Why do American Disney fans hate Universal?

[mamapenguin]

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

Kids can be any age and enjoy Universal. My 4 YO has been an annual pass holder since she turned 3. She loves Universal, both parks. She's a little upset that they temporarily removed the Flying Unicorn Coaster to work on the Harry Potter Island. At Islands Of Adventure she likes: Spiderman, Cat & the Hat, One Fish 2 Fish, Carosuessel, the train, Juarassic Park, Petronadon Flyers, Dudley Do Right, & Popeye's Bildge Rat Barges. At old Universal she likes: Shrek, Jimmy Neutron, Men In Black, Jaws, E.T., Woody Woodpecker Coaster, The Nut house water play area.

 

[korg]

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...

I go to Florida to go to Disney World BUT I never go without doing at least one day at Universal. I think it's an awesome place and I'm glad it's there. It keeps Disney on their toes!!!

 

[Castillo Mom]

I love Universal! I wouldn't say I love it more than WDW but we had an awesome time when we went. I don't get that warm fuzzy feeling at Universal but that's not why we go anyway. Disney is number one at warm fuzzies IMHO.

 

[bonnieleigh]

"It has the same magic as Disney"

Uhh..what?? I seriously respected EVERY single comment in this thread and every single opinion that I have read so far regarding this topic. But..this comment..I just can not. It blows my mind that someone could even say this. Universal doesn't even gear itself toward the whole "magic" feel like WDW does. I'm extremely confused. To the person who said this or anyone else who would like to answer, I'd really like an explanation. My head is hurting just trying to come to a conclusion.

 

[sarcasticblonde]

Disney is not tired and old, it's nostalgic (at least MK and parts of Epcot are).

I used to really like Universal as a kid, but now that they have gotten rid of Back to the Future...they're dead to me

 

[korg]

I think Universal trys to distance themselves a little from the whole "magic" idea. IMO Disney tried to gear themselves for the family and kids and Universal gears themselves more for the teens and adults.

As i said already ... I'm a Disney nut but also love Universal. I see Universal as part of my "Disney" vacation. I go for 7 days usually (2 being travel days) and always spend ONE long morning/afternoon at Universal. And cap the night of at Disney. I LOVE that WE have choices and LOVE the fact Disney doesn't have a monopoly in the area. As i said ... it keeps them on their toes and WE as the consumer win!

 

[TIGGERGUY]

I have annual passes to both parks and spend time at all six gates each trip. Disney is definitely more immersive and more of a true resort, but US does parties better and tends to let their hair down more. I also think the US table service restaurants are a better value (and give AP discounts).

 

[mikoiv]

IMHO-comparing WDW to any other park is a bit unfair. WDW has a "Magic Kingdom"- how do you beat that? It also has a World's Fair, an operating Movie/TV Studio and an Animal Park. Some have parts but no one has the whole package.
I like Universal, it gives me more thrills than WDW but I don't have an emotional connection to it. We visit US almost every trip and really have a great time.
For me US is more oriented to older audience, Horror Nights vs MNSCHP is a good example. Both are excellent but they are worlds apart on their stratetgy to entertain.
I guess many Disney fans have difficulty with US because it might limit the full family value, younger children might have a hard time with US (often older kids have some issues with some of WDW also).
I like them both because they do offer a significantly diverse approach to entertaining visitors.

 

[BayouMickey]

I don't dislike US.
I'm trying not to repeat what others said about the "magic", but I can't help it, it's true!
The big difference between the two parks is, Disney has the knack for making attractions enjoyable for everyone (with maybe the exeption for 1 or 2). People who normally won't touch a coaster, will ride one at WDW (this is me). They've made thrill rides that will thrill you without making you feel like you should've updated your will before entering the ride.
US doesn't have this knack yet. It's "either/or" I find there's no median to their rides. either way to thrilling or just another ride in the dark(which i don't mind dark rides at all).

 

[mom2my3kids]

We love both parks.. If we get to go to the beach this April we are going to visit Universal for a day or two..

 

[burberryplaid]

I don't "hate" Universal. I don't think I can as I've never been there. With that said, I can say I have no interest in going there. The only ride that really interests me is the Simpsons and one ride alone won't make me go there. I think it's just not "magical" like Disney is.

 

[BayouMickey]

Adendem to my post:
My wife just said it best..
"WDW specializes in attractions that are enjoyable for the family as a whole, US specializes in attractions for the induvidual in mind (which isn't a bad thing, some like major thrills some don't but there is something for everyone at US)".
That's why, personally we rather WDW. We're a tight knit family and enjoy doing things together as a whole family.

 

[loribell]

Those of you that are saying that there is no magic at Universal can not tell us that those of us that do see the magic there do not. Maybe, just maybe the magic is in us & our families.

 

[bubba's mom]

Yeah...I've gone to Disney looking for that magic....be darned if I can find it

 

[fairfax]

I'm a local with APs to Universal, Disney, and Sea World. We love all three equally because each has something special to recommend it. I have small chlildren, ages 5 and 3, and their favorite park to visit is Islands of Adventure and overall I'd have to say that is the park we visit most. But a day at the theme park is magic for them wherever it is, and I agree. There is something to love about them all and the important thing is the memories we make together as a family. I have never understood why you could not like them all, and Universal hatred always bothers me.

 

[Vickis3js]

Growing up my parents would take us to Disney and Universal every other year. I liked them both. This year I am taking my kids to Disney for the first time and next year we have promised them Universal. They both have something I love its killing me this year to know I will be in FL and I will not be going to US. I just couldn't take time from Disney and I didn't want to rush through US so they will each get their own vacation.

Whoever said that US was more $$ and tickets were more costly then Disney I have to very strongly disagree with you. I got 7 day tickets for our family of 5 for Universal for $400 TOTAL.

I know when my kids get older we will so be going to a HHN. The amount of work and time and detail that goes into that is totally amazing. My parents would schedule our FL vacations around that so I have been to several. I don't think you can even compare HHN to MNSSHP. BUT you have to be into that kind of thing to truely appreciate it.

 

[disneycopp]

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.

I totally agree. We go to Disney every year and we spend 2 days at Universal as well as 2 days at SeaWorld. We do everything!!! They all provide a different experience.

 

[SnowWtch]

DH and I have APs to bother Universal and Disney. We love both but sometimes spend more time at Disney. I'm sure that will change once Harry Potter opens.

 

[Notatourist]

Few things, will hit them all at once....

1) Universal is no longer French owned. In late 2004, the parks were bought by General Electric and merged with NBC studios, creating NBC Universal...

20% is still owned by Vivendi.

2) Which came first, Halloween Horror Nights or Mickey's not so scary...If you said Mickey-well, you're incorrect. When HHN started, it was to see what the Halloween market would be like and with a WHOLE lot of work, it's become the top Halloween Haunt. It's not for kids, they don't even sell a children's ticket.

3)The poster talking about heads off of characters...nope. Not gonna happen. As for the actor in makeup-well...they do travel from place to place and BJ is known to have sets out in public.

4)For the poster who thought that the backlot was disorganized. It's themed out- NY, Hollywood, Expo, San Francisco and New England.

5) Production-Disney isn't doing productions anymore. They aren't a working studio. Universal is still doing productions on a regular basis.

Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, I'm just wanting people to have their facts straight.

Enjoy the parks, that's what they are there for! For those who haven't seen US/IOA, you're missing a cool place and for those who haven't gone to Disney, same case. Go, experience, and most importantly, have fun.

 

[RichmondTiggerFan]

Disney is not tired and old, it's nostalgic (at least MK and parts of Epcot are).

I used to really like Universal as a kid, but now that they have gotten rid of Back to the Future...they're dead to me

Same thing with me. Instead of adding new attractions, they replace attractions. I'm sure that Mummy and Simpsons are great, but why did they have to get rid of King Kong and Back to the Future (especially Back to the Future). They could have ADDED Mummy & Simpsons and given more for people to see at Universal Studios.