Who else is cutting their days at Disney and adding Universal

[agame2323]

I'm a Disney die-hard and while WDW is still my primary choice between the two destinations. But for the first time I am starting to see a shift in power. Its a small shift but a shift nonetheless.

I'm becoming more and more intrigued by how Universal continues to add onto their parks, resorts and restaurants. Their business model is very "user friendly" and I think this is where Disney went wrong.

Those of you saying they have no desire to do US/IOA I encourage you to do so. You have no idea what you're missing out on. I LOVE when a company fells as though they have something to prove. They go the extra mile. And that's how US is approaching the market.

 

[kathleendsm]

We love both Disney and Universal. We don't cut days at either, we just add them on. Things that Universal has going for it are just the total ease of doing everything. The onsite hotels are wonderful (we've only stayed at RPH, but are interested in trying the others). There's no bus transportation to mess with, you just walk wherever you want to go, which our family LOVES. CityWalk is right there with great restaurants. And having onsite Express Pass is just the best.

People complain about their theming, but can you really walk around IOA and think it's not well themed? Every detail is there, just like in Disney. Heck, go into the bathrooms in WWOHP and you'll hear Moaning Myrtle. The Studios may not be quite as well themed, but Diagon Alley looks fantastic, Springfield is wonderful, and the rest of it is at least as well themed (if not better) than DHS, which we only both with during the Osborne Lights. And we love that Comcast has obviously decided to heavily invest in capital improvements over at Universal. I'll take a Diagon Alley any day over My Magic+ (and we are generally fans of FP+). I also don't get people who complain about Universal's team members. They are every bit as kind, welcoming and enthusiastic as Disney's. Our son, who has special needs, gets just as much "pixie dust" special treatment at Universal as at Disney.

For me, Disney's characters put it over the edge. Until recently Universal's weren't quite as good, but with Harry Potter and more Minion stuff, they're getting close. It may never have the same sense of nostalgia as Disney, but they're world class theme parks and every bit as much fun. And frankly, as Disney fans, we should be grateful to them even if we never set foot in one of their parks. The competition between the two keeps Disney innovating and improving their park experience.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

It is too early to say for sure, but I will probably cut a few days off of Disney on our next trip so that we can get over to Universal and check out some of the incredible new attractions they have going.

We are such goobers... haven't even seen any of the "old" Harry Potter stuff yet despite multiple trips to Florida since it opened. I am thinking we will fix that up next time. I can't say it is expressly because I dislike FP+ because I haven't fully experienced it yet. However since perception often equals reality, there is no mistaking that Universal has put a ton of money into new attractions while Disney has been fiddling with wristbands. I surrender! Universal gets some of my money next time!

 

[goofyluva9293]

I'm not trying to say anything against US because I really do like it... but I don't understand the people that keep talking about how Universal is adding to their parks while Disney isn't. Disney is just finishing the new Fantasyland and is getting ready to start the new Avatar area at AK. So it isn't like they are doing nothing to update the parks. I am SUPER excited for the expansion of WWoHP as well. So I'm glad that both companies are growing! Sadly though US doesn't have a whole lot more room to expand from the way it looks if you drive around behind the parks. Here's hoping both companies continue to make the best use of the land that they do have so I can keep enjoying both!

 

[Crystal824]

I think this is certainly a personal opinion thing. I honestly have never understood the whole, "Universal is not themed" thing, especially in regards to IOA. Yes there are parts where the theme is low key, such as Marvel Island but then there is Jurrasic Park which is themed down to the concrete and the theme in The Lost Continent is just extraordinary in the rock work alone.

Yes, over at the studios it is not overly themed in parts but neither is DHS where the theme would be the same, a Hollywood film studio. Of course that's changing now with Diagon Alley and what they've created in Springfield is stunning.

I just never really understood the whole "it's not themed" thing because I just don't see that. I completely understand preferring Disney themeing to Universal themeing but to say Universal doesn't have themeing outside of WWOHP is just not factual.

I agree. I think Universal especially IOA is very well-themed. They are a few theming errors you would never see at WDW, but over all it is very well done.

 

[5Hfan]

I'm not trying to say anything against US because I really do like it... but I don't understand the people that keep talking about how Universal is adding to their parks while Disney isn't. Disney is just finishing the new Fantasyland and is getting ready to start the new Avatar area at AK. So it isn't like they are doing nothing to update the parks. I am SUPER excited for the expansion of WWoHP as well. So I'm glad that both companies are growing! Sadly though US doesn't have a whole lot more room to expand from the way it looks if you drive around behind the parks. Here's hoping both companies continue to make the best use of the land that they do have so I can keep enjoying both!

But part of the "new" fantasyland was rethemeing goofy's coaster and adding another dumbo...not exactly innovative. And frankly avatar has zero appeal to me.

 

[ArwenMarie]

We love both Disney and Universal. We don't cut days at either, we just add them on. Things that Universal has going for it are just the total ease of doing everything. The onsite hotels are wonderful (we've only stayed at RPH, but are interested in trying the others). There's no bus transportation to mess with, you just walk wherever you want to go, which our family LOVES. CityWalk is right there with great restaurants. And having onsite Express Pass is just the best.

People complain about their theming, but can you really walk around IOA and think it's not well themed? Every detail is there, just like in Disney. Heck, go into the bathrooms in WWOHP and you'll hear Moaning Myrtle. The Studios may not be quite as well themed, but Diagon Alley looks fantastic, Springfield is wonderful, and the rest of it is at least as well themed (if not better) than DHS, which we only both with during the Osborne Lights. And we love that Comcast has obviously decided to heavily invest in capital improvements over at Universal. I'll take a Diagon Alley any day over My Magic+ (and we are generally fans of FP+). I also don't get people who complain about Universal's team members. They are every bit as kind, welcoming and enthusiastic as Disney's. Our son, who has special needs, gets just as much "pixie dust" special treatment at Universal as at Disney.

For me, Disney's characters put it over the edge. Until recently Universal's weren't quite as good, but with Harry Potter and more Minion stuff, they're getting close. It may never have the same sense of nostalgia as Disney, but they're world class theme parks and every bit as much fun. And frankly, as Disney fans, we should be grateful to them even if we never set foot in one of their parks. The competition between the two keeps Disney innovating and improving their park experience.

Well said. I think Universal's size works in its favor. There might be less to do there overall (two parks instead of 4), but you get the plus side of that too. I thought the theming in IOA was amazing. And the Studios is themed better than DHS. I agree about the team members too. All were very nice and friendly and helpful and seemed way more relaxed than Disney's do right now. Especially at the hotel. I agree about the characters, but I think as time goes on, the characters at Universal are going to become nostalgic too for many people. I still like the Disney parks better on the whole, but if I had to rank the six parks, it wouldn't be all Disney's at the top four spots

 

[surferdave]

I'm not trying to say anything against US because I really do like it... but I don't understand the people that keep talking about how Universal is adding to their parks while Disney isn't. Disney is just finishing the new Fantasyland and is getting ready to start the new Avatar area at AK. So it isn't like they are doing nothing to update the parks. I am SUPER excited for the expansion of WWoHP as well. So I'm glad that both companies are growing! Sadly though US doesn't have a whole lot more room to expand from the way it looks if you drive around behind the parks. Here's hoping both companies continue to make the best use of the land that they do have so I can keep enjoying both!

I think the biggest distinction is the addition of major attractions. Not new restaurants or gift shops, not new areas with pretty theming, but major rides or shows. Nothing in NFL meets that standard (as much as everyone here is looking forward to the Dwarf Train I'm not convinced it's going to be a game changer like Carsland or the Potter stuff).

 

[Twinprincesses]

I just do not see why people cannot love them both. I think Universal has done a great job of turning itself around in the past 20 some years. I do miss the "classic" rides it used to have though

My kids adore the HP part. I cannot believe how amazing HP land is. I do have to say it is aboe anything that Disney has to offer right now.

Us as a family we love both, we are live long Disney fans but we can spend a solid day at Universal and be happy and we are not thrill ride fans.

 

[crazyventures]

Disney is just finishing the new Fantasyland and is getting ready to start the new Avatar area at AK. So it isn't like they are doing nothing to update the parks.

New Fantasyland was pretty "meh" to me (I went right when the first part of Fantasyland opened up, though) It was a total letdown compared to what Disney did at DCA with Cars Land and Buena Vista St. and I don't know if the opening of Mine Train will change that.

HP, on the other hand, was amazing to me just for the theming alone.

Maybe my November visit will change my mind so I'll try to keep an open mind.

 

[Twinprincesses]

I think the biggest distinction is the addition of major attractions. Not new restaurants or gift shops, not new areas with pretty theming, but major rides or shows. Nothing in NFL meets that standard (as much as everyone here is looking forward to the Dwarf Train I'm not convinced it's going to be a game changer like Carsland or the Potter stuff).

I have not been to NFL yet but it looks mostly cosmetic to me, which is lovely but I agree it is no Carsland or Potter. If Disney is going to keep upping the ticket prices they need to justify it by the rides/atmosphere.

When I walked into Carsland my breath was taken away. It is amazing and unlike anything I had seen that Disney had done. You really do go into the movie there. Potterland same thing, you are taken away.

 

[dixiegirl]

We have no intention of decreasing our Disney days.

Same here!