WDW and Universal. Who wins?

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

It's not even just Safari. Genie+ has obliterated the standby lines for certain rides where the wait is torture without it. ILL too as Flight of Passage is miserable in the standby line. Even with the ILL I have waited 20-25 minutes.

Yeah we def. waited about an hour or so for FOP standby.

Our local friends noticed a high jump for HM too. We were able to ride that several times but sometimes it was first thing in the morning but I know it could get long.

The one we kept scratching our heads on was Jungle Cruise and part of it we hypothesized maybe the movie having an effect on people's interest
This was a screenshot I sent my friends last May as I had seen Jungle Cruise be higher than 7DMT multiple times



Side comment though look at the other wait times of 60 mins, 65 mins, 80 mins, 55 mins. That was May 11th.

 

[bryaalre]

It does irk me when people say things like "there's nothing to do" or "I can get Universal done in a few hours" because that's just based on what someone's interests are.

While it is based on someone’s interests, there also needs to be a level of objectivity as well. I for one can do AK all day as it’s my favorite park but understand that for most it’s a half day.

Universal, more specifically Universal Orlando is a half day park, at best. I don’t think many people would argue against that just like I don’t think many people would argue AK is more than a half day as well.

 

[sipnride]

Wow that's all I can say. I told my husband all of what you've said and he's giving me the side eye so hard lol. I mean that playfully but yeah what you're saying is like alien talk really because with Disney we go go go because we want to make the most of it although as time goes on like I said in previous comments we don't feel like we have to get certain rides in.

I don't know why you're trying so hard with Universal. Like I said to the other poster why are you going? You aren't obligated to, just stick with Disney. There's really no reason to feel like you need to go numerous times to a place you really don't seem to enjoy. It's one of the reasons I said we would consider a Universal only trip so seems to be you could just omit Universal for a while and keep with your happy place. I say that seriously though, if you're at the level of comparing it to Six Flags or Busch Gardens it ain't the park for you...and that's perfectly okay

It does irk me when people say things like "there's nothing to do" or "I can get Universal done in a few hours" because that's just based on what someone's interests are.

Whether you find some show weak is your opinion but it doesn't mean it isn't something to do. I don't like most of the shows at Disney. I never did Voyage of the Little Mermaid, have zero interest in it, we're not parade people at all, I'm not into character meet and greets. But none of these things take away what someone has an option for and if you want to talk about lines boy meet and greets you'll have those.

Universal has it's issues just like Disney but it doesn't make for much of a conversation when someone lists all that they want to do at one place and then exclaim there's nothing to do at the other. Both parks offer a variety of things for guests to do, what each guest ends up doing/watching/seeing is up to them. I think IOA is stronger overall than Studios but there's still stuff to be had at both.



But that's your perspective having done Disney enough, it's a fair perspective but not the same as what a few of us have been talking about. I can skip quite a lot of things at Disney but only because I've been enough times that it's NBD if I don't get on a ride. The same can't be said for someone who is less familiar or hasn't been before. Right now those people need to know they have to get a park reservation just to get inside a Disney park!

Well, I try hard with Universal in part because my kids like it, but like i said i myself enjoy it, at least in spurts. And I don't see the BG comparison in particular as an insult. I was a pass holder at six flags for years, and then kings Dominion. I love theme parks, always have. I stopped going to those places because it just got too frustrating to go to those parks and never find anything decent to eat, or any places to have a drink. Then became a pass holder at BG for many years, even though I live almost three hours away from Williamsburg. That one in particular is a really great park. The food there is fabulous, the shows are terrific, the wildlife expriences are unique. They have a wine tasting around the park thing that's a great deal and a lot of fun. They have several places to do crafts. Their food and wine fest is better than Epcot imo. It's also a very beautiful park with great landscaping. The other parks, SeaWorld and BG Tampa were also very nice. But they all have that go go go vibe.

IDK, I do remember being younger when my kids were little and feeling a similar stress with Disney, but with repeat trips Disney gets easier and its overlooked ie lighty populated nooks and crannies take center stage. And the abundance of places to just rest and relax are crucial to me enjoying a full day theming in Florida. I just haven't experienced that at Universal or IOA (though Volcano Bay nails that, so maybe EU will make a better attempt at getting those parts down.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

While it is based on someone’s interests, there also needs to be a level of objectivity as well. I for one can do AK all day as it’s my favorite park but understand that for most it’s a half day.

Universal, more specifically Universal Orlando is a half day park, at best. I don’t think many people would argue against that just like I don’t think many people would argue AK is more than a half day as well.

Nah objectivity doesn't work when you're talking about what there is to do or how long it takes to do something (someone saying they spend a few hours and got it all in at Universal but only did 3 things and hopped to the other side isn't about being objective).

There are a lot to do at both Disney and Universal, that doesn't mean what I'm interested in doing is going to take up a lot of time, it's still not going to change what they have to offer.

AK closed between 4-6pm as its normal operating hours because of the animals. That's why people called it a half day park, it didn't have nighttime entertainment and you had to leave fairly early on. With the later hours, with Pandora it is not. Now granted Universal can close early on the Studios side during HHN season but so does MK at 7pm.

This is MY list so it excludes high thrill rides like Hulk, green is what I really want to do and red is time permits.


For shows


For Disney for the rides Animal Kingdom 4 rides, for MK 13, for DHS 6 and for Epcot 10. I'm sorry if you don't find enough stuff to fill your time at Universal, but I sure can, even at DHS which lacks a lot of attractions I can't argue that there aren't other things to do there, they just don't have enough rides to spread out the waits so it makes Rise, Smugglers Run, Runaway Railway, etc get god awful waits. At least Indy helps absorbs the crowds.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Yeah we def. waited about an hour or so for FOP standby.

Our local friends noticed a high jump for HM too. We were able to ride that several times but sometimes it was first thing in the morning but I know it could get long.

The one we kept scratching our heads on was Jungle Cruise and part of it we hypothesized maybe the movie having an effect on people's interest
This was a screenshot I sent my friends last May as I had seen Jungle Cruise be higher than 7DMT multiple times
View attachment 785578


Side comment though look at the other wait times of 60 mins, 65 mins, 80 mins, 55 mins. That was May 11th.

Jungle Cruise has a VERY slow load/unload, it's popular and Genie+ all contribute to that line being super long. I only ride it if my sister wants to. It's not a favorite so I can skip it without being sad.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Jungle Cruise has a VERY slow load/unload, it's popular and Genie+ all contribute to that line being super long. I only ride it if my sister wants to. It's not a favorite so I can skip it without being sad.

The one time we got to ride it we lucked out I think in timing because the fireworks started halfway through and they sorta slowed/stopped the boat every so often, not dawdling but giving people a view. Since we had already seen Enchantment (which we were not super impressed with) we were fine missing the fireworks. Because most people were either in line for 7DMT or waiting/watching the fireworks the wait time was drastically reduced for Jungle Cruise

 

[sipnride]

Yeah we def. waited about an hour or so for FOP standby.

Our local friends noticed a high jump for HM too. We were able to ride that several times but sometimes it was first thing in the morning but I know it could get long.

The one we kept scratching our heads on was Jungle Cruise and part of it we hypothesized maybe the movie having an effect on people's interest
This was a screenshot I sent my friends last May as I had seen Jungle Cruise be higher than 7DMT multiple times
View attachment 785578


Side comment though look at the other wait times of 60 mins, 65 mins, 80 mins, 55 mins. That was May 11th.

Ok so we just call Peter Pan neverland, as in never gonna ride it. The wait never makes any sense there. But the other night it was available in Genie so we said wth, it's been at least a decade, maybe we missed the details that make it so popular.

Nope. That ride is lame duck. I serially have no clue why that ride is so popular. It makes zero sense to me. Meanwhile, the Ariel ride behind the dwarf train is usually a walk on, just like half the attractions at MK. At that park there simply does not seem to be any correlation between the quality of an attraction and the wait. It's baffling.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I just haven't experienced that at Universal or IOA

We find ourselves doing quite a bit of "stop and smell the roses" things, just sit and relax, people watch, take in the ambience of things. That's one of the reasons I mentioned Blues Brothers, or the Scooby Gang or the streetmosphere. I watched several of the Scooby gang play games with two kids while the kids were sitting on a bench, the Blues Brothers coming down the road all slow rolling and getting out of the car for someone to take a picture with them, watching the people laugh and scream coming down River Adventure, Relaxing in Today's Cafe sipping on some coffee, getting butter beer and listening to the sounds of Hogwarts Express.

At Disney we decided to get out of the parks for some relaxation for a short time. We really enjoyed taking the Skyliner to Riviera getting some coffee and sitting in the lobby just escaping the chaos. PeopleMover does allow for a break when the wait isn't too long but having a 25 min wait and then a good amount being in the sun was not the best. Most of our relaxing time this past trip was with friends in the parks who were there also for the wedding and that made it worth it. While we would have found places to relax inside the parks too at Disney but we absolutely find this at Universal but the park going experience overall is more zen for us.

I can say that at time has gone on at Disney we do like to find those nooks and crannies you're speaking of although I always liked going to Tom Sawyer Island we usually didn't find ourselves spending much time there but last time we did really explore around, not as much time as some do who take picnics basically but still. I'm just thinking you may want to take a bit of time then to find those types of places at Universal if you're interested I'm thinking you'll probably get lower crowds at the older parks when Epic Universe opens up even with people coming because the main focus will be on an entire new park to explore

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Ok so we just call Peter Pan neverland, as in never gonna ride it. The wait never makes any sense there. But the other night it was available in Genie so we said wth, it's been at least a decade, maybe we missed the details that make it so popular.

Nope. That ride is lame duck. I serially have no clue why that ride is so popular. It makes zero sense to me. Meanwhile, the Ariel ride behind the dwarf train is usually a walk on, just like half the attractions at MK. At that park there simply does not seem to be any correlation between the quality of an attraction and the wait. It's baffling.

I mean I like Peter Pan in a cute nostalgic way but good gravy the waits are bad and like you said they just don't match the quality. I so wish they could load and unload better but not sure how they could without redesigning the ride.

Just thinking about it Pirates is another ride that has gotten really bad with Genie+. I have it on my notes as being posted wait time of 60 mins one time when we rode it, it was a bit less than that in actuality but yeah just having that posted wait being that is silly. It wasn't even a crowded day for the most part.

 

[greeneyedchick]

Ok so we just call Peter Pan neverland, as in never gonna ride it. The wait never makes any sense there. But the other night it was available in Genie so we said wth, it's been at least a decade, maybe we missed the details that make it so popular.

Nope. That ride is lame duck. I serially have no clue why that ride is so popular. It makes zero sense to me. Meanwhile, the Ariel ride behind the dwarf train is usually a walk on, just like half the attractions at MK. At that park there simply does not seem to be any correlation between the quality of an attraction and the wait. It's baffling.

I've observed the same. Little Mermaid is a much better ride IMO and yet everyone is always trying to go on Peter Pan. They need more Mermaid-like dark rides. It's a continuous moving, people-eater, low-key ride.

 

[wdwrule]

WDW and Universal. Who wins?​

With air-conditioning… Universal by faaarrrr!!!! Just got back from a split stay. (UO for stress free, care-free planning as well.)

 

[bryaalre]

Nah objectivity doesn't work when you're talking about what there is to do or how long it takes to do something (someone saying they spend a few hours and got it all in at Universal but only did 3 things and hopped to the other side isn't about being objective).

There are a lot to do at both Disney and Universal, that doesn't mean what I'm interested in doing is going to take up a lot of time, it's still not going to change what they have to offer.

AK closed between 4-6pm as its normal operating hours because of the animals. That's why people called it a half day park, it didn't have nighttime entertainment and you had to leave fairly early on. With the later hours, with Pandora it is not. Now granted Universal can close early on the Studios side during HHN season but so does MK at 7pm.

This is MY list so it excludes high thrill rides like Hulk, green is what I really want to do and red is time permits.
View attachment 785579

For shows
View attachment 785580

For Disney for the rides Animal Kingdom 4 rides, for MK 13, for DHS 6 and for Epcot 10. I'm sorry if you don't find enough stuff to fill your time at Universal, but I sure can, even at DHS which lacks a lot of attractions I can't argue that there aren't other things to do there, they just don't have enough rides to spread out the waits so it makes Rise, Smugglers Run, Runaway Railway, etc get god awful waits. At least Indy helps absorbs the crowds.

AK is called a half day park because there is to few things to do, not because it closes early. I see people complaining that they are done with AK prior to being able to park hop. Again, just because you or I can find ways to spend addition time in a park, doesn't mean said park is not a half day if the majority think so as well. I am giving Universal Orlando a compliment saying it's a half day park and i bet a lot of people would think the same of AK as well.

A park can have all the attractions in the world but if no one wants to ride them, than the attractions are not doing their job. If a park only had rides similar to Aladdin and Dumbo, no one would call it a full day park just because there were 50 of them there. Universal Orlando is making progress with Minion Land and the change to their kid zone but at this point, they need a lot more investments in the park, similar to AK or HS.

 

[drenalin'junkie]

It can be argued none of the parks are all day to some folks, and all of them for others. Depends on budget, time of year and what your interests are.
We typically rope drop til fireworks most parks unless it's a day trip and we're working the next day.
The best parks to stroll are AK and BG for us as they have so many little niches with animals and amazing landscaping.
No one is close to BG for roller coasters.
No one does small children like MK.
Epcot festivals are foodies delight, takes us two days to eat around the World.
It's Orlando, there's something for everyone. Even if BG is way west Orlando

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

AK is called a half day park because there is to few things to do, not because it closes early. I see people complaining that they are done with AK prior to being able to park hop. Again, just because you or I can find ways to spend addition time in a park, doesn't mean said park is not a half day if the majority think so as well. I am giving Universal Orlando a compliment saying it's a half day park and i bet a lot of people would think the same of AK as well.

A park can have all the attractions in the world but if no one wants to ride them, than the attractions are not doing their job. If a park only had rides similar to Aladdin and Dumbo, no one would call it a full day park just because there were 50 of them there. Universal Orlando is making progress with Minion Land and the change to their kid zone but at this point, they need a lot more investments in the park, similar to AK or HS.

The operating hours was the main reason in the past for the moniker, it no longer closes early. I haven't had my coffee yet this morning so imma gonna leave you to it

 

[mercuryvenus]

Disney is not in a good place, Im not going into the reasons (there are many). Universal seems to be on a roll. So how long before Universal overtakes Disney in Orlando?

We’re at Universal now and the experience, outside of excellent HP theming, is horrible. It’s like a souped up Six Flags. Our hotel looks like any random Hilton, despite being a deluxe resort. Nothing like our DVC 1 bedrooms. The employees here have mostly been nice, but some have been extremely rude.

I just don’t see a world where this experience is anything close to what Disney offers.

Oh and I had to pay $2 for a locker for Hagrid’s. Talk about nickel and diming. Disney doesn’t charge for Tron lockers.

 

[mercuryvenus]

WDW and Universal. Who wins?​

With air-conditioning… Universal by faaarrrr!!!! Just got back from a split stay. (UO for stress free, care-free planning as well.)

UO is stress free because there’s such little that’s interesting to do. HP rides, Velocicoaster, and a couple little kid rides if you have kids that want to do Seuss Landing. Otherwise most of it is dated and uninteresting.

No character dining to speak of, few nighttime shows, hotels look like standard Hilton.

Oh and why is there no way to skip the line for Hagrid’s?! We’re paying for their deluxe hotel and can’t even skip the line for their most popular ride.

 

[hildarumpole]

We’re at Universal now and the experience, outside of excellent HP theming, is horrible. It’s like a souped up Six Flags. Our hotel looks like any random Hilton, despite being a deluxe resort. Nothing like our DVC 1 bedrooms. The employees here have mostly been nice, but some have been extremely rude.

I just don’t see a world where this experience is anything close to what Disney offers.

At which hotel are you staying? None of the deluxe resorts resemble a random Hilton.

 

[mercuryvenus]

At which hotel are you staying? None of the deluxe resorts resemble a random Hilton.

Royal Pacific. After staying in 1 bedrooms at BLT, Riviera, etc, the Royal Pacific rooms look dated and have such little amenities.

 

[BrianL]

We’re at Universal now and the experience, outside of excellent HP theming, is horrible. It’s like a souped up Six Flags. Our hotel looks like any random Hilton, despite being a deluxe resort. Nothing like our DVC 1 bedrooms. The employees here have mostly been nice, but some have been extremely rude.

I just don’t see a world where this experience is anything close to what Disney offers.

Oh and I had to pay $2 for a locker for Hagrid’s. Talk about nickel and diming. Disney doesn’t charge for Tron lockers.

It's interesting how some have such delightful experiences at Universal and others dont, and same for Disney. I've always felt like Uni was a bit lesser - still fun, but in small doses and definitely not as magical. I tend to think the cast members are not as friendly, that the guests are less happy, crowds are more chaotic, cleanliness isn't as good. Now, that's all anecdotal, but WHY do I feel that way about Uni and not Disney?

I think it has to do with the general level of interest and affinity. Arguably, both Disney and Universal both offer a similar kind of experience - themed and immersive entertainment, and both generally provide a high quality product with generally great service. They also are prone to the same pitfalls - overanxious crowds, cleanliness issues, high pricing, mediocre food/hotel rooms, the occasional rude CM. It happens - all of it, at both Dis and Uni. However, if one has a very high love for one, then they are generally willing to overlook the flaws. You don't "see" them because they aren't dragging down your experience enough to matter. When you go into Uni with the idea that it isn't as good, then it won't be as good and the flaws will outweigh the positives.

A good example of this lies in movies. Take DC and Marvel - both make superhero movies that are all essentially a cut & paste story, especially the origins. Both target a PG-13 rating. Both have interconnected universes. Now, I LOVE the MCU and generally like all of their movies, yet I can't stand DC movies even though I do like the characters and superheroes in general. I will harshly criticise DC movies for being too overwrought, or having ugly costumes, changed too much from the comics, or being unrealistic in certain aspects. Yet, the MCU will sometimes do the same things, and I will absolutely give them a pass on it. "Well, they're not trying to be realistic," I might say. "DC movies are too dark," and yet most of the ones not directed by Zach Snyder are not - but I still don't like them. It's just that DC struck a bad tone with me early on so I will hyperanalyze their flaws while lauding Marvel for the same. This could also apply to Star Wars - Originals versus Prequels versus Sequels - they are actually all fundamentally the same.

So, fans have this way of picking sides. Disney vs. Universal, Star Wars vs. Star Trek, Nintendo vs. Sega (or Sony, or Microsoft). Really, all that stuff is fundamentally the same thing, or so similar as to not matter on paper. It's this intangible aspect, this level of affinity that cuases us to see differences, even when they aren't really there. I still prefer my Disney experience over Universal. A friend of mine who is just a very casual theme parks visitor, thinks that they're pretty much the same - he said so on our recent trip. To me, to the fans, they are definitely not, but it's my friend who is actually probably right.

 

[mercuryvenus]

It's interesting how some have such delightful experiences at Universal and others dont, and same for Disney. I've always felt like Uni was a bit lesser - still fun, but in small doses and definitely not as magical. I tend to think the cast members are not as friendly, that the guests are less happy, crowds are more chaotic, cleanliness isn't as good. Now, that's all anecdotal, but WHY do I feel that way about Uni and not Disney?

I think it has to do with the general level of interest and affinity. Arguably, both Disney and Universal both offer a similar kind of experience - themed and immersive entertainment, and both generally provide a high quality product with generally great service. They also are prone to the same pitfalls - overanxious crowds, cleanliness issues, high pricing, mediocre food/hotel rooms, the occasional rude CM. It happens - all of it, at both Dis and Uni. However, if one has a very high love for one, then they are generally willing to overlook the flaws. You don't "see" them because they aren't dragging down your experience enough to matter. When you go into Uni with the idea that it isn't as good, then it won't be as good and the flaws will outweigh the positives.

A good example of this lies in movies. Take DC and Marvel - both make superhero movies that are all essentially a cut & paste story, especially the origins. Both target a PG-13 rating. Both have interconnected universes. Now, I LOVE the MCU and generally like all of their movies, yet I can't stand DC movies even though I do like the characters and superheroes in general. I will harshly criticise DC movies for being too overwrought, or having ugly costumes, changed too much from the comics, or being unrealistic in certain aspects. Yet, the MCU will sometimes do the same things, and I will absolutely give them a pass on it. "Well, they're not trying to be realistic," I might say. "DC movies are too dark," and yet most of the ones not directed by Zach Snyder are not - but I still don't like them. It's just that DC struck a bad tone with me early on so I will hyperanalyze their flaws while lauding Marvel for the same. This could also apply to Star Wars - Originals versus Prequels versus Sequels - they are actually all fundamentally the same.

So, fans have this way of picking sides. Disney vs. Universal, Star Wars vs. Star Trek, Nintendo vs. Sega (or Sony, or Microsoft). Really, all that stuff is fundamentally the same thing, or so similar as to not matter on paper. It's this intangible aspect, this level of affinity that cuases us to see differences, even when they aren't really there. I still prefer my Disney experience over Universal. A friend of mine who is just a very casual theme parks visitor, thinks that they're pretty much the same - he said so on our recent trip. To me, to the fans, they are definitely not, but it's my friend who is actually probably right.

In my view, other than HP land, UO has no immersive lands. You can see other lands. Heck, you can see Hogwarts from the Jurassic area. It just seems thrown together.

Disney and UO are trying to do similar things, but Disney does them consistently at a much higher level of quality.

Then you have all the nighttime shows, character dining and meet and greets, restaurants, festivals, etc that UO just doesn’t have.