Disney/Universal: The Disney Difference

[jmani56]

I have to disagree with the above post. Any Disney park handles way more people than a Universal Park and runs much more efficiently. I have been to IOA on a busy day and it's a nightmare, much worse than a Disney park. Even on a moderate day, the lines for every ride are much longer than Disney's. That was one thing that left such a bad taste in my mouth...the rides were inefficient, the lines long, the que's boring, etc. The entire experience is just not as good as Disney, even waiting in line.

 

[Piebald]

Would you rather battle crowds? When it comes to ride efficiency, UO has Disney beat, IMO. Most of UO cares about ride efficiency a lot more than Disney does and it's taken very seriously. If you did both parks in 4 hours, I guarantee you were missing something--didn't go on most of the rides, or look around. It sounds like you had a bias against USF and IOA to begin with and in that case, you'll get what you think you'll get from it.

As for the merchandise girl and the park services person--while I don't totally agree with what they were doing, I understand it. If the park was as dead as you say, what do you expect them to be doing? Do you not think that kind of stuff happens on Disney property as well?

Jeremy
Universal Team Member
AND
Disney Cast Member

When I say we did everything, I mean we did everything. The only thing we did not see were the shows and besides Fear Factor and the ones at IOA I believe I've seen them all (the animal one, beetlejuice,etc). I am not biased by any means... I had not been to UO in like six years and it was my first time being at IOA. Of course no lines is awesome but the two parks had crossed beyond the line of "Wow great there is not a lot of people here!" to "Wow...this place is dead in a sad way".

 

[haveyoumetmark]

Double Post.
Sorry.

Wow I do that too much.

 

[haveyoumetmark]

i think IOA is pretty good,
but AK totally beat it by 100%.
IOA's new ride this year, i heard it was lame (it only went 3mph and you weren't allowed to bring cameras)
and AK's new ride got really good reviews (yay, for yeti's that bite of your head)

It's not even a new ride. It was supposed to open with the park, but there were complications with some evacuation codes and stuff, they weren't able to do anything with it so it just sat there. For years. Finally they got it up and running, but it was always there, queue and all. I wouldn't count it as a new ride, Universal's Islands of Adventure has remained virtually unchanged since it opened. It's bothersome because I really did think IOA was great. I had annual passes there last year. Now I'm back to Disney, for a while I think it'll stay that way.

 

[MagliteL13]

I have to disagree with the above post. Any Disney park handles way more people than a Universal Park and runs much more efficiently. I have been to IOA on a busy day and it's a nightmare, much worse than a Disney park. Even on a moderate day, the lines for every ride are much longer than Disney's. That was one thing that left such a bad taste in my mouth...the rides were inefficient, the lines long, the que's boring, etc. The entire experience is just not as good as Disney, even waiting in line.

MK does top em all, but USF handles about the same as Disney/MGM Studios and many more than AK. I can't go into actual numbers. Some of the queues at USF are a little boring (Jimmy Neutron, Terminator), but then again, a lot of the queues at WDW are too (BTM, Living with the Land). I don't wanna get started on inefficient rides because that winner would go to Six Flags :lol:...

Coasters: UO
Dark rides: Disney (the Omnimover system beats any rail and carriage style anyday). The exception being Spiderman, which is a really efficient ride.
Shows: UO
Jungle Cruise beats Jaws (albeit not by much)

I don't lean towards one company or the other-- I only defend UO because it's always bashed. (and yes, I realize this is a Disney message board)

As for doing all of UO in 4 hours, I just noticed you said everything besides the shows (I misread it). Yes, that's possible but so is doing everything at Disney/MGM Studios AND Epcot on a dead day (okay....5 hours .....but Epcot's a larger park than IOA). I've done it.

Jeremy
Universal Team Member
AND
Disney Cast Member

 

[sknydave]

I have annual passes to both the Disney and Universal parks

I'm just upset they got rid of the express pass discount for AP holders (was $5 for both parks!!!)

 

[NemoRocks78]

Would you rather battle crowds? When it comes to ride efficiency, UO has Disney beat, IMO. Most of UO cares about ride efficiency a lot more than Disney does and it's taken very seriously.

100% true.

 

[sknydave]

Something Universal does that annoys me is they use very few vehicles or tracks or what have you when the parks are slow, causing you to still have to wait 10+ minutes on a ride that you would have otherwise been on immediately.

 

[MagliteL13]

Something Universal does that annoys me is they use very few vehicles or tracks or what have you when the parks are slow, causing you to still have to wait 10+ minutes on a ride that you would have otherwise been on immediately.

I have to agree, but I've never noticed the problem that much at USF but I've noticed it at IOA. We, at RotM, try to never have a line when it's slow. Most of the time it depends on who's working where within the attraction. Disney does it on some attractions (Jungle, Space, Splash, Everest, Safaris, etc...) as well, but not to the extreme that IOA does.

All in all, neither company should do that. The first priority is the guest. I do understand there's cost issue though. I know I'd be a happier guest when I don't have to wait in line. I agree though, it's kinda annoying when that happens.

 

[scottnj1966]

Universal Studios is an owned subsidiary of the "GE" corporation, which also owns all of 'NBC". "GE's" core business and profitability comes solely from aircraft engines and electronics, while Disney's core business is entertainment.

Unfortunately, NBC and Universal are failing sectors of their business. I believe Universal Studios Theme Parks have not made a profit for "GE" since it's acquisition a few years ago. It just does not make sense for "GE" to pour a bunch of money into this failing venture. I would not be surprised if "GE" sold the theme park business and just licensed the "Universal" name and merchandise to the new owner. "Cedar Fair" is the only one, another than Disney, that has the capital to buy these parks. Cedar Fair currently owns and operates, Cedar Point, Knott's Berry Farm in California, and just recently purchase all of the "Paramount Parks" across the country.:animwink:

GE(NBC) just bought them a year and half ago. Before them, the owners were a french company. Universal Studios in Florida has not changed since the ownership changes. They will always be what they are, a park for great fast excitement and thats it. No one goes to Universal planning a full family trip around it. they are always going to be the park you visit for a day or two, and also a nice cheap annual pass helps us locals visit them too when we are not visiting disney.
they will never be disney.....they cannot even keep a good flow of people in there parks to make a good profit. You cannot compare them....Uinversal should be compared with Six Flags.

 

[scottnj1966]

Would you rather battle crowds? When it comes to ride efficiency, UO has Disney beat, IMO. Most of UO cares about ride efficiency a lot more than Disney does and it's taken very seriously. If you did both parks in 4 hours, I guarantee you were missing something--didn't go on most of the rides, or look around. It sounds like you had a bias against USF and IOA to begin with and in that case, you'll get what you think you'll get from it.

As for the merchandise girl and the park services person--while I don't totally agree with what they were doing, I understand it. If the park was as dead as you say, what do you expect them to be doing? Do you not think that kind of stuff happens on Disney property as well?

Jeremy
Universal Team Member
AND
Disney Cast Member

Well how could Universal not be able to handle there crowds. They still only deal with the same amount of crowds a year as just animal kingdom. If Universal got the amount of people all of WDW gets it would fall apart.

 

[Disneyfanman]

I've been visiting both for years, but in recent times it's been all Disney. I really agree with the posts suggesting that it's a lack of money invested over time that is hurting UO. These parks need a sponsor inside of GE with power and passion. I think that they used to have that, or IOA would have never been built.

Universal needs money money money.

Someone mentioned Cedar Fair buying them. They just purchased the Paramount chain, and their 2007 capital investment plan is very low per park. I think that they are going to need a few years before they buy anybody else. They don't want to become a "Six Flags". (Huge debt and no ability to invest in the parks).

I predict that Universal Studios will close and be sold to Real Estate investors within a few years. I just don't think they are going to make it.

 

[MickeyJman06]

Cedar Fair currently owns and operates, Cedar Point, Knott's Berry Farm in California, and just recently purchase all of the "Paramount Parks" across the country.:animwink:

i like cedar fair but disney has nice costumes.(so does CF)
i been all ways wishing to go to cedar point.

 

[bsandersjr]

We visit WDW at least once a year. We always set aside at least one day for Universal/IOA. The two are totally different parks, and totally different when it comes to the feeling you get from each.

WDW makes me feel young and care free. USF/IOA give me a more "laid back, relaxing" feeling. WHile Universal has smaller crowds when we visit, it feels like a vacation within our WDW vacation. My ankles don't get smashed by strollers, we can wander around the park at a slow pace, and it is a bit quieter.

While I LOVE and FAVOR WDW over USF/IOA, I still make it a point to get over there. Each company offers a totally different experience from each other. Comparing the two companies, to me, seems like comparing a car to an SUV. They each have thier own good and bad points, and people will always favor one over the other.

Just my opinion, ramble over......:wave:

 

[sknydave]

With the right management, Universal can be really, really great. A couple of interesting new attractions and shows and some sweeping up here and there and it would be superb.

If you build it, they will come!

 

[sknydave]

I have to agree, but I've never noticed the problem that much at USF but I've noticed it at IOA. We, at RotM, try to never have a line when it's slow. Most of the time it depends on who's working where within the attraction. Disney does it on some attractions (Jungle, Space, Splash, Everest, Safaris, etc...) as well, but not to the extreme that IOA does.

All in all, neither company should do that. The first priority is the guest. I do understand there's cost issue though. I know I'd be a happier guest when I don't have to wait in line. I agree though, it's kinda annoying when that happens.

I was going to add I never see this problem at ROTM

One of the worst offenders is MIB !! They don't use both sides of the loading platform even though there is simply no reason at all to only use one side. I asked one of the guys why they only load on one side and he said they are not allowed to use both on slow days unless given the OK

 

[DisneyLover10]

I would never be caught dead in Universal. I had suspected that the magic wouldn't be so strong there. I am a true disney addict and will never change that EVER.

 

[marni1971]

As a tourist (well... you know what I mean) we always make time to see USF and IOA. For us coming so far it`d be daft not to - and these 2 parks have some of the best attractions in Orlando. Note I said some. MIB shows Buzz Lightyear up for what it really is and Earthquake I`m afraid does run circles round Cat Canyon. If it wasn`t for the JC script, JAWS could give JC a run. I admit they are different themes, but JAWS captures the perfect hybrid of being accessible to kids for the ride, teenagers for the effects, and parents for both. Over at IOA, The Hulk and Duelling Dragons *ahem* coasters are just that. Coasters. Very good ones. By it`s nature and location the Hulk has no real theming apart from the station (and the oh so clever launch system) and DD really could do with good landscaping, but they don`t pretend to be any more than what they are. Not saying Disneys do - they do, and do it well.

IOAs water rides show what can be done - Shame on you, Kali. Splash Mountain is in a world all it`s own, but is no longer unique. Jurrassic Park is a well executed theme, though the single drop was a let down (no pun intended) for a first timer.

The firm favourite IMHO hands down is Spiderman. I`ve been talking about this earlier today with a friend. So many technical advances in one attraction, all working seamlesly as one. I`ve said it here before; Indy at TDS is WDIs 3rd Gen EMV. Spidermans ride vehicle is a 4th gen. Where`s the 5th gen, Disney?

Whilst the attractions are ambitious, Universal is just another slightly above grade park for guest services. We got great help with a minor medical issue, but the Disney CM and USF staff difference is very apparant on the whole - I`m not knocking those at USF who truely want to make a difference, and they do exist, but we saw so many all-too-apparent staff summer hires who were there just for the summer money.

Even 5 years later I have 2 lasting memories; the staff kid who snapped at me for approaching ETs load with a video camera in hand. In hand - not shooting. I said `hello` expecting a `hi, party of 2?` but instead - I kid you not - he stood up, got in my face, and shouted `NO CAMERAS`. End of sentence. After a moment of probably shock I ignored him (why I didn`t rise to it I don`t know) and after loading noticed him glaring at us. The second memory was of unloading The Funtastic World of Hanna Barbara - even as we were waiting for our row to empty so we could begin to move, the entry doors on the right opened and they began admitting the next group of guests. They couldn`t get us through quick enough.

And yes, even in June, we sadly never saw either park by night since we`d done them both by mid afternoon.

Universal is a Disney wannabe - but it won`t be. It should be happy for what it is; a far above average theme park. I find really sad the comparisson adverts - instead of singing their plusses, they try to show the competitions faults. It`s like politics - when all else fails, try to discredit the opposition. All it shows is how desperate you`ve become.

 

[Nicole]

I think that having Universal down the road has been good for Disney guests. Competition is good. But I think that it's not been good for Universal. In another place US/IOA would be a great park with lots of guests planning their trips just to visit there. But in Orlando I would imagine that it's more of a "since we're here anyway..." type thing.

I like amusement parks. I've visted several, Six Flags over Georgia, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Kings Dominion and Carowinds in the last few years. During the same span I've been to WDW ten times and never cared to go to Universal. Nothing against Universal, just that from everything I've heard it's pretty much your average amusement park.

Disney builds THEME parks, and for me that is the difference.

 

[jpw007]

GE(NBC) just bought them a year and half ago. Before them, the owners were a french company. Universal Studios in Florida has not changed since the ownership changes. They will always be what they are, a park for great fast excitement and thats it. No one goes to Universal planning a full family trip around it. they are always going to be the park you visit for a day or two, and also a nice cheap annual pass helps us locals visit them too when we are not visiting disney.
they will never be disney.....they cannot even keep a good flow of people in there parks to make a good profit. You cannot compare them....Uinversal should be compared with Six Flags.

Well said!!!