WDW and Universal. Who wins?

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Never going to happen. Disney will always have the advantages over Fireworks, Parades, Characters, historical thematic rides, Walt himself, character dining, fine dining, free parking for hotel guests (finally came back), refrigerators and beverage coolers in the guest rooms, early park entrance for all guests not just for deluxe resorts, Fantasmic, Animal Kingdom, Nations at Epcot, festivals, transportation system/Monorail, Disney Busses, , City Walk is no comparison to Disney Springs. Will never happen.

I give a slight edge to Universal for their transportation. You're right Disney has a variety of them and you can't beat that feeling of the monorail but Universal is stellar at efficiency. I'll also point out that Disney despite publicly telling us with dates we still don't have parking trams at all parks and WDW more than Universal really needs those.

It's also stupid Disney even charged for parking for hotel guests especially at the Values so I'm not going to act like they are magnanimous for stopping charging people.

In addition Early Entry at Universal is for all on site hotel guests, yes even at Endless Summer! And it's for 1hr. Disney is the one that only gave Deluxe resort guests evening EMH so you've got that part backwards there. And Disney reduced their morning EMH to 30 mins.

 

[mercuryvenus]

I give a slight edge to Universal for their transportation. You're right Disney has a variety of them and you can't beat that feeling of the monorail but Universal is stellar at efficiency. I'll also point out that Disney despite publicly telling us with dates we still don't have parking trams at all parks and WDW more than Universal really needs those.

It's also stupid Disney even charged for parking for hotel guests especially at the Values so I'm not going to act like they are magnanimous for stopping charging people.

In addition Early Entry at Universal is for all on site hotel guests, yes even at Endless Summer! And it's for 1hr. Disney is the one that only gave Deluxe resort guests evening EMH so you've got that part backwards there. And Disney reduced their morning EMH to 30 mins.

We waited SO long to get in at early entry the other day. It was so disorganized. And then half the attractions weren’t even open.

 

[tony67]

And I could write the exact opposite of what you just wrote. It's all anecdotal and a matter of perception. Both parks have a majority of great and polite guests. Both parks have some rude guests who take things too far. We see what we see due to that pre-conceived affinity for one over the other. Both stances are neither true nor false - it's just the way that we experience it.

Would agree. A big part of it is perception.


IMO Too many hardcore Disney folks will defend it till the end and they just see Universal as that trashy park on I Drive. That has been changing - but there are still those that see it that way - yet they are totally blind to how bad thing have gotten at Disney. The Disney cast members today are nowhere near what they were 10 or 15 years ago. I have had many more cast members with bad attitudes at Disney than I have at Universal and I spend far more time at Universal.

The other thing I see making Disney "worse" is the much larger percentage of people with small children and strollers.
There is no where near as many at Universal. I've been hit by strollers numerous times in crowds at Disney parks and the people never even bother to say excuse me. I know people who have said they basically use the stroller like a bettering ram to get through crowds - they just don't care. I've had far more people try to line cut or push their way in front of you in a crowd because they spent all that money to bring their kid to Disney. On top of that those families are stressed and arguing just making for a bad time. Also they are all sharing one room at a glorified motel that Disney charges top dollar for. Yeah that's magical.

For the most part you don't get that at Universal. You just don't have that same dynamic at Universal. Once the new park opens and there are more family friendly things you will see probably see it more - it comes with the territory.

As for rowdiness and drunkenness - I've seen far more of it on a day at Epcot (especially during F&W) than I have ever seen at Universal even during HHN back when it was more adult oriented. As there is more and more alcohol available at MK I am sure you will start to see more issues there. How people can afford to get drunk on $12 cans of beer is beyond me - but they do and the heat and dehydration does not help.

On top of this people are just generally ruder and more demanding everywhere in the last few years.

 

[tony67]

We waited SO long to get in at early entry the other day. It was so disorganized. And then half the attractions weren’t even open.

Last time I went to Disney for two days it seemed like all the key rides I was interested were down. Space Mountain, Pirates, RnR Roller coaster - very annoying

 

[katyjeka]

Never going to happen. Disney will always have the advantages over Fireworks, Parades, Characters, historical thematic rides, Walt himself, character dining, fine dining, free parking for hotel guests (finally came back), refrigerators and beverage coolers in the guest rooms, early park entrance for all guests not just for deluxe resorts, Fantasmic, Animal Kingdom, Nations at Epcot, festivals, transportation system/Monorail, Disney Busses, , City Walk is no comparison to Disney Springs. Will never happen.

I was taught to never say never.....but I do agree with you.We will continue to spend our money at both but given a choice I would have to follow my heart to Disney. I don't like a lot of the changes but I still feel they have a ton to offer our family and I cherish our trips. Universal is fun and we enjoy our time but for some reason it always feels like an awesome amusement park with some great rides. I just don't get the same feeling as I do when we walk around WDW. I blame it on to many Dole Whips throughout the years because I'm addicted.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Parking at Cabana Bay last month was $18/night plus tax and that is per car. I believe it was cheaper than that for WDW values back when they charged for parking.

Also they have the gall to charge $17.99 for an inflatable pool tube at the lazy river lol when I first saw that, I was like that is a massive rip off. A kid's size was $10; you can get an adult one that price or cheaper at Publix or Target.

 

[hildarumpole]

Never going to happen. Disney will always have the advantages over Fireworks, Parades, Characters, historical thematic rides, Walt himself, character dining, fine dining, free parking for hotel guests (finally came back), refrigerators and beverage coolers in the guest rooms, early park entrance for all guests not just for deluxe resorts, Fantasmic, Animal Kingdom, Nations at Epcot, festivals, transportation system/Monorail, Disney Busses, , City Walk is no comparison to Disney Springs. Will never happen.

Stayed at AKL last year and didn't know they had switched to the awful beverage coolers when we got yogurts in the evening to eat for breakfast next day so we could make Early Entry. I thought something was wrong with the fridge when the yogurts were lukewarm in the morning, so went to Front Desk to complain and was informed it was only intended to keep beverages cool, not food at safe storage temperature. Universal resorts have proper fridges that keep my yogurt cold.

Monorail is convenient, but it's frequently down. Having to get to the bus stop 1.5 hrs. ahead of preferred park entry time isn't great and it can be a real crap shoot when a bus might arrived. In my experience, Universal's combo of walking and transportation options are quicker and more reliable.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

We waited SO long to get in at early entry the other day. It was so disorganized. And then half the attractions weren’t even open.

I can understand your annoyance, it just won't change the facts there with who gets it and the hours. If you're looking to complain about class segregation on entry to the parks it's Disney who chose to remove evening time from Value and Moderate and reduce morning to half an hour from 1 hour.

Now for what attractions Early Entry has been for many years just Wizarding World of Harry Potter and now VeliciCoaster is part of it, this dates back to more than a decade, I'm not sure if in the past it included more but ever since HP that's been the focus. It's not that your complaints aren't valid but when you're trying to compare to Disney (such as this or what is included in EP) you're knocking something that is more because you didn't know xyz or at least it reads to me like that. Maybe you're meaning most of the HP attractions were down and that would be really awful and quite a letdown for sure!

Disney doesn't have everything included in their morning EMH and I remember when Disney sold EMM just for New Fantasyland access. Every time we tried for morning EMH in 2017 lo and behold 7DMT was down, that's the ride many wanted too (Hagrid's is known for this issue at Universal). Now presently from my CM friend at Disney said there's been more attractions down for early entry due to staffing issues, normal mechanical issues still occur.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Stayed at AKL last year and didn't know they had switched to the awful beverage coolers when we got yogurts in the evening to eat for breakfast next day so we could make Early Entry. I thought something was wrong with the fridge when the yogurts were lukewarm in the morning, so went to Front Desk to complain and was informed it was only intended to keep beverages cool, not food at safe storage temperature. Universal resorts have proper fridges that keep my yogurt cold.

Monorail is convenient, but it's frequently down. Having to get to the bus stop 1.5 hrs. ahead of preferred park entry time isn't great and it can be a real crap shoot when a bus might arrived. In my experience, Universal's combo of walking and transportation options are quicker and more reliable.

Those beverage coolers suck. They barely keep your drinks cold, let alone any food.

I exclusively use the walking paths if I'm staying on site at Universal and I love it. I stay at Cabana Bay where the bus line is always nuts in the morning and often times I walk at such a brisk pace that I make it to the IoA gates before people at the Cabana Bay bus stop do.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I blame it on to many Dole Whips throughout the years because I'm addicted.

Those are good for sure and so refreshing, I like to take a mini break and get them. I keep meaning to get one with rum and then somehow forget to

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Those beverage coolers suck. They barely keep your drinks cold, let alone any food.

I exclusively use the walking paths if I'm staying on site at Universal and I love it. I stay at Cabana Bay where the bus line is always nuts in the morning and often times I walk at such a brisk pace that I make it to the IoA gates before people at the Cabana Bay bus stop do.

The pathway from Royal Pacific is quite nice and peaceful. We lucked out that Early Entry was always IOA and so that pathway spits you out right there and then the bus stop at CityWalk for when we were at Endless Summer was at least on that side.

 

[Smugpugmug]

The pathway from Royal Pacific is quite nice and peaceful. We lucked out that Early Entry was always IOA and so that pathway spits you out right there and then the bus stop at CityWalk for when we were at Endless Summer was at least on that side.

One time I stayed at Aventura where the bus didn't show up for a solid 45 minutes so I decided to just do the walk and I still made it before people at my bus stop did. I saw people that were waiting there arrive 10 minutes or so after I did.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

One time I stayed at Aventura where the bus didn't show up for a solid 45 minutes so I decided to just do the walk and I still made it before people at my bus stop did. I saw people that were waiting there arrive 10 minutes or so after I did.

ugh would not like that at all. The consensus seems to be Endless Summer=amazing bus service similar to how All-Stars is usually considered this or at least the better of the options for Disney. That also includes that bus sharing does and doesn't occur depending on how many people are on the bus. Once you get to Mods and above at Disney most people seem to complain more about bus efficiency so that may track the same at Universal.

We were there for Grad Nite at Universal and assumed they would focus the buses on them at night but they brought out the huge Volcano Bay buses to ensure everyone got back to the hotel, we just never waited more than 5 mins even in mid-day. Round the clock they had buses going. We only took the boat once at Royal Pacific and it was on a day we weren't staying there (it was our arrival day) and wasn't a park day so there's wasn't any real urgency but we found the boat transportation to be good as well although that seemed a tad slower of a transportation option compared to the buses for Endless Summer.

 

[Dznefreek]

Who wins?
We all do; the theme park going public.
This only serves to increase competition.
WWOHP, Pandora, Diagon Alley then SWGE.

 

[Smugpugmug]

There’s some good quick service-Thunder Falls and Today cafe come to mind. Plus 2nd level of city walk has some pretty good options.


The new Villian con is fun! With the interactive element to sync to app you can change blasters, skins, go on missions etc. no it’s not top level E ticket but not everything has to be E ticket either. As two over 30 adults (which I guess is now way too old for the parks) we enjoyed repeat rides trying out new elements. Guess Disney is only place allowe to be “kid at heart”


Omg we’ve met so many people in line! Usually people who tell us “that’s a great idea“ as they see us hold a beer in one hand and water in the other as we wait lol! Keep in touch with on Facebook with some of them too (including one young lady who’s an aspiring country singer now starting to get Nashville gigs).
But we generally strike up conversations with people-we’ve yet to come home from a cruise without new friends lol.

I missed your quote to me earlier (was on my phone : P)

I don't really enjoy any of the quick service places outside of Wizarding World. I thought Thunder Falls had some of the blandest BBQ I've ever had and the place with the ramen in Toon Lagoon is horrendous. My sister and I like to hit up Volcano Hot Pot (5 minutes or so drive from Universal) before going into the parks lol

My sister "rode" Villain Con during the previews and said it was her least favorite shooter style game in Orlando. After riding, she sent me this video and said "This is Villain Con in a nutshell".

LOL holding a Dragon Scale in one hand and a water in the other is how people start conversations with me too. People are like "I didn't know you could bring drinks in here". If that line is so long that you're stuck in that outdoor portion for half of it, the beer is a requirement. I've talked to people on line for Velocicoaster too. One time the ride broke down for 40 minutes and I played Among Us with some teenagers.

 

[Monykalyn]

I missed your quote to me earlier (was on my phone : P)

I don't really enjoy any of the quick service places outside of Wizarding World. I thought Thunder Falls had some of the blandest BBQ I've ever had and the place with the ramen in Toon Lagoon is horrendous. My sister and I like to hit up Volcano Hot Pot (5 minutes or so drive from Universal) before going into the parks lol

My sister "rode" Villain Con during the previews and said it was her least favorite shooter style game in Orlando. After riding, she sent me this video and said "This is Villain Con in a nutshell".

LOL holding a Dragon Scale in one hand and a water in the other is how people start conversations with me too. People are like "I didn't know you could bring drinks in here". If that line is so long that you're stuck in that outdoor portion for half of it, the beer is a requirement. I've talked to people on line for Velocicoaster too. One time the ride broke down for 40 minutes and I played Among Us with some teenagers.

Ooh May have to try that Volcano hot pot next trip! And never eat in Toon lagoon lol! Didn’t have chance to try minion cafe last week but will try to get to it during HHN trip-supposed to be pretty good.
The previews for Villian con didn’t have everything up and didn’t have the sync to app for extras. I like it more than Toy Story mania. None of the shooter rides are super memorable. I know people just love TSMM but it’s always meh to me.

My drink of choice for Hagrids line is cider with fire whiskey -and often get those same ‘didnt know you could brink drinks in here’ too

 

[Leigh L]

Ooh May have to try that Volcano hot pot next trip! And never eat in Toon lagoon lol! Didn’t have chance to try minion cafe last week but will try to get to it during HHN trip-supposed to be pretty good.
The previews for Villian con didn’t have everything up and didn’t have the sync to app for extras. I like it more than Toy Story mania. None of the shooter rides are super memorable. I know people just love TSMM but it’s always meh to me.

My drink of choice for Hagrids line is cider with fire whiskey -and often get those same ‘didnt know you could brink drinks in here’ too

We ate at Minions in June, it was good! We liked it enough to go back and try something else from the menu the next day.

 

[irlandaise]

Stayed at AKL last year and didn't know they had switched to the awful beverage coolers when we got yogurts in the evening to eat for breakfast next day so we could make Early Entry. I thought something was wrong with the fridge when the yogurts were lukewarm in the morning, so went to Front Desk to complain and was informed it was only intended to keep beverages cool, not food at safe storage temperature. Universal resorts have proper fridges that keep my yogurt cold.

Are you saying that there are no longer real mini-fridges at AKL? I recently paid $180 for a stay at a Holiday Inn Express and my room had a good-sized fridge plus a microwave and a Keurig machine. Now Disney can't even put a decent fridge in an expensive hotel like AKL???

 

[tony67]

One time I stayed at Aventura where the bus didn't show up for a solid 45 minutes so I decided to just do the walk and I still made it before people at my bus stop did. I saw people that were waiting there arrive 10 minutes or so after I did.

That is unusual to be honest - I've stayed at Aventura numerous times for numerous night (typically 10) and there always seems to be a bus waiting and it leaves when the next one comes.
Going back to Aventura can be a different story since it shares the return with CB and it can be packed - but they are numerous - I will often get the boat to SF or RPR and walk from there.
In addition the walk in general is not all that bad - and at least there are lots of options.

Beverage coolers instead of fridges - at a "DELUXE" - nice scam to keep folks from stocking up on waters and such and then selling it as green.

 

[Smugpugmug]

That is unusual to be honest - I've stayed at Aventura numerous times for numerous night (typically 10) and there always seems to be a bus waiting and it leaves when the next one comes.
Going back to Aventura can be a different story since it shares the return with CB and it can be packed - but they are numerous - I will often get the boat to SF or RPR and walk from there.
In addition the walk in general is not all that bad - and at least there are lots of options.

Beverage coolers instead of fridges - at a "DELUXE" - nice scam to keep folks from stocking up on waters and such and then selling it as green.

I accounted it to a weird one off since I used the bus to return to Aventura and there was always a bus waiting. At least when I went, busses never shared with Cabana Bay. Cabana Bay's bus was always insane - I ended up standing most of the time.

For early park admission, I'm team walking path. I'm also a single person so it's way easier for me to do that walk at a brisk pace.