WDW vs. Universal - cleanliness, service?

[lenshanem]

I would love to hear some opinions on WDW versus Universal
and even Sea world in regards to cleanliness, maintenance of the parks and customer service.
I love WDW, but I've admitted I think WDW has gone downhill over the recent years in all of the above areas.
I haven't been to Universal since before IOA and not to Sea World since a kid.
I'm curious to how those parks are being kept up.
Thanks!

 

[cardaway]

Since IMO WDW and DL have went down hill in recent years, I think Universal has equalled them in every way. I can't say the same for the Six Flags or Busch owned parks. There is a big drop in quality with those parks IMO. I can't speak for the recent quality of Cedar Fair parks.

 

[vernon]

As with many things, much depends on the day/time/area a guest encounters. IMHO all the parks have cut back on their staff numbers due to them experiencing a downturn in guest numbers. This puts more pressure on staff members ( effecting their pixiedustyness) when their area gets busy and their ability to keep their areas neat and tidy. A large group of messy/careless guests is going to trash an area, no matter how efficient the cleaning team is, if that group has gone just ahead of you, you'll find a mess. Some of what you/I have noticed is I'm sure a cut back in staff but how guests treat the parks is also a contributary factor and I think 10 years ago people treated WDW slightly differently, they were almost scared to drop a cigarette end or a soda bottle/cup because theirs would be the only one about. Because the trash is a little less efficiently dealt with than it was, people don't seem to be quite so worried to add their trash to the other 3 or 4 items littering an area already.

If I were to go back 10 years Disney had a big lead over USF in terms of CM's "perkyness" and a noticable lead in cleanliness of the parks IMHO recently that lead has narrowed quite a way and that at times USF actually outscores WDW in both areas. As far as customer service goes, in the case of hotel guests of WDW hotels and USF hotel guests USF wins out with it's FOTL privilages, nothing to choose between them as far as CM attitude goes. Overall I wouldn't say USF exceeds WDW, but I think the gap has closed a lot over the time I have been visiting.

SeaWorld, IMHO is slightly different, it's CM split into two groups, regular park workers (shops and restaurants) and those that work with the animals and/or with the "edutainment" programs. Restaurant and shop workers seem to be on a par with those at other parks. The CM's that interact between animals and guests or that are there to answer questions are among the best I have encountered in any of the parks. Because of all the animals, organising trash seems to be more of a priority than at other parks and is usually better than any of the other parks, that doesn't mean you'll never see trash in the park, but hopefully the guests as well as the CM realise it's more important to be tidy here than at other parks.

 

[lenshanem]

I do agree about Six Flags. We ahve oen on the other side of atlanta and it is always gross. From what i've heard I wouldn't even want to take my kids there now. A friend of ours took their preteen last October and said they were scared to the point they had to leave. Said it was on the verge of a riot. (I'm thinking lots of teenagers, gang like.)
Now Six Flags also owns White water, and we do frequent that often in the summer. (Water park.) It is pretty close to us. I feel safe there, and they keep it pretty clean despite the scare they had years ago with the water being bad in the kiddie section.
After a trip to WDW in July and visits to both of their water parks I think white water is pretty much on the same level as far as cleanliness. At BB I was surprised by the amount of trash laying aroudn the lazy river! Course, WDW's parsk are better themed...

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

I haven't bothered returning to WDW in over a year, because I'm so happy with the Universal parks. So, I can't compare the two, but I will tell you what I rate Universal.

Universal has it's times when it's not as clean, but it's really due to the fault of the littering guests. However, I have found the park to be very clean...I constantly see janitors around, cleaning up after people. Now, Universal has its share of stray animals...I've seen a kitten a couple times and it was eating the food people left on the ground. Though the animal stayed far away from people and was in a less crowded part of the park. Some restaurants leave their doors open, which can allow birds to fly in. This created some debate on these boards, however, my expereince has not been too bad...when it comes to birds and restaurants. Some places are more prone to the feathered guests, than others. (I've never had a problem though) But overall, I do have to say Universal is pretty clean...not dirty to an uncomfortable level. You don't look at the park in front of you and think "gross!"

The service has always been great at the Universal parks. I've heard some people claim to have dealt with rude employees, but I have yet to experience that myself...and I've been to Universal over 35 times this year alone. Staff is friendly, most places over quick service (though, all depends on time of year...Finnegan's restaurant was quite slow...but it was a MAJOR peak season). Employees do not act irritated about being asked questions, and are willing to help people out.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

This past weekend it was VERY clean. As a matter of fact, they had street cleaners after the parade ended at the Studios. I think they are just as clean as WDW.

 

[webray]

Hubby and I both feel that Universal/IOA have pulled out in front of Disney as far as quality and service. Universal still cares about their customers...and they offer great value.

Sea World...we have always loved and we find the quality to remain top notch. Very consistant, also a great bargain.

 

[Motherfletcher]

I love all of Florida's theme parks and feel very lucky to live close to the action. WDW kind of lost me with a cleanliness of another kind. They are so worried about political correctness and the CMs have to be sanitary. They went over the edge when they renamed Dixie Landing. Universal is keeping it real!

 

[goofyme]

as far as florida...disney wins still

what do you think the cleanest park at disney is???
i would go with MGM with the worst being epcot
ioa is about as clean as MK but universal is the worst

in cali. DL was pretty clean although not as clean as MK by a longshot.
universal in california, a big dump.

the cleanest park i've ever been in is legoland in a landslide.

i do think cleanliness has somewhat to do with crowds, types of food serve, and most of all theming.

the worst part of MK is not the trash and such but the structures seem to be worn down with age.

 

[Kerlynne]

We were just at Universal 2 weeks ago, and were happily surprised what we saw. We didn't see any trash, and several times saw the ground crew always sweeping around. Last time we went to US was back in 1997, and saw, how at that time, it started to appear "bad," with cleanings and attitudes. But this time, everyone from, the ride attendants, to those cleaning up, and even "Managers"( or some type of official people) walking around, that always had a smile and even a hello. We stayed at the RPR and the staff there, were very pleasant too. Usually the maid service doesn't even smile elsewhere, but here they did.
We were in Disney, at the Yacht club in July, and although the staff was still pleasant, I did however see a difference in Universal, for the better. As expensive as the Yacht Club was, i thought RPR, was more classy. It didn't seem like thier niceness was forced at USO/IOA, it appeared that they enjoyed their jobs. At Disney this summer, we saw once again the decline continue. We were active Disneyers, for years, but are saddened by the results of the turn of what used to be the family experience another "world," now it's making a buck.
We live near a Six Flags and the last few years it has become not the cleanest park. But this past summer, it seems like they are trying to keep it clean. But what I did notice, was the attitudes of the employees. They are viewing their jobs as part time, regrettable jobs. But like when you go to a big park (like Universal or even Disney), I guess the management knows you are paying big bucks, so they insist to their employees, to be sure their attitudes reflect a fun place. Then again, maybe it's just because we are in Jersey! LOL

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

I had a really great experience with one of those "Managers." I was at the park to find that there would be no Ghostbusters Show at all that day. Later I heard from another Ghostbuster Groupie that the guys were having Meet and Greets anyway. During the time of the last usual scheduled showtime, I decided to see if they'd have another Meet and Greet, so I could just quickly say "hi" to them. I waited, and it was about 10 after 5:00 (usual showtime). So I decided to leave and I was sitting over near Mel's Diner. About 20 minutes later, I see the GB car drive by. I had missed out afterall! I was totally bummed and my parents came over about half an hour later so we could head home.

We were walking towards the exit and One of these manager guys sees us and asks us how we were doing. I said "good" but didn't want to mention the disappointment about the GBs. My mom, on the otherhand, decided to say something. I tried to stop her, but she was determined. She just mentioned how I just missed a chance to see them. The guy got on his walkie talkie and had them call in to see if any of the guys were still there. My dad made a joke and said, "Who ya gonna call?!" I rolled my eyes out of embarrassment, but the manager sincerely laughed and said, "I heard that! That was funny!" He got a call back and said unfortunately all the guys already left to go home for the day.

Too bad, but the guy just trying to do that was very nice. That was quite a while ago. Well, within the past few months. I felt a bit silly that my mom made a deal about it (not a big deal, but still mentioned it) because I see the guys all other trips. LOL oh well.

I've made friends with a lot of the employees there now. They are very nice. There's a few of the Ghostbusters I talk to (when there aren't many crowds), a couple people at Twister (I've met through them helping out at the GB show), MIB employees, etc.

When it comes to the employees, I have to give Universal top rating. Friendly, happy people.

I also have to second the RPR.
We had great experience with the maid service as well. My dad cracked one of his lame jokes and one of the maids was out there was starting laughing at my dad's joke. Not a sarcastic laugh either. The guy gave us a big smile and "hello."

During an awful storm, whenthere was a tornado warning, my mom and I were feeling a bit anxious...especially since my dad was out in the middle of it. Two employees in the lobby assured us not to worry and everything.

There's many more I can say, but you basically get the idea.

 

[Robinrs]

I've always had great experiences with CMs at both parks, and agree that the attitude at USF is less forced than Disney's but that's just me. I kind of have an allergy to "perky"... being from Brooklyn and all...

I have had incredible experiences with the staff at Universal, similar to FlyFly's. Whatever mishap we've suffered, and there have been many... ... I've had such incredible customer service. It keeps me coming back!

On the other hand at Disney I had to write and complain about the customer service I had at the All Star Music "resort"... they did call me back and offer "personal service on my next trip"... I kindly turned it down. No more "budget" onsite for me!

As for cleanliness, I've never noticed any nastiness in all the times I've visited any parks in Orlando. I've always been impressed with how they keep things clean. I've read threads claiming the opposite at times but I've never experienced it.

 

[damo]

I find the Universal Hotels much cleaner than Disney. Our rooms at WL and Poly were disgusting and VERY expensive. Our rooms at HRH and RPR were great and CHEAP. I haven't found either park to be littered or dirty. Epcot and Magic Kingdom are sometimes a little worn but I still find them clean. I agree with Robin about attitude. Even though I'm from Canada, I find the Disney folk to be way too polite.

 

[rocketman23]

What we got 'round here is rubbish as opposed to small park service and cleanliness such as Holiday World or a Lake Winnie. However, between the two big guns here, they do the best job between the big chains. niversal has better service to the common person. In other words, you don't have to inquire about something you're going to pay for in order to get proper service at UO. As for cleanliness, both are about the same. I wouldn't really grade one above the other in this category.