Disney and Universal: Two very different paths

[GLaDOS]

I dare say its a personal thing. Everest as a ride is good but has far too many spirals for me to be a truely worthwhile coaster.

Theming wise the ride itself is such a fail, and again could be so awesome with not much more effort.

ROTM has a strong theme and chronological story (that could be better expressed) but as an experience trounces EE IMHO. Tech wise its light years ahead, and just imagine if it received a generous budget to be plussed...

Completely agree. Mummy's coaster portion is far better than Everest's giant helix.

 

[Bairstow]

If only Everest had something covering its butt. If one of my students was dressed like Everest, I'd call security.

Obscene.

What angle is that taken from?

 

[awoogala]

Gosh, I have to disagree with that intensely. Disney never has and I hope never will have to give into to the spin and puke set. That would be against every possible mission that they ever had. They are an entertainment venue, that was to be done with fun, technology and the constant question of "how did they do that"! Anyone can scare the crap out of someone, the trick is to make them enjoy a more docile form of entertainment. When people talk about Disney adding thrill rides all I can ever think of is Burger King, McDonalds and Wendy's. All different names and that's where it ends. It's what separates them from other chain venues like Olive Garden, Red Lobster and others. They have their own purpose and draw. Disney didn't get to be the biggest in theme parks because they installed thrill rides all over. Let Disney be Disney and feel free to go to other places for the nausea.

I am on both sides here. We are going to Uni first time this year. All about potter for us! My son also just hit the age (11) where he loves coasters- he and my husband can go on them, while I find something to do with my 8 year old daughter, like the play areas. At home, we have six flags, so I wouldn't go just for the thrill rides. But Simpsons and Potter are calling to us all!
Now, I don't want Disney to throw a bunch of coasters and thrill rides in- but they did a great job with Tower of Terror- thrill ride, great theming, not just thrill. They could do with a few more of those!
I also get Uni is trying for more family themed rides. They could use more for scaredy cats like my daughter- no matter how tall she is, she won't do a coaster, or a splash mtn, etc.

 

[marni1971]

It could be that Disney is so overwhelmed with negative mail that they cannot keep up.

I have a valid complaint from our trip. It took 3 emails to get a single reply but now I'm hopeful it's being handled by the correct department.

Moral - don't eat the pork at the California Grill.

 

[COProgressFan]

Moral - don't eat the pork at the California Grill.

Yikes... food poisoning?

 

[marni1971]

Yikes... food poisoning?

Something wasn't right, but I shouldn't comment more since I've just had email from a department within guest services.

 

[draybook]

Well, I promised an update and so I will deliver. This is the twelfth day since I emailed Disney and not a single word. However, I emailed Universal last night after I got home from work and KAPOW, there's a response email from them this afternoon. That speaks a lot to me right now about who actually appreciates, or does a damn good job of making it look like they do, my money and vacation time.

 

[unkadug]

Well, I promised an update and so I will deliver. This is the twelfth day since I emailed Disney and not a single word. However, I emailed Universal last night after I got home from work and KAPOW, there's a response email from them this afternoon. That speaks a lot to me right now about who actually appreciates, or does a damn good job of making it look like they do, my money and vacation time.

When they get caught up with the July complaints they will get back to you. By then, they hope you will have forgotten your frustrations.

 

[COProgressFan]

Well, I promised an update and so I will deliver. This is the twelfth day since I emailed Disney and not a single word. However, I emailed Universal last night after I got home from work and KAPOW, there's a response email from them this afternoon. That speaks a lot to me right now about who actually appreciates, or does a damn good job of making it look like they do, my money and vacation time.

It's interesting because I think its been many years now since Disney has cared about it's customer service; but they did at the very least always provide a response to guest inquiries/concerns/complaints. The responses were usually canned, or condescending but at least you would generally get a prompt response.

The fact that they are simply not responding, (at least in a timely manner) is a change (based on yours and other reports online). Maybe they sent all those customer service people to handle NextGen...

 

[MOXOMUMD]

Well, I promised an update and so I will deliver. This is the twelfth day since I emailed Disney and not a single word.

That's crazy. They sure deliver their surveys right away. I had two in my inbox before I even got home from my trip.

 

[Gabe1]

Saw this today on orlando parks news. How did Universal get a seating area and WDW not? I hadn't been around City Walk since Disney had opened their Starbucks.

Update:
http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2013/12/citywalk-spanish-restaurants-great.html

 

[Alektronic]

Saw this today on orlando parks news. How did Universal get a seating area and WDW not? I hadn't been around City Walk since Disney had opened their Starbucks.

Update:
http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2013/12/citywalk-spanish-restaurants-great.html

Because the seating area is for Red Brick Oven Pizza

 

[Gabe1]

Because the seating area is for Red Brick Oven Pizza

Ground level one is obviously Red Brick Oven's, but did you look on the left side of the photo, the seating area on the balcony with the Starbucks umbrellas with tables and chairs or are you saying the balcony seating is also Red Brick Oven?

 

[PhilharMagician]

As a ride, Mummy > Everest. As a coaster, Everest > Mummy.

Yes. I would agree

 

[TubaGeek]

Ground level one is obviously Red Brick Oven's, but did you look on the left side of the photo, the seating area on the balcony with the Starbucks umbrellas with tables and chairs or are you saying the balcony seating is also Red Brick Oven?

Starbucks is moving down to the old Endangered Species store soon, if rumor is correct. I would assume they'll have plenty of indoor seating.

 

[Yellow Strap]

Something that is important to remember here: Universal is playing catch up. Yes, they are putting out an incredible product, but why are they doing this and so rapidly? Because WDW has about a 30 year head start on them. We are comparing a resort with two theme parks and 3 resorts to one with 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, a much larger nighttime district, and 20 resorts. While Disney's pace of addition may frustrate us, it's because WDW is already so enormous. I am happy to see their efforts to maintain what they have has been improving recently. I'm sure when/if they see serious $$$ loss, they will respond. Remember, they are responding to a company that opened a major expansion in the late '90s and then did almost nothing for 10 years.

^^^ THIS

Perspective people!

 

[ford91exploder]

Saw this today on orlando parks news. How did Universal get a seating area and WDW not? I hadn't been around City Walk since Disney had opened their Starbucks.

Update:
http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2013/12/citywalk-spanish-restaurants-great.html

Because Disney is busy removing ALL seating from Parks. It's probably why they wanted to remove the Curbs from Main St. Because you can sit comfortably during a parade...

 

[Goofyernmost]

Because Disney is busy removing ALL seating from Parks. It's probably why they wanted to remove the Curbs from Main St. Because you can sit comfortably during a parade...

The problem at Disney is that they don't have nearly enough places for people to sit under the best of conditions. It's the curbs that cause the gridlock on Main Street while waiting for the parade. If they did put seating in at Starbucks, how many would they be able to accommodate. The vast majority would be standing anyway. Why cause table hording and upset people for nothing. They are better off without it.

 

[Gabe1]

Because Disney is busy removing ALL seating from Parks. It's probably why they wanted to remove the Curbs from Main St. Because you can sit comfortably during a parade...

Giggle. Bad when humor is the truth though!

I'm sure it is somewhere on the sight, but whatever happened with the curb removal? I see it abruptly stopped but missed the when and whys.

 

[Gabe1]

Starbucks is moving down to the old Endangered Species store soon, if rumor is correct. I would assume they'll have plenty of indoor seating.

Would be nice. Is the balcony seating up there still Starbucks though, it seems like it is.