Why do American Disney fans hate Universal?

[kaelarad]

I agree with a number of posters. It depends on what you want from a park experience. I have been to both. I am a disney fan, but understand the attraction for young adult and adults who are into Thrill rides. I have a heart condition that makes a trip to IOA impossible because I can't ride anything.
US is more of an Amusement park atmoshere which you can get elsewhere.

I always reccommend to friends visiting orlando to go to all three parks. We use to live smack in the middle of the three parks and share that each park offers its own unique and enjoyable experience. Friends with small kids might not want to visit US but when they are older or teenagers I would highly reccommend US.

We all have our preferrences. I am a lifelong Redsox fan and would never go to Yankee stadium but would not insult a yankee fan just because of who their favorite team is. Its all about Personal preference.

 

[seadd67]

It dosent matter what park you are at, rides break down ,and yes they break down while we are on it some times . I do not think one park repairs or keeps up there rides any faster then the other, Its not In there best Intrest to have people walk away mad. I am amazed at how they are able to keep those rides up and going like they do any ways. There WDW and US get a tie Go Disney

 

[zackiedawg]

I've got no deep reasons for avoiding Universal, don't have any hatred for it, am not threatened by it, and certainly don't have anything against folks who go there and like it. It simply comes down to not having any desire to go there. I'm not excited about the 'studios/Hollywood' theming of the main park as it just isn't anything that entices me (I also do not care much for Disney's Hollywood Studios), and I have no interest in the roller-coaster/action-ride -centric park either, as those rides are not high on my priority. So for me, there is no primary draw to Universal...but I can certainly understand why there'd be a draw for other people.

Still, I have been to Florida's Universal once for Halloween Horror Nights, and had a fun time with friends...and to Islands of Adventure a few months ago for a business event there in the evening...but mainly just listened to the live music and ate the food provided by my company...I wasn't interested in any of the rides. I have been to California's Universal several times, and stayed generally entertained...but never felt a big draw to the place.

Disney hits on many levels for me, that I haven't gotten from other theme parks. Primary on that list is the theming, the attention to detail, and the immersive quality of the park sections, right down to the design of the posts, types of plants, design of the buildings, posters on the wall, etc. It is truly a full immersive experience that I thoroughly appreciate. I'm probably rare in that I really don't have any connection to any of the Disney character tie-ins, as I don't have kids and don't go to the parks to see movie-themed stuff.

I also love the size and scale of Disney, with even the resorts being like full destinations on their own - with theming, landscape, and architecture that are simply stunning. And with lots of natural surroundings including woods, swamp, lakes, and rivers - some which are left alone and others that are included into the landscaping or used as transportation modes - Disney truly lives up to it's 'World' designation.

I also feel that Disney's parks have a more significant capability to handle 'deluxe' vacationers...the parks have more off-the-trail rest spots and quiet areas, the restaurants throughout have everything from counter fare to formal-dress 5-star restaurants, and some of the resorts feel more removed from the 'theme park' ambiance with their scale and design. Other theme parks are usually more like the original Disneyland...hemmed in by city life, crammed into smaller space, and with all of the theming being focused on the theme park that serves as the heart. Disney World is rare because it doesn't have just one heart - it has many, with each park and each resort its own entity capable of standing independently.

And of course, the fact that I've been going to Disney since 1971, before there were alternative theme parks there, and have developed a comfort and connection to the place, plays a part in my decision as well. I have the same types of connections to going on cruises, and winter vacations on North Carolina...both things I've been doing for a long time that have become a part of my routine.

I don't think it has much to do with being 'American' either...I know plenty of EU Continentals and Ukers who find Disney World to be a primary draw to the area, and don't have any special draw to Universal. And I know plenty of Americans who are die-hard Universal fans with little or no interest in anything Disney. Being a dual citizen Brit/American...I find both sides of me just happen to enjoy going to Disney World.

 

[tydas]

Have not read the whole thread but I'm sure this might have been said already..

Disney definitely has the edge for theme and total immersion where I feel US has the edge in attractions. If I compare the top 5 WDW attractions to US I would rather the top US rides, even if your not into rollercoaster’s I’m still liking US rides better.
I also group SeaWorld in with US because if I decide to go to US then I’m also going to SeaWorld. Also, US is typically cheaper than a 2 day Disney pass by around ½ which factors into my decision.

In the end, put a gun to my head and I pick Disney...

 

[lbklyn]

Hate isn't strong enough a word for what I feel toward them and their so-called "theme parks." They're lying, thieving scum of the earth who would like nothing more than to see our precious children ground up and turned into hamburger to be served in their so-called restaurants. As for their rides, the traveling carnival that comes to my village once a year puts them to shame. Only a moron would subject themselves to the unmitigated disaster that is the Universal theme park.

(Actually, I haven't visited one since the 80s. I have no idea why people hate them. I just don't have enough time to do it all, but I plan to get there as soon as I can!)

LOVED it!!!!

 

[Shelton123]

Universal is fun, Disney is magical.

 

[melly]

Universal is in competition with Disney.

They are seen as rivals. People like to pick sides when they see rivalries.

Well thats just stupid because neither are your personal rivals. Only the customer stands to benefit from rivaling companies and you can end up with many great places to go because of it.

If you just dont like the stuff at Universal then fair enough. Thats personal choice. However to show some kind of loyalty to 1 particular company and refuse to go to another because its a rival is barmy to say the least.

PS - a general question here. Why is it that Universal gets slated for being dated with stuff like Jaws, Twister etc... but Disneys old rides are nostalgic, magical and legendary?

 

[PlainJane]

I have nothing against Universal, but going there would add a big cost onto our vacation. It also isn't worth it to us because my mother is disabled, and can't ride a lot of the rides at Universal.

I always go to Disney with my mom; if I ever went with anyone else, I would be more likely to go to Universal

 

[Fast Pass]

I don't dislike Universal at all. I simply don't go because no one in the family does roller coasters and the other rides are just geared too much to the pre-K set. If Universal would start having some more mild rides, I would start going.

 

[KCmike]

Because Twister is not legendary.

 

[BayouMickey]

I don't hate Universal.. Universal hats me!

 

[FayeW]

As someone whose budget only allows a true family vacation every few years, price is a big factor in leaving US out of the plan. Once you are buying a multi-day WDW pass, it's only a few dollars for an additional day at a Disney park. If we have an extra day to enjoy the parks, my family of 5 can revist our fav WDW park for just a few dollars each as opposed to ..what? 80.00 each at US? Also, we can add other ticket options to allow us to visit DQ or BB/TL for much less. LOL, Disney marketing genius has cleverly engineered options to simply make economical and easy to make a Disney vacation a DISNEY vacation, IMO.

I also agree about the extra little details and the excellent customer service, though, to be fair, I can't honestly compare since I haven't been to US since 1992.

I nearly allowed myself to get caught up in that line of thinking when we were making our second trip to Orlando in 2005. The first trip, we spent 2 days at SeaWorld, 5 days at US/IOA and 2 days at MK. Magic Kingdom was the ONLY Disney park we did. The next trip, we decided we would concentrate on the WDW parks and I asked my husband how I could justify spending an extra $200+ dollars for our family to go to the Universal parks(they had a promotion where you got a kids' ticket free when you bought an adult ticket) when for only $13 more we could extend our days at Disney??? He said "very easy, because I'm going to Universal".

Too be perfectly honest, we prefer the Universal parks to Disney parks. For every ride Disney has in one of their parks, Universal has a comparable ride, but Universal's version is usually better, faster, more thrilling, and I don't have to walk around 4 parks to do them! They are all located in two parks, within easy walking distance. The notable exceptions to that are Tower of Terror and Mickey's Philharmagic. Universal has Dr Doom's Fear Fall but the theming and story with ToT puts it in a league of it's own.

I find a lot of the rides and attractions at WDW are over hyped, dated and a little hokey. We will still go to all of the parks, but we only have a few "must do's". For some reason we always have our best vacation day at Universal, and our worst at DHS.

 

[BuckeyeGuy28]

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.....

For sports team vs. sports team, you mean...

OHIO STATE VS. MICHIGAN
Ohio State Buckeyes Will Always Dominate!!!!

 

[jkeenan]

We went to Universal and arrived at opening at 9. We walked the park finding rides and areas not open to 11 but all that walking was terrible with no rides. Limited showtimes made you miss something. The staff was unprofessional in everything thing from kissing each other to personal conversations. With rides at 42 inches my 41 inch child was stuff with "baby stuff" or scared with Jaws. The Beetlejuice show was PG 13 for sure. I would never have taken in my five year old! Maybe when they are teens we will return.

 

[jkeenan]

We went to Universal and they could not offer me anything to eat without wheat. I asked for a salad and they tossed it in broken croutons. I was so hungry we went back to Disney just to eat. Disney has gluten free items everywhere and chefs willing to cook you something original on the spot.

 

[FayeW]

I don't dislike Universal at all. I simply don't go because no one in the family does roller coasters and the other rides are just geared too much to the pre-K set. If Universal would start having some more mild rides, I would start going.

You couldn't be more wrong. A visit to their website would show you that there are a lot of rides and attractions between the Pre-K and coasters. They only have 3 adult costers anyway: Dueling Dragons, The Hulk, and The Mummy. Each park also has a kid's coaster (Woody Woodpecker at Universal and the Flying Unicorn at IoA). The each have a kids play area.

WDW parks, on the other hand, have the 3 mountains at MK, EE at AK, and RNR at DHS, plus a couple of kid's coasters.

The Dr Suess area at IoA is a combination of the rides in MK. Dumbo and the Magic Carpets are similar to One Fish, Two Fish. Carousuessel speaks for itself.

To say that you can't go to Universal parks because of all the kiddie rides and coasters, but you CAN go to WDW parks, even though they have MORE of both, doesn't make sense. You are completely ignoring all the other great rides and attractions like Spiderman, Twister, Beetlejuice Revue, Horror Makeup Show, Shrek, Men In Black, Simpsons, Jurassic River Ride, etc.

 

[BuckeyeGuy28]

We went to Universal and arrived at opening at 9. We walked the park finding rides and areas not open to 11 but all that walking was terrible with no rides. Limited showtimes made you miss something. The staff was unprofessional in everything thing from kissing each other to personal conversations. With rides at 42 inches my 41 inch child was stuff with "baby stuff" or scared with Jaws. The Beetlejuice show was PG 13 for sure. I would never have taken in my five year old! Maybe when they are teens we will return.

What's PG-13 about the Beetlejuice show? I've never been even though I go to Universal a million times a year. I do agree that some of the rides are too violent for little kids. Twister, Terminator, even Mummy, are a little violent/scary. But, Fantasmic, Tower of Terror, Stitch, Maelstrom, Everest, Lights, Motors, Action, Great Movie Ride, and Snow White also have arguably scary themes, and intense motions. I think the problem is people want to enjoy Disney more because they paid more for it.

 

[Notatourist]

Snipped for brevity..

To say that you can't go to Universal parks because of all the kiddie rides and coasters, but you CAN go to WDW parks, even though they have MORE of both, doesn't make sense. You are completely ignoring all the other great rides and attractions like Spiderman, Twister, Beetlejuice Revue, Rocky Horror Makeup Show, Shrek, Men In Black, Simpsons, Jurassic River Ride, etc.

Faye?

Dr. Frank N Furter has not taken over the makeup show...


I know you meant the Universal Horror Make Up Show..

 

[FayeW]

Faye?

Dr. Frank N Furter has not taken over the makeup show...


I know you meant the Universal Horror Make Up Show..

I was pretty sure when we went in 2003 & 2005 it was called "Rocky Horror Make-up Show", but I guess I got mixed up.

 

[Notatourist]

Mod-

I double posted, can you please delete this post?

THANKS!