Why do the Universal diehards think they do less business than Disney?

[pa. dad]

Let me say that I normally include 2 Universal days on my Orlando trips and that I like much about their parks and attractions. We've even gone to the Universal waterpark Wet&Wild a few times and have eaten on City walk. We also hit Disney as well.
After posting some positive and some negative things about Universal on a Universal compared to disney thread, I heard it from some of the Universal lovers. Another poster made a lot of positive Universal comments and a few negatives and they came after him also. I thought Brian Roberts, chairman of Comcast, was replying to the negatives.

So here's my question to the Universal loyalists- why do you think Disney does SO much more business than Universal? I know U is catching up since Potter arrived But still the least well attended D park (DHS) does more business than either of the U parks. And DHS has half their attractions closed these days. U has been in Florida since 1990 now. So traditions only go so far in explaining this. I don;t think it is quality of rides. What is it that U could or should be doing better in their competition for customers?

 

[bumbershoot]

After posting some positive and some negative things about Universal on a Universal compared to disney thread, I heard it from some of the Universal lovers. Another poster made a lot of positive Universal comments and a few negatives and they came after him also.

This is about your good/bad/ugly? Which was posted in this forum? So you're talking to the same people that you talked to before, telling them that they "came after" people? Huh.

why do you think Disney does SO much more business than Universal?

Because Disney is huge.


I hadn't read your thread before. I mean, what's the point of posting something like that on a Uni board where we try to help with things BEFORE booking, so stave off problems. I'm trying to read it right now; just got through the first post.

Yikes, booked a package, eh? We do, here, try to steer people away from those, that's for sure!

 

[schumigirl]

Personally I don't come to these forums to discuss the operational value of Universal vs Disney.

Most who post here regularly don't feel the need to either from what I've seen. Most of us come here to post and help others in planning the best trip possible to UOR. Simple as that.

You feel the "loyalists" here jumped on someone. I don't see that at all. It was pointed out he made some errors in his observations. Nothing worse than a newbie read incorrect information which aside from his opinions on certain things he did make some errors.......you saw in that particular post few negatives and more positives......I saw the opposite in that post.

Someone posted yesterday they were very confused after reading his post. A few things were clarified.

If you see this board as negative and jumping on posters then I can't change that, and I doubt anyone will change your mind on that.

Maybe ask this question on the Disney side of the boards. Some others always seem to have plenty of opinions on what is right and wrong with Universal.

 

[damo]

Why? Because Disney is an institution. Their product draws people to their parks.

Universal is doing what it should be doing. Just give it some time. After changing owners a few times, it is only recently that its owners have decided to be a competitive force in the theme park business.

With a water park to open next year, several new rides under construction and new land purchased for a third gate and more hotels, I would say that they are going in the right direction.

 

[VacaPlanner2012]

Wow, I was going to definitely bite on this (I'm a sucker), but damo said it perfectly for me. However, it is also what scares me a little. The reason I drink the Universal Kool Aid (and, no OP, I am not a travel agent, just you average CPA who spends too much time in a bowling alley), is that I can enjoy awesome parks with great technology and still relax at high quality resort hotels. However, I believe in 20 years, we will look back and see that Universal is planting seeds right now and not yet in the harvest stage of their life cycle. At this rate, it will be an awesome experience, but will it still be relaxing?

I have to take into consideration what my family thinks, as I have a 12 year old son and a 9 year old daughter. They are not the norm, and my 9 year old daughter prefers minions over princesses, although we eat at the castle every two years to get the fix, and usually do the Christmas Party or Halloween Party to ride some of the classics. My 12 year old is an adrenaline junkie, but for some reason took the loss of Mickey's hat at DHS really hard, and is boycotting Disney.

I have such fond memories of our 8 day Disney excursion where you completely forget anything else exists in the world, but quite honestly, I was flat out exhausted. We felt this need to go commando to see it all and it took its toll. For me and me alone, I had to take a step back and ask if it was worth it. Luckily for me, my family agrees on its love of Universal (and Aquatica - their favorite park anywhere!) and do not feel the need to go back to Disney for an all immersion trip. That may change in the future and I do hope that Forever, Avatar, Star Wars, Toy Story, etc. is completed with Diagon Alley quality, even if we have to wait a little longer for it to all to get here.

 

[thegajone]

I'm a CPA also. I left public accounting last year so this is my first tax season not at a CPA firm, and boy am I glad to not have to deal with that right about now

I think nostalgia is an underrated factor. I feel like adults return to Disney with their children -- and many times just by themselves -- to kind of "re-live" some of the most fun moments of their childhood. While Universal has been around long enough for 2nd-generation families to start coming through, they just have so much turnover with their attractions that there isn't a ton of nostalgia in the parks. But they're definitely on the right track. Right now I feel like both Universal Orlando parks exceed any of the 4 WDW parks, and I know I'm not alone there.

 

[ravenclawforever]

I don't care why Disney does more business (though is it pretty obvious - 5 parks versus 2), I am just thankful that they do. Or more correctly thankful that Universal is not as crowded as Disney and gives me the opportunity to choose to pay more for even fewer crowds (ie: express pass for pay as opposed to free). I have no interest in going to WDW. I did go to Disney Land twice when each of my daughters was younger, but neither was ever princess-crazy or character crazy at all. We only went there because of location - visiting family in CA. My family loves the atmosphere of Universal and the on-site hotels. Even my one daughter who is not a huge fan of rides loves to just be in the park because it is so pretty. Once Star Wars land opens, I can see that I might want to go, but honestly even that does not make it that attractive to me considering all of the hassle of crowds and schedules - who wants that kind of stress on vacation?

 

[Robo56]

Many years ago when I started taking my grandchildren on vacation the lovely folks on Disboards were so kind and helpful with all my questions.

I found this site to be one of the most helpful tools on my vacation planning. I think everyone should experience Disney and Universal.

I think it boils down to preference.


The posters on Disboards do not get paid for their selfless helpful advice. They are passionate about being helpful to others in planning their vacations.

If you want help with planning your Disney trip go to the Disney side of the boards.

If want help with Universal go to the Universal side of the boards. I contribute on the Universal side and enjoy helping folks as all the regulars here do.

I have been the recipient of great information recently about Discovery Cove by kind and helpful people.

I agree with others above. We are here to help one another not to bait each other.

Visiting all the Parks are about being with family and having a little piece of fun in a World so caught up at times in anger.

Go out and enjoy yourselves no matter what park you choose. Visit both parks and have a blast.

 

[keishashadow]

Let me say that I normally include 2 Universal days on my Orlando trips and that I like much about their parks and attractions. We've even gone to the Universal waterpark Wet&Wild a few times and have eaten on City walk. We also hit Disney as well.
After posting some positive and some negative things about Universal on a Universal compared to disney thread, I heard it from some of the Universal lovers. Another poster made a lot of positive Universal comments and a few negatives and they came after him also. I thought Brian Roberts, chairman of Comcast, was replying to the negatives.

So here's my question to the Universal loyalists- why do you think Disney does SO much more business than Universal? I know U is catching up since Potter arrived But still the least well attended D park (DHS) does more business than either of the U parks. And DHS has half their attractions closed these days. U has been in Florida since 1990 now. So traditions only go so far in explaining this. I don;t think it is quality of rides. What is it that U could or should be doing better in their competition for customers?

Universal loyalist, umm ok I guess I'm one, but the mouse owns me, literally.

As in most things, bigger doesn't always mean better ta-dum lol

fyi, Universal increased their in park spending by almost 25% last year. Note that that doesn't factor in the 'gate'.

a park being 'the most crowded' certainly doesn't equate to it being 'the best'. WDW is more of a sentimental/cultural thing in this country, Universal is all about adventure/excitement imo. Park guests @ disneytend to identify with disney values and many can be quite rigid as to being loyal. There's also the pesky fact that park tickets are structured in pricing to keep a guest onsite. Many cannot imagine skipping WDW each trip (I'm usually in that camp), but it's difficult for many to afford to visit both parks.

As far as I'm concerned, the disney parks can keep the crowds, except for the days i'm in attendance

 

[johde]

First off, the main reason why Disney does better than Universal can be summed up in 5 word. Magic Kingdom & Magic Your Way. The Magic Kingdom is easily the the 800lb gorilla in Orlando. When newbies talk about taking a trip to Disney World 9 chances out of 10 they are talking primarily about the Magic Kingdom. The second thing is Magic Your Way ticketing. If you believe Themepark Entertainment Association (TEA) numbers, USF and DHS had very comparable numbers until 2003. In 2004, you had the 3 hurricanes hit Orlando Charley, Frances, and Jeanne. In 2005, Disney completely restructured their ticketing and offered Magic Your Way Ticketing. During hurricane season they offered buy 4 nights stay 7. This was also the early days of Free Dining. Disney made a big push to convince people to spend their entire week with them. Disney attendance bottomed while Universal's continued to fall. Universal could compete with days 5-7 of a Disney vacation when getting into Disney was nearly the same as a 1 day ticket. Now, with days 5-10 costing $9 people were more apt to spend all of their time at Disney.

This combined with Vivendi's purchase of the division that included that parks led to what most around here call the "dark years". When you here people talk about Universal being dirty, full of unruly kinds, and less than friendly TM, it's probably from this era. But, I never had any major problems. But for some on this board they'll still never set food back in Universal again even though the place is completely different. While single day tickets remained nearly the same as Disney, For many years, you could get 7 day tickets for $99. By 2008-2009 USF/IOA attendance was down to about 5 million a piece compared to 9.7 mill for DHS/DAK. Universal had went from being a few hundred thousand down to having nearly half the attendance. Disney's plan worked, people were spending their entire vacation with the mouse.

Then in 2010, something happened: the WWOHP opened at IOA. In 2011, it's first full year of operations, IOA had 7.6 million in attendance an over 50% increase from what they were doing 2 years previously. USF had slower growth and didn't have the big jump until Transformers in 2013 and Diagon Alley in 2014. In 2014,the most recent available, USF and IOA were both doing about 8.1 million according to TEA. DHS and DAK were both doing about 10.3. Although I know some people on Orlando United believe the DHS number especially is highly inflated. They are all just guesses because the parks don't give out that kind of detailed attendance information.

 

[VacaPlanner2012]

Now that is an impressive three paragraphs johde...well done!!!!! I wish I could keep liking it.

 

[pcstang]

I'm not getting into this except to say...universal is terrible! I advise everyone to stay with the mouse!

 

[schumigirl]

I'm not getting into this except to say...universal is terrible! I advise everyone to stay with the mouse!

Best advice ever!!! We should just spout that out to everyone........

Post of the day!!!! You win..........

 

[smiths02]

Disney has gotten our business over Universal because there is more appeal for families with all ages, some of this is due to the size, as pointed out previously.
There is just more that kids under 7 and grandmas can do at Disney. And the movies that they draw from are mostly PG....kids can see that stuff from infancy on. Many of the things at Universal are not (and yes, I understand they have areas, but a lot of space is devoted to things that won't appear to the under 7).

And I do think the nostalgia and entrenchment in popular culture helps. Everyone knows Mickey Mouse...from my 3 year olds to their 91 year old great grandma...not everyone knows Minions or Spongebob.

 

[saskdw]

I'm someone who enjoy's both places equally for what they are. My loyality's don't lie with either WDW or UO.

In the grand scheme of things it's not possible for Universal at this point in time to compete with 46 sq miles of WDW. They have 20 some resorts, 5 golf courses, fishing excursions, Boardwalk, numerous fireworks shows, 4 large theme parks, etc.

For the majority of people they would consider WDW a vacation destination that you could spend 2 weeks at and never get bored or run out of things to do. While most of the people on DIS only consider UO a 2 day stay. For some that 2 days is part of a larger vacation and for others that live closer it's a weekend stay.

I've had lengthy stays at both ranging from 10-16 days. I've enjoyed both places for that length of time. Yes, there is more to do at WDW, but a 12 night stay onsite at UO is very relaxing. I could write a few paragraph's on my personal pros and cons to the two places.

 

[Robo56]

I' am a grandma and I let my grandchildren pick the parks they enjoy and want to go to. We did split stays in past between WDW and Universal. A few years ago they decided they did not want to go to WDW anymore. Have been going to Universal for our vacation every year since. We are pampered at PORTOFINO BAY and we love it.

This grandma is going back with her grand babies to Universal again this year

No matter where grannies and babies go. Go there and be happy

Florida and its sunshine is the strawberries on the shortcake, Universal and Disney the whip cream. Have your dessert with our without doesn't matter as long as your happy.

 

[damo]

Disney has gotten our business over Universal because there is more appeal for families with all ages, some of this is due to the size, as pointed out previously.
There is just more that kids under 7 and grandmas can do at Disney. And the movies that they draw from are mostly PG....kids can see that stuff from infancy on. Many of the things at Universal are not (and yes, I understand they have areas, but a lot of space is devoted to things that won't appear to the under 7).

And I do think the nostalgia and entrenchment in popular culture helps. Everyone knows Mickey Mouse...from my 3 year olds to their 91 year old great grandma...not everyone knows Minions or Spongebob.

Funny you say that. We did a split last year with family ranging from 2 to 89. Each one said they preferred Universal. The one with the strongest voice was the 5 year old girl.

 

[pa. dad]

Wow, I was going to definitely bite on this (I'm a sucker), but damo said it perfectly for me. However, it is also what scares me a little. The reason I drink the Universal Kool Aid (and, no OP, I am not a travel agent, just you average CPA who spends too much time in a bowling alley), is that I can enjoy awesome parks with great technology and still relax at high quality resort hotels. However, I believe in 20 years, we will look back and see that Universal is planting seeds right now and not yet in the harvest stage of their life cycle. At this rate, it will be an awesome experience, but will it still be relaxing?

I have to take into consideration what my family thinks, as I have a 12 year old son and a 9 year old daughter. They are not the norm, and my 9 year old daughter prefers minions over princesses, although we eat at the castle every two years to get the fix, and usually do the Christmas Party or Halloween Party to ride some of the classics. My 12 year old is an adrenaline junkie, but for some reason took the loss of Mickey's hat at DHS really hard, and is boycotting Disney.

I have such fond memories of our 8 day Disney excursion where you completely forget anything else exists in the world, but quite honestly, I was flat out exhausted. We felt this need to go commando to see it all and it took its toll. For me and me alone, I had to take a step back and ask if it was worth it. Luckily for me, my family agrees on its love of Universal (and Aquatica - their favorite park anywhere!) and do not feel the need to go back to Disney for an all immersion trip. That may change in the future and I do hope that Forever, Avatar, Star Wars, Toy Story, etc. is completed with Diagon Alley quality, even if we have to wait a little longer for it to all to get here.

Okay I am up to Post #5 now and you and Damo both offer reasonable answers.
So I want to say that I ask the question not just to stir the pot a little.
On my most recent trip to Orlando, we did 2 days at the MK, one day each at Epcot and the AK as well as one day each at Universal and Islands and NO TIME at DHS. So I am one of those who did go the Universal parks and not to DHS asking why would someone do a 3rd day at the MK or a first day at the DHS instead of going over to the Universal parks?
BTW I think advice to first time or infrequent visitors is a great thing too. But i don't think that everything that is posted should have to meet the approval of the Universal or Disney execs and that some CRITICAL thoughts can be included also.

 

[pa. dad]

First off, the main reason why Disney does better than Universal can be summed up in 5 word. Magic Kingdom & Magic Your Way. The Magic Kingdom is easily the the 800lb gorilla in Orlando. When newbies talk about taking a trip to Disney World 9 chances out of 10 they are talking primarily about the Magic Kingdom. The second thing is Magic Your Way ticketing. If you believe Themepark Entertainment Association (TEA) numbers, USF and DHS had very comparable numbers until 2003. In 2004, you had the 3 hurricanes hit Orlando Charley, Frances, and Jeanne. In 2005, Disney completely restructured their ticketing and offered Magic Your Way Ticketing. During hurricane season they offered buy 4 nights stay 7. This was also the early days of Free Dining. Disney made a big push to convince people to spend their entire week with them. Disney attendance bottomed while Universal's continued to fall. Universal could compete with days 5-7 of a Disney vacation when getting into Disney was nearly the same as a 1 day ticket. Now, with days 5-10 costing $9 people were more apt to spend all of their time at Disney.

This combined with Vivendi's purchase of the division that included that parks led to what most around here call the "dark years". When you here people talk about Universal being dirty, full of unruly kinds, and less than friendly TM, it's probably from this era. But, I never had any major problems. But for some on this board they'll still never set food back in Universal again even though the place is completely different. While single day tickets remained nearly the same as Disney, For many years, you could get 7 day tickets for $99. By 2008-2009 USF/IOA attendance was down to about 5 million a piece compared to 9.7 mill for DHS/DAK. Universal had went from being a few hundred thousand down to having nearly half the attendance. Disney's plan worked, people were spending their entire vacation with the mouse.

Then in 2010, something happened: the WWOHP opened at IOA. In 2011, it's first full year of operations, IOA had 7.6 million in attendance an over 50% increase from what they were doing 2 years previously. USF had slower growth and didn't have the big jump until Transformers in 2013 and Diagon Alley in 2014. In 2014,the most recent available, USF and IOA were both doing about 8.1 million according to TEA. DHS and DAK were both doing about 10.3. Although I know some people on Orlando United believe the DHS number especially is highly inflated. They are all just guesses because the parks don't give out that kind of detailed attendance information.

Okay I'm up to #10 now and this is a very good one. It has some good information.
You say that disney priced their tickets so that days 5 to 7 would be cheaper at disney than days 1 or 2 at Universal?
I think with the lesser number of parks and hotels and so on, that most families will choose to spend more days at disney. In order to get people to try Universal then, they must be given some kind of incentive to try U.
I'm not sure that Univ. VALUES the one or 2 day customer as much as they should then. People conditioned to Disney are used to FREE fast passes and not paying MORE for them. The longtime Disney visitor has never had to pay anything extra to get some free fastpasses. You can go just one day to disney and get your fastpasses included in your one day admission for no extra charge. So the visitor has the choice of going to D and paying nothing extra for fastpasses or going to U and having to pay a lot extra for their express passes. I think that is a marketing blunder on the part of U. They should try to offer more not less in that regard IMO.

 

[CJN]

So the visitor has the choice of going to D and paying nothing extra for fastpasses or going to U and having to pay a lot extra for their express passes. I think that is a marketing blunder on the part of U. They should try to offer more not less in that regard IMO.

No, those are not the only two choices, so I can't agree that it's a marketing blunder. Those express passes get people into the hotels in much the same way EMH was used to fill Disney hotels. Without the express pass tie-in to the hotel stay, then visitors (using your proposed free express passes) just become daytrippers from WDW. That's not Universal's goal, thank heavens. IMO, doing it the current way DOES offer more - much more.