Hollywood Studios vs Islands of Adventure

[UNCgolf]

Is Hagrid's even on Express Pass?

I think they have a few attractions that aren't included.

Regardless, the Unlimited Express Pass is fantastic. I don't know if it's worth $100+ a person to buy individually (it probably is if you want to ride top attractions more than once), but it's absolutely worth staying at one of the Universal resorts that includes it.

 

[NickMaio]

Let's say that you have one single day in the Orlando area, and you can only go to one of these two parks. Which would you pick?
Both parks have thrilling rides, excellent themed lands, and overall rely on a fun theme park experience.
Which park is superior, has better rides, more fun, etc? Which is the better park?

Impossible to pick based on no criteria.....
To me they are both vastly different, in their core rides and demographics.....
Love them both for different reasons.

 

[lordsigma]

Totally agree with NickMaioI’m not going to opine in the poll. IOA and HS have very different theming and setups to do a comparison like this. I think all the Orlando parks have something to offer and there is room for them all. I’ve always been more a Disney parks person though I certainly have nothing against Uni. The Disney and Uni parks all have their place and my suggestion to most would be check them all out.

 

[hismattjesty]

Is Hagrid's even on Express Pass?

I think they have a few attractions that aren't included.

Regardless, the Unlimited Express Pass is fantastic. I don't know if it's worth $100+ a person to buy individually (it probably is if you want to ride top attractions more than once), but it's absolutely worth staying at one of the Universal resorts that includes it.

Currently, Hagrid's is not an attraction that is included in Universal's Express Pass.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

Wait, they are losing yet you say:



Man, we have different definitions of losing.

I visit both, but I have spent twice as much time in IoA since GE opened. On my most recent visit, HS was half a day. On shorter trips we skip it.

When we visit Universal, we freely go between the two parks, so I couldn't say exactly how much time we spent in each park, but we usually spend 3 days at Universal, and often skip HS altogether.

The park is truly a mess right now.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

We're doing both parks in 2 weeks. I look forward to adding more input and a vote once I visit. My only apples to oranges comparison was way back ~1990 when I went to then named and recently opened MGM Studios, and Universal Studios FL in the same visit. I have not been back to either place since. I do remember at the time LOVING US FL, and MGM was only "OK" in comparison. To be fair MGM was still being developed and didn't have a lot.

My highlights from MGM were: Indiana Jones show, back stage lot tour thing. I honestly don't remember much else and I don't think there really was too many attractions then.

US FL had Jaws (broken haha), Kongfrontation, Earthquake, pyscho house prop, some movie makeup show, and a cool ghostbusters show, Beetlejuice character walking around, overall atmosphere was just BIG..... and other things that blew me away.

For this trip, which includes my 3 kids (6.5,7.5,9.5) I'm most looking forward to the following at each park (we chose IoA for the kids over US FL)

HS - MMRR, SDD, Indiana Jones show, Fantasmic! , Sci-Fi dine in

US IoA - Seuss Land, Hagrid's motorbike/HarryPotter area, Jurassic Park.

One minor disappointment is the weaker linup of shows at US IoA....I see Poseidon's Fury which looks cool (I'm not sure what this is exactly but I think its closest to a "show"). Seussland has something with the characters, and there is 1 or 2 small things in HP area....Other than that no parades and no major shows I can find. A little surprising. Still the places looks amazing from pictures and has a very strong lineup of actual rides.

US has changed a good deal since those days. On my first visit, I remember they used to sell beer out in the open everywhere. They used to have large carts that sold beer by the bucket. (cans in a large ice bucket) They still sell alcohol, but not as in your face. The vibe has also really improved, IMO. WDW still has a little more of a clean-cut aspect, but the difference is much smaller than it once was.

The Studios side of US has more parades and shows. I'm not a big parade person, so I'm not sure what all is currently running, but we saw at least one parade at US this past trip. The Diagon Alley area also has very fun live performers. I think those are currently running. We usually just happen upon performances; we don't really plan them, that's why I say I'm not sure.

Poseidon's Fury is really neat, but I'll warn you it is a bit of a wait. Just because of the nature of the show, as is the case with many shows. It also requires a fair bit of standing and can be a bit on the intense side if your children are readily spooked.

If you get a chance, it is worthwhile to walk through the candy shop side of the Choclate Emporium. The giant milkshake things look like abominations to me, but the chocolate shop has some amazing confections! Look for the glass display case, to the right of the macaroons case/before the registers. The confections are gorgeous, and there's (almost) no wait in the shop. The macaroons are also excellent.

 

[DisneyfanMA]

Thanks for the tips. We actually had a dinner res at the toothsome Candy Factory on one of our "off" nights, but I ended up canceling it once we got everything else we wanted for dining, as a way to cut some spending. (We'll be cooking a couple dinners at our condo). We do plan to go inside however as you suggest and they'll get a thrill from seeing it and looking at the Candy. The interior of restaurant looks awesome but I'm not sure they'd get the steampunk stuff and we can save a few bucks on the $20 gourmet burgers etc. Next visit, if there is one I'd like to eat there.

 

[WondersOfLife]

I disagree,
its theme is not a rollercoaster.

Its theme is a moving Slinky Dog toy. The track(coaster) is merely a conveyance to get the toy to move like a slinky.

Dude what? I'm sure someone already corrected you... But I wanted to do it, too. I swear I saw a "roller coaster building kit" sort of thing among the theming of the ride. lol.

 

[WondersOfLife]

While Tower and Rise are amazing and much of the theming of Studios is great, IOA overall has the superior lands and attractions.

Jurassic Park River Adventure
Velocicoaster
Incredible Hulk Coaster
Popeye and Blutos
Hagrids
Forbidden Journey
(Hogsmeade as a whole)
Spiderman
Dudley Do Right
Skull Island
Camp Jurassic(I love running in there!)

Just love this lineup.

How DARE you leave out Poseidon's Fury!! (I understand why... But I'll ALWAYS be offended...)

I'd personally state that Poseidon's Fury is IOA's Muppet*Vision of the park.

Dated, in a back corner, sort of empty, but loved by a nostalgic fanbase.

 

[bhg469]

Thanks for the tips. We actually had a dinner res at the toothsome Candy Factory on one of our "off" nights, but I ended up canceling it once we got everything else we wanted for dining, as a way to cut some spending. (We'll be cooking a couple dinners at our condo). We do plan to go inside however as you suggest and they'll get a thrill from seeing it and looking at the Candy. The interior of restaurant looks awesome but I'm not sure they'd get the steampunk stuff and we can save a few bucks on the $20 gourmet burgers etc. Next visit, if there is one I'd like to eat there.

The shakes look incredible but pro tip, if you're willing to split, the sundaes are actually cheaper and are much more in volume. They just don't come in the plastic jar.

 

[The Lochness Monsta]

Good question, Hollywood gets the nod for me because I'm a "Disney" guy. Plus it was the first park in Florida I went to. So there's a bit of a sentimental reason to my choice.

 

[Schweino]

I feel like this has been discussed before! Very close for me personally. If crowd levels are equal between the two parks, I would probably pick IoA and it's only because I feel Velocicoaster, Hagrids and Hulk are rides I can do over and over again without getting 'stale'. ToT, RR, RoR and Smugglers Run get stale easily.

 

[Wilbret]

Let's say that you have one single day in the Orlando area, and you can only go to one of these two parks. Which would you pick?
Both parks have thrilling rides, excellent themed lands, and overall rely on a fun theme park experience.
Which park is superior, has better rides, more fun, etc? Which is the better park?

IOA, and I don't think it's even close. If you stay at the Royal Pacific, you can hear the Hulk at night, which just makes it more awesome, lol. If IOA could update the terrible toon island section, it would be one of the better parks around, in total. Great mix of thrills, screens, kid rides, immersive Hogsmeade, etc etc... Express Pass sends it over the top, knowing you can actually ride all the rides.

 

[Schweino]

I know Universal is expanding HP land with the Epic Universe expansion, but I really felt HP world was underwhelming. I mean it certainly was neat (never seen it before before that trip last year), but I really felt Universal could/should of made it bigger from the get go, especially if it's going to be one of your 'main' draws.

I hope they vastly expand it with Epic Universe and not just do a small add on.

 

[bhg469]

I know Universal is expanding HP land with the Epic Universe expansion, but I really felt HP world was underwhelming. I mean it certainly was neat (never seen it before before that trip last year), but I really felt Universal could/should of made it bigger from the get go, especially if it's going to be one of your 'main' draws.

I hope they vastly expand it with Epic Universe and not just do a small add on.

You consider Diagon Alley "small"? Hogsmeade was almost a last ditch effort for Universal. They got the deal, thankfully, and ran with everything they had. It paid off tremendously. It is definitely smaller than it needed to be but it still has two of the most incredible attractions on the planet, and they take up a ton of space.. Diagon Alley, however, is pretty big and there is a ton of restaurants, shops and a lot more room then you have hogwarts express/kings cross station on top of that.. I don't see how they could have made it much bigger. There were rumors of an expansion at some point but they're pretty occupied with epic universe.

 

[Schweino]

You consider Diagon Alley "small"? Hogsmeade was almost a last ditch effort for Universal. They got the deal, thankfully, and ran with everything they had. It paid off tremendously. It is definitely smaller than it needed to be but it still has two of the most incredible attractions on the planet, and they take up a ton of space.. Diagon Alley, however, is pretty big and there is a ton of restaurants, shops and a lot more room then you have hogwarts express/kings cross station on top of that.. I don't see how they could have made it much bigger. There were rumors of an expansion at some point but they're pretty occupied with epic universe.

I do. I felt like I walked down one street and that was the end of the 'world'.

 

[bhg469]

I do. I felt like I walked down one street and that was the end of the 'world'.

I feel like you missed a few friend!

 

[Schweino]

I feel like you missed a few friend!

LOL I mean we had 5 park days there because my wife had never been to Universal before. We both agree that we wish HP was bigger. I think when I compare it to say Super Hero world (or whatever you call it), it felt that HP could of been better/bigger. Just my thoughts on it. We both did love IoA and we'd definitely do it again, but US really sucks and if they didn't have Gringots, not sure I would ever consider going there lol.

 

[bhg469]

LOL I mean we had 5 park days there because my wife had never been to Universal before. We both agree that we wish HP was bigger. I think when I compare it to say Super Hero world (or whatever you call it), it felt that HP could of been better/bigger. Just my thoughts on it. We both did love IoA and we'd definitely do it again, but US really sucks and if they didn't have Gringots, not sure I would ever consider going there lol.

Gringots was a little underwhelming. I equate it to Guardians but telling an actual story at a slower pace. I'm hopeful for an expansion once Epic Universe is done and opened though. I work pretty much across the road from that and I see progress every day. It is going to be insane.

 

[DisneyfanMA]

Just from seeing videos and pictures Diagon Alley looks like better themeing to me than Hogsmeade. That said for this trip IoA still won out overall for us and we'll enjoy whatever is there including Hogsmeade.