wdw vs universal studios/islands of adventure - how do they compare?

[WendyLovesPeter]

let me start by saying we love WDW.... My husband and I have prob been there 6 times since we have been married. We currently have a 5 year old princess daughter that has been there twice, and she keeps asking to go back. We want to go back, but we are seeking alternate, new entertainment for my teen boys. My boys really enjoy Disney too, but I think they would really enjoy some different attractions too.

We are considering a couple days at the WDW parks for my daughter and and a couple days at Universal parks for something new to us.

We have all been touched by the magic of WDW from the character interaction (we love the heros and the villains), to the music and shows to the good customer service. What I want to know is do the Universal parks match up or will we be disappointed? Any insight or experiences.... feel free please!!

Our other thought is to go across country to DL and check out the Anaheim area. East coast vacationing is more convenient for us though as we are from OH

 

[torinsmom]

If you have teens, they will love US/IOA! We had been to WDW 4 times in three years, but could not afford it this year. I won tickets to Universal, so I figured why not? I was seriously not expecting to be blown away, but we had an AMAZING time. My DS14 did not even want to take time out to go to DIsneyQuest, which has always been his favorite on our trips. The rides at US are themed nicely and are very fun for older kids, teens and adults. There is no free fastpass, there is an option called Express Pass, but you have to pay for that. We just got there early and used the single rider lines when the regular lines were long.

It was also nice to be able to walk from one park to the other, instead of a long ride in the car or bus back to the hotel and then to the other park. We enjoyed Citywalk too.

I couldn't really comment on rides for the younger crowd. There are a lot of height restrictions for the wilder rides. There were separate areas with little kids rides in both parks. I did see lots of characters out and about while we were there, but they were ones like the Simpsons, Shrek, etc.

WDW is different than US, but I would no longer say it is better. I think I would go back to WDW if I had a younger child, but we are probably converted to US lovers at this point.

Marsha

 

[magicalfoursome]

Universal has some really terrific rides and theming. I think teens will love the thrill rides. When compared to Disney , in my opinion, they lack in creating that magical feeling. They don't have any parades and when we were there last month no nighttime show at all. The parks closed at 9pm. There are characters but they just don't draw me in like at Disney.
I would, however, spend a few days at Universal if I were you. Staying at one of there hotels is definitely a huge advantage! You can walk to the parks from your hotel plus hotel guests get front of the line pass for all rides as many times as they want to ride! Universal beats Disney with that advantage! The Universal hotels are beautiful and you can pool hop too! Universal also has some great restaurants.
So I guess I am saying Universal is a lot of fun and worth visiting but don't expect it to be Disney.

 

[torinsmom]

They had a nighttime show on Saturday night(I don't know about other days) when we were there and it was really neat. They showed movie clips to a certain them on the balls in the middle of the lake and did fireworks and pyrotechnics around them as well. Pretty cool!

I didn't stay onstite, got a room at Hyatt Place Universal across the street for $30/nt through Priceline. It was an amazing hotel with a huge room and we got free breakfast every morning as well. We walked over and it took about 15 minutes or used their free shuttle that dropped us off and picked us up right at the entrance to CItywalk. We took a cab back twice and it was $4.

We got there early each day and had no problem getting on the rides very quickly for the first hour or two. Same thing for the last hour the park was open. In between, we picked rides with indoor queues and ate a snack while we were waiting in the A/C. We also utilized the single rider lines, which were often shorter than the express lines. I couldn't see paying $200/nt for a hotel or $50 extra/day for the FOTL passes, but that's just me.

Marsha

 

[Sleepyhollowstudios]

You will absolutely love Universal. The first time I went to Disney World, I was ten years old and thought it truly was a magical place. Then, four years later, we decided to try Universal...and we have never looked back. Two absolutely incredible theme parks, three world-class resorts, Citywalk, Blue Man Group. A Universal vacation is unlike anything you've ever experienced before.


But, that's just my opinion. You'll have to go and decide for yourself.

-Andy

 

[Gabes_mommy]

Universal is fantastic - you and your kids will love it! I definitely suggest staying at one of the onsite hotels - they are all beaitiful and within walking distance to the parks and like other PPs have said, your room key gets you to the front of all the lines - you can't beat that.

We take a trip to WDW every year and a trip to UO every year - we love both.

 

[Planogirl]

I would not compare the two at all. Universal has its own style and attitude and I find it in its way just as compelling as WDW. It depends on your tastes.

I think that most teens would really enjoy Universal. I'm far from being a teen but I was pleasantly surprised by Universal the first time we visited. I was also one who thought that Disney was the be all end all but learned that both resorts have a lot to offer. They just offer it in different ways.

I would stay onsite if you can. The Loew's hotels beat just about anything Disney has (and this from a big fan of the Animal Kingdom Lodge). You can also expect Universal to be more restful for some reason.

Try it, if you don't like it then you'll know. If you do like it then you have even more to enjoy than before.

 

[damo]

It is very difficult to compare but my teens (well twenties now) much prefer it.

 

[Purseval]

Theming-wise, WDW wins hands down

Ride-wise, Universal slaughters WDW for older children/teens, WDW takes it for the little ones

Hotel-wise, both are very good. WDW has more options but USF/IOA gives you front of the line, making them the winner

Convenience-wise, USF/IOA is all one walk, WDW needs transportation to move around

Pricewise, WDW charges are stupendeously high compared to USF/IOA. Whether or not you think it's worth the money? See above and decide.

 

[disbound09]

Theming-wise, WDW wins hands down

Ride-wise, Universal slaughters WDW for older children/teens, WDW takes it for the little ones

Hotel-wise, both are very good. WDW has more options but USF/IOA gives you front of the line, making them the winner

Convenience-wise, USF/IOA is all one walk, WDW needs transportation to move around

Pricewise, WDW charges are stupendeously high compared to USF/IOA. Whether or not you think it's worth the money? See above and decide.

Spot on assessment, always stay onsite, just for the front of the line perk. I can do 3-4 days at USF/IOA no problem I can do a week at WDW no problem. Harry Potter is as good as or better than WDW in terms of theme front to back left to right. They are adding onto it this year. Butterbeer is worth the effort. WDW is magical USF/IOA is thrilling.

 

[atricks]

Here's the general rundown of the different areas in the parks.

In Islands of Adventure you start out in Port of Entry, which is where a few shops are, but this area is heavily themed and full of little details, the bridges, lighthouse and various nicknacks along the streets are the highlights.

Marvel is the most in your face area of the park, and is themed to the comic books, Spiderman is one of the best rides anywhere.

Toon Lagoon is arguable the weakest area in the park, themed to various newspaper comics, Popeye and Dudley Dooright. The popeye area is probably the best themed part of that land. (And is also the best of its kind water raft ride anywhere). Ripsaw Falls is an awesome ride, but the theming is spotty.

Jurassic Park is very well done, and don't miss the Camp Jurassic exploration/play area, which is another "best of its kind" type of thing.

Lost Continent with the Mythos sit down restaurant and the amazing facade of Poseidon is very well done.

By multiple accounts, Seuss Landing is what sold J.K. Rowling on putting Potter there along with. It's lack of straight lines and perfect Dr. Seuss theme is extremely impressive.

And Potterland, in my opinion, beats anything Disney has theme wise.

At the Studios
The entrance way is studio themed, and production themed, with the soundstages, but moves into the backlot theme in the New York section, which is amazingly detailed in itself.

Transformers has the massive hiighly detailed Optimus Prime statue on the front.

San Fransisco are is smaller, but also well themed.

The new potter area is still under construction but recently some of the theming details have started to show, the exterior will be London backlot themed and that part of it is starting to look very good. Behind this is where the Diagon alley itself will go and the Train Station theming is flat out amazing.

Men in Black has a very interesting worlds fair-ish design that flows pretty well. By Simpsons is spot on to the show.

KidZone has a few nice areas in the back, but I think they will be redoing this area soon. There's an old Hollywood section of the park too which also has a lot of detail. In between there is a "central park" area which is a nice place to relax.

The Studios does have the nighttime show which only doesn't happen when special events are going on. It does have the daytime superstar parade as well.

 

[kuhltiffany]

We've done DW many times, but just got back from our first trip to Universal. (My kids are 8 and 9). Overall, we found Universal much more manageable than Disney. Quick transportation, smaller parks, easy walk between the 2 parks is nice. Dining for us was a disappointment though. With 2 family members who have allergies, Disney has much more options and awareness...

 

[macraven]

this thread started over 4 years ago.


it came back to life today.



never did hear back from the OP that started the thread.
will always wonder if the princess liked the darkside.

 

[buckeev]

this thread started over 4 years ago.


it came back to life today.



never did hear back from the OP that started the thread.
will always wonder if the princess liked the darkside.

Funny thing...I remember reading that post in 2009....(I confess....I stalked Mac, Damon and all the experts for many years before jumping in the fray. I just felt way too inferior to their knowledge...still do.)

 

[macraven]

Funny thing...I remember reading that post in 2009....(I confess....I stalked Mac, Damon and all the experts for many years before jumping in the fray. I just felt way too inferior to their knowledge...still do.)

buckeev, you're an expert on the darkside too.
you always give fantastic advice to others.


and that's from Mac 101.....

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

My family likes Disney but they LOVE the Universal parks. Mine are 12, 13 and 14 and they would rather go to Universal and Island of Adventure than any Disney park.

We have AP's to Universal but not Disney.

There is hardly anything at Disney thrilling for teens but the 2 Universal parks are full of fantastic thrill rides and coasters.

There are still fun area and things for a younger one to do.

Universal has some fantastic shows. The Horror Make Up Show (is not scary, it is funny), the Blues Brothers Street show, the Terminator 3D show and my fav the Beetlejuice Rock and Roll Graveyard Revue. A trip to Orlando is not complete for me until I see the Beetlejuice show.

IOA has a Sinbad show and a Poseidon's Fury show. It also has a talking water fountain near the Sinbad theater that sometimes comes to life and starts talking to the kids and squirting them with water.

IOA has a fantastic Dr Seuss land that your youngest one should love. All the rides in that section are age appropriate for a 5 yr old.

Heck I even ride most of the Seuss rides myself. I love that area.

I am not sure what the height requirements are for some of the rides like Spiderman or The Simpsons so you might want to check into what rides your 5 yr old might not be tall enough to ride.

I know one thing, after spending a few days at Universal and Island of Adventure your teens will never look at a trip to Orlando the same.

Also I would suggest getting 3 day park to park tickets. One full day in each park is enough to do everything just about but if you have that third day you can go back and hit the highlights in each park.

Something else NEW you can do with the whole family that is a GREAT SHOW is to go to the Blue Man Group show. The theater is right in between the two Universal parks and you can get tickets to the show for about $30 off by buying them through Travel Zoo. I love Cirque Du Soleil. I have seen it many times but I love Blue Man Group even more. The whole show is funny and entertaining. It doesn't get boring for even one minute and the end of the show is amazing and fun.

You can actually get 4 day park to park tickets for Universal through Travel Zoo also for $150 per person. That's almost $20 off the online price and about $40 off the gate price.