Why do American Disney fans hate Universal?

[EnnEss]

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.

This person nailed it, but its not rational behavior at all and I dont think its natural at all either. Natural behavior would be a constant evaluation and experiencing various things to determine if you still like one more than the other, what instead happens is blind loyalty. America is world famous for its partisan politics compared to other countries, I think it extends far beyond politics and is just a part of culture.

The other thing I noticed on this board is people like to bash anything thats not their favorite, be it universal, a different hotel and so on. Its really common among people who never even have gone to whichever place, which is amazing. If i had a dollar for every person that posted in a thread about x hotel instead talking about their favorite hotel and saying why x hotel is bad, only to say then they've never been there. I bet there are 5 times as many who don't even say that.

 

[cinderlexa's mom]

I like Universal/IOA just fine. It's better than your average amusement park. WDW, on the other hand feels like much more than an amusement park.

It holds a lot of history and continues to make history.

It's a place I enjoyed with my family growing up as a kid and now something I share with my own family.

It really feels like it's own little "world", when I'm there...I manage to forget all the stress of the real world.

I get a similar feeling when I go on a cruise, but less "magical". It all sounds silly, but unless you feel it too, you just don't "get it".

 

[rie'smom]

I'm an American with an American family who loves Universal wayyyyy more than Disney. We go to Universal every year and we go to WDW because we're in Orlando.

My daughter loves coasters and I don't but I love the details at the Uni parks. I read or walk around taking in the sites while she and her friend ride.

I love the FOTL-makes me feel that they appreciate my business.

The Uni onsite hotels are so far above the WDW hotels that there's no comparison.

The Staff at Uni go out of their way to be helpful. WDW CMs used to be like this.

 

[yankeepenny]

Mods- before the riots start, would you please lock this thread?

PLEASE????

 

[Lynn5700]

I don't hate it...I can't wait for Harry Potter land to be done so I can get back there. I would never stay there though...just go for the day.

UH oh I just read the post above me...I guess this thread is getting ugly.

 

[Steady Riot]

Universal kicks Disney's *** IMO, i enjoy going to disney, dont get me wrong, disney is classic, but I am a thrill ride lover, disney just doesnt offer enough to me, and HHN is amazing, Mickey's not so scary halloween doesnt have anything on it IMO, but hey, thats just me

 

[rie'smom]

Mods- before the riots start, would you please lock this thread?

PLEASE????

I don't see any riot, just people stating their preferences.
Some have experienced both and loved both.
Some have gone to both and like 1 better.
Some don't want to experience both and that's ok too.

 

[donaldduck352]

I have monopolized this computer long enough. It is time for me to get off so that my husband can get online. I just want to subscribe to this thread to make sure that I can find it later and read the rest of these posts.

I have been to Universal Studios only once. We went to Universal Studios Hollywood to see ET because it was new. I loved ET and was entertained by wandering around the park, but I could tell immediately that the theming was better at Disney.

If I saw Universal Studios again, I might love it. My first impression of Space Mountain at Disneyland in 1990 was not good because we just rode around in the dark and got sprayed with water. What's so great about that? Yet when we saved enough money to go to Anaheim again in 2006, I took another ride on the renovated Space Mountain and found it much improved. Space Mountain is now my favorite coaster. Who knows what I would think of Universal Studios now since my impression of it is one from over 17 years ago.

You might want to try Revenge Of The Mummy!!!Blows Space Mountain out of the water!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Timmy Boy]

Universal has too many coaster and I am so not a coaster person.

Actually Universal has only 1 more coaster than WDW does. Let's look:

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS & ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE
The Incredible Hulk Coaster
Fire Dragon
Ice Dragon
The Flying Unicorn* (now closed for Harry Potter construction)
Pteranadon Flyers*
Revenge of the Mummy
Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster*

*These coasters are junior sized and are designed for kids.

WALT DISNEY WORLD
Space Mountain*
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Goofy's Barnstormer
Rock n Roller Coaster
Expedition Everest
Primevil Whirl*

*Both of these coasters actually have 2 tracks, and technically could be counted twice.

 

[donaldduck352]

Why do we bother with these threads?

There is nothing wrong with the Universal parks. I have run in to rude guests @ the Disney parks & I have run in to rude guests @ the Universal parks. Actually I have run in to more of them at Disney. Probably because it costs so much more to go to Disney than it does to go to Universal and because I spend more time in the Disney parks because there are 4 of them as opposed to 2 Universal parks.

I have run in to rude CM's @ Disney & I have run in to rude TM's @ Universal. Actually I have run in to more rude CM's @ Disney than I have @ Universal. Probably because there are so many more demanding guests @ Disney because they paid so much to be there.

Universal Studios can only be compared to Disney's Hollywood Studios because they are working studios. So if you want to compare themeing do it between these two parks. The themeing is pretty much the same. In fact my 9 yo dd loves to go to Universal Studios but we have to drag her to DHS.

Islands of Adventure, on the other hand, has amazing themeing. I truly feel like I am walking in to Jurassic Park when I walk in to that section of the park. Toon Lagoon looks exactly like a comic strip. Marvel Super Hero Island looks like the comic books always looked but life size. Suess Landing looks like something straight out of a Dr. Suess book. The Port of Entry is beautiful. The lost continent has always seemed just like a mythical area to me. I can only imagine how amazing it is going to be when they get finished with Harry Potter Land or whatever they are going to name it. In my opinion non of the Disney parks come close to comparing to IOA. But yes the Disney parks do have some great themeing.

As for me I will never go to HHN because I do not like scary things but it is a separate HARD TICKET event. It is not something you experience throughout the day at the park. If you don't want to be scared just don't go. MNSSHP, MVMCP, P & PP and many other HARD TICKET events occur at Disney. Many I have no desire to experience so I DON'T GO.

Seriously folks WDW & UO are theme parks. They are vacation destinations.They are there to enjoy or not enjoy. How a family spends their vacation money is their business. Anyone that chooses not to go to UO makes the parks more enjoyable for those of us that do. Hopefully though the people that hate UO right now will choose to continue to only spend their vacation money at Disney when HP opens.

Very well put Lori,I couldnn't agree more!!


Other then HHN,We live for the thrill!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Lynn5700]

Revenge of the Mummy ROCKS...that ride is soooo much fun and I love the Mummy movies! I really can't wait to go back...we plan on just taking a Mears bus over to there one day. I will only go when HP Land opens though.

 

[Shelton123]

Universal Studios can only be compared to Disney's Hollywood Studios because they are working studios. So if you want to compare themeing do it between these two parks. The themeing is pretty much the same.

Not exactly. First of all, themeing extends beyond the landscaping and architecture. At HS, the craft of moviemaking and a "behind the scenes" view is much more evident on the Backlot Tour than at Earthquake, it's closest competitor. On Backlot Tour, they go through the whole filming and editing of the harbor attack scene. In Earthquake, it's a hokey green screen. At Backlot Tour, they not only take you through Catastrophe Canyon, but they show you the enormous plumbing, gas lines, and wiring, etc. behind the artifice.

The same could be said of the two stuntshows at HS. At other theme parks, stunt shows are simply a series of stunts, but at HS, they go through more of how they fit into the whole moviemaking process of creating these stunts for camera, and what the scenes look like once they are edited together. LMA is completely ground-breaking in this regard.

Then, absolutley nothing beats Disney's pre-shows. The pre-shows for RnR and TofT are an extraordinary part of the experience. At Twister or the old Back to the Future, you could have easily done without them.

Yes, US is a gorgeous park, but I still think that the themeing at HS is a step above.

 

[ChristineAndMatt29]

It's not just the people, it's the management. We tried to get a second cup from a soda vendor at Universal, and the vendor couldn't give us one. At Disney my daughter lost a pin on a ride and they replaced it. The same with a gift card - they let her choose a hat from the nearby hat store.

I've been to Universal once, liked it, but I did everything and don't feel a need to go back. Same for the rest of the family. No surprises. At Epcot, you could spend a long time just enjoying the fountains.

I have encountered very similar, discouraging experiences. I guess even the Universal employees are not feeling the same magic

 

[DisneyMagicMommy]

I like both the parks. Universal is fun for it's own reasons. However...I love Disney. Given the choice I would pick Disney in a hearbeat. Universal to me is a fun thrill park....but that is all it is. Disney on the other hand is a whole world. It gives you a feeling like no other when you are there and takes you to a whole different place. You can't get magic like it anywhere else in the world.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

We prefer Disney to Universal for several reasons.
Disney is so much cleaner than Universal. I think US are the dirtiest parks I have ever been to where Disney is the cleanest--from bathrooms to repainting and renovating everywhere.
US attracts a lot of linejumping, foul mouthed teens who smoke everywhere and rules are not enforced. Disney is more family friendly and relaxing. Oh, actually the happiest place on earth!
I could go to US and not desire to go back for 10 years. I could happily go to Disney (or Sea World) 10 times in a year.
Cast members at Disney make you feel welcome and do anything to help. US workers seem bothered at anything you ask.
Disney food has many choices and does a decent job for the number of mouths they feed. US has less choices and more often than not is cold and stale.
I do not like the parking garage at US. There are no trams and you are hot and exhausted before you reach the entrance. Disney does a much better job here too.
I don't consider them in the same league as far as competition. You can buy a weekly pass to US for under $100 that gets you in both parks and the waterpark. A similar ticket at Disney would be over $250, but thousands are probably sold daily. The Disney experience must be far superior if people pay more than double--and many do it yearly or every few years.
I don't hate Universal, it is just not worth my money and vacation time the way Disney is.

 

[Feralpeg]

Not exactly. First of all, themeing extends beyond the landscaping and architecture. At HS, the craft of moviemaking and a "behind the scenes" view is much more evident on the Backlot Tour than at Earthquake, it's closest competitor. On Backlot Tour, they go through the whole filming and editing of the harbor attack scene. In Earthquake, it's a hokey green screen. At Backlot Tour, they not only take you through Catastrophe Canyon, but they show you the enormous plumbing, gas lines, and wiring, etc. behind the artifice.

The same could be said of the two stuntshows at HS. At other theme parks, stunt shows are simply a series of stunts, but at HS, they go through more of how they fit into the whole moviemaking process of creating these stunts for camera, and what the scenes look like once they are edited together. LMA is completely ground-breaking in this regard.

Then, absolutley nothing beats Disney's pre-shows. The pre-shows for RnR and TofT are an extraordinary part of the experience. At Twister or the old Back to the Future, you could have easily done without them.

Yes, US is a gorgeous park, but I still think that the themeing at HS is a step above.

I think what she meant is that US is a really working studio. They actually shoot full length feature films there on a regular basis. They also do a lot of other film work there. Disney doesn't tend to use it's parks for much film work. Most of Disney's work is done in California.

If you ever get the chance to go to the "backstage" area of Universal, do it. It is very cool. I've been in several of the US sound stages and in their production offices. If you are into film work, US Orlando is the best place in this part of the country to see what really happens.

 

[rie'smom]

We prefer Disney to Universal for several reasons.
Disney is so much cleaner than Universal. I think US are the dirtiest parks I have ever been to where Disney is the cleanest--from bathrooms to repainting and renovating everywhere.
US attracts a lot of linejumping, foul mouthed teens who smoke everywhere and rules are not enforced. Disney is more family friendly and relaxing. Oh, actually the happiest place on earth!
I could go to US and not desire to go back for 10 years. I could happily go to Disney (or Sea World) 10 times in a year.
Cast members at Disney make you feel welcome and do anything to help. US workers seem bothered at anything you ask.
Disney food has many choices and does a decent job for the number of mouths they feed. US has less choices and more often than not is cold and stale.
I do not like the parking garage at US. There are no trams and you are hot and exhausted before you reach the entrance. Disney does a much better job here too.
I don't consider them in the same league as far as competition. You can buy a weekly pass to US for under $100 that gets you in both parks and the waterpark. A similar ticket at Disney would be over $250, but thousands are probably sold daily. The Disney experience must be far superior if people pay more than double--and many do it yearly or every few years.
I don't hate Universal, it is just not worth my money and vacation time the way Disney is.

You need to read the Theme Parks board more. I see you're fairly new. You'll see problems with everything you've posted at WDW.

1 thing- the Mythos restaurant has been voted the # 1 theme park restaurant 5 years in a row and that does include WDW's restaurants. It's at Universal's Islands of Adventure.

 

[PatriciaH]

We have AP's to Universal and go several times a year. I love Halloween Horror Nights because I love horror movies and always wanted to be a FX/Makeup artist. Their makeup work blows Disney's away. I work for Disney and I think the Team Members at Universal are as good and most times much better than Disney CM's. Many of them are former CM's and are very happy working where they do. (As for the French comment the CM's in Disneyland Paris are great too. Much more into their roles than WDW CM's and their costumes are far superior!) I do think Toon lagoon and Seus Landing need a paint job big time (everything is faded) but so does Toon Town at MK. The FL sun fades things super fast. Both resorts are great at trying to keep things clean. When the crowds are up it is much harder. I also think the crowd is different at US/IOA. I know this is a big debate on these boards but I see it. It is one of the reasons we do not go to US/IOA more. Lots more smoking/drinking/cursing/wildness, etc.

 

[bubba's mom]

I do not like the parking garage at US. There are no trams and you are hot and exhausted before you reach the entrance. Disney does a much better job here too.

Yes...I could see how parking in the shade and being so close to the parks that you can WALK is a bad thing.

I don't hate Universal, it is just not worth my money and vacation time the way Disney is.

Disney isn't worth our family's money and time. I refuse to pay a LOT of money to do nothing but wait and stand in line all day. We stay onsite and walk to the parks and City Walk and we have never waited more than 10 minutes for any attraction...and we visit the end of June/beginning of July every year. We definitely get our money's worth

 

[louise1928]

Disney and Universal are two totally different parks, with different concepts. There is no comparison.

I don't understand why so many people compare the two. They are complete opposites, which is a good thing. Yes they both offer rides, entertainment, dining, etc., but they are still complete opposites. Its like comparing an apple pie to a peach pie, both are pies, but different fillings, but they both taste good (IMO).

Disney offers the Magic, and Universal offers the Nostalgia and Thrills.

I remember going to Disney World, before Epcot was built, as a kid, and thought it was the best place on Earth, but now that I am an adult I will experience it again in a few months and I am sure I will feel the same, but in a different way. I have not been (with the exception of Epcot) in over 25 years, and I look foward to it.

That being said, I Love Universal and IOA, especially as an Adult with no small kids, its a load of fun, with Citywalk being the icing on the cake. I have been twice, and look forward to my next visit.

Like Disney, it is to some what Universal is to others.