UnivStu vs. Disney : I know I am going to get flamed for this but...

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

We are AP holders for both Universal and WDW and are are proud to say we enjoy both experiences, and never visit only one or the other when on vacation - we always do both - something we've been doing annually since 2003. That is our choice.

As the others have said, WDW and US cannot be compared as they both offer totally different experiences and cater to people with different interests. Even Universal Studios and IOA are completely different environments. Many have said that as their kids grow up, they find Disney more "childish" as compared to Universal. Universal/IOA is definitely more "grown up" overall however there are still plenty of attractions for all age groups.

I should also add that one of our pet peeves is food at Disney. While we like the variety of restaurants at Disney, they also can't compare to Universal/IOA. We've found that Disney offers a lot of the same food at their restaurants but at Universal/IOA and Citywalk you have a number of restaurants each offering something unique.

We do stay on-site at Disney because of the AP discount we get on resort rooms, however, we are looking forward to experiencing the hotels at Universal where we can take advantage of the Front of the Line perk and be in close proximity to the parks.

Arguing about which park is better is just silly - it's like arguing over which flavor of ice cream is best. Bottom line is what's right for you and your family, might not be right for someone else, and just because you prefer one over the other does not mean it's wrong or that person should be flamed because they don't share the same opinion as you.

Bonny

 

[Tinker-tude]

We used to be die-hard Disney fans. We planned vacations to WDW as often as was feasible for us. I think I've been 20+ times in my life. We never went to US/IoA because how could ANYTHING hold a candle to Disney? Especially when everything in the world costs less than Disney, and you get what you pay for, right?

Then it happened. We had the WORST vacation of our lives while staying at the Grand Floridian. It was an endless string of disasters that were never resolved. So we decided to give US/IoA a try the next year. We had wanted to for several years, but there was just never enough time when you had to spend your whole vacation in line at Disney. We went expecting it to be less than Disney. Boy, were we surprised! It was fantastic!

There's a lot of truth to what RVGal said about nostalgia and being immersed in marketing that creates the magic for you. I checked the parks out online, got familiar with what they had to do and see, and started watching the movies, shows, and reading the books we'd be experiencing in the Universal parks with the kids. We felt the same magic while meeting Spiderman, seeing the different sections of the parks, and the theming of the rides as we had felt at Disney. Some of it was actually quite a bit better. I guess everyone who complains about the condition of the parks and the employees was either there on a really bad day, or they're looking to criticize, thinking that Mickey will be hurt if they find good things elsewhere. When we were there, the parks were pristine, the employees were courteous and friendly, the HRH staff was wonderful, etc., etc., etc. The attention to detail and artistry in the theming was amazing. Especially in IoA. We were amazed, delighted, thrilled, happy, and wondered how we had let ourselves miss out for so long. We are hooked on UO/IoA now and can't wait to go back. And when people say they can do everything in 1-2 days, there's no way to do everything there in that amount of time. They just don't know how many cool things they missed.

Disney doesn't really need to expand or change because they have such a loyal fanbase already. Which is also why they continue to raise prices on EVERYTHING while offering less. They do it simply because they can. We, the loyal fans, support them in this. I still love the nostalgia of Disney. I always will. But that doesn't mean that Disney World is the only great thing in the world. We'll probably be back someday, but like someone else said, now WDW is the other set of parks for us.

 

[cgbsilver@hotmail.co]

People who prefer Universal will not convince people who prefer Disney or viceversa. So this bickering is useless. Some people prefer one some the other, buth have their flaws and advantages, neither perfect. What is the point of arguing?

This is just my opinion, No offense meant to either side.

 

[breebella]

First let me start by saying, I've always been a die hard Disney fan. As a matter of fact, we are leaving in 2 wks for our yearly DIS vacation. However, last year I had the pleasure of staying at both Disney (on-site) and Universal (on-site). I have to agree that they both have a completely different feel about them. With Disney, I get immersed in Mickeyville and love watching my younger ones face light up when she spots one of the characters .

That being said, once we checked into Universal's Royal Pacific and was given my first glass of complimentary guava juice, I was in love (with the juice and the place itself) The beds were so comfy and the rooms so spacious! The pool was huge with plenty of room to swim and what's this? Pool hopping is encouraged? Wow, we headed over to Hard Rock to check out their zero entry pool, along with poolside games & activities for the kiddos and poolside movies at night! I'm in heaven. City Walk has tons of great restaurants to choose from if you don't want to dine in the park. What can I say about the FOTL? It was the icing on the cake! I didn't have to worry about getting up super early in the morning to make rope drop or hit the park with EMH. I have to say though, I actually felt kinda bad for all the hot sweaty people waiting in line for Spiderman, as we jumped off and on again. For those who don't think there is enough to do at Universal, they also offer complimentary shuttle service to Wet n Wild and Sea World/Aquatica! As for the cost to stay at a Lowes hotel, I got an excellent rate that was cheaper than AKL & WL. It was quite the vacation and I can't wait to go back next summer.

 

[Metro West]

People who prefer Universal will not convince people who prefer Disney or viceversa. So this bickering is useless. Some people prefer one some the other, buth have their flaws and advantages, neither perfect. What is the point of arguing?

This is just my opinion, No offense meant to either side.

I couldn't agree more.

I love MK, Epcot, AK, US, IoA and Sea World.

I think it is crazy to avoid a theme park because Disney doesn't own it. It matters little to me who owns what so long as it is fun.

Uni is fun and has some amazing stuff. If you don't go check it out, you miss out on all that.

And that's the shame of it.

 

[k5thbeatle]

...Arguing about which park is better is just silly - it's like arguing over which flavor of ice cream is best. Bottom line is what's right for you and your family, might not be right for someone else, and just because you prefer one over the other does not mean it's wrong or that person should be flamed because they don't share the same opinion as you.

Bonny

Best post on the thread. Reading the thread is entertaining though!

Why does that "amaze" you? It's my vacation.

Exactly! If a person likes going to "Boringville" USA for their vacation and it pleases them then why would that amaze anyone?

It's funny too...every complaint or fault listed in this thread can be experienced at either park given the right circumstance or time. Last time I checked both were operated by humans who all have their good and bad days and no park is infallible!

 

[keishashadow]

Thread reminds me of the trash-talking that professional sports teams rivalries generate .

Funny how invested peeps can get with their entertainent choices. Speaking of investments we bought into Disney, hook line & sinker. I love going 'home' to Disney gives me the warm & fuzzies. Yet, I get energized going to the Universal parks too...a whole 'nuther world. Guess it lets me indulge my split personality.

IMO, for DVC'rs trying to save pricey weekend points (and eak out yet another repeat visit); Universal onsite is the true 'best kept secret', with the FOTL perc...positively VIP experience. Especially, since Disney has increased the weekend resort rates so dramatically.

It is true that when Disney adds something new, it is on a much Grander scale. I do agree that Universal will NEVER be Disney!!

and, therein lies it's charm

We have 300 BWV points and I always say that I wish Universal had something similar.
I agree when walking near the giant Globe at US or the Port of Entry at IOA, I feel the magic.

the line forms behind me

 

[goofybabe2001]

Disney will always be special and magical to all of us but I think Disney really needs to step it up a notch or two. I remember first coming to disney and thinking WOW that was a cool ride or show and now it seems so many things are just cookie cutter replicas of something else. Everthing new is great don't get me wrong but it seems there is nothing really over the top like it was so many years ago. My 2 dds love disney for the characters and not for the rides or shows. I really wish disney would go back to basics of each park...Animal Kingdom add some more animals...Epcot needs more countries and what happened to the future no imagination...Hollywood studios show me how movies are made( too much animation...Playhouse disney) But on the same note I can't wait to go back

 

[KStarfish82]

 

[CanadianGuy]

Moving this one to the ThemeParks Community Board as it is a more a discussion of personal choice and taste than an actual planning thread.

Thanks,

Knox

 

[Cool-Beans]

I didn't even know there was a CB for Theme Parks. I think it is an excellent thing, though. So many threads are too OT for TPAS but still waaay too Theme Parky for the CB.

For a while there, they were sending all kinds of threads to the CB and everyone was saying, "Why are all these Theme Park threads being sent here?" This is excellent.

Learn something new every day.

 

[Princess Jenny]

This is a long thread and I didn't read every post, but I wouldn't say Disney needs to step it up. We go to Disney every 2 years and every 2 years there has been a new ride. They are opening the American Idol stage in January and I still feel like Expedition is still new. I belive the way Disney comes out with something new every couple of years is smart. I just keeps you coming back for more and gives you something to look forward to .

And I've just seen on the Travel Channel that they are already in the works for building their new theme park. Which im sure takes time planning and oodles and oodles of money

 

[Buckeyemouse]

While I like some of the things US has to offer. It is not Disney for DW or myself. If we want to ride coasters we can go to Cedar Point (the best coaster park in the world). I dislike standing in lines for more than 30 minutes for a ride (FP is awesome). We go during the summer months to Disney and I have never waited for more than 40 minutes for a ride. Plus we prefer the sights, sounds, and smells of WDW (exception of monorail late at night after many people were riding it). Things have changed so much since we were last down there 05. They will continue to add and grow. The service that Disney provides is second to none.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

While I like some of the things US has to offer. It is not Disney for DW or myself. If we want to ride coasters we can go to Cedar Point (the best coaster park in the world). I dislike standing in lines for more than 30 minutes for a ride (FP is awesome). We go during the summer months to Disney and I have never waited for more than 40 minutes for a ride. Plus we prefer the sights, sounds, and smells of WDW (exception of monorail late at night after many people were riding it). Things have changed so much since we were last down there 05. They will continue to add and grow. The service that Disney provides is second to none.

Once you've done US's FOTL and get used to usually walking right onto a ride, a 40 min wait seems like eternity. After 2 days at US/IOA, we went to MK. BTMR had a 20 min. wait. Ds7 stomped his little foot and said, "I am NOT waiting in a 20 min. line!"

US/IOA is often thought of as a roller coaster park by the Disney crowd but really only has 2 and they're both in IOA. There's so much more than coasters. My kids love Shrek, Spiderman, Jimmy Neutron, Dr. Seuss land, Jurassic Park, Mummy, Men in Black (revved up Buzz Lightyear) I could go on and on....