englanddg
One Little Spark...
Yeah, that's why I put that notation in. In a 4 day stay, we only used the water taxi twice. We walked or rickshawed it the rest of the time. But, mid-August 2012 was oddly rainy.
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Am I the only who ignores Universal?
- Thread starter mharrington
- Start date
Pocahontas
Well-Known Member
Hey, Universal is cool, but it isn't Disney. It lacks the childhood memories, the touch of magic, and the sweet atmosphere. I don't care how cliche this sounds, it's true.
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
This is your opinion, so it's true for you, not for all others. I disagree with everything you said, except the universal is cool and it's not Disney part.
BryceM
Well-Known Member
Maybe it's true for you, and many other people on this forum, but not all.
Pocahontas
Well-Known Member
I meant that it's 'true' for me.
We all have an opinion we are entitled to.
englanddg
One Little Spark...
Childhood memories are fleeting things...
I remember Universal when it opened, when they had the Birds / Hitchcock exhibit...seeing the Birds in it's intended 3D is still the most shocking and impressive 3D experience I've ever seen (Shrek is there now). I made a funny Star Trek vid with my grandfather playing Spock while I played Kirk there.
I have tons of memories of Universal.
And, while I didn't expect this would happen, when I walked into Universal with my kid, those memories flew back into my consciousness.
Childhood memories are what you grew up with...and what you experienced. Disney doesn't OWN that.
Is it the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT? No. It never could be...but, considering the state of those parks currently, and how much they are squatting all over the "memories" and "atmosphere" tropes without providing either...I'm not sure I'd want it to be.
Take the current Castle projection...it's nothing more than an in park infomercial about how cool it is to be at Disney. Instead of being something cool.
They are ok with dirty and broken rides (something we didn't see at Uni), and poor experiences in the resorts (something we also didn't see at Uni). They are ok with rude cast members (something I've had at Disney) instead of amazing ones (something I experienced at Uni).
I'm not saying one is better or worse than the other...far from that, I love Disney. But...the differences are startling.
I call into that DCL as well...you know why I loved the Cruise far more than a stay at Disney? I felt like a king the whole trip. The cast members were amazing, the ship extremely well cared for and detailed, and the off-ship experiences extremely well organized and operated.
A far cry from a meth head cleaning your room at Pop Century (ok, I exaggerated for effect, so don't yell at me for that)
But, that should tell you that there is something broken in their creative process over there. Something that Avatarland or GAS or MM+ isn't going to fix.
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
I meant that it's 'true' for me.
Oh, well that makes more sense haha.
Pocahontas
Well-Known Member
I think we all have had different experiences at certain places, we all have have our own childhood memories, we all have our own definition of magic. It really depends on the person. Me, I've never had the problems you have had at Disney, and I've been going annually for 10 years. We all have different opinions and see different things. Maybe you've been on a ride that you thought was dirty and broken, but I loved it. It's all perspective really.
englanddg
One Little Spark...
Exactly my point. For the record, I was typing my response before you clarified your post earlier.
jlsHouston
Well-Known Member
OMG go rent this movie, you have got to see it at least once! I swear I smile, I laugh, I cry still watching this movie, CLASSIC modern twist on the cinderella getting her prince charming
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
OMG go rent this movie, you have got to see it at least once! I swear I smile, I laugh, I cry still watching this movie, CLASSIC modern twist on the cinderella getting her prince charming
"Oh no, I've got a runner in my pantyhose... I'm not wearing any pantyhose."
One of my favorite lines in that movie.
jlsHouston
Well-Known Member
I know I never have seen any of the things alot of the posters have written about, but Splash being down so much last year was kind of scarey, and I do think the elevators at the Samoa Longhouse at the POLY are kind of in a sad state...other than that I have wonderful resort experiences and love the rides and attractions at WDW...and I love the food at Disney....
NintendoDS
Member
We go to Universal around once every 8 years or so. I think the parks are ok and I think they have better thrill rides than Disney but I don't like how there aren't as many rides everyone in the family can ride together even in the Studios park that used to be better for that but rides like Kongfrontation and Jaws have been removed and replaced/being replaced with thrill rides.
I went to Islands of Adventure for the first time 2 years ago and was very let down with the park. I thought Hulk and Dragons were excellent coasters but otherwise didn't like it. There were very few tame rides and a ride like Cat In The Hat had spinning that meant it was not good for some of us. It's the same issue with Men In Black in the Studios park. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter looked great but was so congested (and this was in January) that it wasn't any fun to browse the shops and Olivander's was not worth the long wait.
I'm not one of those people that only goes to Disney and won't go anywhere else. I enjoy going to Six Flags Great Adventure many times each season and also have a season pass to Dorney Park and we went to Busch Gardens Tampa last year in addition to Disney and had a great visit (I enjoyed the park much more than Animal Kingdom). I'm just not much of a fan of Universal.
I went to Islands of Adventure for the first time 2 years ago and was very let down with the park. I thought Hulk and Dragons were excellent coasters but otherwise didn't like it. There were very few tame rides and a ride like Cat In The Hat had spinning that meant it was not good for some of us. It's the same issue with Men In Black in the Studios park. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter looked great but was so congested (and this was in January) that it wasn't any fun to browse the shops and Olivander's was not worth the long wait.
I'm not one of those people that only goes to Disney and won't go anywhere else. I enjoy going to Six Flags Great Adventure many times each season and also have a season pass to Dorney Park and we went to Busch Gardens Tampa last year in addition to Disney and had a great visit (I enjoyed the park much more than Animal Kingdom). I'm just not much of a fan of Universal.
jlsHouston
Well-Known Member
"Oh no, I've got a runner in my pantyhose... I'm not wearing any pantyhose."
One of my favorite lines in that movie.
"if I forget to tell you later I had a really good time tonight"
Oh that still makes me tear up... I think I still suck my gut in and stand up straight when I think of her in that red gown.
doctornick
Well-Known Member
Well, Universal really doesn't have dark rides like Disney does (EDIT: I am talking terms of quantity of rides, not quality). I think Uni is great, but one area where WDW has it over them is slower moving, "immersive" family friendly dark rides. Gringotts sounds like a step in the right direction for this, but it's certainly been a lacking area for USO. For folks that don't like or tolerate "thrill" rides or even simulators, Uni doesn't have as much to offer as WDW.
Also, Uni could use more park wide entertainment (parades, fireworks type things), though I think IOA is slated to get a new water show in the neat future.
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Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
"if I forget to tell you later I had a really good time tonight"
Oh that still makes me tear up... I think I still suck my gut in and stand up straight when I think of her in that red gown.
Right? My mom and I have watched that movie together ten million times. A true classic.
I tend to get a little sad during the limo scene, when Vivian is leaving, with "It Must Have Been Love" playing in the background. *sigh*
The Empress Lilly
Well-Known Member
Aye. Pricing structure makes it difficult to visit multiple resorts.God bless those who can take a 3 week vacation and/or spend the equivalent of a small auto on a trip. I envy you, I do. Till then we will have to settle for our 9-10 day WDW escapes.
Disney days are virtually free after the first few ones, whereas UNI tickets are overpriced for one day. Which together mean there is a great incentive to just visit WDW. I've gone budget too. And I'm never tired of WDW, so when presented with the choice of another day at WDW for $2.71 or a day at UNI for $91....
The Empress Lilly
Well-Known Member
Awesome! Especially the second paragraph!
I also agree about UNI getting the meta-stuff right. UNI does lack the childhood memories, the touch of magic, and the sweet atmosphere. But their parks are clean, well maintained, and staffed by excellent CM's. They may beat Disney at their own game!
dmleblanc1971
Member
you're not the only one lol i rarely ever think of universal to be honest.. and it's not really because of the whole "rivalry" thing, Disney just is what comes to my, and a lot of other peoples minds as soon as the word Florida comes up, then that's game over, nothing but Disney comes out of my mouth
doctornick
Well-Known Member
Yeah, this is the situation I find. I'm already going to go to WDW. If my vacation is long enough to justify adding Uni as well from a time standpoint, the cost structure and hassle of transport doesn't add up. I'd just as soon add days at WDW on the cheap than spend a $90/day at Uni.
We are actually planning to go for a few days to Uni next summer together with a WDW trip to see how we like doing that -- plus to check out the new HP stuff. Maybe it will change my mind, but I think it's hard to justify both WDW and Uni in one trip unless my family starts doing extended vacations in Florida where we would get bored of being in WDW for the entire. I think we'd have to be doing 2 weeks for that, though, as I can easily justify spending 10 days at WDW.