WDW or US/IOA?

[subtchr]

Hi, all,

We're another of those families who love the Mouse, but we're adding on US/IOA for our trip in June. After our first couple of Disney trips, I couldn't imagine going anywhere else, but then I chaperoned a couple of high school band trips with my boys (Christmas '00 and '04) which included a couple days at Universal parks. We had so much fun! Now, I have to admit that this fuddy-duddy suburban mom LOVES thrill rides of any kind...I spent seven high school and college summers working at PKI, including the first two years the Beast was built...so that helps!

I'm excited about both parts of our upcoming vacation -- 6 nights at Shades of Green, then two nights at HRH -- in different ways. At Disney, we really do "feel the magic", totally immersed, visiting resorts, loving the parks, lots of shared family memories. But I also can't wait for the fun of HRH and especially the FOTL. What a great perk! My husband and daughter have never seen the Universal parks and CityWalk (although we have been to USH), so it will be great to share it with them.

And no, I don't feel "bad" about leaving Disney...I love the place, but until they let me in for free, I'll spend my money where I please!

 

[robvia]

I've been all over the official site. Are there any more?
I'll have to agree about waiting for buses from airports.

Many sites. Mine is
www.nogodforme.com
Which is more of a personal site aimed at saving people money. A few others are
www.ioacentral.com
www.universal-excitement.com

On the limo ride and the busses, I tell everyone to rent the car. Yes, you pay for the gas, and parking fees, but the convience makes up for it. You go where you want, when you want, and you can visit the grocery stores. You'll read all about that on my web site.

It is kinda weird talking about the other parks, because USF/IOA has the same things Disney to a degree. They have the onsite hotels, transportation to the parks, and there is "magic."

But there has to be more to it, because DL has 14 million visitors, yet there are only 3 onsite hotels, and they are expensive. So most people visiting DL are staying offsite. I guess the Disney "magic" is bigger than most think.

 

[Flyin2MCO]

luv the mouse and all that disney has to offer. it's a wonderful escape and a truly amazing establishment. also have never been more worn out, both mentally and phsyically, than by a few days at disney.

onsite at uo/ioa has a magic of it's own...great fun and a range of experiences and entertainment, much better food and alcohol flows more freely. plus it's so much more manageable and less taxing...it feels more like a vacation to me.

 

[swilphil]

The Portofino Bay resort might be more to your liking than RPH. It is the most deluxe of the 3 Universal hotels. The Hard Rock Hotel also has some nice suites. RPH has the smallest rooms, I believe.

Universal is running a couple of specials right now at http://themeparks.universalstudios....g.html?__dest=kids_free_landing.OFFER_left_2:

1. One FREE KIDS (ages 3-9) 2-Day ticket is included with each 2-Day ticket purchased online at the regular price of $99.95 plus tax!

As an added bonus, purchase online now and receive 3 additional days FREE. That?s up to five consecutive days of unlimited admission to both Universal theme parks for you and your kid!

This exclusive online offer is not available at the gate and must be used by December 31, 2006.

2. Kids play, stay, and eat for FREE now through July 31, 2006 including:
* Three nights hotel accommodations
* Unlimited admission to both Universal parks for up to five (5) consecutive days
* Kids Eat FREE at select Universal theme park restaurants

 

[PeterPanMan]

One thing is for sure: WDW will be roughly twice the price for a comparable vacation. I know it's four parks vs. two, but come on now!

 

[Sylvester McBean]

my family has AP's for WDW, UO, and Busch Gardens/Seaworld because they're all totally different experiences and atmospheres. Disney is something every family grows up with and there's a sentimental attraction. UO has built a complex of attractions that have raised the technology standard. couple that with very nice hotel resorts and Citywalk. it packs much more punch per sq. ft. every family should visit it once.

 

[damo]

Our family really enjoys Universal. We are one of those strange families that don't really get excited by all the cuteness at Disney. We do respect the amazing attention that goes into detail and the wonderful theming, however if you take away that theming, we find that there is less substance than at Universal.

Universal has that substance (creative, exciting rides)with a good amount of atmosphere. It is the substance that brings us back.

We find the workers at Universal to be very professional and have not experienced anything negative (that includes the hotels as well). We have probably visited about 8 times, so that is a very good track record!

My advice is to go and enjoy the rides and shows and appreciate the quality of that experience. It is first class all the way.

 

[PeterPanMan]

I talked to a reservation person for USO and they were really vague on room upgrades and seasonal rates. Does anyone know what their peak, normal, value and holiday dates are? (I know that this is Disney vocabulary)

The woman I talked to also said that it is possible that onsite guest might have to purchase Express passes because the normal service might be suspended during that time (12-18 to 12-22)

Any thoughts on this?

 

[kimmmbers]

Try www.loewshotels.com for rates. If you have an AAA membership, you can get a discounted rate --use AAA for the code.

I'm sorry to hear about the FOTL service possibly being suspended during that time. I think that would negate any reason to stay on property for me.

I do have to say that Universal/IOA is definitely worth 2 days of your visit at least. An all-Disney vacation is perfect for little ones, but sounds like your kids are old enough to appreciate all the movie magic at Universal and IOA.

Good luck! Hope y'all have a great time!

 

[damo]

I talked to a reservation person for USO and they were really vague on room upgrades and seasonal rates. Does anyone know what their peak, normal, value and holiday dates are? (I know that this is Disney vocabulary)

The woman I talked to also said that it is possible that onsite guest might have to purchase Express passes because the normal service might be suspended during that time (12-18 to 12-22)

Any thoughts on this?

I doubt it very much. The express machines may be disabled but I don't believe that the express service for onsite guests will disappear.

 

[PeterPanMan]

Whew! FOTL is a major factor in this.

I was never a good line person. However, WDW has done wonders for queing areas. It's like stepping into another world. All of the parks here make feeble attempts at staging but trash and reglect take their toll quickly.

How is US/IOA in theming?

 

[nickhutson]

Islands of Adventure has the best theming I have ever seen - period. Talk about "another world". This park blew away every rule and every image we had of theme parks when it opened. Remember, this park alone cost $1,000,000,000,000. (! billion dollars) and one of the creative dudes was Steven Speilberg.

The park one could compare it to (both opened in the same time frame) is Animal Kingdom. AK, of course, concentrates on Animals, and IOA concentrates on thrills - with a dino or two. As I have not yet been to AK, I can't compare (I am going this summer though! Horrah!)

IOA blew me away, though. When I went for the first time, I'd spent two days at Disney, and the only memories I have are of walking into IOA.

Things that stand out at that park:

Wonderful use of false perspective (check out the Spiderman building...heck check out the ride itself!)

Paint that changes colour depending on the angle you look at it

The "stone" carvings (both in the mythology island and toon logoon)

The moments of pure genius in Suess' Landing

The best queue line you will ever go in - Duelling Dragons

Remember this park is newer, so the technology is everywhere.





Universal Studios is an older park, and some of the buildings are less inspiring - most taking the form of studio lots - much like MGM Disney Sony Studios (or whatever they're calling it now!)

However, the Mummy ride stands out. The detail in that building is amazing. I haven't rode Indiana Jones at Disneyland, but - that's all the way on the other side of the country (the world for some people!) so, it's nice that the visitors to Florida have this attraction. T2:3D is one of the most mindblowing attractions I've ever seen - can't be described.


The way I, and many others, look at the Disney Vs Universal scenario, is that Disney is for the child and the child at heart. When you've had enough of Princesses, Political Corectness and Sacharinity, you head over to Universal for explosions, PG-13 rides, grit and thrills.

If you stay on an onsite resort (the only way to do Universal, in my opinion), you will experience the front of line. It works...every time. It's the most amazing park perk I've ever experienced. Talk about Schadenfreude! Disney don't offer front of line, do they?! Their fast pass is nice, but it has its limits, and for the price you pay for a Disney hotel, they shouldn't even charge you to ENTER the park! If you can even work out their complicated ticket options.

So...do Universal! IOA is constantly voted the best theme park in the world - it may not be the one that has 400 billion people a day there (can you say "sheep"?), but it is the most amazingly designed park with the most technologically advanced rides ever created.

If you go to Disney again, you will be doing....what...three new rides? If you go to Universal, you will be doing 30 new rides. And, hey, if you don't like them...you don't go again. A lesson well learnt.

But, what's not to like?

The most advanced dark ride ever built? (Spiderman)

Two of the wettest and most advanced water rides ever built? (Dudley Do Right's Ripsaw Falls and Bluto's Barges)

The world's only duelling inverted rollercoaster (Duelling Dragons)

The most unique launched coaster in the world (The Hulk. Some enthusiasts say the first 5 seconds of the hulk is the best experience on any coaster anywhere)

If we haven't convinced you by now, you've been brainwashed by Disney!

GO!