Why do American Disney fans hate Universal?

[MJ6987]

OK, maybe that is a bit strong, but on the American Disney boards and podcasts Universal get a lot of stick and are even mocked. Many who visit Disney Parks regularly never visit Universal, etc

In the UK most people who visit Orlando visit both and, in fact, many prefer Universal to Disney. People say (don't shoot the messenger) that WDW parks are starting to look "tired" whereas Universal is more up to date.

So, what is it that you don't like?

Is it a nostalgic love of Disney? Is it the Disney "American Dream" versus French-owned Universal (i.e. patriotism)? What?

Just curious...

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

All My Opinions...
I don't hate Universal, it is a fun amusement park. The rides are good, some of the themeing is good. But we have good rides closer to home, for me Disney is more than just an amusement park. Yes, we like the rides, but it is a feeling we get when we are there. A comfortable, welcoming, where we belong kind of feeling, hard to describe really, unless you know what I am saying and you feel it too. We usually go to IOA every other trip (though we do not plan on it this trip when we normally would, we have to keep costs down.) A big part of why I like to return to Disney is because of that feeling. I like feeling like a kid, not that you can't feel that way at Universal, but it isn't at all the same. I would do almost anything to visit Disney with my family, but an amusement park, not really.

Like I said, we have similar things closer to home, but nothing like D I S N E Y...

 

[toostsmom]

I like Universal - but with Disney, when you visit, it truly is like you're in another world. I'm with the other poster.

 

[Shmily1]

We go to WDW atleast 6 times a year and have never been to US. I just can't not go to my happy place!! I love WDW!!! It makes me happy to just cross through the arch. No matter what we are doing there, it makes me happy. I did try to go to US one time, but couldn't do it. I just wasn't "happy" about it.

 

[dwaters]

Universal is in competition with Disney.

They are seen as rivals. People like to pick sides when they see rivalries.
You have Coke drinkers vs. Pepsi drinkers, McDonald's vs. Burger King, sports team vs. sports team, etc.....

With the Disney parks having been around longer than the Universal ones, then naturally people are going to tend to be more loyal to the brand they already have experience and a history with.

When buying groceries, I find myself buying the same brand of milk, bread, toilet paper, whatever simply because it's the one I bought last week, and the week before that, and the week before that. It's MY brand. The other brands may be better but I might not know because I have no reason to try them (unless their price is much lower, a friend recommends it, I have a coupon)

 

[helenk]

Everyone likes different things, thats why there are so many things to chose from. I am pretty sure it has nothing to do with the fact that Universal is owned by a french company. I am pretty sure those folks that did not like Universal felt the same why when it was American owned.
Any way there are many diehard Universal fans who dislike Disney and there are diehard Disney fans that dislike Universal. Then you get the mix who like both. There are plenty of things to do and enjoy at both locations if you so desire.
I personally prefer Disney, but I certainly do not "hate" Universal.

 

[IheartEdward]

Very good question.
Personally I like US but I love Disney. I would NEVER "poop" on US though I do agree that many Disney FANATICs do. Why I don't know Disney and US attract two different crowds.
The Disney crowd is wrapped up in the MAGIC while US fans are more for the ADVENTURE. When you go to the Disney compound you are confined tot he area and you want to be. It's an experience from the minute you get off the plane.
Us doesn't do that but to me US gives better action. Their rides are geared toward adults. They are cheaper too which for many is a big thing.

 

[churchpilot]

I like Universal - but with Disney, when you visit, it truly is like you're in another world. I'm with the other poster.

It truly is a whole other world....no body does staging or magic better than Disney...they are truly timeless.

 

[safetymom]

I have an annual pass to WDW and Universal. There are many more layers of details at WDW over Universal. Universal is nice but Disney holds my interest because of all the little details.

 

[KCmike]

It is all glitz and glam at universal and no heart. Walt built a park in Disneyland for his girls. A place when the ENTIRE family could have fun together. Disney does have nostalgia in its favor. It was built back in 1955 and has countless fairy tales to support its rides giving the customer/fans a feeling of a time gone by....where love still exists.

Universal is roller coasters and the park really is geared towards teenagers and adults. The quality is not even close for me. Has Universal gained some ground. Very little. I am a WDW vet who has gone to Disneyland two summers in a row now and Disneyland is far and away the best american park in our country.

Let's see what would you rather see...or have your kids see:

Toy Story, Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, Beauty and the Beast, Lady and the tramp, Pinnocio, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, etc..

or

Simpsons, Shrek, etc...

Do I like Simpsons and Shrek...yes....are they cartoons built on mocking their competition and society....its up to you to decide. Give me the pure joy of Disney.

 

[sage10]

I personally just don't care for Universal. It has nothing to do with them being rivals with Disney. But the two times I have been there was a MAJOR let down. I really like Disney, and Universal just wasn't in the same league as Disney. Now this was 12 years ago, I am sure things have changed. But I don't want to waste my money to find out! With that being said, I am also a huge Harry Potter fan, so in 2010 when they open that part of their park I will go there (at least once) and may reevaluate my feelings on this.

But when I went back in 1996, I thought Universal was a Disney wannabe, and not even in competition. So we stick with Disney.

 

[shafke]

There is so much more to do at Disney.

Our last trip to Disney we spent 9 days there.
We will be doing universal this coming Feb and will be there 4 days.

We always stay onsite at Disney because the resort is part of the experience.
The only reason we are staying onsite at universal is for the FOTL perk (we are going president's weekend and figure it may be worth it)

 

[Bob O]

IMHO the reason people people hate Universal is IGNORANCE!!!!!!

While Universal may not have all the charm of Disney as they dont have the imprint of Walt and the characters from the movies, the parks have great theming and great rides. Parks that are very clean with very good employee's.
I think part of it is that Universal is geared to be more adult friendly than disney. Which is why you get a great event like Halloween Horror nights at Universal, but would never see that at a disney park.
Im sure some people hear may well visit Universal once the Harry Potter section opens, and they will see how good the parks are, and how great rides like Spiderman/Hulk/Dueling Dragons are.

 

[Feralpeg]

I have APs to both Disney and Universal. I love them both. They are totally different experiences. Both are great. IMHO, people refuse to give Universal a chance because the fell like by doing so that the are being disloyal to Disney. Disney and Universal have a great working relationship in Orlando. What is good for one is good for the other. Anything that makes Orlando a more attractive tourist destination is good for both Disney and Universal.

 

[wall*e2008]

Universal has too many coaster and I am so not a coaster person. They don't have enough for people like me. I love the ET ride. We love Sea World but not Universal. We plan on visiting when they open the HP area, but I suspect they will not have enough for us to return a second time.

 

[TDC Nala]

I think part of it is that Universal is geared to be more adult friendly than disney.

This is now more true than it ever was. Disney is this close to showing outright corporate contempt for many of its adult-only visitors. Universal seems ready to welcome them.

 

[bonnieleigh]

I have been to Disney World many times and I have been to Universal many times.

That being said, I have experience with both places and without a doubt, hands down, prefer Disney World. Why? Well, Universal Studios is a fun amusement park. I stress amusement . It doesn't make me feel a certain way when I enter, and it doesn't leave me longing to come back when I exit. Most of the rides are fun and have good theming, but it doesn't make me have "that feeling" that others above me in this thread have described. Disney World is magical and enchanting. Universal Studios is mostly for thrill junkies and to me, seems like just another amusement park. WDW is SO much more than that. Universal doesn't have shows and firework displays like WDW does. It doesn't make me feel like a kid, it doesn't bring me to tears every time I drive onto property, it's just "there". People don't think of Universal and say to themselves, "I want to bring MY children here when I'm older, and I want them to bring theirs." People who bring their children to WDW think that way. Disney World will forever be my #1

 

[Metallicat]

I love both Universal and Disney and could not imagine making a trip to Orlando without going to BOTH parks. (but IMO, Universal puts on the best halloween event.)
my favorite parks in order are:
The Magic Kingdom
EPCOT
Universal Studios
MGM
Universals Islands of Adventure
Animal Kingdom

 

[centurythree]

I have been to Disney World many times and I have been to Universal many times.

That being said, I have experience with both places and without a doubt, hands down, prefer Disney World. Why? Well, Universal Studios is a fun amusement park. I stress amusement . It doesn't make me feel a certain way when I enter, and it doesn't leave me longing to come back when I exit. Most of the rides are fun and have good theming, but it doesn't make me have "that feeling" that others above me in this thread have described. Disney World is magical and enchanting. Universal Studios is mostly for thrill junkies and to me, seems like just another amusement park. WDW is SO much more than that. Universal doesn't have shows and firework displays like WDW does. It doesn't make me feel like a kid, it doesn't bring me to tears every time I drive onto property, it's just "there". People don't think of Universal and say to themselves, "I want to bring MY children here when I'm older, and I want them to bring theirs." People who bring their children to WDW think that way. Disney World will forever be my #1

I agree. I like Universal in the way that I like my local theme parks . . . in fact, a quite a few of the rides at IOA are at my local theme parks.

One thing I do have to commend Universal for is realizing what they don't do well and backing off of it. They actually did have a big closing show early on, but it was just awful and they stopped running it. On the other hand, Citiwalk is a far more successful venture than Pleasure Island. As much as I hate walking through there to get in and out of the parks, I have to admire the area as a well-managed success.

 

[KatMark]

We have visited Univeral numerous times over the years. I don't hate it, but it is not my favorite place to go. I do like the Universal side better than Islands of Adventure, but I am not a big roller coaster fanatic (actually, as I've gotten older they are harder to handle on the back, neck, etc.). We enjoy the old stuff--E.T., Men in Black, Earthquake, etc., and we like other parts of Universal (plus, they have a Starbucks inside!). We just prefer Disney...it reminds us a lot more of our childhoods and we just feel young again there.