WDW and Universal. Who wins?

[bryaalre]

I thought the HP land in Epic Universe was to be the Ministry of Magic?

I believe the land is based in Paris where Fantastic Beasts was located but the main ride is a ministry of magic.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Yeah the Paris HP area is the one I’m least interested in.

Nintendo and Classic Monsters for sure, and then How to Train Your Dragon

 

[bryaalre]

Yeah the Paris HP area is the one I’m least interested in.

Nintendo and Classic Monsters for sure, and then How to Train Your Dragon

1.HP
2.Nintendo
3.HTTYD
4.Classic Monsters

 

[Smugpugmug]

Yeah the Paris HP area is the one I’m least interested in.

Nintendo and Classic Monsters for sure, and then How to Train Your Dragon

Rumor on the street is that the main ride for Classic Monsters uses the Kuka arm system used in Forbidden Journey and I'm begging Universal to not make that a motion sickness nightmare. Still the ONLY theme park ride I've ever been on that has made me almost throw up.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Yeah the Paris HP area is the one I’m least interested in.

Nintendo and Classic Monsters for sure, and then How to Train Your Dragon

Monsters I'm really looking forward to, I want Nintendo too. Now Dragon I could take it or leave it but I haven't seen the movies so that is why, I haven't gotten into that theming much since they announced it. Ministry of Magic was just something I thought theming-wise is what people would love to explore and be immersed in but guess we'll see how it pans out if it's more Fantastic Beasts themed as opposed to the original content.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Rumor on the street is that the main ride for Classic Monsters uses the Kuka arm system used in Forbidden Journey and I'm begging Universal to not make that a motion sickness nightmare. Still the ONLY theme park ride I've ever been on that has made me almost throw up.

I did FJ once or twice but that's all I could handle. I get motion sick and that kuka arm is no joke. I did Gringotts once and still got motion sick but it was more the combination of it all that made it one and done for me but I loved the theming. I'd like to go back through FJ again to see the castle but every time we've gone back to Universal because the other rides have been open FJ's wait time is very low. Back in 2011 when we first rode it it was a long wait but at least I got to really see the castle.

 

[sipnride]

With exception of Volcano Bay, I don't find Universal chill at all. The biggest reason for this is because there aren't a lot of nice places to chill. Meaning I'm going to spend some time just hanging about talking maybe drinking but mostly shooting the breeze with family, staff, etc. The one place that stood out was a little area behind the bar in Hogsmeade, but now that velociraptor is roaring past its a little less chill (still the go-to spot though). In two whole parks its the only place where I sat, not as part of a meal or an attraction, and just thought, ok now I'm gonna chill for a little bit, wait out the hustle and bustle, and just enjoy myself. There's nothing like that in Diagon Alley. Last Haloween I was starting to get a little tired and just wanted a place to kickback for a while. Only a few benches all occupied. Central Park is ok of its not too hot. Otherwise, I can't think of a single place to relax like that.

Meanwhile, just off the top of my head, here's 10 places I can think of - picture myself being - in the Disney Parks that are great spots to relax:

1. The dining areas outside Rontos and DB7
2. The outdoor seating at Brown Derby
3. Satuuli Canteen
4. The tables scattered about in Italy WS
5. Nomads Lounge
6. Dawa Bar
7. The cafe near Soarin (Seasons?)
8. Connections
9. Tom Sawyer Island/Liberty Belle
10. Tomorrowland Terrace

Not long I went to parks on a mission to "do" and now I like to go to them and "be". Universal and IOA are designed to do do do. WDW is admittedly crappy right now at making it easy for people to go and do things. But I am at my happiest when I can go to the park, do a few things and in between just relax, be at the parks and enjoy the ambiance. Again, aside from Volcano Bay that's just not an option at USO.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Rumor on the street is that the main ride for Classic Monsters uses the Kuka arm system used in Forbidden Journey and I'm begging Universal to not make that a motion sickness nightmare. Still the ONLY theme park ride I've ever rode that has made me almost throw up.

Yeah that part is a concern, but I grew up watching some of those films so there’s still a bit of a nostalgia draw from what I watched as a kid.

Granted I also was basically Harry’s age throughout the HP book releases and those were a whole scene, but have also had some of that nostalgia pull wane every time JK Rowling speaks lately.

 

[Smugpugmug]

With exception of Volcano Bay, I don't find Universal chill at all. The biggest reason for this is because there aren't a lot of nice places to chill. Meaning I'm going to spend some time just hanging about talking maybe drinking but mostly shooting the breeze with family, staff, etc. The one place that stood out was a little area behind the bar in Hogsmeade, but now that velociraptor is roaring past its a little less chill (still the go-to spot though). In two whole parks its the only place where I sat, not as part of a meal or an attraction, and just thought, ok now I'm gonna chill for a little bit, wait out the hustle and bustle, and just enjoy myself. There's nothing like that in Diagon Alley. Last Haloween I was starting to get a little tired and just wanted a place to kickback for a while. Only a few benches all occupied. Central Park is ok of its not too hot. Otherwise, I can't think of a single place to relax like that.

Meanwhile, just off the top of my head, here's 10 places I can think of - picture myself being - in the Disney Parks that are great spots to relax:

1. The dining areas outside Rontos and DB7
2. The outdoor seating at Brown Derby
3. Satuuli Canteen
4. The tables scattered about in Italy WS
5. Nomads Lounge
6. Dawa Bar
7. The cafe near Soarin (Seasons?)
8. Connections
9. Tom Sawyer Island/Liberty Belle
10. Tomorrowland Terrace

Not long I went to parks on a mission to "do" and now I like to go to them and "be". Universal and IOA are designed to do do do. WDW is admittedly crappy right now at making it easy for people to go and do things. But I am at my happiest when I can go to the park, do a few things and in between just relax, be at the parks and enjoy the ambiance. Again, aside from Volcano Bay that's just not an option at USO.

Not in the parks but I like to hang out at the outside bar area in Margaritaville. In that sense of chill I agree with you but when I call Universal chill, I refer to not having to book anything and just going with the flow.

Volcano Bay is an S tier experience, so 100% agree there. It makes the Disney water parks feel so outdated (sorry Typhoon, I still love ya).

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

3. Satuuli Canteen

We love this place but when it's busy they often don't want people just sitting there to sit, for a while you had to prove you had a mobile order to sit. We like the outdoor portion the most but it can still get busy

8. Connections

I don't find this very chill, a place to sit? Yes but it's loud and noisy in there.

________
One of the places we liked to relax at for Universal was the outdoor seating area by Jurassic River Adventure as it's fun to people watch those coming down the drop. Today Cafe became a good relax spot for us last year.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Yeah that part is a concern, but I grew up watching some of those films so there’s still a bit of a nostalgia draw from what I watched as a kid.

Granted I also was basically Harry’s age throughout the HP book releases were a whole scene, but have also had some of that nostalgia pull wane every time JK Rowling speaks lately.

Oh I'll still ride it but I'll be taking Dramamine beforehand. Not nostalgic for those films but the rumors I've been seeing about the land makes it sound so cool.

 

[sipnride]

We love this place but when it's busy they often don't want people just sitting there to sit, for a while you had to prove you had a mobile order to sit. We like the outdoor portion the most but it can still get busy

I don't find this very chill, a place to sit? Yes but it's loud and noisy in there.

________
One of the places we liked to relax at for Universal was the outdoor seating area by Jurassic River Adventure as it's fun to people watch those coming down the drop. Today Cafe became a good relax spot for us last year.

You're right about Connections. I guess Im always just relieved to get out of the heat and to easily find a place to plant myself when I go there but it's not my favorite place.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

when I call Universal chill, I refer to not having to book anything and just going with the flow.

Exactly, that's why people call Universal laid back, it's that you're really just showing up and going from there.

People are usually incredulous over on the Universal side when they ask for trip planning help when they were Disney veterans because they really don't know if they trust that you're not having to do all sorts of planning.

I'll contend that there are things you can plan for such as making a Mythos dining reservation or finding out exactly what rides or places you'd like to try out but you're not doing a park reservation, you're not booking rides, you're not booking rides for a particular time, you're not booking ADRS en masse much less 60 days in advance nor 180 days in advance like the past, you're not waking up at 7am to book something or scrambling at park opening to purchase Genie+ or book a ride, if you have EP you just walk to the ride whenever you want to and if you have Unlimited you can go through the same ride as many times as you want.

So it's very chill, very laid back in comparison.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

You're right about Connections. I guess Im always just relieved to get out of the heat and to easily find a place to plant myself when I go there but it's not my favorite place.

Anything to get out of the heat and into a/c is very much needed and much appreciated!

 

[Smugpugmug]

Exactly, that's why people call Universal laid back, it's that you're really just showing up and going from there.

People are usually incredulous over on the Universal side when they ask for trip planning help when they were Disney veterans because they really don't know if they trust that you're not having to do all sorts of planning.

I'll contend that there are things you can plan for such as making a Mythos dining reservation or finding out exactly what rides or places you'd like to try out but you're not doing a park reservation, you're not booking rides, you're not booking rides for a particular time, you're not booking ADRS en masse much less 60 days in advance nor 180 days in advance like the past, you're not waking up at 7am to book something or scrambling at park opening to purchase Genie+ or book a ride, if you have EP you just walk to the ride whenever you want to and if you have Unlimited you can go through the same ride as many times as you want.

So it's very chill, very laid back in comparison.

I have booked dining reservations day of, including places like Cowfish (albeit not peak meal time) so you don't *need* to do that either.

There really isn't any planning involved and it's an area where Universal gets a point over Disney.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I have booked dining reservations day of, including places like Cowfish (albeit not peak meal time) so you don't *need* to do that either.

There really isn't any planning involved and it's an area where Universal gets a point over Disney.

I think Mythos is the only one IMO that would need a day or two in advance (because it's in the parks themselves) but I wouldn't say that as a 100% all the time thing.

When we went on a slow day walk ups were closed no reservations available but we just made a reservation easily for the next day.

But I couldn't for the life of me get Space 220. My DISer friends that are local also have trouble but they say they can just check a lot of time throughout the day or very late at night to get that.

 

[Jrb1979]

Agreed, gotta be fair around here lol Villain Con doesn't look fantastic either.

To be fair Villian Con is a filler attraction where as WebSlingers is a main attraction of a land.

 

[BrianL]

To be fair Villian Con is a filler attraction where as WebSlingers is a main attraction of a land.

I would say that Mission: Breakout is the main attraction, even if it is just a reskin of an older attraction. Granted, there should have been an Avengers E-Ticket, but....

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I feel like people compare disney and UO all the time because they're both in Orlando and both theme parks but they really could not be more different. Yes they both have rides and some theming but that's about where the similarities end.

The number of attendees across all disney parks far outpaces Universal and even with EU, it will still not be in the same category. A family can visit UO and do the parks in 2 days, you can't even scratch the surface of WDW in 2 days. I enjoy Universal but it's a completely different dynamic. Nobody wins the superbowl and says they're going to universal. Pretty sure as bad a place disney is in, they're still going to rule the world when it comes to theme parks, overall attendance and lasting fan base. I don't give a rip for disney's politics, business practices or what they're board/corporate offices are doing and I'd venture to guess that there are millions of people around the world don't either.

 

[Smugpugmug]

To be fair Villian Con is a filler attraction where as WebSlingers is a main attraction of a land.

They're both mediocre additions to parks that IMO need more substantial attractions.