Universal vs. Disney

[nugov2]

I have three words for you: Disney Vacation Club.

still not a 6bdrm home with private pool Though when my smalls are bigger it might be something I would look into. In general I am not a fan of a standard hotel room for a family of 5 for more than a couple of days. A 2bdrm is a must or I don't find the travel worth it if we are sardines. I know people say I don't spend much time in the room and while that is true, the time spent in the room is valuable and should be comfortable. I need sleep to rejuvenate and so do my kids. My children wake up between 6 and 8 pretty much no matter what time they go to bed(just the way they work) and that extra 1 or 2 is extremely valuable for my youngest and oldest(my middle guy is my early riser) and can be the difference between happy kids and crabby kids I also do not enjoy going to bed when my kids do...unwinding after a long day at the park is nice...cannot do this when you have 3 kids trying to sleep in one room.

 

[nugov2]

And as I've always said, it would be even cheaper if you just stayed home and never went there at all. In my opinion there's something special about staying on-site. I would never stay at a value because frankly I basically agree that it's not much better than the hotels just a half a mile away.

I'm a DVC member, so I only stay deluxe. And again in my opinion there is something special about a few of those resorts, actually almost all the DVC resorts that I've stayed at. There's just something special. This must be true based on the hundreds of pages dedicated to these resorts on these very boards. They are not just hotels.

As for the rental car and all of that, there are times when you can rent a car for $20 a night and then there are times when it's $150. Trust me I know...there's been plenty of times ive been going down there and wanted to look into renting renting a car and has always been ridiculously expensive. Mainly because I travel during the typical school holidays when everyone's there. Of course if you go in early December rental cars might be very cheap...I'm talking about your peak months.

I agree and even made that point that staying deluxe is something I would do as my kids grow and I can fit more comfortably in a 1 or 2bdrm villa. I was making the point that I do not see how people pay to stay at a value or even most mods when you can stay off site and in far superior accommodations for less. My point also was that because WDW is so big they do not have some of the perks U/IOA have. The city walk/hotel area is magic Just can't get that at the value or the mods I visited. Would I have it at the poly...yes, but I would pay!! We stayed in a themed home and visited and even stayed to do activities on multiple on site hotels at WDW...not once did my kids ask if we could stay there or why can't we sleep here. My kids like the space and luxuries that come with that home. My 6 year old left MK one day b/c he liked his private pool They didn't feel like they were missing anything. My dd stayed in a princess room with beautiful netting around the bed and princesses everywhere...my ds6 in a buzz light year room with bunk bed and Slide!!! and my little mickey lover in the mickey room!! Not to mention the rest of the house with theming and a private game room. I can promise you they didn't feel like they were outside of the WDW bubble for one minute. Again, it really is a personal preference and I get that. I love WDW...I also loved U/IOA they are two different places and both great for different reasons.

 

[MichiganDVC]

I agree and even made that point that staying deluxe is something I would do as my kids grow and I can fit more comfortably in a 1 or 2bdrm villa. I was making the point that I do not see how people pay to stay at a value or even most mods when you can stay off site and in far superior accommodations for less. My point also was that because WDW is so big they do not have some of the perks U/IOA have. The city walk/hotel area is magic Just can't get that at the value or the mods I visited. Would I have it at the poly...yes, but I would pay!! We stayed in a themed home and visited and even stayed to do activities on multiple on site hotels at WDW...not once did my kids ask if we could stay there or why can't we sleep here. My kids like the space and luxuries that come with that home. My 6 year old left MK one day b/c he liked his private pool They didn't feel like they were missing anything. My dd stayed in a princess room with beautiful netting around the bed and princesses everywhere...my ds6 in a buzz light year room with bunk bed and Slide!!! and my little mickey lover in the mickey room!! Not to mention the rest of the house with theming and a private game room. I can promise you they didn't feel like they were outside of the WDW bubble for one minute. Again, it really is a personal preference and I get that. I love WDW...I also loved U/IOA they are two different places and both great for different reasons.

I get the perks of a several bedroom vacation home. No really, I do! I also get the perks of walking into my favorite park within 5 minutes of leaving my resort. And especially just walking back after the fireworks.

If I was going to stay offsite, I would just go stay south of Tampa at my parent's condo for a few days. I could get my swimming in there, go to the beach and oceanside restaurants, do all of those vacation-y type things.
But if I'm at Disney, I'm AT Disney. You're never out of the magic when you're in the bubble.

 

[nugov2]

I get the perks of a several bedroom vacation home. No really, I do! I also get the perks of walking into my favorite park within 5 minutes of leaving my resort. And especially just walking back after the fireworks.

If I was going to stay offsite, I would just go stay south of Tampa at my parent's condo for a few days. I could get my swimming in there, go to the beach and oceanside restaurants, do all of those vacation-y type things.
But if I'm at Disney, I'm AT Disney. You're never out of the magic when you're in the bubble.

I don't think you are really reading what I am typing. I am not talking about YOUR specific accommodations, they sound like deluxe rooms and that's great you have them. Rooms I agree give you the bubble feeling since they are so close and also give you nice amenities, but still not relevant to what I am posting about . I am talking value/ mod vs. off site. Also not sure why you are telling me about family in Tampa and what that has to do with on site vs off or WDW vs U/IOA.

 

[mm1971]

I think there are pros and cons to both. The bottom line is they are two totally different animals and both are well worth the admission. Here is my feeling after visiting the parks recently:


WDW...Magical feeling that can't be replicated...all staff at Universal was wonderful, but something about WDW is just special.

I agree with PP that the rides just go straight to your heart in WDW. Leaves you feeling all gushy

Dinning in WDW is AMAZING....Universal needs to amp up and have more themed dinning. We did 6 Character meals/dinning experiences in WDW, not one I would complain about. Worth every penny.

Truly for all ages!! Universal is really for 5/6 and up. My 2yr old went with my mom and other family to AK while we were there. I am so thankful we let them take him. I couldn't imagine having him there all day...it would have been painful. Nothing really at all for little ones to do. Even my 6 yr old had to miss a few things, but still worth it!


Universal seemed to have a better resort feeling. Of course it being a lot smaller had a lot to do with it. Honestly, I wasn't impressed with the Disney "bubble". It has been yeas since I have been onsite so I kinda forgot what it was like. I personally, wouldn't have stayed at a value or mod after what I saw. I was curious because we were staying off site and did lots of exploring. We had a couple of non park days and we scheduled things at some resorts and even checked things out to see if when my youngest is a little older if we would want to stay on site. The values were a free for all and not clean IMO( I have seen people post they are glorified Motel 6's and didn't think that was the case, but now I can understand the comparison). They are just not worth the extra money when I can stay in a beautiful 6 bedroom home with private pool only minutes from the park.

I would guess we got there faster than anyone staying at a value and using WDW transportation. Driving and valeting at CR Start to finish was in MK in 20-25 minutes in the morning. If I did stay it would only be at the Poly, CR or GF These hotels were stunning(we didn't visit every single resort, but enough to get the sense of what each level has to offer), but with three kids I don't know if it is worth the premium price to get the 2bdrm suites and with 3 kids that is the smallest amount of rooms I would do.

I was even disappointed in POR, which is one I thought we would like after viewing online pics, but just wasn't impressed while touring when my kids were on the Pirate Cruise

I found the Boardwalk area to be wonderful at Universal...a nice perk to staying there plus with the FP as an added bonus think it is more appealing. Great restaurants all over, movie theater and all right there. No transportation needed. I didn't have time to check out any of the hotels there, so I cannot comment on the quality, but nothing there looked like it would be a value or a mod from the outside on the boardwalk. It appeared to be all upscale, but I know looks are sometimes deceiving.


In WDW the transportation is a nightmare. The lines for buses and monorail....no way, wouldn't do it. You are sardines. They don't really offer premium parking unless you valet at a resort and that is a disappointment.
In Universal you can valet your car and even pay extra so it is literally right outside the entrance when you leave. This is worth every penny when you have tired kiddos, to be in your car within a minute of leaving the park.


Not enough Thrill rides...though I don't think WDW really wants this. I love the roller coasters and the special effects at Universal/IOA is unbeatable. I will say the animatronics at WDW are way better than what's at Universal. Compare Dudley Doo right to Splash Mountain and it is kinda cheesey(and Ursula in LM...Wow she looked real!).

While I agree on the comparison of the rides and atmosphere, I don't really see how you can provide an opinion on the hotels when you haven't stayed there. Just as I can't give an opinion on the Universal hotels. I have visited the US hotels as you did the Disney ones, but wouldn't even consider negative comments having not actually experienced them by staying there.

We have stayed at both PO hotels and found them very good. It's about how you feel and the service you get as much as the theming. You are not impressed with POR after touring the hotel? Did you go into the rooms? How about the restaurant? Maybe try a swim in the pool, cane pole fishing in the river, boat to DTD? No. Well how about sitting at night and listening to the live acts? Horse and carriage ride? Rent bicycles or a pontoon boat to take a trip with the family? Did anyone at your hotel deliver an ice cream sundae to your room for your 9 year old daughters birthday? Sorry if I sound agitated, but I really think forming an opinion and posting it without experiencing the resort is really not a good idea. There is more to it than just walking around and seeing the sights.

The buses are a little bit hit or miss. Sometimes they are pretty quick and pleasant, others slow and packed. Unfortunately the campus is just too big to walk as at US/IOA. I guess that is part of the difference. We don't like to chance it so usually rent a car for the week and just drive. We also rent a car as we do go off the reservation and do other parks or attractions as well. I am guessing the limited valet parking at WDW resort is because most guests use the transportation system.

Now as previous posters pointed out as well, Disney is a family resort while US is a theme park. That is the big difference. We have done both, but continue to go to Disney year after year. We only do US when something new that interests us is added. Similar to Six Flags locations. I know this is just an opinion and US is excellent for what it is (and we do have fun there occasionally).....It's just not Disney.

 

[nugov2]

We have stayed at both PO hotels and found them very good. It's about how you feel and the service you get as much as the theming. You are not impressed with POR after touring the hotel? Did you go into the rooms? How about the restaurant? Maybe try a swim in the pool, cane pole fishing in the river, boat to DTD? No. Well how about sitting at night and listening to the live acts? Horse and carriage ride? Rent bicycles or a pontoon boat to take a trip with the family? Did anyone at your hotel deliver an ice cream sundae to your room for your 9 year old daughters birthday? Sorry if I sound agitated, but I really think forming an opinion and posting it without experiencing the resort is really not a good idea. There is more to it than just walking around and seeing the sights.

.

I will answer your questions:
no, did not go into the rooms
Yes, did go into and ate there
can't swim in the pool wasn't a guest but saw it. It was nice
cane pole fishing, yes! My husband took the kids one day. The kids thought it was fun!!
boat no
horse no
nobody delivered us ice cream to our room...Windsor Hills is too far and it wasn't my dd's 9th birthday(j/k)

We also played in the arcade.....rocked on the porch.....kids did a pirate cruise and shopped in the gift shop while there. I think that was it. All in all we probably spen about 6 hours there while we were at WDW. So while I didn't sleep there I think I could still form an opinion of a little disappointment that the hotel wasn't exactly what I expected. It is OK if you are agitated, you loved it and the fact that so many do, might make me think twice in the future

I also want to restate....I never said I wouldn't stay there...just said I was disappointed and that it was a little dirty. That after viewing it online I thought I would love it and was surprised I didn't

 

[disneyworld1977]

After seeing some of the Disney vs. Universal debates (or arguments..lol), everyone has their likes and dislikes. And NO ONE is wrong in how they feel although we might misread their post as they don't know what they are talking about.

To me Disney is better from top to bottom, overall. Although, I do like Universal it has some unique and fun things about it. But it just doesn't have the MAGIC like Disney does.

I can't say I would dislike or like the resorts at Universal because I have never been to them. But I am sure I would enjoy them. I have always liked or loved some of the Disney Resorts I have been to. Again, like I stated before, its just my DW and I usually at Disney. So I am not into getting a multi-bedroom house to rent while we are there. Even if there were like 6 of us if we brought some family, I would probably do the cabins at Disney. Then you have a little more space there and a small kitchen. That is good enough for me. One thing that I really enjoy even though it may seem cheesy, is while I am in the room I always have on the Resort channels. Seeing whats going on, listening to the Disney music. That's part of the whole experience for me.

When we go to the Orlando, it's to visit Disney World and if we have time and especially if there is something new, I will hit up Universal. Harry Potter doesn't get me there though. It looks like they did a good job with bringing it to life, but I am not into it. So I am not rushing to see it.

 

[rteetz]

After seeing some of the Disney vs. Universal debates (or arguments..lol), everyone has their likes and dislikes. And NO ONE is wrong in how they feel although we might misread their post as they don't know what they are talking about.

To me Disney is better from top to bottom, overall. Although, I do like Universal it has some unique and fun things about it. But it just doesn't have the MAGIC like Disney does.

I can't say I would dislike or like the resorts at Universal because I have never been to them. But I am sure I would enjoy them. I have always liked or loved some of the Disney Resorts I have been to. Again, like I stated before, its just my DW and I usually at Disney. So I am not into getting a multi-bedroom house to rent while we are there. Even if there were like 6 of us if we brought some family, I would probably do the cabins at Disney. Then you have a little more space there and a small kitchen. That is good enough for me. One thing that I really enjoy even though it may seem cheesy, is while I am in the room I always have on the Resort channels. Seeing whats going on, listening to the Disney music. That's part of the whole experience for me.

When we go to the Orlando, it's to visit Disney World and if we have time and especially if there is something new, I will hit up Universal. Harry Potter doesn't get me there though. It looks like they did a good job with bringing it to life, but I am not into it. So I am not rushing to see it.

I agree with you. Each park is unique in their own way because they hold different brands. If they were the same it would be different. Disney and universal are held to different standards. I hold disney to a very high standard and universal not as much. I'm not a fan of universal parks but I do like universal movies. I love disney everything pretty much. So every person is entitled to their own opinion but you have to have these debates because the companies are competing and without competition you may not see much change to parks, animation, merchandise, etc. so these debates will continue as new things come out and as technology evolves in the future. Who knows a new competitor may emerge in the next decade or two as well sparking a new debate.

disney lover at heart

 

[TinkerBella17]

The two parks cant be compared. Disney is its own level of "theme park" if you even want to call it that. No one else is able to do what Disney does for many reasons. However, Universal is definitely improving itself and turning its parks into a much more high end theme park.

 

[DisneyWorld2015]

The last time I went to Disney World was about 3 & a half years ago, & the last time I went to Universal was last October.
There are, as everyone has said, pros & cons to both.
That being said, WDW will always be #1.
However, going to Universal was a great change-up, something different. IOA is truly spectacular, especially for Harry Potter & Marvel fans!
But nobody beats Disney, & I don't think they have anything to worry about. The service & Disney "system" is unbeatable.