Disney and Universal, what they need to learn.

[TDF]

I have no idea where to put this, so if someone would move it to its proper location that would be great. I assumed WDW Parks General Discussion but i’m not sure. Anyway… on to the show?

I just came back from New Years at Universal. I stayed for a couple of days and did both Universal parks. I gotta tell you, I love Disney and always will, honestly I didn’t even want to go but was dragged. However, I was surprised.

So here are things that Disney should learn from Universal:
- Rides: First let me tell you that the parks didn’t feel busy. They where crowded but not busy. Many rides didn’t have long wait times and those that did where the popular ones located right by the entrance. Of course Harry Potter had a huge wait. It never got above 120 minutes and no where near 4 hours. Anyway, the rides are amazing. Despicable Me is amazingly clear and totally different from Disney. Disney, you gotta update your technology. Plus with the amount of rides and rides coming… wait times where nothing. (LEARN DISNEY, RIDES ARE GOOD).

- ExpressPass: I hate the idea of “selling” to get on a ride faster but it worked perfectly. No waiting till a scheduled time and then on lines longer then standby lines… just walk up get your ticket scanned and basically walk right on. Rides posted for 140 minutes (it was Despicable Me… why everyone hits that one first is beyond me) we rode in about 10.

-Experience: Honestly there where so many characters everywhere! They where just like walking around. Now at Disney, I can see this being very unlikely but more random ones would be appreciated. There was something for everyone at Universal. At Disney, as much as I hate saying it I sometimes feel as I am to big for things. I hate hearing the stories saying it’s for the kids… no it should be for everyone just like it is at Universal.

Things Universal should learn from Disney:
- Cast: The cast at Universal aren’t the friendliest. They where nice but not Disney nice. It just wasn’t a great experience. More training is needed. They need there own Disney “happy pill” and Universal would be great.

- Food: The food at Universal was not good. I honestly couldn’t eat half of the things I got. Disney won that one for sure. Plus, all the food was the same. No wonder why literally all the food places where dead. Also, there is like no formal in park dining. Universal, learn it makes you money!

- Theming: Nothing can beat the theming of Disney. I love how every land is there own, while at Univeral it is sorta a mush.

In all… I can see why Universal is creeping up at Disney.

 

[Pocahontas]

I'm sorry, but this was a bit painful to read.

 

[Zweiland]

I'm sorry, but this was a bit painful to read.

Why? I found it interesting. Too many people list the pros of one thing and the cons of the other. I felt this review was fair to both sides.

 

[Pocahontas]

Why? I found it interesting. Too many people list the pros of one thing and the cons of the other. I felt this review was fair to both sides.

I was talking about the grammar/spelling. The actual content I didn't mind.

 

[TDF]

I was talking about the grammar/spelling. The actual content I didn't mind.

Ehh… I apologize about that. I was in a rush, I’m correcting it now.

 

[Pocahontas]

Ehh… I apologize about that. I was in a rush, I’m correcting it now.

Haha, no, it's fine.

 

[GoofGoof]

I think part of the reason certain things work better at Universal is because it is less crowded. There are so many fewer hotel rooms so not nearly as many people using Expresspass. If Disney tried to roll something like that out it would bomb since there are over 25,000 rooms vs a few thousand at Uni. Universal's ride capacity on a per guest basis is much higher which leads to less lines overall.

I think the food and the CM experience is pretty subjective and could be different on a case by case basis. Disney has a lot more food options, a direct benefit of those 25,000 rooms. The main thing most people would like Disney to learn from Universal is how to build an e-ticket in under 5 years.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I agree with most of the post with two exceptions, maybe three. First the Team Members at Universal used to be aloof and seemed unfriendly, however, when I was there last January, I couldn't believe how involved and upbeat that they were (reminded me of Disney in days gone by), Second Themeing, pretty impressive especially Dr. Seuss and Harry Potter, but unlike Disney they didn't have a hub with different lands. At Uni/IOA you walk a path and pass through multiple lands, each very well themed, in my opinion. And the possible third is food. I have yet to find the example of the greatness of the food at Disney. Most everything I have had is either way overpriced or just plain awful, cold and greasy. Uni's is at least as good.

 

[TDF]

I agree with most of the post with two exceptions, maybe three. First the Team Members at Universal used to be aloof and seemed unfriendly, however, when I was there last January, I couldn't believe how involved and upbeat that they were (reminded me of Disney in days gone by), Second Themeing, pretty impressive especially Dr. Seuss and Harry Potter, but unlike Disney they didn't have a hub with different lands. At Uni/IOA you walk a path and pass through multiple lands, each very well themed, in my opinion. And the possible third is food. I have yet to find the example of the greatness of the food at Disney. Most everything I have had is either way overpriced or just plain awful, cold and greasy. Uni's is at least as good.

Don’t get me wrong, some staff are good but others weren’t, at Disney I just feel things where a little more I guess magical? I loved the theming, just not the layout. At Disney you can’t really see things that are’t themed while at Universal you have a roller coaster next to the streets in New York or visible from the other park. Food at Disney I found was better overall… I guess that’s a personal one.

EDIT: Look, for those that don’t like that I posted this thread sorry… either don’t look, or comment expressing your feelings in a civil way. I know this is WDWMagic and the reason I joined WDWMagic is because I love the Disney Parks and Disney Company. I will always go back to Disney and do weekend trips all the time. I love Disney so much it actually hurt walking through the parks at Universal because I know Disney has the potential to take the good Universal has and make it better. I hate to see Disney cutting expenses and not adding rides, these things hurt those that love it like us here at WDWMagic.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Don’t get me wrong, some staff are good but others weren’t, at Disney I just feel things where a little more I guess magical? I loved the theming, just not the layout. At Disney you can’t really see things that are’t themed while at Universal you have a roller coaster next to the streets in New York or visible from the other park. Food at Disney I found was better overall… I guess that’s a personal one.

That I agree with, but, Universal can get away with it where as we wouldn't let Disney do that. You are right it is all personal taste. I have been visiting Uni on and off since they opened and have always enjoyed it immensely. Not because it was like Disney, but, because it wasn't. It is a different experience, not bad, not better, just different. I hadn't been in a while when I went in January and I was floored by how much it had changed both in opportunity and attitude.