The Crafty Veteran
Active Member
My family consisting of 18 just recently visited for 13 nights in Florida and never left Disney property. We were not against the idea, it just made no sense for us.
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Disney Universal or both
- Thread starter seascape
- Start date
DinoInstitute
Well-Known Member
Same with me. When there are about 13-15 of us, which there occasionally is, it would just be too hard and too costly to leave WDW, plus it's not like we would run out of stuff to do at WDW
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
What do you mean when you say the "new industry" and "Disney's techniques"? I need examples as to what you're talking about because, from what I've seen, Universal does their own thing and always has, unlike Disney.
DinoInstitute
Well-Known Member
When I said new industry I meant completely changing the theme park business, and with disneys techniques I mean adding hotels for guests, full shopping areas, ect.
And you can't honestly mean that Disney takes things from Uni
And you can't honestly mean that Disney takes things from Uni
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
Then I guess Sea World, Legoland, Six Flags parks and other theme parks are all followers and copiers as well, right? These places are all in the theme park business. Of course they're going to all have hotels, shopping areas and whatever else is obvious. It's just like the good chains. I believe it was Wendy's that first started selling salads... It didn't take long for other chains to start selling salads, too. I don't think anyone got mad at McDonald's for beginning to sell salads after Wendy's. That's business for you, and the same goes for theme parks.
In regards to specific things that make each, individual theme park its own (not including silly and obvious things like themed lands, hotels, shopping areas), yes, Disney took from Universal. You acknowledged this yourself. Universal Studios does the whole studio theme park, though Universal Studios Hollywood is the only Universal park that produces big time shows and films. Disney has a so-called studio park. I don't see Universal with a castle park or with a park anything like EPCOT. Universal has been doing their own thing. The same thing can almost be said for Disney.
The Crafty Veteran
Active Member
Well for starters to rent four or five cars, then pay for park tickets, parking and food and drink it would have cost another two or three thousand dollars for just one day at a park my family could possible not like. No thanks. When using Disney's Magical Express, visiting anything off site becomes a hassle. I'm on vacation, no hassles please.
maxairmike
Well-Known Member
Disney was hardly the first on any of these things, particularly the bolded. Cedar Point and several other eastern summer establishments were doing so in the late 1800s/early 1900s, and yes, they were full blown entertainment parks with rides and all back then. I believe there were even some western establishments, as L.A. Thompson's Switchback Railway creation had some popular installations in California as well, though I'm not as familiar with what was going on out west in the industry in that general time period.
Disney did "up the game," but hardly created a true new industry, just a segment that also took great advantage of favorable climates. In fact, DL's nearby neighbor, Knott's, has the claim to starting the theme park business in 1940.
The Empress Lilly
Well-Known Member
*cough*DHS*cough*
The Empress Lilly
Well-Known Member
My most recent itinerary consisted of:
14 days
1 IOA
1 USF
1 SEA
5 days 'doing stuff'
6 WDW (roughly 2xMK, 2xEPCOT, 2x DAK/DHS combo)
with lots of hours devoted to Wet and Wild, TL, and BB
14 days
1 IOA
1 USF
1 SEA
5 days 'doing stuff'
6 WDW (roughly 2xMK, 2xEPCOT, 2x DAK/DHS combo)
with lots of hours devoted to Wet and Wild, TL, and BB
BrianV
Well-Known Member
Depending on how far you travel, we prefer to do only disney or only universal. Last year we flew down Friday and came home Monday and spent the entire time on universal property. And we loved it. At universal there is a huge advantage in convenience to staying on site. This summer we'll be beaching at the coast and then drive to disney for 3 days. And having done a similar trip in the past, I predict we will love it too. As with universal, being on site at Disney makes life much easier.
For me, doing both in one trip is a lot, but to each his or her own. I predict next year we'll do another universal only trip to see new HP.
For me, doing both in one trip is a lot, but to each his or her own. I predict next year we'll do another universal only trip to see new HP.
KingdomofDreams
Well-Known Member
We always do both. 4-5 days at WDW staying onsite, then transfer over to Uni for 2 days, staying onsite there. The length of stay at each resort is solely based on the number of parks at each, not a measure of level of enjoyment. I will say that we wouldn't care much if we were onsite at Uni if it weren't for Express Pass. Uni's EP is the best perk ever IMO. That said, there is nothing Disney could do to deter me from going to Uni and nothing Uni could do to deter me from Disney. They each stand (or fall) based on their own merit.
Magenta Panther
Well-Known Member
The thing is, the parks are very different, and each have their own kind of magic. I'm more partial to the Disney parks because I love Walt Disney and his type of magic. But Universal is flat-out amazing. It's done so many things right. You HAVE to experience it to believe it.
We had Florida Resident AP at both, but let our Uni ones expire late last year. However, we used to do both during our week long twice a year trips (spring & fall) - 3 days at WDW and 2 at Uni. And stayed at Lowes so we could use the boat transportation or walk and Uni's version of fast pass (must be staying on property or you have to purchase). Now that Diagon Alley is opening later this month, will probably add a few days for Uni to our fall trip after we return from our cruise. Both have reasons to go and with new HP & Springfield, we are excited to visit Uni again.
pumpkin7
Well-Known Member
We always do both, but it's more because DH likes the bigger rides, and there isn't anything 'super scary' in Disney for him.
He likes stuff like the Hulk. Last trip it was the Hulk in the rain... that was interesting.
Anyway, I think it's worth going to just to experience. Eventhough I am biased towards Disney, Universal has some great areas, like (I hate to admit as I'm not a massive Potter fan anyway) Hogwarts and Hogsmead has been done very well, and it's something new now they've joined that park with Diagon Alley in the Studios. I LOVE how you can ride the movies though in the Studios. The Mummy Ride is epic, The Simpsons ride fares well (although I preferred BTTF but understand it was time for a change). Men in Black is pretty good, although I think it needs an update now. I also enjoy Disaster! It's like you're walking into an Earthquake, but they show you how it's done. It's all very good. Minion Mayhem is not worth more than a 30 minute wait, though it quite good. Neither is Shrek.
Just don't expect FP or any freebies.
He likes stuff like the Hulk. Last trip it was the Hulk in the rain... that was interesting.
Anyway, I think it's worth going to just to experience. Eventhough I am biased towards Disney, Universal has some great areas, like (I hate to admit as I'm not a massive Potter fan anyway) Hogwarts and Hogsmead has been done very well, and it's something new now they've joined that park with Diagon Alley in the Studios. I LOVE how you can ride the movies though in the Studios. The Mummy Ride is epic, The Simpsons ride fares well (although I preferred BTTF but understand it was time for a change). Men in Black is pretty good, although I think it needs an update now. I also enjoy Disaster! It's like you're walking into an Earthquake, but they show you how it's done. It's all very good. Minion Mayhem is not worth more than a 30 minute wait, though it quite good. Neither is Shrek.
Just don't expect FP or any freebies.
TubaGeek
God bless the "Ignore" button.
;D Yeah, buddy!!!
cheezbat
Well-Known Member
Anyone who comes down here for a week or more and only does WDW is a fool. There are so many other things worth checking out here.
I say both.
If you're here for seven days:
2 for Magic Kingdom
1 for Epcot
1 for Animal Kingdom
1 for Universal Studios
1 for Islands of Adventure
And 1 for either the beaches or one of the Disney Waterparks.
If you have any more time then I'd suggest Sea World or Hollywood Studios or Busch Gardensor Kennedy Space Center.
Everything is worth visiting at least once, some things more.
I say both.
If you're here for seven days:
2 for Magic Kingdom
1 for Epcot
1 for Animal Kingdom
1 for Universal Studios
1 for Islands of Adventure
And 1 for either the beaches or one of the Disney Waterparks.
If you have any more time then I'd suggest Sea World or Hollywood Studios or Busch Gardensor Kennedy Space Center.
Everything is worth visiting at least once, some things more.
DinoInstitute
Well-Known Member
I think that MK alone, while great, isn't worth a second day. I'd say to instead spend that day, or at least the second half, at DHS. Or perhaps SW/BG depending on your tastes
TubaGeek
God bless the "Ignore" button.
If you're there for the first time and/or when it's busy, you pretty much have to give MK a second day if you want to do everything. That park is PACKED with things to do.
If you're a repeat visitor, though, and have already seen it all, you can probably get away with a one day "highlights" kind of trip.
