WANTED! Candid thoughts: US/IOA First Time or Repeat/Finish Disney MGM/MK

[jasper]

Hello all. We are traveling in early December from New Jersey to Sanibel Island and will have time to stop for two days in Orlando on the way back. Our first and only visit to Disney World was in December 2000 and we did all four parks, but missed a lot of attractions due to time or kids unwillingness to try certain things. Now DD's will be 12 and 7 and open to more a lot more stuff.

At MGM we missed:

RNR
Tower of Terror (they still won't go on that)
Great Movie Ride
Animation Tour
Sounds Dangerous
Shrunk Playground
Backlot Tour
Millionaire (wasn't built yet)
Star Tours
Indiana Jones
Playhouse Disney Live (was Bear in the Big Blue House show in 2000)
Osborne Lights
Fantasmic
Stars/Cars Parade

You must be wondering what we actually did do at MGM: Hunchback, Beauty/Beast, Mermaid, Bear, Muppets, Mulan Parade, Mama Melrose (lunch), some autographs, and that's about it. We just took it easy that day.

At MK we missed:

All three "mountains"
Haunted Mansion
Presidents
Pirates
Aladdin Magic Carpets (not built yet)
Astro Orbitor
Timekeeper

US/IOA sound like fun, but are they "as" fun as Disney? Do they have a special feel about them that leaves a lasting impression, or are they just the best of the best as far as "amusement parks" go?

Part of me says go back to Disney and do all the things we missed, and part of me says there is nothing better than trying something totally new for the first time.

So, US/IOA or Disney? Thanks for your help!

 

[disnurse]

we prefer us/ioa over disney by far. you didn't miss much in MK and personally we did not enjoy mgm the 2 times we went. Its all personal preference of course.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

For two days I would suggest Universal. Stay at one of the on-site hotels and you will get front of line access. With that, in two days you will go on everything.

At WDW you will still not get everything done and leave with the same feeling you had the last time. We love both places and often spend 5 days at Disney then switch to 2 at USF.

Have fun at Sanibel.

HBC

 

[ChrisFL]

If you'll allow me to take a look here:


RNR- good ride, but short
Tower of Terror (they still won't go on that)- too bad, it's the best thing Disney's done in the last 10 years
Great Movie Ride- is it still open?
Animation Tour- good tour
Sounds Dangerous- ?
Shrunk Playground- small, ok area
Backlot Tour- like Earthquake but different
Millionaire (wasn't built yet)-?
Star Tours - decent, but most agree that Back to the Future is better
Indiana Jones- stunt show, there are 2 similar ones at US/IOA
Playhouse Disney Live (was Bear in the Big Blue House show in 2000)-?
Osborne Lights- is this year round?
Fantasmic
Stars/Cars Parade

You must be wondering what we actually did do at MGM: Hunchback, Beauty/Beast, Mermaid, Bear, Muppets, Mulan Parade, Mama Melrose (lunch), some autographs, and that's about it. We just took it easy that day.

At MK we missed:

All three "mountains"
Haunted Mansion
Presidents
Pirates
Aladdin Magic Carpets (not built yet)- same as Dumbo and:
Astro Orbitor
Timekeeper- Closed I believe







There seems to be some misunderstanding by some people....

US/IOA ARE NOT Amusement Parks, as they are all themed completely, and to me, IOA is themed better than MK in many areas. It's a totally different experience, and have nothing really in common with an amusement park, besides the outdoor coasters (which IOA still has incredibly themed queues)

 

[jasper]

Thanks for the feedback so far and especially Chris FL for the in-depth analysis. Chris, in case you were wondering we were there in December 2000 and will be there in December 2003 so that's why I mentioned the Osborne Lights. The Who Wants to Be a Millionaire - Play It! was not around yet when we visited in 2000.

I may be leaning toward USF/IOA now except for a few minor concerns:

First, we wouldn't arrive at Universal until around noon on Saturday. By the time we get to the on-site hotel to get our key card for Front of the Line access and get to either park, it will be at least 1:00 pm. IOA closes at 7 pm and USF at 6 pm so it doesn't leave a tremendous amount of time. On Sunday we would have the whole day. Is it true you can get a two-day, two-park pass that lets you switch between parks in the same day?

Second, when we were at Disney in December 2000, it would have been way too cold to even consider water rides. Most days maxed out in the low to mid-60s at best. Hopefully it might be warmer this time but even low-70s isn't ideal for getting too wet.

Last, I can get a decent entertainment card rate for the on-site hotels for the Sunday night, but they don't offer the discount for the Saturday night. Does anyone know how to ge a discount at the Universal hotels on a Saturday night in early December?

Thanks again.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

If you plan on booking a hotel by October I'm sure you can lock in a pretty good rate with AAA, Universal Fan Club card, or special promotions at one of the three Universal/Loews hotels. I would venture to say somewhere around $125 a night and this is for hotels that I compare to Disney's deluxe accomidations.

Even with only say 5 hrs in a park on the first day you should be able to at least knock ofut half the park. I would personally do USF that day, saving IOA for a full day. That way if you finish up what you want to do at IOA you can revisit your favorites at either park.

Yes, a two day pass allows you to park hop between the two parks.

As far as the water rides are concerned I would just buy a poncho and tough it out. (they are really that awesome!) Universal does turn off many water effects during the colder months, and *I think* lower the water level so that you are not drenched. Someone else can probably field this question much better.


HA HA Funny enough the new Universal commerical just came on!

 

[chris mcfly]

Originally posted by jasper
Now DD's will be 12 and 7 and open to more a lot more stuff.
!

What does the abbreviation DD's mean?

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

DD = Dear/Disney Daughter

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Since you only have 2 days I would go to Universal since you'd be able to see most everything there. True about the water rides--we've never gone that time of the year so can't help you with that. Your kids are at a great age and would do most, if not everything. If they don't like thrill rides they may not want to do the big coasters and you 7yo might not be tall enough, anyway.

Like others have said, Universal is very much a theme park. We were surprised and impressed when we went. Our kids were 1, 7, 10, and 13 and enjoyed it a lot. They are anxious to return and haven't talked any about WDW, which we are not going to.

 

[jasper]

Thanks for all the good info. Now I just need to find a discount for that Saturday night on-site hotel at USF/IOA.

 

[DocBosch]

Universal is anything but just "amusment parks". In some aspects, Universal isn't up to par with Disney, but in some ways Disney isn't up to par with Universal. If anything, they are equal, and complements to each other.

Universal doesn't have that "Disney feel" because it's not Disney. It does have it's own feel, but you have to look for it, and you have to want to feel it. What Universal is, if anything, is impressive. You just have to let yourself expereince it.

My opinion is, on this trip, to visit MGM and MK. Thats what you want to do, thats what you want to see. If you go to Universal searching for, hoping for, that Disney feel, then you'll over look the entire Universal sensation.

The best way to experience Universal is to go willing to have a good time. Read up on Universal and it's resorts. Get excited about the rides and atmosphere that can only be found at Universal. Then take that Universal vacation, with an unbiase view.

EDIT: I see that since I first started writing , you've decided to go to Universal (I started late last night, fell asleep, and just finished now). I'm glad you'll be trying Universal. As long as your going with an open mind, and willing to try something different, you'll have a great time.

Since you'll have that great unlimited Fast Pass access with you resort stay, your time table can work. Just go over to IOA as soon as you can on Saturday. Ride whats appealing to you, and whats best based on the waiting time. Your fast pass access will help alot. Also, since you're coming in at the midle of the day, take time to do the great play ground attractions that require no wait, like Camp Jurassic, the shows. You might also want to hop over to USF later in the days (if the ride lines are too long) and do some of the minor attractions there.

The next day, head over to IOA again, but be there before the gates open (around 8:30). Since most of the crownd arrives after noon, the park will be relativly empty. Head to the back of the park first. Since most people tend to hit the first attractions that they see, the back end will be even more scarce. It maybe different that time of the year, but JP hasn't been opening until 11:00, so I would recommend Dueling Dragons and the rest of the Lost Coninet first, then heading over to JP when the time is right. If you do this, then I gauratee that you will do most, if not all, of the rides that you had missed the day before. You may even get a chance to do some of your favorites again.

Then, sometime after noon, head over to USF. I don't really have any stratigic plan for The Studios. The most popular rides are at the back end, MIB and BTTF. The Studios are great because you'll be able to stroll through and relax, and pick and choose what rides you want to do. IOA has more of the trill rides that people want to ride and re-ride, while at USF you have the luxury of leaving some suprises for your next visit. USF, also looks great at night (with all the city facades lite up), and JAWS is a definate plus to ride at night.

The most important thing is to relax and take in the atmosphere. Regardles of what you ride or not, you're still gonna want to come back, so you shouldn't worry yourself silly about riding everything on this trip. Also, enjoy the great resort, which ever you choose to stay at.

-Kevin

 

[jasper]

Doc. Thanks for the great post. Sounds like a well thought out plan that we will likely follow very closely.

Disney's whole corporate attitude has bummed me out a little lately and I'm looking forward to trying USF/IOA. Whatever happenned to the great animated features with the classic tunes like Mermaid, Beauty, Aladdin, Lion King, Pocohontas, Tarzan? That's what we (our family) all miss about Disney and why it will be a bit easier to make the swicth this time to USF/IOA. It's hard to believe they are not adding any big attractions to Disney except for Mission Space. The rides at AK and Magic Carpets at MK are far from impressive. We're looking forward to Cat in the Hat, MIBII, Spiderman, etc. etc. etc.

Now my last hill to conquer, a Saturday night discount for the Royal Pacific.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Jasper, MIB is wonderful and one of my favorites. My husband's favorite is Spiderman. We (and my older children) also like Dueling Dragons and Hulk coasters. Cat in the Hat is very cute. I'm glad that my youngest will be old enough to really enjoy and remember more what we'll be doing.

I know what you mean about WDW. Like Doc said, try and keep an open mind and have a great time at Universal. Your kids will be very impressed with what it has to offer. Also, watch some movies before going that will help them enjoy the parks (MIB, Spiderman, Back to the Future, etc).

T&B

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Whatever happenned to the great animated features with the classic tunes like Mermaid, Beauty, Aladdin, Lion King

The person responsible for many of those is now with Dreamworks and Dreamworks (and the other major players in Dreamworks) is very much associated with US.

HBC

 

[DocBosch]

jasper,

If you're feeling a little jaded by Disney right now, then you might get a kick out of the upcoming Shrek attraction, which I'm sure will take the opportunity to poke fun at the 'Kingdom' down the road.

-Kevin

 

[h20jag]

jasper-
Early Dec. is a great time to see USF & IOA (low crowds; usually mild temps; and Christmas decorations & music).
You'll wanna see Grinchmas, at Seuss Landing, light up at nite (IOA).
You'll also wanna see Macy Parade (USF) if it's started up when you're there. Gotta be there 2 nites now!
You'll love it there!
Jim

Oh yeah, Doc-
Shrek wouldn't poke fun at da mouse, would he?

 

[UKDEB]

I've come a bit late to this thread, as it looks as though you've already made the decision to give USF a go, but I'll add my thoughts anyway!

We've been visiting Orlando from the UK since 1992 and we've always loved WDW and Unversal equally. In the early days, though, Universal was just one park and really just a one day diversion from WDW. Now it is a whole resort and USF has got it spot on in my view.

Everything is within walking distance of everything else and the parks/hotels/CityWalk have been very sensibly laid out to help you make the most of it. There is a wonderful ambiance about the whole place which I would call Disneyesque, although clearly not everyone would agree. We normally spend most of our trip in a private home, with a couple of days onsite. Right now, I can't imagine choosing WDW over USF for the onsite part. We have 2 teenage daughters (18 and 15) and they love the freedom they have from being onsite at USF.

The last few times we have visited, Universal Studios has seemed a bit quiet compared with its hey-dey and I'm sure it is suffering since the opening of IoA. In my view it is simply <i>the</i> most visually stunning park, a technological marvel and easily a match for anything Disney has to offer. We still love the Studios, though, and there are some 'not to be missed' rides. I'm with Spaceman Spiff - spend your half day at the Studios and save your full day for IoA. With your 2 Park Pass, you can always nip back to the Studios to re-visit your favorite rides - the park entrances are right next to one another.

 

[jasper]

I can't wait to go to USF/IOA!!!! Thanks for the great info and it sounds like these parks will be spectacular. As suggested, I think we'll be renting some DVDs from Blockbuster over the coming months (Spiderman, MIB, MIBII, BTTF, etc.) to get the kids a little more familiar with some of the characters.

With Cat in the Hat supposedly being released in theaters Thanksgiving 2003, I'm sure Seussville will be packed, but hopefully the FOTL access will help out a bit (from what I heard you can't use it for the fishy ride though).

Thanks all!

 

[BarryHom]

Actually, the most crowded island tends to be Marvel Super Hero Island.

 

[Eeyore's Girl]

For my family, the best part of IOA in December is Grinchmas. We were there Dec. 2002, unseasonably cold, wet weather but the entire atmosphere at IOA/US was well worth it. Take warm, hooded jackets and be prepared with ponchos just in case. Universal had one of the jolliest of jolly Santas I've ever seen. Your girls would enjoy taking a peek at him even if they think they're too old to visit him.

My decision of which parks to see would depend on whether you enjoy thrill rides. If not, I would do MK one day. We love the park, it keeps us busy all day. (I can't imagine going to Orlando and not riding Space Mountain.) On the other day, I would try to get my hands on a ticket that would allow me to visit both of the Universal Parks in one day. (Check around, you may find someone with left over tickets.) Start the day at Universal, hitting the highlights. I just love the whole look and feel of this park. Half way through the day walk over to IOA and visit the Grinch. So very cool!

If you enjoy thrill rides, spend both days at Universal/IOA. You'll have a blast!