WDW vs. Universal. My definitive comparison.

[GoofyWaterCoaster]

Give it up, Marauder...just think of it as more space and shorter lines for us magic hating, bland loving Universal fans!

If you hate magic so much, get out of this "DISNEY" board and go to a "Uni" board

Why would you be on this board if you hate disney?

 

[CanadianGuy]

I am moving this to the ThemeParks Community Board.



Knox

 

[vcgirl925]

But it's not pixie dust. It's attention to detail.

How dare you? Not pixie dust?

Joking aside i enjoyed your comparison and i totally agree. We've only been to universal and islands of adventure once and it was after our first time to WDW. Imagine that, our first time seeing and experiencing wdw and all of it's pixie dust...eh um (attention to detail). Then going to universal and that was before their version of FP came out. We hated the old universal, ET wasn't running, and jaws and king kong were so outdated. You could see Jaws coming from a mile away. We did LOVE spiderman! That one was awesome.

ITA about the crowds, the loud and in your face, and the attention to detail.

However the club area (citywalk?) is much better than the pleasure island. Sorry that's JMO, don't flame me!

 

[Metro West]

If you hate magic so much, get out of this "DISNEY" board and go to a "Uni" board

Why would you be on this board if you hate disney?

I think she was kidding.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Give it up, Marauder...just think of it as more space and shorter lines for us magic hating, bland loving Universal fans!

 

[KatMark]

What a well thought out comparison--and right on too. I don't think any place will EVER compare to Disney. Great job!

 

[vcgirl925]

I don't know you should try Six Flags over Georgia. I wonder which park as the best thugs the North or the South. We went there three years ago during the summer and I said never again I would rather pay a little more and go to Disney.

I stopped going to 6 flags in NJ because of that. It's just not a fun atmosphere to be in . I literally haven't been there in 6 years!

 

[AngieBelle]

For me, my preference of Disney over Universal comes down to just one thing- I'm a much bigger fan of the Disney stories and characters than I am of the ones featured at Universal. It's just a personal preference. I certainly like Scooby Doo, the Nickelodeon characters, Dr. Suess characters,and those toons featured at Toon Lagoon, but the Marvel superheros, the Mummy, and Jurassic Park mean little to me. Disney has movies that I love with a passion. Plus, I'm a big kid at heart who is very nostalgic so Disney just suits me better.

I think Universal has some wonderful theming of it's own and lots of fun details. The Lost Continent at IOA is amazing- my favorite area. I also don't get the constant comments about the low service quality. I have been there many times and never had a bad experience with them. I worked there for Halloween Horror Nights one year, and went through their orientation. Having been through Disney orientation as well, I can tell you Universal teaches exactly the same qualities as Disney! (not to mention, *many* people at Universal either used to or currently work at WDW- I met one of the original Dreamfinders when I was working there!)

Funny thing about Shrek 4-D...In the holding area, they have this terrific theme that you are Lord Farquad's prisoners. But the minute you enter the theater, the theming is gone! It's just a theater! And the character's don't acknowledge you at all. You are not part of the story. The movie is a lot of fun, and the 3-d looks great, but it's a more immersive experience at Disney. In Muppet 4-D, you are IN the Muppet Theater. In HISTA, you are actually there at the science awards ceremony, and the characters are talking to you.

I pretty much live at Disney, so once in a while it's a nice to escape to Universal! I love the Spiderman ride.

 

[KatMark]

I stopped going to 6 flags in NJ because of that. It's just not a fun atmosphere to be in . I literally haven't been there in 6 years!

You could NOT pay me to go to 6 flags in St. Louis or Gurnee, IL (suburb of Chicago). The clientele gives me the creeps. I remember riding the rapid water ride with a group of kids when our boys were approximately 6 and 8. The foul language coming out of their mouths was unbelievable (I would guess they were in the 14-16 year old range). I nicely asked them to refrain from using the language in front of my children. I can't begin to tell you what came out of their mouth then.

 

[jillybeene71]

I feel ya.

 

[GoofyWaterCoaster]

I think she was kidding.

I'm sorry, it's hard to pick up sarcasm when you are not hearing a voice

 

[Metro West]

I'm sorry, it's hard to pick up sarcasm when you are not hearing a voice

I understand...people are passionate about Disney and Universal. I don't think I could ever hate either place and since I go so often I've seen things that bother me at Disney and Universal. That's the advantage of living here.

 

[tentaguasu]

Funny thing about Shrek 4-D...In the holding area, they have this terrific theme that you are Lord Farquad's prisoners. But the minute you enter the theater, the theming is gone! It's just a theater! And the character's don't acknowledge you at all. You are not part of the story. The movie is a lot of fun, and the 3-d looks great, but it's a more immersive experience at Disney. In Muppet 4-D, you are IN the Muppet Theater. In HISTA, you are actually there at the science awards ceremony, and the characters are talking to you.

Bingo! That's exactly what I meant. The actual Shrek theater is very plain and with regards to being "immersive" - that's exactly what I meant about Terminator. The whole movie leaves you in a very passive role, just sort of watching things run around and occur (except in the final sequence, which I admit is pretty creepy).

Also, I strongly disagree with the general characterization that the difference between the two is a "younger kids park" and an "older/ teen park".

That's what I thought, and that's why I was initially excited about trying out the "more grown up" Universal.

But it wasn't JUST different - it was also (again, IMHO) worse. Substantially so. For the reasons stated.

I'm not saying there's nothing good at Universal. I enjoyed Twister. I enjoyed Jurassic. In fact, I think the T Rex in Jurassic is better than the one in Dinosaur - and even more "subtle" and realistic. The slushes are awesome at Universal. Spiderman is perhaps more innovative than anything at Disney. The mini-waterpark at USO was way better than anything comparable at Disney.

But my honest opinion is that Disney is not only DIFFERENT but much BETTER. That is not a "biased" opinion. Biased means that you have an interest in one side or the other, that your opinion is somehow not pure, but tainted by some other consideration. My opinion is strong - I like Disney better, by a long shot - but it's not biased. I have a stronger childhood attachment to Scooby Doo, Spiderman, and ET than I do to any of the Mouse characters. I was prepared - excited - to really love USO. I just didn't.

I could give many more examples. Spending 30+ minutes to park, or disorganization in ride loading. The air conditioning was way lower in most places - except expensive restaurants. Many of the queue lines were boring and unadorned. When I asked the guy at the slush stand whether lemon or blueberry was better, he just looked at me bored and shrugged. No response. Big deal. No. For course not... None of this is a big deal. But again cumulatively it left me with a sense of unmagicalness.

I think what I love most about Disney is the sense, for a day, that you're in sort of a parallel world. Not a perfect world, or even a magical world, just a different place. And I think the reason is the cumulative effect of lots of little things - like not waiting very long to park, or having someone be just a shade nicer to you, or noticing a cute detail in a ride - heck, I swear there is even a particular smell about many Disney rides. But at Universal, each time I had to wait to park, or got bored service, or had to queue up in a boring line, etc. it just felt like... well like I was at an amusement park. Nothing wrong with that - but not comparable to the Disney experience for me.

Was my experience unique? Might it have been different on a different day? Maybe. But I had three days and logged an awful lot of examples of things that jumped out at me as inferior to Disney. My wife felt the same way.

I certainly understand why others may disagree. Some people - particularly teens and young adults - are going to want adrenaline over all else, and Universal gives that. Some people just don't care or notice some of the details that bug me. Do you care (like I did) if the theater in "bugs life" is way cooler than that in Sherk? Maybe not. There's nothing weird or wrong about that, its just not something that registers as important for you. (For instance, a stereo system with really bad bass really bugs me. My sister in law could care less. That's just a difference in how we view things. On the other hand, I'm not very fussy about my food, whereas my wife has a fit about some small details.)

But, if you have the same sensibility as I do, I can't imagine you'll enjoy Universal as much as you like Disney.

In the last 18 months or so I've spent roughly 15 days at WDW. In my 3 days at USO and IoA, I left early twice to spend time at Disney again.

Should you go to Universal if you haven't? Absolutely. I'm glad I went. There's some cool stuff over there. Would I go again? No. (Except, perhaps, to see Potter). On the other hand, I'm already planning my next Disney trip.

 

[keishashadow]

I understand...people are passionate about Disney and Universal. I don't think I could ever hate either place and since I go so often I've seen things that bother me at Disney and Universal. That's the advantage of living here.

nirvana

@ the risk of being drummed out of the DIS...

i've talked to many people who, after making their first visit to WDW, have vowed to NEVER, EVER return ...

of course, they r the ones who stroll into the MK early afternoon & wonder why the only get on a couple rides and why all the FPs are gone already . Also perplexed as to why they can't find a seat in the TS restaurants.

I try to explain the "system" and they don't want to hear it. Many have pre-conceived notions about being able to relax & be spontaneous on their vacation ...to them, i suggest staying onsite @ Universal.

Between "the World" and "the Universe" plenty of room for all of us to playcertainly no need to run one down in order to justify being a fan of the other

 

[GoofyWaterCoaster]

Bingo! That's exactly what I meant. The actual Shrek theater is very plain and with regards to being "immersive" - that's exactly what I meant about Terminator. The whole movie leaves you in a very passive role, just sort of watching things run around and occur (except in the final sequence, which I admit is pretty creepy).

Also, I strongly disagree with the general characterization that the difference between the two is a "younger kids park" and an "older/ teen park".

That's what I thought, and that's why I was initially excited about trying out the "more grown up" Universal.

But it wasn't JUST different - it was also (again, IMHO) worse. Substantially so. For the reasons stated.

I'm not saying there's nothing good at Universal. I enjoyed Twister. I enjoyed Jurassic. In fact, I think the T Rex in Jurassic is better than the one in Dinosaur - and even more "subtle" and realistic. The slushes are awesome at Universal. Spiderman is perhaps more innovative than anything at Disney. The mini-waterpark at USO was way better than anything comparable at Disney.

But my honest opinion is that Disney is not only DIFFERENT but much BETTER. That is not a "biased" opinion. Biased means that you have an interest in one side or the other, that your opinion is somehow not pure, but tainted by some other consideration. My opinion is strong - I like Disney better, by a long shot - but it's not biased. I have a stronger childhood attachment to Scooby Doo, Spiderman, and ET than I do to any of the Mouse characters. I was prepared - excited - to really love USO. I just didn't.

I could give many more examples. Spending 30+ minutes to park, or disorganization in ride loading. The air conditioning was way lower in most places - except expensive restaurants. Many of the queue lines were boring and unadorned. When I asked the guy at the slush stand whether lemon or blueberry was better, he just looked at me bored and shrugged. No response. Big deal. No. For course not... None of this is a big deal. But again cumulatively it left me with a sense of unmagicalness.

I think what I love most about Disney is the sense, for a day, that you're in sort of a parallel world. Not a perfect world, or even a magical world, just a different place. And I think the reason is the cumulative effect of lots of little things - like not waiting very long to park, or having someone be just a shade nicer to you, or noticing a cute detail in a ride - heck, I swear there is even a particular smell about many Disney rides. But at Universal, each time I had to wait to park, or got bored service, or had to queue up in a boring line, etc. it just felt like... well like I was at an amusement park. Nothing wrong with that - but not comparable to the Disney experience for me.

Was my experience unique? Might it have been different on a different day? Maybe. But I had three days and logged an awful lot of examples of things that jumped out at me as inferior to Disney. My wife felt the same way.

I certainly understand why others may disagree. Some people - particularly teens and young adults - are going to want adrenaline over all else, and Universal gives that. Some people just don't care or notice some of the details that bug me. Do you care (like I did) if the theater in "bugs life" is way cooler than that in Sherk? Maybe not. There's nothing weird or wrong about that, its just not something that registers as important for you. (For instance, a stereo system with really bad bass really bugs me. My sister in law could care less. That's just a difference in how we view things. On the other hand, I'm not very fussy about my food, whereas my wife has a fit about some small details.)

But, if you have the same sensibility as I do, I can't imagine you'll enjoy Universal as much as you like Disney.

In the last 18 months or so I've spent roughly 15 days at WDW. In my 3 days at USO and IoA, I left early twice to spend time at Disney again.

Should you go to Universal if you haven't? Absolutely. I'm glad I went. There's some cool stuff over there. Would I go again? No. (Except, perhaps, to see Potter). On the other hand, I'm already planning my next Disney trip.

And on Muppet 4-D, you are in the Muppet Storage Area!

 

[KStarfish82]

I don't know you should try Six Flags over Georgia. I wonder which park as the best thugs the North or the South. We went there three years ago during the summer and I said never again I would rather pay a little more and go to Disney.

Been there....not as bad as the Jersey and New York audiences...trust me!

 

[TaylorsDad]

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.

 

[GoofyWaterCoaster]

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.

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

 

[vcgirl925]

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.

You know, i think it really depends on the person and your experience on that particular day. I've been to Sesame Place a million times and i LOVE IT, i've never once thought it was dirty or sub-par. But i've seen a lot of people on here have such negative thoughts about it and i just couldn't imagine it because i've never experienced it.

 

[macraven]

Give it up, Marauder...just think of it as more space and shorter lines for us magic hating, bland loving Universal fans!

inkkognito, you know what this means don't ya'


no long lines and crowds when parry hotter opens up in '10.......