Disney Lover..BUT....There are things about Universal I think are superior to Disney

[Californian Elitist]

For some reason anytime Disney gives away something special to a guest, it then turns into their guests demanding that special treatment. Remember Year of a Million Dreams, and what an Epic Fail it was? Guests were chasing down CMs and demanding to win something. And don't get me started on how many 'What will Disney do special for me on my birthday/anniversary/leap day" posts there are.

Any time Disney does something nice, it then turns into an expectation.

So very true, and sometimes the guests want things even if Disney hasn't given away something. I used to work in attractions in Disneyland's Fantasyland. I was operating the Casey Jr. Train and this group of five tried to come on, with each of them having a dog. We could only have one dog on the train at a time, so obviously this was a problem. Anyways, the manager was called, he settled it, told them they could all get on at once but this was the only time, blah blah blah. My manager then asked if he could be of any more service and one of the ladies in the group wanted him to buy them all dinner. I couldn't believe my ears.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I have no idea what ride you went on, but it wasn't Forbidden Journey.

Duh, the ride with those pink fluffy bunnies that were send by Empress Zorg-626 and you had to shoot them by pulling a rope on your gun or some such I dunno I don't remember I may have been a bit drunk stop asking all those questions dammit

 

[The Empress Lilly]

My manager then asked if he could be of any more service and one of the ladies in the group wanted him to buy them all dinner. I couldn't believe my ears.

She wasn't after a free dinner, she wanted to...'thank him' for his kind service! She was asking him out!

 

[The Empress Lilly]

We just purchased UO APs and are looking for ways to stretch our days at UO. If you've spent 6 or 7 consecutive days at UO, how do you keep the parks "fresh"?

Does the AP include Wet and Wild? Or can you add it on?

W&W owns! I've always enjoyed that place. It's just down the road from Uni. I stayed near Uni last year, just so I could easily hop (walk even) between my hotel, W&W and Uni. Bliss!

There's also a great mall just down the road, plus all the offerings of International Drive. Most of which, however, aren't all that classy - but there's always one or two that one does enjoy, depending on taste and preference.

 

[celluloid]

Also, Star Tours 2.0 is way better than forbidden Journey. :slurp:

Both basically consist of being tossed about in front of a screen, but ST is not limited to moving to your right only.

So being 180 on your back is considered to the right? And for Forbidden Journey it would be screens, a carousel of moving screens to the 3rd power plus a few stationary ones and a few traveling projections that help the illusion of transition to the observatory and back into the chimney. Being partial is one thing but I wonder what twisted logic being on your back facing the ceiling of a show building (with an animatronic tree branch lunging at you) could be considered moving only to the right.

 

[ChrisFL]

For some reason anytime Disney gives away something special to a guest, it then turns into their guests demanding that special treatment. Remember Year of a Million Dreams, and what an Epic Fail it was? Guests were chasing down CMs and demanding to win something. And don't get me started on how many 'What will Disney do special for me on my birthday/anniversary/leap day" posts there are.

Any time Disney does something nice, it then turns into an expectation.

Added to that, anytime Disney runs a promotion, they're "being nice"....anytime Universal runs a promotion its "because they're desperate"

 

[Skip]

Lots of personal opinions here!

See, maybe it's just me, I tend to prefer opinions that are backed up with logic & reasoning... don't mind if people prefer Disney, I just take issue when they claim Uni is equivalent to Six Flags or is primarily a "coaster park."

But nah, pixie dust! :lookaroun

 

[Skibum1970]

Hulk and The Coaster Formerly Known As Dueling Dragons were awesome creations, though made for thrill seekers. The Cat-In-The-Hat ride was so fun with all of its antics and Spiderman awesome in every way. Admittedly, I haven't been to IoA since 2004 but it was so much fun. I was not as big a fan of Universal Studios but things are looking up with the upcoming addition of Diagon Alley and Gringotts.

However, I feel that IoA and/or Univeral Studios are each one day parks (less even for the Studios). With Disney, I can spend all day and the next at any of their parks (yes, even Animal Kingdom). It isn't just the ride quality but is also the appeal that WDW has for my wife and I. The intangibles for us make WDW a vacation destination and IoA/US a stopping point along the way.

So, the thrill rides at IoA are superior (admittedly, I am a B&M fan) but the atmosphere is better at WDW. As others stated, it's all about personal preference.

 

[Skibum1970]

You and I seem to have somewhat similar views. My premise is that, on a park-by-park or ride-by-ride basis, UO is as good as WDW, especially for adults and older children. WDW's primary objective advantage is size; it's simply so much larger than UO, offering more to do.

What seems to drive UO fans crazy is the "intangibles" so many WDW fans mention. My theory is that this intangible is mostly the result of the unifying factor the personae of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse have on the entire WDW resort, both of which appeal to the child in each of us. UO has no similar unifying theme.

Imagine somehow eliminating Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse from WDW. I know, it's impossible. But if these somehow could be removed would WDW and UO feel that much different? Perhaps only because because of their differences in size.

Excellent point. If the Magic Kingdom was just a park with no Disney tie-in, it would be viewed as a kiddie park with some interesting theming. However, people would not flock there in the millions. The rides, such as the Jungle Cruise, get by with being what they are because of Disney. Otherwise, it would be a lame ride at just another park. I go to Kings Island and Cedar Point and they have the occasional lame ride (for those who know, the Italian Job Stunt Coaster is one). I would never make a vacation around one theme park without major thrillrides but I do for WDW. From the awesome resorts to the surrounding parks, WDW offers a complete vacation experience.

 

[ChrisFL]

You and I seem to have somewhat similar views. My premise is that, on a park-by-park or ride-by-ride basis, UO is as good as WDW, especially for adults and older children. WDW's primary objective advantage is size; it's simply so much larger than UO, offering more to do.

What seems to drive UO fans crazy is the "intangibles" so many WDW fans mention. My theory is that this intangible is mostly the result of the unifying factor the personae of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse have on the entire WDW resort, both of which appeal to the child in each of us. UO has no similar unifying theme.

Imagine somehow eliminating Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse from WDW. I know, it's impossible. But if these somehow could be removed would WDW and UO feel that much different? Perhaps only because because of their differences in size.

I agree with all of this. I also think that its those intangibles which keep people like us on sites like this one....to discuss whether Disney is keeping those things that make it more special, for future generations...or whether it is declining.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

Excellent point. If the Magic Kingdom was just a park with no Disney tie-in, it would be viewed as a kiddie park with some interesting theming. However, people would not flock there in the millions. The rides, such as the Jungle Cruise, get by with being what they are because of Disney. Otherwise, it would be a lame ride at just another park. I go to Kings Island and Cedar Point and they have the occasional lame ride (for those who know, the Italian Job Stunt Coaster is one). I would never make a vacation around one theme park without major thrillrides but I do for WDW. From the awesome resorts to the surrounding parks, WDW offers a complete vacation experience.

Really? I loved the Italian Job coaster. You go through that tunnel at breakneck speed. But............the Beast. Man oh man, I'll never underestimate a wooden coaster again that "only" has its highest drop at 135 feet. As good as any coaster on the planet in my opinion.

 

[pumpkin7]

universal is very good. you get sucked into the movies like nowhere else. (sorry MGM)

but nowhere else can you feel magic like at disney.

so they are both good but both on completely different levels.

 

[rufio]

Most other things dont match Disney but gotta say that the coasters are great

I've never been to Universal. However, my fiance has, and after his first trip to Disney he was a little disappointed. It would be like pulling teeth to get me to waste an Orlando day somewhere other than WDW, but he just keeps talking about how he wished it had more thrill rides like Universal. I like rollercoasters, but I LOVE the rides at Disney that all tell a story. Still, it would be nice to even things out a bit with another thrill ride or two.

 

[spock]

I've never been to Universal.

I like rollercoasters, but I LOVE the rides at Disney that all tell a story.

I think that like many who have never been to Universal, you've maybe fallen into the trap of believing a misconception...that Universal attractions are all just thrill rides that don't tell a story. Not correct. Attractions such as Harry Potter, Spiderman, Jurassic Park, Men in Black, Revenge of the Mummy, etc tell just as much of a story as any Disney attraction. In some cases, I think Universal's attractions actually do a BETTER job of presenting a cohesive storyline than many of Disney's attractions do. As far as thrill rides, I think it's fair to say that a coaster such as Dragon Challenge doesn't have any less of a "story" than, say, Space Mountain. I'm curious, do you not care for Space Mountain and Disney's other less story-filled thrill rides? Just curious.

 

[Juliaz3]

I really appreciate this discussion! My husband and I are in our 40s and have been to WDW three times since we met in 2004. We're big kids at heart, and don't have any actual children of our own. We loved our WDW vacations -- me for all the nostalgia plus the joy of introducing him to the parks, and my husband because he had never been before, he grew up in another country.

WDW became a very special place for us, and we definitely want to return, BUT my husband loves rollercoasters and movies like "Spiderman" and "The Mummy" and I want to see Harry Potter attractions, so I want us to go at least once to Universal. I've not known, however, how much time to give those parks. So it sounds like a long weekend, maybe three nights, would be enough. We'd stay at the Hard Rock Hotel as he's a musician and could use the room key thing to avoid long lines.

No matter what, though, I really think we would miss WDW and feel like we were missing something by being in Orlando but not at WDW. Sounds like we need to make a 7 night trip and split our time between the two! Definitely WDW after Uni.

 

[Communicore]

Does the AP include Wet and Wild? Or can you add it on?

W&W owns! I've always enjoyed that place. It's just down the road from Uni. I stayed near Uni last year, just so I could easily hop (walk even) between my hotel, W&W and Uni. Bliss!

We had a corporate picnic at W&W once and they served the e. Coli special hotdogs and burgers!! Yum!!

 

[Ginzuishou]

Juliaz3 you and your husband will LOVE Universal. I recently went to Islands of Adventure for the first time and was BLOWN away by all the amazing rides.

 

[wonderbooty911]

What Disney needs to do:

PARKS

Magic Kingdom
- New Fantasyland (in progress)
- New daytime parade
- New nighttime parade (better than SpectroMagic)
- Update Tomorrowland Speedway with Cars (pixar) or futuristic theming on the cars themselves and to the track/area…make cars electric or battery powered (that recharge as they go) to eliminate noise/odor

Epcot
- Ellen’s Energy needs redone with something? Maybe a large Wall-E or futuristic ride-thru attraction
- Redo Imagination Pavilion (ride, and 3d show)
- Build a new country or 2 with rides


Hollywood Studios
- Turn Sounds Dangerous and American Idol Experience into an indoor ride (AIE I knew wouldn’t be as big or sustaining as they thought)
- Add onto Pixar area (Monster’s coaster)
- Get rid of Backlot tour and replace with Carsland (similar to that in Disneyland)
- Honey I Shunk the kids playground to A Bug’s Life theme (can’t believe this hasn’t already been done)
- Redo the Great Movie ride with all classic Disney and more recent pixar animated films with scenes and animatronics, etc. This IMO would be a hit. Those movies in the ride are not popular with kids and young families
- Replace Beauty and the Beast show with Tangled (sounds like may be in the works already)
- I like Indiana Jones…but it’s going to get old if it hasn’t already. Maybe turn this into a ride or maybe better yet even a pirate themed stunt show?
- Enhance Fantasmic

Animal Kingdom
- While I think Disney could really do cool things with Avatarland…I think this might not be the best path….Disney should add onto Animal Kingdom with a Sea/Ocean theme (like DisneySea) instead
- Within the DisneySea addition to the park, add World of Color (or something very similar) which would be the night show AK needs without firework mess/danger/noise for animals
- Not fond of the Dinoland/Amusement park feel…maybe save a few things from it (Dinosaur ride obviously, the lil Dumbo like ride, and maybe even primeval whirl (if it could be re-themed)
- Bring back some sort of boat ride through the water…could even be expanded into the new DisneySea park section
- Updates to the daytime parade - always thought an African/Asian drummin' kind of show would be cool

All Parks
- Require everyone to carry room key/ticket with RFID tag to enhance rides, queues, and maybe only allow those to use bus service as well

Downtown Disney
- I’m at a loss here… just keep adding more stores, Splitsville may help
- Build indoor mini-golf
- Do NOT add World of Color here – crowds are already bad at night in some places



BUS SERVICE

- Provide bus routes from the theme parks directly to Downtown Disney

See, to me thats the magic of Disney. The things that they had when I was little I can take my children on and it brings back so many memories. I agree with expanding this, but to change everything to a contemporary theme is a waste of money, and it takes away from that childhood magic. As far as letting only hotel guests ride the busses,i have to majorly disagree. I went to visit a friend at UCF and we spent half a day just riding the busses and going to different hotels:lol:. There is somethng thats just so...magical and nostalgic about riding a disney bus, and having the freedom to ride it weather you're staying on site or not. Also, can you imagine how ling it would take busses to check that everyone was staying at a disney hotel? Even with technology, that would be a major pain.

 

[spock]

As far as letting only hotel guests ride the busses,i have to majorly disagree. I went to visit a friend at UCF and we spent half a day just riding the busses and going to different hotels:lol:. There is somethng thats just so...magical and nostalgic about riding a disney bus, and having the freedom to ride it weather you're staying on site or not. Also, can you imagine how ling it would take busses to check that everyone was staying at a disney hotel? Even with technology, that would be a major pain.

I might be wrong, but I think technically the property transporation system (busses, monorails) is supposed to be for resort guests only. They've always included it as a perk for staying onsite, so it's kind of implied that you have to be a resort guest in order to use it. I agree with you though that enforcing it would probably add to the time and inconvenience. I suspect that's why they don't enforce it.

 

[I_heart_Tigger]

I found on my trip that we spent more time at Disney taking our time going between attractions and spent some time just sitting with a snack or browsing in stores. At Universal we tended to go from attraction to attraction to attraction.

Not sure if this says something about the ambiance of each place or if it is more reflected in the style of attractions. After getting off The Mummy for example we seemed to be in the mood of, "Yeah! That was great lets go do something else!!!" Getting off Pirates we were more in the mind of, that was so nice, let's have a look in the store and get an ice cream and hang out in Adventureland for a bit.

We did have more time in Disney (6 days Disney to 3 days Universal) but even our 1 extra day spent in Sea World was very relaxed and we just wandered until we got to something else we wanted to stop at - no need to go at breakneck speed there.

Also, at Disney we didn't pick up park maps at all because I know my way around better and we just weren't interested in stopping every half hour to consult the map. At Universal, we had a map and as soon as we got off a ride we checked to see what the next one was - "OK, Forbidden Journey was awesome, Jurassic Park is next...let's go!!!"

It's just a totally different feel and a different way of exploring each park to me so it's hard for me to compare. I think I felt exhilarated after getting off the Universal rides and felt content and nostalgic after getting off the Disney one's - can't say which feeling is better because I enjoyed them both.