Why do most people like IOA more than US?

[islands]

IOA seems to always get the crowds, and many people seem to prefer it over Universal (in my experience).

I personally enjoy Universal more, and like the theme a lot better (a movie-style theme). IOA is more of a fantasy-based theme park - almost like a more adult-oriented Disney. Universal, to me, has its own unique style.

Now, with the opening of Harry Potter, IOA has higher attendance than US, and people probably go to Universal as an afterthought.

I personally think Universal is a more interesting theme park, but from what I've seen, it's less popular than IOA.

 

[glocon]

I think that there are just more rides at IoA, more shows at US. My son who likes the Mummy and RRR would still choose IoA because there are just more rides there.

I love them both and wouldn't want to skip either.

 

[islands]

I think that there are just more rides at IoA

The rides at IOA are definitely more intense!

 

[macraven]

i agree with islands!

i think ioa has the crowds due to parry hotter in part.

there are things i adore at ioa and always spend time at.
mystic fountain, dr doom, seussland in general, mythos, dueling dragons.

marvel land has the best shops for me.
love the characters in marvel land that come out for meet and greet.


at the studio side, i find more things interesting.
love their coasters, shows, characters meet and greet, street shows and rides.

i enjoy the 'ride the movies' idea.


probably spend more time at boulangerie and Louie's too......


i'm dreading the day that it will become packed if potter comes to that side.



both parks are great but i tend to gravitate to the studios side more often.

 

[islands]

i'm dreading the day that it will become packed if potter comes to that side

I can't really see HP coming to US...it wouldn't make sense and doesn't seem to fit. Also, it wouldn't seem like a well-balanced park design decision.

Universal Orlando is the leader of all the Universal theme parks, so I would have to guess something totally new (or a concept in one of their other parks that isn't in Orlando yet) will go where Jaws was - like Transformers/Sci-Fi City.

P.S. - why does this website always have trouble loading?!

 

[RMulieri]

We thought we would love IOA more...Turns out we loved the studios more..I like that it wasn't as packed as WWoHP( though I love Harry Potter)..We are already planning our next trip back

 

[Metro West]

i'm dreading the day that it will become packed if potter comes to that side.

I know what you mean. I miss the good old days when both parks were fairly empty during slow periods. It's not like that any longer and now the talk of HP coming to the Studios, I'm dreading the crowds already.

The rides at IOA are definitely more intense!

 

[damo]

I can't really see HP coming to US...it wouldn't make sense and doesn't seem to fit. Also, it wouldn't seem like a well-balanced park design decision.

Universal Orlando is the leader of all the Universal theme parks, so I would have to guess something totally new (or a concept in one of their other parks that isn't in Orlando yet) will go where Jaws was - like Transformers/Sci-Fi City.

P.S. - why does this website always have trouble loading?!

Nah...Gringotts is on its way with the Hogwarts Express joining the two areas. A grading plan was just submitted to the City of Oakville showing the outlines of the buildings coming to the Jaws area. Definitely looks like Gringotts with a King's Cross station and Diagon Alley.

Check out Orlando United forums for details. http://www.orlandounited.com/forums/showthread.php?6723-The-Amity-Demolition-Thread/page18

 

[islands]

Nah...Gringotts is on its way with the Hogwarts Express joining the two areas. A grading plan was just submitted to the City of Oakville showing the outlines of the buildings coming to the Jaws area. Definitely looks like Gringotts with a King's Cross station and Diagon Alley.

Check out Orlando United forums for details. http://www.orlandounited.com/forums/showthread.php?6723-The-Amity-Demolition-Thread/page18

If this happens I will really miss Jaws.

 

[glocon]

I think it makes sense to put Harry into US- it would help balance out the crowds, and make Universal more $$$ with people visiting both parks. But I'm a huge HP fan, so will always want more Harry. Think of what could be done with Diagon Alley!

But I can see why islands doesn't seem to think it would fit- it's just too magical of a place for US- IoA is more the magical kind of park. I don't know if I said that right, probably doesn't make sense.

What if they put a Transformers ride where Terminator is? Kids now a days don't really know who he is....

 

[DOOM1001]

I've been missing Jaws since I first heard it was going away,however this Potter rumor has me so intrigued that I just want to hear confirmation already.It really will help to balance the visitors and even though I'm no major Potter fan supposedly the E-Ticket going in is a Gringots bank indoor coaster,that there is enough for me to really want this to happen.What would they do with Transformers,a Spider Man clone,great ride but we don't need two rides that similar.As far as what park is better,I followed the building of IOA closely way back in 1998 on websites and all those shows on Discovery and TLC and honestly I was counting the days when it opened,finally I ended up going like on the 6th day it was opened and it was more incredible than I could have hoped for.I bought an AP and went VERY often,eventually I grew a bit bored of it as there was no real expansion until Potter,also IOA on cold or stormy days was really kind lame with all the water rides closed or too cold to ride.Universal is a more balanced park,more indoor attractions and the movies theme that I love,it also hosts Mardi Gras and HHN most of the time,right now I have them pretty even but if they add this new Potter section I would choose USF over IOA.

 

[bumbershoot]

If this happens I will really miss Jaws.

Jaws is already gone gone gone, no matter what goes up in its place.

 

[Emma1987]

I would choose IoA over Universal, primarily because I'm a thrill seeking adrenaline junkie! I love big rides and anything fast.

BUT... I enjoy Universal for it's shows and tours. I love Terminator. And I'm sad to hear that Back to The Future is gone, but I liked Men In Black too. I have yet to do The Simpsons ride, but my parents did it in Cali and said it was great.

So even though I much prefer Islands of Adventure, I'd never go without going into Universal Studios too.

 

[schumigirl]

I love both parks and if someone asked me my favourite park a couple of years ago I would immediately answer IOA.

But when I look over our trips we always seem to spend maybe 4-5 hours in IOA most days when we go, but at the Studios we can be there most of the day, well maybe until 3ish. I still love IOA and there`s a great vibe in that park that we just love. The rides are amazing and the themeing is fantastic. And you have Confisco Grill and Thunder Falls Terrace

Yes we love thrill rides, but last year in particular we really spent a lot of time just relaxing and making sure we took in every little detail. Some people have said they found no atmosphere in the Studios...we thought the opposite last year.

There was a band playing outside Mel`s, Blues Brothers and street dancers outside Monster Cafe. Add that to all the Characters we kept seeing and the enthusiasm of all the TM`s we met....it all added up to some of our best days on our trip.

That`s without mentioning all the fun of the rides and the shows........and last but not least Louie`s Pizza followed by Ben and Jerry`s

I can see the idea of expanding Potter to the Studios and I`m sure it will be amazing, but I will miss the relaxing feel of Studios. Sitting on a bench somewhere with not too many people around you enjoying the feeling of space and even tranquility.......hard to beat. Studios has so much to offer.

But, don`t ask me to choose one or the other.......I couldn`t do it.....I don`t think

 

[islands]

Jaws is already gone gone gone, no matter what goes up in its place.

I would not miss Jaws if something better took its place instead of MORE Potter.

 

[friendnc]

My sons (19/16) and I prefer US over IOA, even though we enjoy both parks. There's just more that we like to do at US compared to IOA. We can finish IOA in a relatively short amount of time. Too, nearly every attraction/show at US is indoors or covered, which is nice, especially on a rainy day. But like others have said, the opening of Harry Potter surely drove up the attendance at IOA. It was out of control when we were there at Christmas.

 

[Metro West]

My sons (19/16) and I prefer US over IOA, even though we enjoy both parks. There's just more that we like to do at US compared to IOA. We can finish IOA in a relatively short amount of time. Too, nearly every attraction/show at US is indoors or covered, which is nice, especially on a rainy day. But like others have said, the opening of Harry Potter surely drove up the attendance at IOA. It was out of control when we were there at Christmas.

Very true about rainy weather and everything is out of control at Christmas. I live here but you wouldn't pay me to go any of the parks that week.

 

[islands]

Very true about rainy weather and everything is out of control at Christmas. I live here but you wouldn't pay me to go any of the parks that week.

Must be nice to live so close to Universal! Since I assume you don't stay on-site at the hotels, when are the best times to go if you don't have a fast-pass? Do you purchase the fast pass often?

 

[macraven]

fast pass is at the motherland.
express pass plus is at the darkside.

 

[Metro West]

Must be nice to live so close to Universal! Since I assume you don't stay on-site at the hotels, when are the best times to go if you don't have a fast-pass? Do you purchase the fast pass often?

I think the best time of year is early November. Crowds are low and the weather is usually very nice. I never purchase Express except for Halloween Horror Nights. I've done everything at both parks so many times that now I just like to go and people watch mostly.

I could never justify spending the money for a hotel at either Universal or Disney.