Why do American Disney fans hate Universal?

[KYCruiseCrazy]

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...

Why do people not like the NY Football Giants. or why people hate The RAIDERS. or Jeff Gordon. its america

 

[DOOM1001]

I don't think Universal is on the level of your local Six Flags it's definitely a step above,what amusement park has an entertainment complex like Citywalk or great hotels like Universal does.I was sad when Universal sold off the land they owned on the other side of International Drive where they could've expanded to include another theme park.They still have space to move Wet n Wild onsite and make a couple more hotels,but that's their problem their space is limited and unless they acquire some land there are no 3rd park rumors out there like there are for a 5th gate at Disney.With all that said I love Universal and Disney,have had annual passes for both as well as the Busch parks for almost 10 years now and I definitely prefer Disney's parks with the exception of Animal Kingdom I've never gotten the Disney feeling in that park like I do in the other ones,with Epcot being my favorite followed by Magic Kingdom.I don't know why that is,even with them opening Everest which is one of my favorites the park has yet to get that same feeling.

 

[Luis Rodriguez]

Well, I'm not American (I'm from Venezuela) and yes, I do prefer WDW to US/IOA.

We went to Orlando last September and visited both parks. And let me tell you that, although I believe that US/IOA have many good rides, the level of Customer Service is (IMHO) a LOT better at WDW. When we went to US/IOA my nephew (12) asked me: Why are they (US/IOA CMs) so hostile? And I have to agree. In WDW bad CMs (at least on this trip) are the exception. In US/IOA kind, smiling CMs are the exception (You say that the are owned by a French Company? That would explain a lot ). Mi wife would comment the same thing (along complaining for higher prices than in WDW).

US/IOA have a lot of rides, but the magic is just not there. I truly believe that it is a pity, as this place could be a lot better.

Regards,

Luis

 

[kimis]

I don't hate universal but it is not disney. Enough said. LOL

 

[WaltD4Me]

I've never been to Universal, but I don't hate it. I just don't want to "waste" a Disney day of my vacation to go there. I have no interest in Nickelodeon characters, I have never seen an episode of the Simpsons or even any of the Spiderman or Batman movies for that matter. I'm not into super heroes or Spongebob and rollercoasters are good, but I live an hour away from Cedar Point. I just feel Universal is a aimed at different demographic that I'm not part of. I've looked at their attraction list a few times and only a couple things make me say "Yeah, I'd really like to go on that."

In Feburary I tagged along with my brother, SIL and nephew on a their trip to Orlando. I've never done this not staying at Disney. We went to Magic Kingdom one day, Sea World one day and Kennedy Space Center one day. I loved Kennedy Space Center, but we got to see a shuNickelodeonttle launch and that was amazing! I would do that again in a minute. Sea World was nice, but I don't feel a need to hurry and go back there. It's a nice park, we had a good time, but it isn't anything that would bring me back year after year and I know I'd feel the same about Universal.

 

[KittyKat08]

Well my soon to be husband is a supervisor in special events for Universal Studios in Hollywood and I must say that I don't really like Universal all that much. When we go to Disneyland it is truly like you enter another world and that is a great feeling. I always look forward to going back to Disney. I have a feeling that when we get to Orlando on our honeymoon next month and we are infact planning to go to both Universal and Islands Of Adventure, I will probably fall in love with them, I think our Universal out here is just crappy. I guess I will always prefer Disney over Universal and it's really nothing personal.

 

[PaulaSB12]

Last time I went to Universal they had an animal show with a 4 1/2 year old orangatan! At that age she should have been hanging on to her mother not performing stupid tricks so I don't go there now.

 

[miss missy]

Another one that says it "the Disney feeling" that drives Disney over Universal or anywhere for that matter. When yor at Disney, you get to forget there is another world out there, you are totally submersed in a happy, carefree world. I just don't get that anywhere else. From going under arch all the way until you are passing the arches to leave. I am sure some will understand...

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

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.

Although we don't have annual passes (being from Oregon it's hard to travel across the US), we just feel the same way.

We love to go to both but they are very different experiences. We prefer Disney over Universal it we had to pick one however we don't so we go to both. We go for two weeks and buy a 10-day park ticket so that we can use the 4 extra days to relax, go to DTD and a couple days for Universal.

This year was different though because of New York.

I also grew up in the generation of watching the Simpsons and the whole Harry Potter craze so with the new additions, it'll be hard to not go.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Well my soon to be husband is a supervisor in special events for Universal Studios in Hollywood and I must say that I don't really like Universal all that much. When we go to Disneyland it is truly like you enter another world and that is a great feeling. I always look forward to going back to Disney. I have a feeling that when we get to Orlando on our honeymoon next month and we are infact planning to go to both Universal and Islands Of Adventure, I will probably fall in love with them, I think our Universal out here is just crappy. I guess I will always prefer Disney over Universal and it's really nothing personal.

I LOVE USH! What really seals the deal for me is the backlot tour, it's definitely one of my favorite rides at any park. The Jurassic Park ride is better there also (I LOOOOOOOOOVE Jurassic Park, it's my favorite movie ever).

 

[fla4fun]

I dislike Universal for a few reasons.

One, many people in my friends and family circle are very Pooh sized. Universal has not been as good as Disney in making sure the ride seats will accommodate larger sized guests. One friend was injured on Men in Black because they couldn't sit in the seat properly, so the ride threw them around quite a bit. Some rides we can't even go on. We've never had a ride at Disney that everyone couldn't participate in.

Second, if you aren't into thrill rides (which I'm not) then you miss a lot. The focus at Universal is thrills and that just doesn't do it for me.

Third, unless you are staying on property or willing to pay extra cash, there's no front of the line access (similar to Fastpass). The wait for many of their attractions seems way out of proportion to the length of the show. I've never exited a Disney attraction after a long wait and felt the wait wasn't worth it. I have felt that way exiting some Universal attractions.

Universal just isn't for me. I love Disney, and I like Sea World, but I don't go to Universal even if I have the opportunity to go free (which happens every so often).

 

[Cookie Princess]

WE LOVE BOTH! WDW truly has that warm and fuzzy nostalgic feeling. While I don't get that at Universal, we do get a lot more crazy thrill rides. I would agree that the service is better at WDW.

They are both head and shoulders above any Six Flags.

 

[Dawn68PA]

I have never been interested in Universal. It seems to be all about thrill rides and that's not for us. I never get that butterfly feeling in my stomach watching a Universal commercial like I get when I see a WDW commercial. WDW is magical. No where else I want to go. Even the billboards for Universal are all about danger and thrill and there doesn't seem to be anything for families. It advertises to be a park for teens and 20-somethings only. Which is fine. More WDW space for us

 

[DisneyLily]

I've never been to Universal Studios either so I cannot fully judge. However, I just don't think that it is for me. I love Disney, and always will.

 

[n2mm]

I'm an Annual Passholder for BOTH WDW and Universal. We stay at both locations too. We are DVC owners, DH is a former CM for Disney. We have Disney CMs that visit US with us. I do have to say that Universal takes MUCH better care of their AP holders than Disney does. The perks are better. Most recently AP holders can purchase 1 and 2 day tickets for their friends and family at 50% off. That is a huge savings and as a Disney AP holder since 1995, we've never seen any discount like that. Even last year when we purchased our Universal APs, it was through their BOGO promotion. Nothing like paying for one year and getting an entire second year free. I like to see Disney offer that one!! They only know how to raise prices. Disney/WDW will always be my favorite and my "home", but we do like to take a break for a day or two and visit the "dark side".

 

[goofyernmost]

I didn't have time to read all the post so this might have been covered. It seems that many people confuse Universal Studio's with Islands of Adventure. I will grant that IofA is an amusement park full of roller coasters and thrill rides. The one exception is Spiderman. That should have been built in the Universal part. I buy park hoppers when I go to US and only because I want to go to Spiderman.

US is much like Disney Hollywood Studio's with the exception (and I'm ready to run and hide on this statement) that US is superior. It is themed very well, and technically in many cases is advanced beyond anything Disney has. Terminator comes to mind immediately, but, even the older ones like Jaws, Earthquake and Twister are very well done and detailed. Shrek is hilarious and, yes, it does poke fun at Disney a little, but, I would think that Disney is big enough to take a couple of playful jabs without doing any harm.

I always recommend US to friends and if they are thrill ride fans I always say to include IofA. There's room for everyone in the Orlando area.

Something else I'd like to say to all the "thrill" haters out there. Just how do you define Tower of Terror, Rockin' Roller Coaster, Mission Space, Test Track and The "Mountains" including Everest if they are not thrill rides? Or for that matter, how about the fear of getting stuck between scenes in Carousel of Progress and having to listen to "Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" until blood runs out your ears. Don't even get me started on "Small World".

Anyway, you get my drift. Both places contain thrill rides, the difference is that most of Universals (IoA) are outside and visible to all. If one doesn't go to Universal, at least once, I really feel that they are missing a good experience.

 

[lilybrooke14]

I have been to Disney World several times, and have always wanted to go to Universal Studios. We've never made it over because we've always had either a limited amount of time or a limited budget (or both) and have just stuck with Disney instead.

That said, when they open the Harry Potter portion of the park, we'll make it a point to do a split stay and spend a few nights in one of the Universal Studios hotels so that we can really enjoy the experience.

Besides, we have a 2 year old, and I just don't think she'd be as thrilled right now with US as I think she'll be at Disney. Maybe DH and I will take a "grown up" trip to US. That sounds nice.......

 

[disneylvr11]

There are many reasons why people don't like Universal

1) Universal tries to scare people. For example, Halloween Horror Nights vs. Mickeys not so Scary Halloween Party.

2) I don't think they check their rides as well. (We went a couple weeks ago, and got stuck on rides 50% of the time.)

3) The couple of times we've been there the employees we have run into have not been the nicest.

4) I (Now this is me talking) Do NOT feel safe in Universal. Plain and simple.


Now, when my kids grow up and are a little older, we will be taking them there once or twice, but we'll get them hooked on Disney.

 

[galnar]

I am proud to say that I love them both

 

[tink713]

There are many reasons why people don't like Universal

1) Universal tries to scare people. For example, Halloween Horror Nights vs. Mickeys not so Scary Halloween Party.

2) I don't think they check their rides as well. (We went a couple weeks ago, and got stuck on rides 50% of the time.)

3) The couple of times we've been there the employees we have run into have not been the nicest.

4) I (Now this is me talking) Do NOT feel safe in Universal. Plain and simple.


Now, when my kids grow up and are a little older, we will be taking them there once or twice, but we'll get them hooked on Disney.

I agree with you. DH and I went to Universal for the first time in September and will not be returning. We just did not get the same vibes we get from Disney. The employees were less than friendly and some of the rides seem like they are just trying too hard to compete with Disney.