Why are people on US boards so touchy?

[osugal]

We are planning our first trip to US this summer. I've noticed the regulars on these boards can be very touchy if anyone dislikes the smallest thing about Universal. I'm beginning to think they have "short man syndrome" here. I don't understand the defensiveness when any kind of criticism comes up. And, the first thing they usually do is put down WDW...even if it's not part of the discussion. Just my own observation.

 

[damo]

You're probably not wrong. I think a lot of the possessiveness about Universal comes from the decades of hate that Universal has received from WDW goers. We've been conditioned to be defensive, I guess.

 

[wagman67]

We are planning our first trip to US this summer. I've noticed the regulars on these boards can be very touchy if anyone dislikes the smallest thing about Universal. I'm beginning to think they have "short man syndrome" here. I don't understand the defensiveness when any kind of criticism comes up. And, the first thing they usually do is put down WDW...even if it's not part of the discussion. Just my own observation.

Oh Yeah!!!???....well, you're touchy. JK. I think a lot also comes from this side of the fence not really enjoying the arrogant nature of a lot that prefer WDW. Been to both...like both...family has voted to go to Universal for the 10th straight year. If they voted WDW, we would go there. For others, it is just the opposite.

 

[bchbetha]

I have no skin in this game but for some reason it runs me wrong when folks post here and say they've been to Disney a million and one times and nitpick the differences between the parks before even visiting Universal. They are different- and that's ok!

 

[cschaaf]

It's kind of a fringe board on a Disney-centric ecosystem site, comparisons to Disney are bound to happen - appropriate or not. But I agree that the defensiveness isn't helpful.

However, you will find some great people and information on this board. Plenty of information that will save you time and money.

And now my obligatory Disney reference - plenty on that forum don't take kindly to someone posting a minor quibble about Disney. And there are also good posters that will provide great advice.

I belong to several forums for other hobbies and you'll find pretty much the same cross section. It's just the nature of internet forums, I guess.

Our background - we've been to both Disney and Universal multiple times and love both for many, many reasons. There's room in my heart to love more than one.

 

[bumbershoot]

We are planning our first trip to US this summer. I've noticed the regulars on these boards can be very touchy if anyone dislikes the smallest thing about Universal. I'm beginning to think they have "short man syndrome" here. I don't understand the defensiveness when any kind of criticism comes up. And, the first thing they usually do is put down WDW...even if it's not part of the discussion. Just my own observation.

I'm guessing you originally posted this on one of the non uni forums here? Lol.

Few of us put down wdw. But we do tout the benefits of uni because we have discovered it's fabulousness and want others to do so.

If you read it as excitement it'll shift your thinking.


Or are you referring to the post by someone with friends who had a totally outlier experience recently?

It's not defensiveness; it's bewilderment. And it's urging that poster to not expect that same situation, since their friends could probably have done things differently.

 

[Westcoastwild]

I think it might just be a knee jerk reaction to being around so many cult of the mouse members. I get that way, and I definitely prefer Disney over Universal Lol. chief difference is that I haven't been drinking the mouse koolaid. I straight up prefer the rides at Disney. Many pro-Disney folks tend to claim everything is better with pixie dust. To which I always want to say...psst, you do realize that Disney is and always has been a business? I mean. major corporation. Maybe Walt wanted to have a place for families, but you can also bet he wanted to make money.

so anyway, I think that has the tendency to wear on one's nerves. Universal tends to be the evil step sibling here.

 

[macraven]

Many pro-Disney folks tend to claim everything isUniversal tends to be the evil step sibling here.

Well, we are the red headed step kids on the Dis

When the tag fairy was around, many of us were given the tag
Proud redheads ......lol

 

[macraven]

When a new thread that tends to have a derogatory title appears, nothing good will come out of it

But, this isn't the community board where that does happen on occasions

The darkside forums tend to be more informational and helpful rather than heated opinions


Let's remember that when we post in this thread

Both parks are enjoyed by many
Not a one size fits all situation


Play nice and use the pm system if you need to push the point further of the short man syndrome

I can not read pms but I can read the threads


Btw, both theme parks get my money
Motherland since 1974 and darkside since 1993

 

[schumigirl]

I would definitely disagree folks here "put down" WDW.

We get posters coming over on these boards regularly just to bash Universal.......it gets old.......but when folks post things that are blatantly wrong.......it's usually pointed out.......

E.g.........few weeks ago someone posted that if you were in the regular line for a ride at Universal.......he said if 2,500 EP riders turned up they would all get through before regular queue.........not true. Things are pointed out as wrong so as not to have new readers think these things are correct.

We get posters describing thing and scenarios that are blatantly not true........or just make comments of how anyone can spend more than a half a day at one park is beyond them.........describing rides in derogatory terms.......how Universal Nickel and Dimes you.......we even had one say Hogsmeade was disgusting because it was so small.......I could go on forever.......if you have been regularly reading these boards over the last years, you'll know what I mean. It's all a bit funny actually how obvious some are.........bless them they try their best.......

If I went over to the Disney boards to tell folks over there how awful Disney was, FP sucks, hotels are not up to standard, value hotels were dreadful, CM are dreadful, food is poor, rides don't suit me or are dated, parks are awful blah blah .......I think you would see more than a few touchy people respond.

We are quiet a small board over here........pot stirrers stick out a mile........don't think anyone here has short man syndrome at all.........

 

[damo]

I vividly recall a new thread on this board that was entitled, "The Best Thing about Universal" or something to that effect. It only took about 3 posts for someone to reply, "...the trip back to WDW".

That would be a typical response that we would have to deal with. It's tough to not get defensive when you are dealing with that, almost daily, here on a board where you are trying to give advice to people about how to best enjoy the parks.

 

[Metro West]

Go to the Disney side and say something...anything negative about WDW or the Disney Company and you'd better have your flame suit on. Talk about touchy!

 

[schumigirl]

here on a board where you are trying to give advice to people about how to best enjoy the parks.

I would hope the OP, as I now see she is not a regular reader or poster on the Universal boards, sees the many, many hundreds of posts that are helpful and full of advice for newbies.

 

[ThistleMae]

I agree with schumigirl....there are many positive and helpful folks in here. You just have to ignore the negativity, which sometimes develops, and is not helpful or constructive. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[steviethegreat]

You guys are all awesome for your positive attitudes and kind responses, btw. There's definitely a lot of 'put down' on Universal. And a lot of people are shut down very quickly when that happens on the disney boards.

I enjoy both parks and both sets of hotels. And while I have my opinions of the disney and universal, I would be perfectly happy going to one or the other. The theming is different at disney, for sure, with some of the rides. But I have always gotten more done at Universal. And staying on site during my last trip was SO GREAT.

I have rarely found anyone on the boards to be less than helpful. (One time, but I guess my question was stupid.) I can say I have seen the defensiveness pop up a few times, but it's usually quickly resolved. And hey, I don't blame you at ALL. You have to protect the things you care about. It's called passion. And seriously, you guys are SO WELL INFORMED. It's faster for me to post here to ask questions than to google for myself. I have always been, and will always be, impressed with the Disboards Universal culture. You're a wealth of knowledge.

Macraven was on vacation, which I stupidly didn't know, and she still answered my questions. I know I wouldn't take time out of my vacation to help someone else that I barely know. I love reading all of your trip reports, I love reading all of your suggestions, and I have definitely learned so much more about the parks because of all of you. So keep up what you're doing. You're all the best.

 

[Robo56]

Osugal anyone who comes to the Universal side of the boards asking questions about making their upcoming trip to Universal will find the most helpful, kind folks on these boards.

Everyone I have encountered here are people who really love sharing information about making everyone's trip to Universal a great one.

The wonderful stickies on the Resorts, Wizarding World of Harry Potter, information on CityWalk, Restaurants and HHN are a labor of love for these folks.

I have been the thankful recipient of their expertise over the years and a passionate fan of Universal for a number of years and now a contributor myself.

No "Syndromes" of any kind here just nice helpful people.

Osugal if you have any questions you need help with on your upcoming trip to Universal just ask. There are lots of nice informed people here willing to help make your trip to Universal a great one

 

[wagman67]

People have preferences...people have opinions...some people respect other's opinions and preferences...some don't. You will find, on this board, many more that respect those things, versus those that don't.

A friend and I started working together 23 years ago...we go to the same church (for 20 years). She and her family go to WDW every year. I and my family go to UOR every year. We both, with our families and other church members, go to Holiday World every other year, or so...and we both think that is the best value for a park. But, both families would still rather go to their favorite park each year...just not the same one.

 

[Planogirl]

I have been a regular on these forums and at WDW for a very long time. DS asked me about going to Universal and since I didn't know anything, I started lurking on these forums. I was surprised to see posters here that seemed to only be interested in slamming Universal. I can't blame anyone here for being defensive and I don't think that they usually are anyway.

 

[nkereina]

In my own experience, I find many people who are not familiar with Universal think it's inferior to Disney. In actuality, it's just different. I hate to see preconceived notions about Universal or even see it compared to Disney, because they are two different experiences depending on what you want. I have equal love for both Disney and Universal. Some things I like better at Disney, some things I like better at Universal. But when I'm in Orlando, both are must do's for me!

 

[Sparkly]

Both sides are pretty touchy from my experiences on here!!!