We are offically Universal Converts!!

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

We have been to Disney 6 times in the past 2 years, and this was our 1st time to Universal. Duh, what were we waiting for? The fotl is the best, the hotels are great, and my kids loved the parks. They actually seemed a little bored when we went to Disney so we went back to Universal. I reallly did not knwo what to expect but it was fabulous. There were so many characters around and not crowded at all. I'm still learning about the people in Whoville, so forgive my ignorance, but my 3yr old daughtrer and I got to ride Cat in the Hat with I think Cindy (the candycane lady) and her boyfriend. It was so so cute. I can not wait to go back, and now that we have the annual passes we must go again. I must have went on the Hulk about 20 times, I was like a big kid. And my one year old son developed his first crush...on Betty Boop. too cute. Thanks to these boards for all the information.

Laura

 

[BarryHom]

Another convert!

WDW can spare to lose one guest, to Universal's happiness.

Glad you enjoyed your vacation!

 

[kellymonaghan]

Seems like this board has been getting more and more posts like yours recently. And no wonder!

 

[USO2003]

Too bad you waited so long; you missed out on some great rides that were recently shut down. KONGFRONTATION & The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera.

Disney will continue to loose guests as they continue to change the parks into less family oriented parks and instead thrill parks like IOA is, but at least IOA has themed areas for the kids. I just can't wait to see what will happen to Epcot in 2005 with the closure of Spaceship Earth and its replacement Time Racers in 2007. I just hope I am alive to see that close down I know there will be a riot at Disney when that goes.

 

[rocketman23]

Yes, welcome to the Orlando minorty of Universal folk. Luckily I converted nefore IOA opened, so I've caught everything since. I've just really lost faith in Disny starting with Toad, and continuing with stuff like cheap replacements(dumbo clones!), classic ride closures, and other related matters. Universal is coming on strong and they'll put Disney to the fire once Mummy opens, which I'm convinced will have people talking like Spiderman does. Universal has some great ideas and some edgy ones, and I think they've got a great future.

...Betty Boop?!?!?

 

[chris mcfly]

That's ridiculous. Spaceship Earth is not going to be replaced with an attraction called Time Racers in 2007. That's just insane.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

What I'm wondering is when is whatever's supposed to replace Horizons (or whatever the name of the one ride where you got to choose what video you wanted to see) is gonna open.

 

[BarryHom]

The Horizons replacement is Mission: Space. I heard it was supposed to open in April 2003.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Originally posted by chris mcfly
That's ridiculous. Spaceship Earth is not going to be replaced with an attraction called Time Racers in 2007. That's just insane.

Insane? YES but sadly true.

Prepare for Spaceship Earth: Time Racers, presented by Microsoft

 

[Robinrs]

Hey, you guys are hijacking Laura's post!!

Welcome back, Laura and welcome to the land of the converted!!

I was never a convert, myself, since IOA/USF was my first experience in the theme park world. Disney has to convince ME!

So glad you had a great time.

 

[JenniferW]

I understand the switch. They treat guest resorts with FOTL passes like kings/queens. Rides are awesome and very well themed. I had expected good rides, but not all the attention to detail we saw. Love that I can walk to everything and not wait for buses, every park, hotel and Citiwalk is wihtin walking distance.

It's a fabulous place, seems still a hidden secret for how awesome it is!

Jenn

 

[USO2003]

Originally posted by Spaceman Spiff
Insane? YES but sadly true.

Prepare for Spaceship Earth: Time Racers, presented by Microsoft

So I wasn't the only one who heard about it.

 

[chris mcfly]

Originally posted by USO2003
So I wasn't the only one who heard about it.

Just because everyone heard about it doesn't mean it's true. This can't be true. How do you make a "racing" ride inside that globe? C'mon. Theres not enough space. Besides, they cant replace it -- Spaceship Earth encapsulates everything that that park is about.

 

[USO2003]

It's not a racing ride, its going to be a rotating movie theater. I guess on a film or something called Time Racer.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

sorry laura! and welcome to the dark side.



what i heard about time racers was that it is going to be something similar to tokyo disney seas storm rider in terms of techonology and cabin effects.

 

[Metallicat]

Universal is definitly the best. We have been regulars since the studios first opened in 1990 or 91 (not exactly sure) but it had only been opened a little over a month. I remember when we had to take trams from the parking lot to the entrance and I remember when the hard rock cafe was behind ET and the big old psycho house stood where MIB is now. having annual passes, I hope you took advantage of the 20% off food and merchandise (except carts) and free parking if you don't stay in one of their wonderfull hotels. My favorite thing is the halloween horror nights. they are the best. very scarey! the CM's at Universal are so nice too. once the line for ET was 45 minutes and we must have looked a little sad because one of the CMS came up to DD and myself and ask if we wanted to ride with no wait and took us around to another entrance and let us right on. no wait! this was before the express tickets or FOTL access. also, my pizza was about 5 minutes late on comming out of the oven at circus. they gave me a refund plus my pizza and 6 of those big cookies!
another time a girl gave me a voucher to get stamped at meals and after I think 10 meals, we got a free one plus another gave us a ticket to ride the rides with no wait (once) also, this was before express passes or FOTL riders. there is a woman who works at the Boulagere (sp?) pastry shop who remembers EXACTLY what we order every time we go in there. even down to our diet sodas. we get the turkey baquettes DD chips and me salad and she always remembers! she even gave me her employee discount once. and we are not locals. live in another state and go about 4 or 5 times a year. whatever you do, never wear a Universal T shirt to MGM. they can be downright mean! must be worried about something.. P.S. GOTTA LOVE THAT HARD ROCK HOTEL!

 

[Goofyzgurl]

I am also a recent convert to Universal. We've been going to disney for the past four years, once a year. Last year was the very first time that we "squeezed" in Universal. I couldn't believe that I waited so long. I like Disney, but with the prices, the rides and the atomosphere really aren't that worth the prices they are charging. There's no perks, getting into the parks early doesn't justify the amount that they are charging me for the hotel. I will still go to disney, but it won't the main attraction for me anymore. There's rides for kids and the thrill rides for me and dh at Universal. Plus the recent buy one get one half off for universal pass is a major major incentive, something that I don't think I'll ever see at disney. I'm just getting more for my money at Universal, and that makes a trip look better when you're saving money.

 

[ksdave]

Just check out my signature at the bottom of my posts. Years and years worth of WDW trips, but look at the last several. Our family is definitely UO converts. The kids are old enough now (13 & almost 11) that, if I even suggested a trip to FL without UO, they would disown me!!
42 MORE DAYS UNTIL MY NEXT UO TRIP!!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Originally posted by Goofyzgurl
Plus the recent buy one get one half off for universal pass is a major major incentive, something that I don't think I'll ever see at disney. I'm just getting more for my money at Universal, and that makes a trip look better when you're saving money.

last i rmember, disney also doesnt offer a discount on additional tickets if you're using your AP. Universal gives like a 10-15% discount if you're buying tickets for others and have an annual.

 

[Goofyzgurl]

last i rmember, disney also doesnt offer a discount on additional tickets if you're using your AP. Universal gives like a 10-15% discount if you're buying tickets for others and have an annual.

Thanks for the heads up becaues we're buying tix for my brother and his girlfriend too. Yep, I'm dragging more and more people with me every trip we go. Can't wait until our trip in March!!!