Disney vs Universal - what's your feedback?

[trixie21]

Hi everyone! I have been to Disney many times but never Universal. Some of my friends who have attended both are saying Universal is better. What are your thoughts? As far as food comparison, ride comparison, crowd comparison etc. I have 2 kids DD 7 & DS 9 who love Harry Potter and Disney.

 

[Laura]

I don't ever compare Universal and Disney because they are 2 completely different experiences. I love them both and have an awesome time at each one. Disney has a lot of things that I would never find at Universal, and Universal has a lot of things I'd never find at Disney.

I believe, though, that Disney's way of handling crowds is better than Universal's. But Universal on a crowd-free day is top notch.

 

[Laura]

The Meal Deal is the biggest rip-off. Yes you can eat all day, but only 3 or 4 restaurants in each park. Meal Deal includes entree, a side and dessert. The dessert is not one of the desserts listed on the menu, but are a choice of 2 types of cake. Beverages are not included with the Meal Deal.

All I can say is been there, done that. Sticking to Disney next time.

I wouldn't say it's a ripoff. We end up spending about what we would have spent anyway, but we get WAY more food (side dishes, desserts, etc). We love to use the meal plan at both Sea World and Universal, and we totally pig out when we do. :lol:

 

[maggiegrace1]

I say Disney because Universal does not really have anything that appeals to me..it is mostly RC type rides and those are not for me..and I am not a Harry Potter fan so that has no appeal what so ever to me either.


Not saying I will never go..we may when Maggie is older but as for now..we are strictly Disney people..

It is something for all of us..though I am not that big on the FLE because I love it like it is. .but change is a good thing and I am sure we will enjoy it a lot..especially Maggie..and that is all that matters..

 

[hrcollectibles]

Universal doesn't have as much to offer, and you spend more time in line. We went a few years ago and got on 4 rides the entire day.

It really depends on when you go... We were able to do both parks in less than a day...I like them both.. But as has been stated they are 2 totally different experiences... Universal may not have as many rides, attractions or live shows.. But they do have the Blues Brothers....And the Simpsons ride is a lot of fun (even though it Replaced my Favorite ride at the park)... The only two original attractions left at Universal are Jaws and ET...... If you have never been. I say give it a shot.. I never understood why some Disney Fans have a hatred towards Universal.. Even though they have never gone:shrug:

 

[NemoRocks78]

It really depends on when you go... We were able to do both parks in less than a day...I like them both.. But as has been stated they are 2 totally different experiences... Universal may not have as many rides, attractions or live shows.. But they do have the Blues Brothers....And the Simpsons ride is a lot of fun (even though it Replaced my Favorite ride at the park)... The only two original attractions left at Universal are Jaws and ET...... If you have never been. I say give it a shot.. I never understood why some Disney Fans have a hatred towards Universal.. Even though they have never gone:shrug:

Because Mickey Mouse might not let them back into WDW if they go to Uni.

 

[captainkidd]

Express Pass, they're answer to FP, is virtually useless. They sell them in gift shops and to hotel guests, and whatever they sell comes out of the pool available in the machines, and the result is that the EPs for even the less popular rides were gone very early in the day. (Note that the last time I was there was years ago.)

If you stay at a Universal Resort, you get unlimited Express Pass to just about every attraction. For resort guests, Express Pass blows Fastpass out of the water.

I would never go to Universal unless I was staying there. After you stay there once and get to experience unlimited express pass, you can't go back (at least I can't.) I'd stay at Universal if their hotels stunk just for that option, but the fact is, the 3 Universal Resorts are fantastic, and better than many of Disney's Resorts.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Universal is not aimed at pixy dust snorting menopausal women trying to recapture their lost youth or the sub 8 year old child family group. It as has been said a different experience, relying as it does on the attractions rather than some healthy doses of nostalgia and myth based special atmosphere.
I often here comments related to quality of service, but as someone who goes every trip I have not seen any noticeable variations in either service or quality. City Walk is a proper night time venue area unlike DTDs despite DTD having the advantage of size.

 

[captainkidd]

Universal is not aimed at pixy dust snorting menopausal women trying to recapture their lost youth or the sub 8 year old child family group. It as has been said a different experience, relying as it does on the attractions rather than some healthy doses of nostalgia and myth based special atmosphere.
I often here comments related to quality of service, but as someone who goes every trip I have not seen any noticeable variations in either service or quality. City Walk is a proper night time venue area unlike DTDs despite DTD having the advantage of size.

Interesting. I'm not female and I love Disney.

 

[LowesChevy]

WDW vs. Universal

Universal is a pretty fun place that we like to visit & stay on property every couple years. We really have no need to go every year-the parks do not seem to change much. We do not seek big thrills at a theme park.

If you have children ages 12-19, Universal is worth a day or two-stay on property to get the Express Pass. The rides are geared toward a more mature audience-like the Hulk, Dueling Dragons, Rip Tide Rocket, The Mummy, those crazy drop towers etc. I think teenagers probably have more fun if they are not totally into Disney, as most of us are. Most of the attractions and rides are fun for kids and adults-Men in Black, The Simpsons, Jurassic Park Water Ride, & Spiderman for example.

The resorts are nice, we have stayed at the Portofino & Royal Pacific resorts. The grounds are beautiful and well maintained. We love the Express pass feature that allows you to get to get on the rides faster than non-resort guests-awesome perk. However, because they built them as high rises they just seem like any other hotel. The long winding hallways and so-so views of the thruway really take away from the resort feel. You do not feel as immersed in the atmosphere as you do at a WDW deluxe resort. It kinda just feels like Marriott or Hilton in a big city.

CityWalk is a fun place and definetely adult oriented after 8 or so. I love Margaritaville & the NASCAR Cafe & Sports Grill

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Interesting. I'm not female and I love Disney.

You write well for an 8 year old.

 

[captainkidd]

You write well for an 8 year old.

Well, I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm impressed by your wicked cool internet personality.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Well, I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm impressed by your wicked cool internet personality.

One tries old bean. :animwink:

 

[couchpotatooo]

To me Disney is a much younger family place to have fun, where as Universal is more of teen and older place to go and have fun because most of their rides are more extreme thrill rides but if your into some real fun rollercoasters it beats disney if your looking for something for the whole family you can't beat Disney!!!:sohappy:

 

[slappy magoo]

Eh, give it a shot, then you'll know.

 

[trixie21]

Thanks everyone for the great feedback. We may end up going with another family who prefer UO. If they come along - we will try it for 1 day or 2. If they don't come - we will do the 5 day Disney.