Why Do The Disney People Hate Us?

[Laurabearz]

We have enough love in our hearts to love all parks... Just like we love all 3 of our children.

I feel sorry for people with closed minds.

 

[marsrunner]

Well, I prefer Disney, but love Universal, especially IoA. Wasn't so crazy about Universal Studios itself. Last time I went all they (2002) all they had that was stellar was Terminator and Men in Black. Those two attractions were worth the price of admission by themselves, but after riding those two over and over again I ran out of stuff to do. Granted they have newer rides now, but with me now having a five year old daughter, there just isn't nearly as much stuff of interest at Universal. There is one ride at WDW that she can't ride, and that's Rock and Roller Coaster. At Universal, she can't ride Revenge of the Mummy, Doctor Doom, Hulk and Dueling Dragons due to her height, and can't ride Disaster!, Jaws, Terminator, Twister and Jurassic Park River Adventure for the intensity or fear factor involved. That's pretty much all of the better attractions, with the exception of Men in Black, Shrek 4-D and The Simpsons Ride. Now, I won't do the Simpsons Ride because I don't handle those simulator rides very well (not counting Spider-Man). There's just not much there that she's interested in.
At Disney, she can't ride ONE ride for height reasons, and three others (Everest, ToT and Dinosaur) for scariness reasons. Disney is just more geared towards children, but not to the exception of adults (at least not the adults in our family). Universal, in my opinion can't make the same claim. For our family, there just isn't enough there.
Now, before I got married and had a small child, I actually felt that IoA was the best park I'd ever visited, and I still believe that for myself. Its a beautiful park, and you sure won't hear any Univeral-hate from me. When my daughter gets a little older, I'm sure Universal will return to the radar.
Problem is, I think a lot of these Disney devotees (to the exception of all else) don't like a lot of the thrilling type rides. These are the people who think Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain are "intense". They are great, great fun, but they certainly aren't intense!

 

[digitalsiren]

That makes me laugh because the first and only time I went to IOA 5 DIFFERENT rides "broke down" on me in a row as I was in line. It can happen anywhere. Doesn't mean I won't go back as the rides I did go on were enjoyable.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

From a visitor's point of view I have never understood the 'rivalry'.

We have been visiting Florida since 1990 and like Disney AND Universal.
If I had to make a choice as to our favourite park it would be Magic Kingdom because as a family that's what we enjoy the most.
However, the 2 Universal parks come next on our list and every time we visit Orlando we enjoy our numerous visits there.

You will find most of us on the UK forums on this site like both WDW and Universal and the 'rivalry' (not sure if that's the right word), is not as intense.

There is an element on the DIS who seem to look at everything through 'Mickey Mouse sunglasses' and if it doesn't have Disney on it they are just not interested.

Many of the rides for instance at Universal would be raved about a lot more if they were at the Disney parks, such as Spiderman and Shrek to name just 2.
The car parking facilities are also much better - *one of my current gripes being as a disabled badge holder (through our son) you can barely make out the blue lines on the very worn Disney car parks*.
I also think US are much more pro-active in updating the parks and bringing new attractions, something Disney could learn from.
Though there are many reasons Disney has the 'magic touch' being able to stay on-site a short monorail ride away from MK is in theory a great experience we are hoping to indulge in next April.

Sure if you thought long and hard about everything you could pick out little faults and things you just don't like but I think overall the more attractions in Orlando the better for everyone.
If it means more people like us from outside America visit Florida that has to be a good thing surely?

 

[Dax]

Wanna throw in my 2cents..

Being a "local", I have seen the dark sides of both parks...heck, all 3 companies(Wdw, US, AB). They all have issues. They all have positives too.

Honestly in the last few years, I have been disapointed with Disney. Many years ago I was a PAP holder. We went almost every weekend, and were never bored. PI was a popular place for us, and we were frequent "stop and smell the roses" fans. Today, I would not pay to have passses. I now get to Disney once or twice a year, and honestly, am glad I am not paying for it, as the service and the general look and feel of the parks has been lacking.

Universal however, and even SW/BG, have stepped it up a notch, and I always have great service, clean parks, and generally good experiences.

DH has worked for all 3 companies over the last 10yrs, and by far, his favorite was Universal. They were the only company that treated him as a human being, not just another #. While his job was not super glamerous, he was an overnight custodian, we reaped the benifits. Disney employees pay almost normal prices, if not a tad more in the employee lounges. Universal, deeply discounted, and he could get it at any time. He got a hotdog and soda for less than $3.

So honestly, the Disney people can have there parks. I am sticking with US/BG/SW

 

[tttessa]

Hiya - another Brit here - we get there every ten years or so and can agree with the other British posters - we love both "sets" of parks.. Probably the 9hour flight to get there means we like to fit it all in.... Disney/US/IOA/Busch Gardens/seaworld/Kennedy/everglades/beach/gatorland.... I could go on (and on, and on)

It is a fun holiday destination - but what i don't get is the 3 times a year thing a lot of folks have going on... there is a big wide world out there to be seen....

Tessa

 

[the Dark Marauder]

It is a fun holiday destination - but what i don't get is the 3 times a year thing a lot of folks have going on... there is a big wide world out there to be seen....

Tessa

I must agree with this statement. I have many destinations I must see in my lifetime. Many are not theme park related, except for Cedar Point. Most are overseas: Italy, Greece, Japan, England, and Egypt are on the top of my list.

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread.

 

[inkkognito]

I too am a theme park junkie who did the whole "Disney/USF three times a year" thing, but I also made it a priority to see other destinations. DH and I have been to dude ranches all over the west, to Canda, Alaska, the Bahamas, various parts of the Caribbean, Mexico, Spain, and the Canary Islands to name just a few. In 2010 we are hoping to do the Northern European capitals Disney cruise. Just 'cause we've slaves to the Orlando attractions doesn't mean we don't love to get out there and do everything else too!

 

[SanFranciscan]

We do not hate you. I look at the list of attractions for Universal Studios and the list of attractions for Disney and cut on over to Disney. I have never been to Sea World, but I can tell that there are some things that I would love to see there. Disney fans do not hate Universal Studios. We just know what our interests are.

Do any of you seriously believe that Disney fans believe that Disney can do no wrong? When I found out that they were planning to make a movie lionizing a sadistic nutcase I consider a waste of air, I was mad enough that I was ready to spend my money elsewhere.

I do care very much about how workers are treated. Walt Disney made the list of the top 100 best places to work. I liked that.

I would be reluctant to support prohibition in this country, but I do not drink. I do like that I can escape alcohol in Disney parks because I think that nine times out of ten there is alcohol involved when ugly fights break out in public. When the liquor starts flowing so do the tongues and that too often send fists flying. I want a more congenial environment.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Do any of you seriously believe that Disney fans believe that Disney can do no wrong?

You need to lurk around the Theme Parks/Attraction Strategies board more. It's not uncommon for threads with a heavy "diznee rox, uni sux" theme to be brought to life.

 

[macraven]

W
Do any of you seriously believe that Disney fans believe that Disney can do no wrong?

I would be reluctant to support prohibition in this country, but I do not drink. I do like that I can escape alcohol in Disney parks because I think that nine times out of ten there is alcohol involved when ugly fights break out in public. When the liquor starts flowing so do the tongues and that too often send fists flying. I want a more congenial environment.

i have seen more drunks at disney than any other park.

you can buy alcohol at all the parks with the exception of the magic kingdom but mk doesn't escape from the drunks at all.

i posted on another thread of dealing with the obnoxious drunks at the magic kingdom.
you can go to one of the 3 hotels that are in the mk area, drink all you want and then hit the mk. (take the hotel monorail and you don't have to worry about driving. )
you can get any drink you want at the parks' resturants at the 3 of them.

have you ever read the thread of "drinking around the world at disney"?

 

[inmyis]

If nothing else this is very interesting with many opinions. Disney wouldn't be as good, with as many attractions without US. I agree competition is important. Also, personal experiences, whether a family member wasn't treated fairly as an employee or you ran into some drunks at MK, have profound effects on how we view things. I will say I have seen many more drunks at Universal during HHN than at any other single venue (concerts included). But that said, I have also seen those Drinking Around the World at Epcot. Then again I have done the Monorail Bar Tour on occassion as well. But I have never seen a drunk person in MK, not that it doesnt happen from time to time. I do believe that there are Disney snobs and that many US supporters do feel they need to rant and rave as the clear #2 in central Florida.

Also, I bet most all on this thread would enjoy Realityland. It is a great history of Walt Disney World from inception until today, with all the warts along the way.

 

[sha_lyn]

We do not hate you. I look at the list of attractions for Universal Studios and the list of attractions for Disney and cut on over to Disney. I have never been to Sea World, but I can tell that there are some things that I would love to see there. Disney fans do not hate Universal Studios. We just know what our interests are.

Do any of you seriously believe that Disney fans believe that Disney can do no wrong? When I found out that they were planning to make a movie lionizing a sadistic nutcase I consider a waste of air, I was mad enough that I was ready to spend my money elsewhere.

I do care very much about how workers are treated. Walt Disney made the list of the top 100 best places to work. I liked that.

I would be reluctant to support prohibition in this country, but I do not drink. I do like that I can escape alcohol in Disney parks because I think that nine times out of ten there is alcohol involved when ugly fights break out in public. When the liquor starts flowing so do the tongues and that too often send fists flying. I want a more congenial environment.

Yes they are out there
We run into them all the time on these boards.

 

[Timmy Boy]

^ Yea, the ones we look out for commonly say things like this:

"We tried Universal and the height requirements were too high for my daughter! Disney rides are smaller."

Yes, but the height requirements are posted on the website, on the map, and even outside the front gate at both parks, so you know what your kids can not ride.

"You could see many backstage areas."

Yes, when you ride Dragons you can look to your left and see a high school. Big whoop. Universal does not have the blessing of size Disney has.

"Universal employees have facial hair."

............

 

[sha_lyn]

Or they will say things like:
There are no sit down restaurants in US/IOA

I remember one really heated thread from awhile back. The guy's complaint about US/IOA was full of lies. He said there was absolutely nothing in the either park that his kid could do and that there weren't any characters (I also believe he said there weren't any sit down restaurants or kids meals)

When we pointed out where he was wrong he had one excuse after another.
He even said he refused to waste his time on Shrek, Jimmy Neutron etc

I believe the biggest problem is that Dr Seuss, Marvel, Barney, Fival, Shrek, ET Jimmy Neutron, Curious George etc aren't "sentimental" for those who complain that there is nothing for their kids to do. Therefore they refuse to do those and then complain that all did was walk around with their kids trying to find something to do.

 

[Metro West]

"Universal employees have facial hair."

You know what's funny about that statement? Walt himself had a mustache in 99% of the pictures I've ever seen of him. I wonder who made up that rule?

 

[RockNRollerGator]

Well Disney employees can have mustaches, but Universal employees can have(at least from I've seen) *GASP* beards. Oh noes!!!!1111

 

[SanFranciscan]

Anytime I read a glowing report about Disney World and a horrible one about Universal Studios or the other way around, I just figure that I am reading the words of marketing personnel because it is just so suspicious.

There are arguments over Disneyland vs. Disney World too. It is highly credible to me that people would love Universal Studios for being more pedestrian-friendly if indeed it is. What I like about Disneyland is that getting around without automobiles is so much easier.

I am not in a position to compare Disney World to Universal Studios Orlando. I have been on an Orlando-area vacation only once. I went to Disney World and Kennedy Space Center. My only trip to Universal Studios was in California in 1991 while I was there to see E.T. What I can tell you is that Disney is better at packaging its parks, so to speak, than Universal Studios.

Think about it. Do you really think that Leggs pantyhose would have sold as well if they hadn't come in those little egg containers? I think not, and I am someone who dislikes all pantyhose. Pixar Animation is the horse that is pulling the plow now while Disney is still getting the oates due to the Disney brand. Disney is going to have to compete with Pixar when Pixar has no contractual obligations to Disney because Pixar Animation now has their own gift wrap in a manner of speaking.

If Universal Studios played their cards right, E.T. would now be the classic "guilty pleasure" that It's A Small World is to so many in my opinion. E.T. is the ultimate ambassador for universal understanding;right?

 

[donaldduck352]

All I got too say about this is:


How many licks does it take to the middle of a Tootsie Pop??One may never know!!