Is it really that bad, and is it really that good?

[BiffyClyro]

Disney is fantastic and can't be described. Sure, it has maintenance issues, but compared to any other park they are extremely minor and it is usually just us disney geeks that pay attention to every tiny detail that notice these things.. and to be honest, when i;m there i don't care about them at all.

The only ride that was closed was Jaws. Transformers went into the vacant Murder She Wrote soundstage, Springfield closed an unpopular food court but they reopened Monsters Cafe and Cafe La Bamba to pick up the slack. But, yes, there were a lot of construction walls around. That is why they slammed Transformers (which is a full blown E-Ticket) in in 11 months. Now that both Transformers and Springfield are open there is only one set of walls in the park. And I believe most will be blown away with WWOHPA.

Should have been more specific but it was in june/july time. Transformers had just opened but kept shutting because of tech issues. Fear factor was shut, jaws gone. For a brief period MIB was down. Lucky if you could get a full morning in the park.

 

[RoyWalley]

There is nothing bad about either IMHO. Except Disney is just so darn expensive!

Disney World single day ticket - $95.00

Universal single day ticket - $128.00

Never been to Universal, and have no plans to go their either, but just wanted to point out that Universal is more expensive to get in.

 

[RandomPrincess]

Disney World single day ticket - $95.00

Universal single day ticket - $128.00

Never been to Universal, and have no plans to go their either, but just wanted to point out that Universal is more expensive to get in.

That $128 price for Universal is a one day park hopper not one park admission. WDW One day park hopper is $129.

 

[Mark In KY]

That $128 price for Universal is a one day park hopper not one park admission. WDW One day park hopper is $129.

So in other words, they are both "expensive".

 

[Disneyhead'71]

So in other words, they are both "expensive".

But one of them has a lot of new stuff.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Disney World single day ticket - $95.00

Universal single day ticket - $128.00

Never been to Universal, and have no plans to go their either, but just wanted to point out that Universal is more expensive to get in.

The Grand Floridian has parking lot view rooms that are over $700/night. I stayed at Portofino Bay Resort (Universal's premium resort) in April for $174/night with my AP discount.

And the only person losing by you not visiting Universal Orlando Resort is you. The phrase "Ignorant and proud of it" comes to mind.

 

[Mark In KY]

But one of them has a lot of new stuff.

Until you've been there and done that and then it's not "new stuff" anymore.
I've been to WDW, Uni and SeaWorld many times each. Each one offers a different experience. I prefer WDW and offer the opinion that it is much more than "rides".

 

[CP_alum08]

Until you've been there and done that and then it's not "new stuff" anymore.
I've been to WDW, Uni and SeaWorld many times each. Each one offers a different experience. I prefer WDW and offer the opinion that it is much more than "rides".

A perfect sentence. Yes they are both theme parks in the general sense, but WDW and Uni are very different experiences.

Also someone said "ignorant and proud of it", again very true. A lot of WDW fans hate on Uni but have never gone, or have gone but with a very closed mind.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Until you've been there and done that and then it's not "new stuff" anymore.
I've been to WDW, Uni and SeaWorld many times each. Each one offers a different experience. I prefer WDW and offer the opinion that it is much more than "rides".

And so is Universal. Universal Resort Orlando has some of the best restaurants in Central Florida. Emeril's Orlando, Emeril's Tchoup Chop, The Palm, and BiCE are all better than any WDW restaurant save V&A's. There is a fantastic Spa on property. Great golfing. Some of the areas best Seasonal Events (most included with the price of admission).

Aside from the nebulous unquantifiable "Magic®", what does WDW offer that you can't find somewhere at or offered by, Universal Orlando Resort?

And I will throw this out there, with as much as Disney fans say that Universal is too hectic and frenetic. The electric energy makes them nervous and they HATE it. A Universal vacation is FAR more laid back and relaxing than any that I have ever spent at WDW. So the energy in Marvel Superhero Island makes the hairs on the backs of Disney Fans necks stand up. Well, I will counter that the uncontrolled frenetic din of screaming kids at ANY of the less than Deluxe Resorts makes me want to bite people.

 

[ToyStorygirl]

I just think Disney fans have a VERY exaggerated perception of what a "thrill" ride is. I think Universal actually only has a couple of real "thrill rides" (Hulk, Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket, Dr. Doom's, and Dragon Challenge). I have a hard time calling Spider-man, Transformers, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey "thrill rides". Do Disney fans REALLY consider Star Tours a "thrill ride". I would even put Revenge of the Mummy on par with Big Thunder Mountain in terms of "thrill" level. Which would be moderate.

Just because something moves a titch faster than "It's A Small World" doesn't make it a carnival flinger. I have actually heard Disney fans complain about how intense "Cat in the Hat" is. No wonder Disney actually had a press event for new benches.

That said, Universal is adding Gringott's Vault, which will be a "family friendly" coaster based dark ride. The Hogwarts Express which will have no height restriction (not even seat belts), some "family friendly" rides to Jurassic Park, and a state of the art Lorax dark ride where we will ride on scooters. That one sounds really cute to me, but infants won't be able to ride so Disney fans will naturally HATE it.

I should clarify I will ride ANYTHING so I am not talking about myself. If you do not count the Mummy as a thrill ride then I'm surprised. Yes there's levels such as Thunder Mountain would be a mild thrill ride and The Hulk maybe an extreme thrill ride. Either or they are not rides you could take your Granny on (as a stereotype) nor ride if you are pregnant, got back issues or motion sickness.

Disney by far and away offers more rides that cater across the board. Just because I like all rides doesn't mean I think others should.

I am not knocking Universal and as I stated I will always visit both parks however I can absolutely see that Universal isn't as "family friendly" shall we say as Disney.

 

[Mark In KY]

Folks are still allowed to spend their money where they wish. I prefer to stay out of WalMarts but I know people who haven't shopped at any place BUT WalMart for years. I'd rather spend my coffee money at Dunkin Donuts than Starbucks and I like to shop at BassPro rather than Cabella's. I don't call anyone "ignorant" because they disagree with my preferences, opinions or choices.

 

[unkadug]

OK, my point being it is just as expensive. Didn't know Universal had two different parks, not that i care actually.

I think CP_alum08 sums up your comment quite well.

A perfect sentence. Yes they are both theme parks in the general sense, but WDW and Uni are very different experiences.

Also someone said "ignorant and proud of it", again very true. A lot of WDW fans hate on Uni but have never gone, or have gone but with a very closed mind.

 

[ToyStorygirl]

OK, my point being it is just as expensive. Didn't know Universal had two different parks, not that i care actually.

Hi

Love your user name

Just out of interest what puts you off Universal?

 

[Mark In KY]

And so is Universal. Universal Resort Orlando has some of the best restaurants in Central Florida. Emeril's Orlando, Emeril's Tchoup Chop, The Palm, and BiCE are all better than any WDW restaurant save V&A's. There is a fantastic Spa on property. Great golfing. Some of the areas best Seasonal Events (most included with the price of admission).

Aside from the nebulous unquantifiable "Magic®", what does WDW offer that you can't find somewhere at or offered by, Universal Orlando Resort?

When I go on vaca to dine I head for New Orleans or San Francisco, perhaps Charleston, SC. I don't play golf or "spa". As I said earlier, I prefer WDW. That doesn't mean that I don't enjoy and appreciate the others when I choose to patronize them. I grew up with Disney and I collect Disney-ana. The "magic" isn't "nebulous" and "unquantifiable" to me. I've felt it since childhood.

 

[RoyWalley]

The Grand Floridian has parking lot view rooms that are over $700/night. I stayed at Portofino Bay Resort (Universal's premium resort) in April for $174/night with my AP discount.

And the only person losing by you not visiting Universal Orlando Resort is you. The phrase "Ignorant and proud of it" comes to mind.

OK, you if name calling makes you feel better, great. If you like Universal fine, I didn't say anything bad about it, I just said I had no desire to go there. But since I don't want to go there, then "Ignorant and proud of it" comes to your mind.

Have a great day !!

 

[Santa Raccoon 77]

Folks are still allowed to spend their money where they wish. I prefer to stay out of WalMarts but I know people who haven't shopped at any place BUT WalMart for years. I'd rather spend my coffee money at Dunkin Donuts than Starbucks and I like to shop at BassPro rather than Cabella's. I don't call anyone "ignorant" because they disagree with my preferences, opinions or choices.

I would love to have the whole Dunkin/Starbucks dilema

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I should clarify I will ride ANYTHING so I am not talking about myself. If you do not count the Mummy as a thrill ride then I'm surprised. Yes there's levels such as Thunder Mountain would be a mild thrill ride and The Hulk maybe an extreme thrill ride. Either or they are not rides you could take your Granny on (as a stereotype) nor ride if you are pregnant, got back issues or motion sickness.

Disney by far and away offers more rides that cater across the board. Just because I like all rides doesn't mean I think others should.

I am not knocking Universal and as I stated I will always visit both parks however I can absolutely see that Universal isn't as "family friendly" shall we say as Disney.

Well, we are talking Amusement Parks (and yes, the Disney Parks ARE amusement parks). If someones physical limitations prevent them from riding anything but the most coma inducing rides on the planet, then maybe an amusement park vacation isn't for them. Maybe a nice National Park vacation would be an option.

 

[Mark In KY]

A mere few of the things that I love at WDW: safari ride, drawing class at HS, African beer, Rose and Crown bartenders, shop girls with French and Italian accents, Soarin', Disney Princesses (and Alice) in full-on character.

 

[Mark In KY]

I would love to have the whole Dunkin/Starbucks dilema

Oh my. You have my sympathy. Good coffee is 1 of life's true pleasures.

 

[Mark In KY]

Well, we are talking Amusement Parks (and yes, the Disney Parks ARE amusement parks). If someones physical limitations prevent them from riding anything but the most coma inducing rides on the planet, then maybe an amusement park vacation isn't for them. Maybe a nice National Park vacation would be an option.

When people start asking you to fund their vacations . . . . . . . .

 

[Disneyhead'71]

OK, you if name calling makes you feel better, great. If you like Universal fine, I didn't say anything bad about it, I just said I had no desire to go there. But since I don't want to go there, then "Ignorant and proud of it" comes to your mind.

Have a great day !!

I don't care if you go or not.Your choice and money. I just usually refrain from commenting on things I am personally ignorant of (of which there are many topics I know nothing about).

I am an amusement park geek, I have been going to every park I can since my first trip to WDW in 1971. I have discovered that a lot of WDW fans don't actually like amusement parks. They like Disney. Which is fine too. I am glad they have found their LaughingPlace.