Awaiting PotterSwatter...

[Disneyhead'71]

Disney has no problem killing popular classic attractions for their latest cash cow IPs. (Mr. Toads at WDW and Country Bears in DLR were both replaced with Pooh, Snow White's Scary Adventure for Princess M&G). Or even killing a major E-Ticket with no replacement for over a decade as they did with 20K Leagues. Btw, 20K leagues suffered the same fate as Kongfrontation and Jaws in that it just became to expensive to continue operating. But when Universal killed Jaws they didn't let the Jaws lagoon collect popcorn boxes and paper cups for over a decade. Toad and 20K were my absolute favorite attractions from my early years going to WDW and would have loved sharing them with my kids.

My take is that Disney Execs would rather have ridiculous Exec compensation packages (Iger made over $40 Million last year) and give out huge bonuses than keep their parks fresh. With this MO of personal greed they have little choice but to market it as "nostalgia".

 

[tissandtully]

The main reason Uni axed Kongfrontation and Jaws had nothing to do with remaining current. It had to do with the fact that they had aging custom ride systems that were becoming cost prohibitive to continue operating. The fact that it gave Uni a reason to bring in more current IPs is just a plus.

But the people here that and moan about Universal killing classic attractions would also whine about old rides based on has been IPs like they in this very thread with Jurassic Park. Bottom line, a lot of folks here are gonna take shots a Universal regardless. Particularly with Uni rocking on all cylinders and WDW's decade of decline.

*cough* Twister *cough*

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I'll see your Twister and raise you Stitch' Great Escape. UOR is not without it's problems, but WDW has many of the same problems. Disney fans just choose to ignore WDW's out of some sick need to love the place. It is true that WDW has a more emotionally attached fan base.
Uni's fans aren't as forgiving.

 

[tissandtully]

I'll see your Twister and raise you Stitch' Great Escape. UOR is not without it's problems, but WDW has many of the same problems. Disney fans just choose to ignore WDW's out of some sick need to love the place. It is true that WDW has a more emotionally attached fan base.
Uni's fans aren't as forgiving.

Yeah, I didn't meant to imply WDW didn't have problems, but people seem to overlook the few outdated attractions at UO. Twister, Beetlejuice show, Shrek ride is pretty meh as well. I like both UO and WDW, it's good there is competition.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

You know...the easiest way to beat Harry Potter would be to simply rebuild 20000 Leagues and Mr. Toad....

Please, everyone knows the one-two punch of Magic Journeys and the Bob-A-Round Boats could never be topped.

 

[luv]

Monster Cafe is good too, if only for the props and decor.

They have decent hot dogs, too, even if you get them plain. And crinkly fries taste better. (Well, they may not to some people, but they do to me!)

Generally, if I'm going to plunk down money to eat out, I'm going to Pastamore. If someone started a Pastamore Fan Club, I'd join. God, I love that place.

Love me a cheeseburger with an awesome pickle at Margaritaville, too.

So, I don't eat a lot of fast food at Uni.

 

[luv]

I know it was time for it to go...and it wasn't the greatest ride ever in the history of the world...but I miss Jaws. And Amity. It was a very well-done area that brought a movie I love to life.

RIP, Amity.

 

[tissandtully]

I know it was time for it to go...and it wasn't the greatest ride ever in the history of the world...but I miss Jaws. And Amity. It was a very well-done area that brought a movie I love to life.

RIP, Amity.

Yes, Jaws was a fun ride, I'd take it over the Jungle Cruise. It may be because I love me some pyro effects, they just need to add those to JC.

 

[ChevisMickey]

It is hard to argue the poplularity of a brand based on opinion, and with parks and attractions. It is even difficult when looking at actual numbers to know the popularity of a brand a few months, years, or decades down the road. What they do have is the track record of a brand.

Star Wars has been around for 35+ years. It has books, games, toys, legos (legos AREN'T TOYS! ), movies, tv shows, shirts, underwear, and every other thing you can think of. And I'm not talking about things they have had in the past, but in the past and now. 35+ years of marketing, of these being popular.

Harry Potter has had most or all of these things AT SOME POINT. Not necessarily right now. Sure, you can find them on eBay, or on the interwebs, but can you go to a store in your area and find it on the shelves (the whole global economy fight will have to go somewhere else, my point is everyday recognition). Sure, it is on the bookshelves. The movies are on tv. Overall, though, SW is out there more than HP.

HP is popular, it is still current, and it is a good brand for Universal. No doubt. SW, though, is that and more. It will be interesting to see if that picture of the WWoHP line stays the same when the new section opens. I would not be surprised if it is. Why would HP get that kind of attention and not a Disney land opening? Personally I think it is the crowd that each park attracts.

My sister is a long time Orlandoian with three children. She moved down to Orlando when they were in elementary school and younger. They would go to the Disney parks with the rest of the family when we would visit, when she could. As her kids got older they found Sea World a better fit for them, partly based on money, I'm sure. In their teen years they matured as Universal did. IoA opened and that is all they would do for years and years. Disney, BORING! Now, however, her two eldest are parents of their own. Where do they go? Boring old Disney. Why? Their kids.

That is not to say that everyone finds Disney boring, or Universal exciting, or any other variation. Some people just like one more than the other. Those that have done all of the parks I have found like all of the parks. Time, money, and family will dictate which they visit on their trips more than anything, though.

I have a six year old, and a teen as of tomorrow (birthday!). We go to WDW once, twice, even three times a year. We went to Sea World last year, and will go again in a few weeks on our 'Disney' trip. Next year we will probably go to LegoLand on our 'Disney' trip. When the youngest can ride most of the coasters at IoA, we'll go to Universal, and I'll be happy to take them. BUT! It will be on our 'Disney' trip.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

Regarding Counter Service, all the locations for burgers at both parks suck, and I'm hoping we can get a great burger when Krusty Burger comes around. Until then, I'll walk over to Hard Rock

 

[Tom Morrow]

*cough* Twister *cough*

Say what you want about Twister, I'd take it any day over Stitch's Great Escape or the abomination of an attraction, the Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow... and several others at WDW.

 

[tissandtully]

Regarding Counter Service, all the locations for burgers at both parks suck, and I'm hoping we can get a great burger when Krusty Burger comes around. Until then, I'll walk over to Hard Rock

Well, I hope they aren't actual Krusty Burgers, lol. They aren't reflected too highly on the show.

 

[tissandtully]

Say what you want about Twister, I'd take it any day over Stitch's Great Escape or the abomination of an attraction, the Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow... and several others at WDW.

? I just mentioned it as an attraction that's a bit outdated and not really relevant any more. Good for you though. You guys get your panties in a wad too much about SGE, I rode it again after not for a long time a couple weeks ago and it's not bad, of course it's no AE, but, it's not terrible. To each his own I guess.

 

[luv]

Twister isn't a bad attraction, the first couple times. It's good. I loved it, the first time and still enjoy it on occasion. But it is one that gets old after a while and is entirely skippable.

 

[tissandtully]

Twister isn't a bad attraction, the first couple times. It's good. I loved it, the first time and still enjoy it on occasion. But it is one that gets old after a while and is entirely skippable.

Yep, it isn't bad, never said it was. Entirely skippable is a good way to put it, or "one and done".

 

[tissandtully]

Yep, it isn't bad, never said it was. Entirely skippable is a good way to put it, or "one and done".

Also, "Earthquake", or Disaster or whatever it's called now.. has had its run.

 

[luv]

Yep, it isn't bad, never said it was. Entirely skippable is a good way to put it, or "one and done".

Both parks have more and less popular stuff. I do think Twister is worth seeing for a newbie, but I wouldn't stick it up there with The Simpsons, Spider-Man, etc.

There are some smaller things I like to do on a fairly regular basis, like the Tiki Room...some that I'm fine with doing once a year (or maybe less, lol), like Twister or the Mermaid show at DHS...and some that I never really tire of, like the Mummy, Spider-Man, Soarin or Everest. there are even a couple I never bother with, like Fear Factor, AI or that stunt show with the cars.

 

[Tom Morrow]

? I just mentioned it as an attraction that's a bit outdated and not really relevant any more. Good for you though. You guys get your panties in a wad too much about SGE, I rode it again after not for a long time a couple weeks ago and it's not bad, of course it's no AE, but, it's not terrible. To each his own I guess.

I said that because people, not necessarily you, bring up Twister as some sort of slam against Universal, like how dare they have an attraction that isn't relevant? When 1. Disney has piles of that and 2. Twister is at least moderately impressive and entertaining still, regardless of how forgotten the movie is, which is more than you can say about a pile of WDW attractions.

Its one of many double standards WDW fanboys place on Universal. Its okay for Disney to have bad attractions, filler attractions, outdated attractions, attractions that are no longer relevant, but heaven forbid Universal have one or two!

 

[luv]

It's just silly to think you can't love both. I do, so I know it's possible.

Uni has taken the lead on how the parks look (sharp, clean, pretty), having better rides and better hotels. The employees are still slightly less good, on average, than Disney's...but Uni is working on that. Uni employees keep getting better and Disney's keep getting worse.

Disney has to be convinced that people will keep going there no matter how much they let things slide. They have great parks and a great history of keeping them clean and giving good service. But they are letting it all slip away.

Uni works tirelessly to improve.

It's only a matter of time now.

 

[AngryEyes]

When anyone says Uni/WDW is horrible/perfect and the other is the opposite, they're lying. It's really as simple as that. I'm not sure what the (hate this word) agenda is, but there's something going on there, because it's just simply not true and everyone knows it.

They're very different places and tastes vary, so it's understandable that some would prefer one to the other, but neither is awful. The only difference to me is my family can only do a few days at Uni (love the FOL pass!), but can easily spend two weeks at WDW without leaving property.