Why do American Disney fans hate Universal?

[Shelton123]

Again...another misrepresented fact...IOA (or Universal) is all thrill rides. Not so. As a previous posted pointed out, there is only 1 more coaster at UO than WDW. There is plenty to do...for everyone.

Yes, but WDW has 4 parks, and more rides in each park. US and IOA only have 2 parks, and less rides in each park.

 

[applechips]

I have never been to Universal but honestly I have no interest. I love Disney because of the theme of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, Donald etc. I love Mickey and going to a park without Mickey Mouse is just going to an amusement park. I like rides but they aren't the be-all and end-all for me. I like the Disney atmosphere and the actual characters, that is why we go to Disney World and that is why we've been there 7 times in the last 3 years. We have chances to go other places for vacation but we don't because we'd rather be with Mickey Mouse and the rest of the characters.

 

[Timmy Boy]

I can only speak from my personal experience...

My husband and I are what you would call "Pooh Sized." We have both been to Disney World several times, and each of those times has been a wonderful experience. We are never made to feel uncomfortable in any way about our size, and we fit on most of the Disney attractions.

That being said...while on our Honeymoon a few years ago, we also decided to give Universal a try. They had several new rides that we really wanted to try...We were very excited about seeing something new, and had bought a 2 day Combo Pass. Much to our disappointment these are some of the things that occurred when we arrived:

• Food service was awful (we waited more then a 1/2 hour in line for a burger while the employees argued over their time shifts)
  
• There were carts outside of most of the big rides so that you can make sure you'll fit before you wait an hour in line - we didn't fit in most cases (especially for the Hulk, Men in Black, and disapointingly, the Mummy)
  
• The people walking around in costumes were frequently breaking character, and if I remember correctly, one was even walking around holding their head!
  
• The lines at the park were expectedly long, however, you FELT how long they were. There is always something in a Disney line to keep you occupied while you're waiting.

I'm not saying we'll never go back, but this will keep us away for a little while.
I'm hearing how things have changed, so maybe after Harry Potter opens we may give them another try.

I don't believe the one about entertainment for a single second. The first one about the seats is not Universal's fault. Be glad they do have the seats out front.

 

[bubba's mom]

Yes, but WDW has 4 parks, and more rides in each park. US and IOA only have 2 parks, and less rides in each park.

Well, IF Universal HAD MORE SPACE AVAILABLE, don't you think they would utilize it? I'm sure they would have loved to ADD Harry Potter instead of HAVE MAKE ROOM for it.

 

[TDC Nala]

I think that area that looked like the Renaissance Faire on steroids was pretty much made to be converted into a Harry Potter thing. Harry Potter is much more marketable at this time than a Renaissance Faire on steroids.

Besides, I have this thought that since they took the dragon stuff off the coaster they may be making it into a Quidditch coaster or something. That'd be really clever, actually.

 

[Praying Colonel]

My problem is the many, many WDW fans who refuse to go to US and try it. My DBF has never been to Epcot, but he's excited about TRYING it when we go. Seriously, give it a chance and then make up your own mind.

Well, I'm not sure why that would be a problem for you. But you'll just have to work through that as best you can.

I wish we had enough vacation time and money to get our fill of WDW and also try US/IOA. However, we don't. We have a limited amount of both time and money. If our family chooses to take that very limited amount of resources and use it to go to a place where we are guaranteed to have an awesome time, rather than split that time and pay more $ to go someplace where we may have an awesome time and we may not, hey, it's America and that's our choice. It's not East Germany where we have to get a Government permit to do our plan. (It's not East Germany, is it? Nope, thought not. )

I won't knock US/IOA because I've never been. I respect those who like US as well, or better, than WDW. But in return it would be nice if those of us who choose WDW could have the same amount of respect, too. As this thread has grown, it's started moving away from that, which is how these threads usually go and is unfortunate, IMHO.

 

[Feralpeg]

I'll reveal one of my deep, dark secrets. If you ask, I'll deny having said it!

One of the reasons I really like Universal is because deep down inside, I am an unfulfilled actor. I've always wanted to be an actor. I also crave excitement and adventure, but I'm too chicken to go after it. When I am at Universal, I feel like I am in the middle of the action. I can walk through the Lost Continent and feel like I am in the middle of an adventure. I can walk along the streets at US and feel like I am in Hollywood. I have a very good imagination. To me, it is an escape to someplace I'll never really go. While I love Disney with all my heart, I just don't get the escape feeling there...at least, not in the same way.

 

[genius118899]

Well, I'm not sure why that would be a problem for you. But you'll just have to work through that as best you can.

I wish we had enough vacation time and money to get our fill of WDW and also try US/IOA. However, we don't. We have a limited amount of both time and money. If our family chooses to take that very limited amount of resources and use it to go to a place where we are guaranteed to have an awesome time, rather than split that time and pay more $ to go someplace where we may have an awesome time and we may not, hey, it's America and that's our choice. It's not East Germany where we have to get a Government permit to do our plan. (It's not East Germany, is it? Nope, thought not. )

I won't knock US/IOA because I've never been. I respect those who like US as well, or better, than WDW. But in return it would be nice if those of us who choose WDW could have the same amount of respect, too. As this thread has grown, it's started moving away from that, which is how these threads usually go and is unfortunate, IMHO.

It's a problem for me when people get on here and call it the "dark side" and otherwise bash it when they've never been there, kind of like when my little sister's convinced she hates salads when she's never tasted one.

 

[rie'smom]

I'll reveal one of my deep, dark secrets. If you ask, I'll deny having said it!

One of the reasons I really like Universal is because deep down inside, I am an unfulfilled actor. I've always wanted to be an actor. I also crave excitement and adventure, but I'm too chicken to go after it. When I am at Universal, I feel like I am in the middle of the action. I can walk through the Lost Continent and feel like I am in the middle of an adventure. I can walk along the streets at US and feel like I am in Hollywood. I have a very good imagination. To me, it is an escape to someplace I'll never really go. While I love Disney with all my heart, I just don't get the escape feeling there...at least, not in the same way.

I nominated your post for most sincere and you won!!!!!

 

[Feralpeg]

I nominated your post for most sincere and you won!!!!!

Oh, my! This is probably as close as I'll ever get to an Oscar! I'd like to thank all of my DIS friends...especially riesmom! Thank you! Thank you!

 

[DisneyTN]

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

This sums up the answer to the thread perfectly. It's the 'ol horn & halo effect. Many people who are close-minded to only visiting WDW form a biased dislike for any competition, before they even find out what it is they are hating. They assume Universal has to be bad because it competes with their "flawless" favorite. It's that old political scheme to bring down the other guy in order to get ahead yourself.
Some people have it implanted in their head that Disney can do no wrong, while Universal can do no good. The real loss goes to themselves, as they are the ones missing out on a really fun theme-park resort. WDW has always been my personal favorite, but I still love Universal parks and would go back in a heartbeat.

 

[Shelton123]

Well, IF Universal HAD MORE SPACE AVAILABLE, don't you think they would utilize it? I'm sure they would have loved to ADD Harry Potter instead of HAVE MAKE ROOM for it.

So they don't have enough space to add stuff, that's a down side for me. Universal is good, just not great like Disney.

 

[goofyernmost]

The first one about the seats is not Universal's fault. Be glad they do have the seats out front.

I don't believe that they said it was totally Universals "fault". What they did say is that Universal didn't care to recognize that larger people might want to have fun as well as thin people do. (go figure)

I have stated that I like Universal, but, that is one major flaw that they have so thoughtlessly hung onto. The embarrassment that attempting to see if you fit a seat in front of everyone watching is unnecessary and could be handled much more "privately". Being on the large side myself, I really wanted to ride the Mummy, but, when I saw the sample sitting out front right next to the entrance and by the street, I decided that I didn't want to chance the embarrassment just to ride a ride. I might have been fine, but, I wasn't going to take the chance.

 

[Praying Colonel]

It's a problem for me when people get on here and call it the "dark side" and otherwise bash it when they've never been there, kind of like when my little sister's convinced she hates salads when she's never tasted one.

OK, that makes more sense than your original opinion, where you just said you had a problem with people who didn't try US.

Still, you're never going to change your little sister's opinion about salads, and you're never going to change folks' opinion about WDW, either. It's like arguing politics or religion. I wouldn't let it get to you too much.

 

[DeblovesPoohbear]

I love them both
And I just have to say, Universal is soooooo not like any Six Flags
Not even close

I've been to a Six Flags recently, took my youngest to the Wiggles Word there, Six Flags is awful, crappy rides, they break down alot, even worse lines, you wait for hours. I think I got on 2 coasters all day

Universal, especially if you stay onsite and get FOTL access, is incredible
No lines and they have some of the most state of the art rides you will find anywhere. And they have spectacular resorts, you can walk to the parks,
have wonderful meals, watch dive in movies, I could go on and on

 

[mamapenguin]

We love UNIVERSAL ORLANDO. We are annual passholders there & have been for at least 10 years. We actually spend more time & money there than Disney. Disney is a lot more expensive & less user friendly (especially the parking). We like Disney a lot too, just can't afford to spend as much time there.

 

[buzzwoody70]

I love Universal Studios.
I have a hard time getting the rest of the family to goto it.
It has the same magic as Disney & the staff is equally as accomodating.
If you like movies, I highly recommend it. US is 4 sure better than DHS.
The Mummy Ride is not to be missed. Terminator 3D is WAY COOL! And Men in Black definitely rival Buzz Light Year for fun.
Not as Kid Oriented as Disney, but fun none the less. Kids should be 10 years old for US

 

[Buzz Litebeer]

I don't believe the one about entertainment for a single second. The first one about the seats is not Universal's fault. Be glad they do have the seats out front.

I saw a character in partial costume (Beetlejuice, IIRC -- he had the makeup on but wore just a plain t-shirt as he walked from one building to another) myself during my first visit to US shortly after they opened. I remember looking at my younger brother and saying, "Well, there's something you won't ever see at Disney." At the time I wrote it off as something you'd probably see at a motion picture studio.

As for the size of the attraction seats: are you saying US has no creative control over their own attractions? Or are you admitting that Disney is more accessible to guests of all sizes?

Besides, I have this thought that since they took the dragon stuff off the coaster they may be making it into a Quidditch coaster or something. That'd be really clever, actually.

Last I heard it was going to be themed... er... around Dragons. Specifically, about the Dragon-Egg-Stealing portion of the famous Tri-Wizard Tournament, as seen in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire".

 

[old lady]

That is silly. I am a disney fan. I love universal but I don't have time to go sometimes or don't have enought to go?

 

[Timmy Boy]

I saw a character in partial costume (Beetlejuice, IIRC -- he had the makeup on but wore just a plain t-shirt as he walked from one building to another) myself during my first visit to US shortly after they opened. I remember looking at my younger brother and saying, "Well, there's something you won't ever see at Disney." At the time I wrote it off as something you'd probably see at a motion picture studio.

As for the size of the attraction seats: are you saying US has no creative control over their own attractions? Or are you admitting that Disney is more accessible to guests of all sizes?

Hm what else won't you ever see at Disney? Trash! Wait, I've seen trash at Disney. Bad service! I've had a guy at Country Bears ignore me when I asked about a refurb at the attraction, and a Splash Mountain girl was sitting on a railing at the Greeter position. I also had a Jungle Skipper be the most boring I've ever encountered, and had a Big Thunder Mountain host say "you cant wait for the back, get on, and get off."

Also, the coasters that Universal buys have certain seat requirements. The maufacturer of the rides have allowed certain seats with longer seatbelts to accomodate more guests. This is on Dragons and Hulk. Mummy has to be able to see a piece of yellow tape down on the restraints foot rest.

WHere else do I get good service? I have great service at Quiznos! There's no mouse slapped across that one! I get good service at Olive Garden, nope not Disney either! Point is, Disney is NOT perfect. NOT. Wait.... I said it. Better take cover, hell might freeze over, or the soccer moms may get us all.