Why do people hate US/IOA?

[johnvree]

I was reading the responses to the "worst mistakes you ever made" post and was surprised how many people listed going to US and/or IOA.

Don't get me wrong, I love Disney and nothing compares to the Mouse. But I also thoroughly enjoyed US last time I was there. I have never been to IOA, but I am looking forward to it this May.

So, why do some people hate, dislike, etc. US/IOA?

 

[AJKMOM]

I think there aren't as many nice attractions at IOA as the Disney Parks. Plus, we don't do large coasters, so it seemed like we walked forever just to get on a ride. There were a few we liked, but none as memorable as, say, the Tower of Terror or Rock 'n Roller Coaster at MGM. The one exception was Jurassic Park, we loved that.
When we went to USF the first time (before IOA opened) it seemed like several of the main attractions were closed down or moving very slowly because of maintence problems. That sort of soured me, and when the boys went there the last trip, the girls went shopping!
Universal for me is a place I would go once every 6 years or so, not magic like WDW.

 

[Bill From PA]

Who hates these attractions? We make a point of spending a day there each visit. I think they have some very intense rides and some very good shows. Our Orlando trip would not be complete without a day there. It will be a while before we devote a stay at a Uni/IOA hotel, but we love this place in addition to our WDW vacation.

Bill From PA

 

[kadaten]

We went for the first time in November, and while we don't "hate" it, we won't go very often. Don't get me wrong...many of the rides are awesome! Very intense...great coasters...and we do like coasters! But mostly, I go for the whole "experience" and US/IOA just doesn't do that as well as Disney. At IOA, it seemed they thought the best way to create atmosphere was to blare the music. I'm not a fogey or anything...I'm 30 and still enjoy listening to my tunes at volume, but here, I couldn't wait to get out of the Superheroes section and had a headache from the blaring music the entire day. We couldn't even hear the other people in our group talking...that's how loud the music was. That just doesn't create atmosphere for me, and certainly not magic!

 

[jctwizzer]

Based on experience-
Let me count the ways!

No crowd control....people cutting into lines at all attractions, with
no effort to stop them.

Rude behavior by guests

Incredible amount of litter throughout

Posted wait times were usually half the actual time


other than that, they were great

 

[RescueRanger]

Originally posted by jctwizzer
Based on experience-
Let me count the ways!

No crowd control....people cutting into lines at all attractions, with
no effort to stop them.

Rude behavior by guests

Incredible amount of litter throughout

Posted wait times were usually half the actual time


other than that, they were great

Yeah, I know what you mean. I have NEVER experienced any of that at WDW.

Personally, I believe that you have Disney fans who think that WDW can never do any wrong and any of their competitors (namely Universal) can never do anything right. Those of us who go to Universal without a bias usually enjoy ourselves. I love Universal and will continue to go there just as I love Disney. There is no need to pick one or the other. I for one like both. I have said it before and I will say it again, those who go to any park looking for fault will probably find it. It really is a shame that so many have probably spoiled what would have been an enjoyable experience simply because they went to Universal with a bad attitude.

 

[MelessaG]

I don't hate it. We visited Universal Studios last trip and liked it. My kids LOVED Barney and if they still shot Slime Time Live we would be going back on our next trip. We just feel like our kids would enjoy IOA more when they are older and that we completely covered USF last trip. It has more of a sterile feel to it (in my opinion) than WDW, but is still fun and a good place to visit. Just not as often, for us anyway.

 

[HaleyB]

I guess the thing is, it is Not Disney.

When we went to US many years ago we felt like it was a waste of our Disney time. We only had 5 days total and it just wasn't enough. Our oldest child was 8 at the time and really wanted to go to US (something to do with Nick.), so we went. We all agreed it was nothing special. We do live within a reasonable drive of three Six Flags parks. If we didn't it might be another story...

It is not that I dislike anything that is not Disney. I love Knott's Berry Farm and Legoland. If I had to pick betwwen DL and Knott's it would be very hard for me. I love them both so much. Good thing I never have to pick just one, we do them all when we go to CA.

 

[Disney Debbie]

I think people who don't like Universal/IOA have just made up their minds they aren't going to like it. I love it and have spent two lovely vacations there. They offer MUCH better deals on tickets and hotels. We stayed at the Royal Pacific last year for less then the All Stars was going for at the time - and it was a BEAUTIFUL resort. We stayed two years before that at the Hard Rock. With their front of the line access staying on-site can't be beat. I think the theming and the food is great - especially at IOA. They have many rides and shows that are - quite frankly - better and more state of the art then WDW.

However - it doesn't take as much time as WDW nor does it have as much to do. We stayed 3 nights last time we went and that was plenty. I will always love WDW the best - because it was the first and only for so long - I went for the first time the Thanksgiving after it opened in October as a 10 year old! But I would never call going to Universal a mistake and I certainly love it too.

 

[Brier Rose]

Well, we are some that didn't care for IOA, but I ASSURE you we did not go in looking for something wrong, or trying not to like it.

In fact it was the opposite, we were very excited to be trying something new. Even after what seemed like a rediculous "hike" to the front entrance through parking decks,moving sidewalks, and a "mile" of restaurants and shops, we were still hyped about being there.

First off, I can see how anyone who loves rollercoasters and thrill rides would adore this place, but if you don't...there just ain't a whole heck of a lot going on.

We did enjoy Suess Landing, and we had a nice lunch at Mythos, but that's about it.

To me IOA is a glorified Six Flags. It's maybe be "fun" enough, but at least for my family it lacked that extra something that the Disney parks have. (No I am not trying to view them in a competitive light, just trying to state why we did not like IOA)

It may sound sappy and I sure I'll make alot of people ,
but what we get from Disney is goosebumps and happy tears, being so overcome with emotion you feel like your heart is going to burst, and yes, fairytales and pixie dust!

It's a different kind of fun. We're just not into the adreneline rush type of fun at IOA.

 

[TDC Nala]

If you don't like thrill rides or shows, you're not likely to think much of USO.

I like both. The atmosphere's different. Ask me after May when I spend a weekend at Portofino Bay Resort.

 

[Sarahsmom85]

The visual of Suess landing alone is worth it. just look at the place. The are so right on. It would make Dr Suess proud.

Spiderman ride is the greats.

Florida is more than just Disney. Open your eyes and SEE whats out there.

I love all the parks, I even enjoyed a tour of the Tupperware Company. and that Zanadone (or what ever it was called) strange house, back in the 80's.

I',m even going to Kennedy Space Center. And if I had time I'd love to return to Miami.

 

[Planogirl]

The funny part is when people compare Universal to Six Flags. I've been to both and to me it's like comparing Jack in the Box to Ruth's Chris Steak House. They are NOTHING alike.

But I bought into the criticism for quite a while. We finally visited last year and there was no trash, the employees were not rude, the theming was excellent particularly in parts of IOA and the food was quite good. Sure it's not Disney but why should it be? It can easily stand on its own.

I fully intend to appreciate both Disney and Universal. They each have their own kind of magic which may not be for everyone but I like all of it. Besides believe me, I know some people who completely detest Disney so they're not safe from criticism either.

 

[hockey mom]

I think some Disney fans consider going to Universal a form of betrayal.

We love both parks for what they each have to offer. I have yet to see litter or rude employees. In my opinion the hotels are nicer and the boat ride with front of the line access make for a very relaxing vacation.

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

I think Sarahsmom85 and hockey mom have just about summed it up!!!

I LOVE Universal - and I would rank several of their rides amoung my favourites - Back to the Future, Earthquake, even Jaws (despite it being really corny - THAT'S part of the fun!!!!).

I've yet to go to IOA but I'm really looking forward to it this time!!!!

I also LOVE WDW but as hockey mom said, ther are people who seem to think that if they like WDW then the souldn't like US/IOA. I call them 'disney-snobs' - and they seem to have preconcived ideas and spend all their time 'comparing' the two. Why not just go and enjoy US?IOA for themselves. We have no parks in the UK that come even close to the Florida parks, and I'e yet to speak to anyone whose been from the UK who doesn't enjoy ALL the parks. They amy have their favourites - we all do - but there seems to be less animosity towards Universal!!!!!

 

[WDWLVR]

We did Universal a year and a half ago and I just didn't care for it. Was it a mistake - no. Would I go again - probably not.

I loved some things about it - Men in Black is a great ride. Overall it just didn't do it for me like Disney did. Does that make me a Disney snob? I don't think so. I didn't go in expecting not to like it at all. It just didn't do it for me. It was a lot of little things. I think everyone should go at least once and make up their own mind.

I love other things like Sea World so I'm not Disney exclusive.

 

[Disney Ella]

I like WDW more, but I like Universal too. They have a great Jurassic Park ride and everyone gets wet on their river raft ride, which is longer than Kali River Rapids too. I also like that it's so easy to walk from one place to the other. They don't quite match WDW in atmosphere, but they still have nice parks that are definitely worth going to.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Not sure hate is the correct word, or even dislike. But "been there -seen it-done it" describes my opinion of Universal/IOA

We go to Universal once every 4-5 years just to see what's new. Went to IOA once and won't go back--too noisy, few rides that I enjoy. Basically a thrill park. 3 hours and we saw all we wanted to see.

 

[Disneyhappy]

We have been going to Disney at least once a year since 1998, staying on site. We started spending 1-2 nights of our 7 day vacation at Universal's on-site resorts when Portofino Bay Resort opened. Last year was the first year we did not go to Disney but spent 3 nights at Universal to be with my sister and her family (they live in Tampa). We love both WDW and USF/IOA for different reasons. We stay at deluxes at WDW and find USF resorts to be comprable and at a better price. Universal defintiely has WDW beat with the front of the line access for resort guests. Perhaps my thoughts about USF/IOA would be different if we didn't stay on site. The service has always been first class and I don't recall feeling the park was dirty in comparison in WDW.
WDW is my true love because of the magic that is unique to WDW. This summer, we are spending our whole week at WDW and skipping USF/IOA. When we talk about our summer trip, my DS looks forward to Men in Black, Spiderman, Rockin Roller Coaster, the Hulk and Space Mountain - in that order. I don't think he understanda the difference between WDW and Universal yet. I haven't had the heart to break the news to him that he won't be experiencing most of those attractions this summer. I'm confident that once we get to WDW, there will be enough attractions to distract him from his Universal favorites. (By the way, when DS told us his favorite attractions above - my DH said to me later "That's Blasphemy and from my own son!" WDW is alos DH's true love.)

 

[Selina]

I'm outta here!