... it doesn't happen very often, so I want to make the most of our trip.

At first, we were thinking of staying at SSR (renting points) so we'll be near DTD and then going to Typhoon Lagoon (DH's favourite), MK and MGM and then heading home.

Now, since I can get much cheaper Universal tickets, we are considering staying at a "cheap" hotel on International Drive and going to Universal and possibly SeaWorld. (DH is very concerned about the waterpark situation in this scenario) Is Wet and Wild worth the money? Can we enjoy it after we have been to Typhoon Lagoon so many times?

And, if you recommend Universal for this short trip (and no Disney)... are there any must see shows, rides, or dining???

I've never been there! Please advise!

I know it is a short trip, but I don't want to be wishing that we had gone to Disney instead.

 

[damo]

I've posted this on another board but here is a great video for anyone wondering what Universal has to offer.

http://www.uomeetingsandevents.com/...niversal_Studios_Florida/universal_video.html

 

[MikeyA50]

On our last trip we spent a month in Florida, 2 weeks all the Disney parks and 2 weeks at Universal, Isle of Adventure, SeaWorld and Wet&Wild. I must say that the universal parks cater more to teenagers and adults. My kids are 10 and 12 and they preferred the Universal parks.

Wet & Wild has twice as many rides as the Disney water parks, Storm, Disco H2O and The Black Hole are unlike anything at Disney. The also have Wakeboarding on the lake.

Sea World is really special, beside having the second the best roller coaster, Kraken ( Our favorite in all of Orlando was Fire & Ice at Isle of Adventure, if possible ride in the very front) they also have a lot of wonderful shows that should not be missed. Reserve a table a the Sharks Underwater Grill, it's quite a experience.

At Universal, the best rides are Revenge of the Mummy, Men in Black ( similar to BuzzLightYear but better), Shrek 4-D, Terminator 2 3D and many others.

Isle of Adventure is the best park in all of Orlando. Fantastic rides like the Amazing Spider Man, Hulk Roller Coaster, Fire & Ice Roller coaster along with some fantastic water rides. The park decor is fantastic. Try the Mythos restaurant.

 

[misslissa]

What if you aren't a "rides" person?

I have been on RRC at MGM but am too scared to try ToT, EE or even Splash Mountain.

 

[damo]

There are a few rides at Islands of Adventure that you'll want to avoid but you will be able to ride everything at Universal Studios.

 

[calgarygary]

If you were first considering staying at the SSR, I would reconsider staying at a cheap hotel near Universal and upgrade to on site. The perks of staying on site are well worth the added expense. Although the shows at Universal are not up to Disney's (in mhop), many of the rides exceed Disney's.

 

[madonna31]

Men in Black ( similar to Buzz LightYear but better),

Make that WAY, WAY, WAY, WAAAAAY better then Buzz!

Disney really dropped the ball with that attraction. So Universal picked the ball up and threw it from 23 feet to score 3.

 

[calgarylola]

Universal and Disney both have different things to offer, while many of the rides at Universal are superior to those at Disney, the level and attention to service is not at the same level. That being said, if you are a Universal hotel guest it seems to me that the staff step the level of service up a notch.

While I am a rides person and love all thrill rides , many of the members of my family are not. However, they do push their limits more so at Disney and Universal than they would at a carnival because of the theming and experiences many rides offer, not just the thrill itself (ex. they'll ride RnR while they wouldn't a plain ol' roller coster).

I think you will enjoy the following rides/shows at Universal and Islands of Adventure based on your not being a rides person and that you stated you'll do RnR but not ToT:

Islands:
-spider man
-Popey's water ride (like boat ride in Asia of the AK but more fun)
-Pteranodon flyers (tame ride: too boring for me to do again)
-Poisedan's (sp) Fury (really good show)
-everything in Suess Landing

Universal:
-Shrek 4-d
-Twister
-The Mummy (so awsome, its a dark coaster but you never go upside down)
-Terminator 2: 3-D (best 3-D show in all of Universal and Disney)
-Horror Make up show (always good)
-Jaws
-Fear Factor Live (I actually took part in the show, very cool)
-Earthquake
-Men in Black (like the others have been saying much better than Buzz)
-Back to the Future (a little outdated but a classic)
-the ET ride
-Animal Actors on Location (really enjoyed this show on tricks of how to film and train animal actors)

Overall there is alot to do at these parks and my family and I really enjoy them.

Hope this helps

 

[misslissa]

How would someone get from Disney to Universal? If we still wanted to stay with DVC...

 

[KLondon]

My advice.... get yourself a 2 (or 3) day unlimited pass and spend the extra $$$ to stay onsite at Universal for a couple of nights. Hotel guests get Universal Express privileges - which allows you to go to the front of line for every ride. We've done this a few times and it was well worth the cost of their hotel rooms to avoid waiting in line. Example, we walked right onto Spiderman while other folks waited in line for up to 2 hours.

If you visit Universal and stay off-site you can expect waiting in line A LOT. On a busy day, you might get onto 4 or 5 rides/attractions. It's just not worth the hassle (to me) NOT to stay onsite.

 

[misslissa]

I know for sure that I don't want to go stay at a Universal On Site Hotel. We're hoping to spend a leisurely trip (unlike most of our Disney trips) so I think we'll be skipping on Universal this time if the lineups are so long...

But, thanks for all the info guys!

 

[madonna31]

How would someone get from Disney to Universal? If we still wanted to stay with DVC...

Universal will pick you up from your Disney Resort ($16 round trip per person).

 

[GrannyEv]

I recall reading somewhere that there is a bus that goes from the Disney Transportation centre to Universal. I think it's around $3.00 per person each way.

Hugs
GrannyEv

 

[damo]

Universal will pick you up from your Disney Resort ($16 round trip per person).

Mears will pick you up but not Universal. Universal has free Shuttles to Seaworld and a shuttle to Busch Gardens but not Disney. I doubt very much that Disney would ever let Universal come and pick up their onsite customers and wisk them away to a different park. Just like Universal would never let Disney busses do the same.

 

[damo]

I recall reading somewhere that there is a bus that goes from the Disney Transportation centre to Universal. I think it's around $3.00 per person each way.

Hugs
GrannyEv

I heard that it takes well over an hour or so because there will be transfers. You would need to take 3 busses.

 

[Jaime]

I am a really big disney fan however IOA is my favorite park. The theming is great and I like how close together the Universal parks are. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Universal (great CN rate from Hoilday House)it is across the street and we would just walk over. If I was travelling without children I would consider skipping disney.

You will have alot of fun...

 

[MikeyA50]

If you visit the Universal Parks in the off season, there is very little wait time for all the attractions. We were there in October and we did most the popular rides like men in black, the mummy, Shrek 4D, etc. several times a days. Staying on site at those times hardly make a difference when the wait time is 5 minutes or less.

 

[GrannyEv]

How would someone get from Disney to Universal? If we still wanted to stay with DVC...

>>>Well, there's the Mears Shuttle for about $14 per person round trip. You need to call at least one day in advance to arrange a pickup; you pay the driver on the way to the other parks; and they give you a number to call two hours in advance to arrange your return. You may travel in a van, or you may travel by bus - it depends on, I think, demand and what Mears chooses to send.
Or you could take the bus from Pop to Magic Kingdom or Epcot, then take the monorail to the TTC, then out there in the bus area of the parking lot somewhere you can catch the city bus - Lynx - for about $1.25 per person each way. I'm reasonably certain you can get a bus directly to SeaWorld, but I think for Universal you need to transfer.
Or you could take a taxi - about $40 each way for Universal, less for SeaWorld, for up to four passengers.
(all prices subject to change)

I did a search and came up with this previous post. Hope it helps.

Hugs
GrannyEv

 

[Mortlives]

If you go to Universal (and I recommend it highly, we just got back a couple of weeks ago), take your CAA card. 10% discount in almost every store and restaurant, except for alcohol. If you find the lineups are long and you don't want to stay onsite (although RPR is gorgeous and not that expensive), you can purchase Universal Express Plus. The price varies based on crowd levels.

 

[SplashMom]

We love Disney and were very hesitant to spend any time at Universal but we really enjoyed it. We did stay onsite and it was a fabulous resort (Hard Rock Hotel). The front of the line privileges were excellent--not only for the rides and shows but for the restaurants as well. We were there during Easter and most restaurants were not taking reservations. We waited 10 minutes for Margaritaville while the wait was over 2 hours. The same thing happened the entire time at various restaurants.

We are not ride people and are not into roller coasters so it didn't measure up to Disney for us. However, we were really glad we spent a few days there and will occasionally return, just not every time.

The resort was very relaxing and we booked a cabana one day near the pool which was a great luxury for us! We thoroughly enjoyed the hotel experience!
Have fun if you decide to visit!