WDW vs. Universal. My definitive comparison.

[muffyn]

You are now the 3rd person that I know that does not like disney

I just don't get how it could be a disappointment

I know at least 30 familys who either have NO desire to go to WDW OR once going would never set foot there again!

WDW makes it really 1st time visitor unfriendly, most people do not expect to have to do homework before entering the parks, their 1st experience with fast pass & TS restaurants are when they walk in the parks. many are po'd to find out the restaurant they want to try has been booked for months & by the time they figure out the fast pass system they are all handed out!
very discouraging for many people. & they wander around & do NOT "get it"

 

[ChrisFL]

I feel there's a need for a few replies...

The resorts at Universal being "blocks"....really? So the same block resort that Portofinio Bay has, must never be one that Disney would, you know, ever want to duplicate then?

Except that Disney DID...in the Hotel Miracosta in Japan:

As far as the restaurants...I guess those awards that Mythos wins year after year after year for being the #1 Theme Park restaurant in the world are all fake, right?

And i can't understand why there's so many people with glowing trip reports of their first time at Universal, a place where you don't have to worry about 180 day ADR's, or taking overcrowded buses to get to the resorts/parks, you can park hop in 5 mins, back and forth all day and get to the front of the line by being a resort guest.

Some are thinking, hey, it's not fair that the resort guests have that perk, but at Disney, they get extra hours to themselves!!

 

[damo]

I think the whole magic bit is totally in the eyes of the beholder. I've been going to Disney for most of my life and to Universal for almost half. I actually prefer Universal and that is where I get my warm and fuzzies. We tend to pick Disney apart because the Universal parks are our favourites and we prefer how they are run and the types of attractions. We laugh at the instructions on how to wash our hands and how they tell us at rope drop to put on our sunscreen. We cringe at waiting for transportation and when the fastpass machines have run out and how I can't eat at a nice restaurant because I didn't make my reservations six months in advance. We cringe at the prices of multi-day passes and deluxe hotels and the lack of benefits for people who stay on-site. I could go on but the faults are there if you want to take the time to state them. There are many threads about people's least favourite Disney rides and usually it turns out that just about every ride is disliked by someone. That doesn't mean that people should not try and judge for themselves. I think that is probably a natural instinct to find fault in what you don't prefer. However, I think everyone should try all the parks and what I see as faults in Disney, other people will not even notice and vice versa. I think it is often a disservice to make a big deal out of things that may in fact keep people away from an experience they may treasure.

 

[Ileana]

Who are you to say this was a 'terrible review'? This is this guys OPINION on the park, and one that alot of us agree with. Personally I don't care if anyone likes, dislikes, attends, or stay away from Universal.

No one really cares if you rated it a 'terrible review', because no one asked you to.

Soooooooooooo he can't disagree with the OP's opinion (with his OWN opinion) but you can tell him that no one asked for his opinion??

Got it - we are no longer allowed to have opinions

I'm going back to my corner

 

[scammermom]

We went to Disney when my girls were 4 & 6.
We went to Universal when my girls were 5 & 7.
We went to SeaWorld when my girls were 6 & 8.
We went to Disney last year when my girls were 7 & 9.

I asked my girls this year if they want to go to Disney or to Universal and they both yelled Universal without skipping a beat.

 

[patster734]

Do others agree with this assessment?

No.

 

[boxer]

Soooooooooooo he can't disagree with the OP's opinion (with his OWN opinion) but you can tell him that no one asked for his opinion??

Got it - we are no longer allowed to have opinions

I'm going back to my corner

Ummmm....if you read my response, I was only meaning that his opening line was "thats a terrible review". Is that not degrading someone else's OPINION??????

My point is if he disagreed with the OP's statements, a simple "nice review, but I disagree' would have been a much nicer opening line----NOT 'that's a terrible review'. Then he goes on to basically cut down on the OPINIONS that the OP detailed.

My OPINION is WillCall or whatever his name is was a little harsh with his post......don't be so dramatic that I said no one can disagree with a thread.

 

[Ileana]

Ummmm....if you read my response, I was only meaning that his opening line was "thats a terrible review". Is that not degrading someone else's OPINION??????

My point is if he disagreed with the OP's statements, a simple "nice review, but I disagree' would have been a much nicer opening line----NOT 'that's a terrible review'. Then he goes on to basically cut down on the OPINIONS that the OP detailed.

My OPINION is WillCall or whatever his name is was a little harsh with his post......don't be so dramatic that I said no one can disagree with a thread.

But this is a DEFINITIVE comparison

End all be all to all comparisons!!!

Internets

Serious business

 

[boxer]

But this is a DEFINITIVE comparison

End all be all to all comparisons!!!

Internets

Serious business

Don't

Quite

Understand

Your

Reply. Although I do like your line spacing between thoughts.

 

[Melanie230]

Oh . . . I almost forgot. Universal's Express Pass system is simply awful. It's almost enough (and still might be enough) to make me not want to spend my money there. I know their hotels are probably really struggling in comparison to the Disney hotels, but not giving off-site guests equal access to express passes isn't winning them any friends in the long run. All it means for me is that I would never stay at a Universal resort because of how obnoxious I find the policy.

I doubt it's a coincidence that their attendance had dropped over the past several years. They've managed to nickle and dime people to keep their profits up, but they're not going to be able to manage that forever. I also don't think that the Harry Potter section will really help them that much in the long run. . . people's expectations are so high now that most will be disappointed with the end product, no matter how good it is. (I've seen several here asking about "the new Harry Potter park," for example . . . )

I have to ask this question. Why does it bother you that Universal offers FOTL to its onsite guests? I don't understand the comments of undemocratic, and obnoxious. People like myself pay the extra $$$ to stay onsite at Universal for many reasons and FOTL being one of them. I just find it odd to criticize Universal for their policies yet do not mention that a comparable trip to Disney costs twice as much. I have compared prices every single year, and even staying at the value resorts at Disney the cost is still much higher than Universal.

Now for your Harry Potter will be a disappointment....why do you think that? The park planners have stressed authenticity, and the park will be 20 acres in size. What do you think will be a disappointment?

I can honestly say that I find the staff at both Disney and Universal VERY friendly and very helpful...yet the crowds at Disney are MUCH more rude, and impatient than Universal. Must be all that time waiting in line.

 

[Ileana]

Don't

Quite

Understand

Your

Reply. Although I do like your line spacing between thoughts.

Actually you had the same exact line spacing that I did - except that you had a lot more to say in each sentence than I did.

See just like this.

Easier to read than a block of run-on sentences. But I'm not the grammar police for this board. (It's practically a full-time job)

 

[patster734]

Ummmm....if you read my response, I was only meaning that his opening line was "thats a terrible review". Is that not degrading someone else's OPINION??????

My point is if he disagreed with the OP's statements, a simple "nice review, but I disagree' would have been a much nicer opening line----NOT 'that's a terrible review'. Then he goes on to basically cut down on the OPINIONS that the OP detailed.

My OPINION is WillCall or whatever his name is was a little harsh with his post......don't be so dramatic that I said no one can disagree with a thread.

That sounds like an honest opinion to me! The OP's review wasn't a nice review, it was terrible because it reeks of biasness!

 

[Ileana]

I have to ask this question. Why does it bother you that Universal offers FOTL to its onsite guests? I don't understand the comments of undemocratic, and obnoxious. People like myself pay the extra $$$ to stay onsite at Universal for many reasons and FOTL being one of them. I just find it odd to criticize Universal for their policies yet do not mention that a comparable trip to Disney costs twice as much. I have compared prices every single year, and even staying at the value resorts at Disney the cost is still much higher than Universal.

Now for your Harry Potter will be a disappointment....why do you think that? The park planners have stressed authenticity, and the park will be 20 acres in size. What do you think will be a disappointment?

I can honestly say that I find the staff at both Disney and Universal VERY friendly and very helpful...yet the crowds at Disney are MUCH more rude, and impatient than Universal. Must be all that time waiting in line.

It's not going to be at Disney

 

[patster734]

It's not going to be at Disney

Exactly!

 

[boxer]

Actually you had the same exact line spacing that I did - except that you had a lot more to say in each sentence than I did.

See just like this.

Easier to read than a block of run-on sentences. But I'm not the grammar police for this board. (It's practically a full-time job)

Then you would know that is not a sentence then........LOL. Who cares anyhow----you have your opinion on this thread, and I have mine. End of story.....sad fact is, I like Universal alot also, and in no way am I anti-anything-not-Disney.

 

[Melanie230]

Ahhh...thanks for clearing that up for me.

 

[goofy!]

Ummmm....if you read my response, I was only meaning that his opening line was "thats a terrible review". Is that not degrading someone else's OPINION??????

It is as valid an assessment of his review as all the posters that said it was a great review.

The OP asked if people agreed. WiiCad did not and thought it a terrible review. Just as some agreed and thought it was a great review.

I think it funny that so many people will post how wonderful and perfect Disney is when trashing another theme park.

However, you can then come to the Disney side of the boards and find umpteen threads about:

• All sorts of other disgusting things (there was a great thread about a year ago about the most disgusting things at Disney and last I remember it was over 20 pages long). My favorites were the dirty diapers found in the bushes - happened more than one cared for and the numerous comments about guests letting their kids urinate in line
• The Brazil groups putting their feet in fountains, the football players, the cheerleaders and every other rude youth group
• The rude guests that A) cut in lines B) hit you with their strollers C) dress like tramps d) abuse of ECVs e) cooking in hotel rooms f) abuse of mugs, pools, etc, etc, etc
• The rude CM's

Folks, you can find lots of bad stuff in both parks if you are looking for it.

And FWIW - I also found the "definitive" comparison terrible. I cannot say it was "a good review but I disagree" because I don't think it was a good review at all.

He was not backing any of his statements with facts, only his opinions and calling it the Definitive review. I do appreciate hearing the good and bad of any place I travel, but this review was completely without substance. And filled with so many flat out untruths, even with opinion factored in, that I am not convinced the OP even visited Universal.

And by stating it is the definitive comparison, this is no longer an opinion just by definition of the word "definitive."

 

[patster734]

It is as valid an assessment of his review as all the posters that said it was a great review.

The OP asked if people agreed. WiiCad did not and thought it a terrible review. Just as some agreed and thought it was a great review.

I think it funny that so many people will post how wonderful and perfect Disney is when trashing another theme park.

However, you can then come to the Disney side of the boards and find umpteen threads about:

• All sorts of other disgusting things (there was a great thread about a year ago about the most disgusting things at Disney and last I remember it was over 20 pages long). My favorites were the dirty diapers found in the bushes - happened more than one cared for and the numerous comments about guests letting their kids urinate in line
• The Brazil groups putting their feet in fountains, the football players, the cheerleaders and every other rude youth group
• The rude guests that A) cut in lines B) hit you with their strollers C) dress like tramps d) etc, etc, etc
• The rude CM's

Folks, you can find lots of bad stuff in both parks if you are looking for it.

And FWIW - I also found the "definitive" comparison terrible. I cannot say it was "a good review but I disagree" because I don't think it was a good review at all.

He was not backing any of his statements with facts, only his opinions and calling it the Definitive review. I do appreciate hearing the good and bad of any place I travel, but this review was completely without substance. And filled with so many flat out untruths, even with opinion factored in, that I am not convinced the OP even visited Universal.

And by stating it is the definitive comparison, this is no longer an opinion just by definition of the word "definitive."

Spot on!

 

[Disneygirl26]

Four years ago, My family and I went to Disney for the first time. I had always dreamed of going when I was a child but it never happened, so I was excited to be there with DD and Dw but afraid it would never live up to its hype. Within minutes of entering MK I knew the entire trip was going to be a disappointment. Not that anything was bad, just not what I was expecting.
I began looking for flaws and Lord knows there were many to find. We didn't know about needing to make Adrs 180 days in advance so had almost nothing but CS, the whole fastpass system seemed a mess, and the rides were okay only if you were under 10yrs of age. This may not have been a fair assesment but was my view at the time.
We then went to Universal and IOA on the same trip and after being disappointed with Disney I was really impressed. Not only did they have a great area for kids with Barney in the Park and Cat in the Hat area. But they had great rides for adults as well. And attractions that more fully brought to life the whole movie experience.
And when we went back the next year a lady working in the Barney attraction remembered my daughter from the previous year (that amazed and delighted us all)and asked her to stay after the show and meet Barney, and the other characters as well. And wow were were impressed with staying onsite and Fotl. No longer waiting for a return time, just ride whatever we want whenever we wanted.
As I said we went back to both Disney and Universal the next year and this time I was determined to look for the Disney Magic and not the flaws. Guess what , we had an amazing time at both places. My point being if you go looking for things to complain about you will find them.
Disney is an amazing place that we love to visit, but the same is true about Universal. Each place has its own charm and you can love both without betraying either.

I totally agree
this tread is why I love the Dis its nothing like a good debate. I personally don't get how so many people say Disney is this magical place, I just can't seem to find the magical part, To me its a theme park its fun just like Univ is a theme park and fun, I don't feel any different when I walk to either place. I never really thought even thought to compare the two because there just different. I guess everyone is entittle to their opinion and thats why the DIS boards rock.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

I guess everyone is entittle to their opinion and thats why the DIS boards rock.

<------ The real reason the boards rock.