Mark In KY
Well-Known Member
"It still puzzles me why people compare these two."
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Because it gives them something else to gripe about.
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Because it gives them something else to gripe about.
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Is it really that bad, and is it really that good?
- Thread starter ChevisMickey
- Start date
Disneyhead'71
Well-Known Member
Yes Mark, we are all simpletons. You've got us all figured out.
It couldn't be that both companies simultaneously opened castles on rock mountains. And only one of them is REALLY impressive.
It couldn't be that both companies simultaneously opened castles on rock mountains. And only one of them is REALLY impressive.
I too stay at the Portofino. I'll compare it to any of Disney Deluxes. And yet Uni doesn't try to draw tourists to the property to make additional bucks. In theory it is for the resort guests. I loved our room 4th floor, dead center looking out at the bay. Nothing prettier at Disney, the lighting and theming is over the top. Lack of Uni theming is a Myth of those who flatly refuse to acknowledge anything Uni. The transportation to the parks and City Walk is equal and trumps Disney's boats, buses and reliability of the monorail. It is efficient, charming and fun.
Disney still warms my heart but if I try to put my finger on it, Uni is Disney of the 90's. Right now Uni is expanding and adding like Disney did in the 90's. About the time Uni finally comprehended what made Disney magical, Disney Forgot. Uni will never be Disney but it doesn't have to be. All you have to do is stare up at the wonderful HP mountain and then stare up at the FLE mountain and you can immediate tell Uni's imagineering of holy rock mountains is superior.
First look at the buildings themselves. Uni's has far more details, from windows, steeples even the masonry details. Then look at the mountain rocks. Uni's fountains have far more details in the Holy Rock they both have. Then move onto the landscaping. Uni goes over the top making the vision look amazing. The sad thing is Uni's mountain and forced perspective went up first. Disney had the opportunity to 'top' what Uni did. They opted not to.
Why this comparison and not Prince Eric's Castle?
Disneyhead'71
Well-Known Member
Granite vs. Sandstone, Duh!?!
But if you want to go there. Hogwarts still wins. And would you like to compare the rides inside too?
Granite vs. Sandstone, Duh!?!
But if you want to go there. Hogwarts still wins. And would you like to compare the rides inside too?
Oh, I know. Hogwarts blew me away, inside and out (man it hurts when your insides blow up!
). I was also impressed with Eric's Castle, though, in the Disneyesque way. It is taken from a cartoon, and, to the chagrine of some, the architecture keeps that 'animated' look. My DD princess loves Eric's Castle, though. She thought Hogwarts was cool too.
draybook
Well-Known Member
While you and I have a mutual respect for each other, it's that type of attitude that Disney is banking on and is allowing them to give less product for more money.
Disneyhead'71
Well-Known Member
It should be mentioned that the same guy who did the Hogwarts and Cars Land rock work did the rock work on Prince Eric's castle: Zsolt Hormey.
Gabe1
Ivory Tower Squabble EST 2011. WINDMILL SURVIVOR
And that is just my point. Disney did not go the extra mile in imagineering that Uni (edit) did, excuses for Disney are bountiful but it doesn't change the end result. Potterland Mountain is superior and Disney came up with plenty of rhetoric. In the end they opted to go small and basic and Uni's was over the top imagineering.
And you are right, true Disney still, still, still, hasn't completed their major expansion all the while Uni/Islands will be completing their second phase approximately at the same time Disney will be completing their first. It further demonstrates my point, Uni is delivering Disney style 90's magic. Disney drags their feet, the mountains are just one example you have Hyperion/Springs, You had the Fairies imagineering being dumped from FLE and whatever long drawn out project Avatar will be. Disney is being consistent, very slow to build anything besides DVC's. Where Uni Orlando, will have done 2 Potters, Springfield expansion, Transformers, Despicable Me 2 and if I were a betting lady, they are not done spending money on attractions.
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Bairstow
Well-Known Member
Ok, so it doesn't puzzle me, but for the reasons I posted I think the comparison is unhelpful.
Gabe1
Ivory Tower Squabble EST 2011. WINDMILL SURVIVOR
For obvious reasons, I was comparing forced perspective imagineering atop a mountain and the landscaping way up there and the creativity of the mountain way up there. Details that can be seen from far away in both examples I gave.
Prince Eric's Castle doesn't fit that comparison. But I can compare Prince Eric's Castle to other buildings in Harry Potter that are both ground level if you wish?
Disneyhead'71
Well-Known Member
There is a multi attraction Jurassic Park expansion already started and The Lorax Dark Ride has been fast tracked. Both of those will be open in 2015.
bebert
Well-Known Member
My family has never tried Uni but, as the kids get older I am sure we will. I am sure we will still spend more time at WDW however. I think we will always be a WDW family. It is where we had some of the first family memories with our children and it is a place where we were able to put aside and get over some really crappy times as well. Also, up to this point it remains a family friendly place to be. That is huge to us. We frequently Kings Island here in Cincinnati where it is ok to dress like a street walker and go without a shirt if you prefer, that is the one thing I despise about KI.
I really could care less that they dont have coasters that go Mach 2 and sometimes things are a little outdated. I am a nostalgic person so the same old boring is ok with me as long as I am making memories with my children. The one thing that I think would diminish the WDW appeal would be when the cost becomes totally ridiculous. Right now it is in our budget but, that could change in the future.
To each his own, you dont like WDW dont go. It makes the lines shorter for me!
I really could care less that they dont have coasters that go Mach 2 and sometimes things are a little outdated. I am a nostalgic person so the same old boring is ok with me as long as I am making memories with my children. The one thing that I think would diminish the WDW appeal would be when the cost becomes totally ridiculous. Right now it is in our budget but, that could change in the future.
To each his own, you dont like WDW dont go. It makes the lines shorter for me!
Runmyhorse
Well-Known Member
Whenever in my opinion someone says if you I don't like disney don't go shorter lines for me it normally means that cant take you talking bad about their beloved disney. If you never been to uni I dont see how you can make an honest comparison. I liie both parks and each one offers amazing things. Some good and some bad things
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As I mentioned, it has been about 8 years since we've been to Uni and IOA, with my DD having never visited, and my 13yo being about 5 the last time, so he was not able to ride many of the coasters. We liked the parks back then, although at that time my DW was able to hit all of the coasters with my sister and her teens. At IOA I was done for after Dueling Dragons. Universal was more shows and show rides then. Except for the new attractions I have to say that Uni and IOA were still the same old parks to me. Some good rides, and some blah rides, just like Disney.
T2, E.T., MIB were all like I remember, and were just looking their age like any well used ride. I cannot say that these were, appearance wise, better maintained than the attractions at Disney, which is good all around. My DD liked Woody Woodpecker, but she likes Barnstormers also, so as long as shes happy. I liked Christopher Walken for Disaster!, however the ride has not changed much and still just a time filler. The Simpsons like Back to the Future before it, does not like me. I cannot sit through it without looking at someone in the vehicle, or at other parts of the ride. Everyone else liked it, though. Rip Ride Rocket, once past the initial up and down, was a decent coaster. I like Manta better for an outside coaster. Shrek I will pass on next time. Transformers: The Ride 3-d was really good. Nice and seamless. It all felt familiar though...
At IOA we headed to Potterland first, and it was impressive. First time to TWWoHP, so this was our main destination. Hogsmeade was spiffy, although we only went into a few shops and had someCream Soda Butterbeer and listened to the frogs from a distance. Dueling Dragons and Flying Unicorn have not changed much. My DW and DS went on Dragon Challenge while I went with our DD for a second run of FotH. I told you she liked those type of rides. Decent retheming to change it up a bit, but we were still waiting to be blown away. We didn't wait long. HPatFJ is awesome. The queue line is awesome. It is now my DWs favorite ride. I was great with it up to the last minute or so. It was just a little too much for me even with Dramamine. My only disappointment is that it is a little too much, and not just for me. It should not have a height requirement of 48" because it is too great an experience. My DD was so disappointed, especially being just a little over an inch short. It sounds like I'm wanting it Disneyfied, but really, think about it, 48" for that and 54" for the Dragons leaves one ride for kids at TWWoHP! That just doesn't sound right.
From there everything was as I remember. JP River was good, not great. Spidey was really good and my DW said the Hulk still smashes.
So, overall Uni is adding some nice attractions. Every new area and ride in either park should live up to the standard set by TWWoHP. New Fantasyland was good, but not that good, and for different reasons and people. On the whole, though, Uni is still an alternate for us to Disney as they always have been. We'll see how everything plays out in the next few years. Avatarland is sooo close to being ready and challenging TWWoHP (
). Star Wars Land. Carsland. Lord of the Rings land! We're all going to have to wear hard hats when visiting either park soon.
T2, E.T., MIB were all like I remember, and were just looking their age like any well used ride. I cannot say that these were, appearance wise, better maintained than the attractions at Disney, which is good all around. My DD liked Woody Woodpecker, but she likes Barnstormers also, so as long as shes happy. I liked Christopher Walken for Disaster!, however the ride has not changed much and still just a time filler. The Simpsons like Back to the Future before it, does not like me. I cannot sit through it without looking at someone in the vehicle, or at other parts of the ride. Everyone else liked it, though. Rip Ride Rocket, once past the initial up and down, was a decent coaster. I like Manta better for an outside coaster. Shrek I will pass on next time. Transformers: The Ride 3-d was really good. Nice and seamless. It all felt familiar though...
At IOA we headed to Potterland first, and it was impressive. First time to TWWoHP, so this was our main destination. Hogsmeade was spiffy, although we only went into a few shops and had some
From there everything was as I remember. JP River was good, not great. Spidey was really good and my DW said the Hulk still smashes.
So, overall Uni is adding some nice attractions. Every new area and ride in either park should live up to the standard set by TWWoHP. New Fantasyland was good, but not that good, and for different reasons and people. On the whole, though, Uni is still an alternate for us to Disney as they always have been. We'll see how everything plays out in the next few years. Avatarland is sooo close to being ready and challenging TWWoHP (
). Star Wars Land. Carsland. Lord of the Rings land! We're all going to have to wear hard hats when visiting either park soon.
I just never thought of comparing those two structures based on their size. From a forced perspective view I see what you are saying, and Hogwarts either way is more impressive. Any argument of the size, the use, or the differences would lead back to what each company invested and built, so it just boils down to that discussion anyway.
Disneyhead'71
Well-Known Member
Disaster! is going to be replaced soon with King Kong. And both of the headliner attractions coming to HP 2.0 are going to be "family friendly" attractions. The Hogwarts Express isn't even going to have a height restriction. The entire KidZone is going to be replace for 2016. With a multi attraction Jurassic Park expansion and a Lorax dark ride filling the gap between Potter (2014) and the KidZone redo (2016). 2017 is slated for Toon Lagoon redo that will rule them all. And I have heard murmurs of some space thing for 2018 that should hold it's own against Star Wars and Avatar.As I mentioned, it has been about 8 years since we've been to Uni and IOA, with my DD having never visited, and my 13yo being about 5 the last time, so he was not able to ride many of the coasters. We liked the parks back then, although at that time my DW was able to hit all of the coasters with my sister and her teens. At IOA I was done for after Dueling Dragons. Universal was more shows and show rides then. Except for the new attractions I have to say that Uni and IOA were still the same old parks to me. Some good rides, and some blah rides, just like Disney.
T2, E.T., MIB were all like I remember, and were just looking their age like any well used ride. I cannot say that these were, appearance wise, better maintained than the attractions at Disney, which is good all around. My DD liked Woody Woodpecker, but she likes Barnstormers also, so as long as shes happy. I liked Christopher Walken for Disaster!, however the ride has not changed much and still just a time filler. The Simpsons like Back to the Future before it, does not like me. I cannot sit through it without looking at someone in the vehicle, or at other parts of the ride. Everyone else liked it, though. Rip Ride Rocket, once past the initial up and down, was a decent coaster. I like Manta better for an outside coaster. Shrek I will pass on next time. Transformers: The Ride 3-d was really good. Nice and seamless. It all felt familiar though...
At IOA we headed to Potterland first, and it was impressive. First time to TWWoHP, so this was our main destination. Hogsmeade was spiffy, although we only went into a few shops and had someCream SodaButterbeer and listened to the frogs from a distance. Dueling Dragons and Flying Unicorn have not changed much. My DW and DS went on Dragon Challenge while I went with our DD for a second run of FotH. I told you she liked those type of rides. Decent retheming to change it up a bit, but we were still waiting to be blown away. We didn't wait long. HPatFJ is awesome. The queue line is awesome. It is now my DWs favorite ride. I was great with it up to the last minute or so. It was just a little too much for me even with Dramamine. My only disappointment is that it is a little too much, and not just for me. It should not have a height requirement of 48" because it is too great an experience. My DD was so disappointed, especially being just a little over an inch short. It sounds like I'm wanting it Disneyfied, but really, think about it, 48" for that and 54" for the Dragons leaves one ride for kids at TWWoHP! That just doesn't sound right.
From there everything was as I remember. JP River was good, not great. Spidey was really good and my DW said the Hulk still smashes.
So, overall Uni is adding some nice attractions. Every new area and ride in either park should live up to the standard set by TWWoHP. New Fantasyland was good, but not that good, and for different reasons and people. On the whole, though, Uni is still an alternate for us to Disney as they always have been. We'll see how everything plays out in the next few years. Avatarland is sooo close to being ready and challenging TWWoHP (
Along with all that there is a multiple hotel/ CityWalk 2.0 coming to the 55 acres along I-Drive Uni. just bought with a transportation system to connect it to the existing resort. There are also plans for a new highly themed water park thrown in for good measure.
Universal is making it's move. At this point, Universal is doing it's own thing and I don't believe they really care what's going on or not going on down the road at The Mouse House.
bebert
Well-Known Member
I can "handle" someone talking about Disney, I am not that fragile. I am sure as my kids get older we will go to Uni and we will have a blast, me personally I will always prefer Disney....more memories. They may prefer Uni, who knows and it doesnt really matter. From a growth standpoint, does Universal have the same land ownership that Disney does? That may be the eventual difference.
bebert
Well-Known Member
That is a lot of capital expenditure, what are alternative plans if they dont have the revenue or capital available. Disney is a money printing machine, can Universal keep up?
Disneyhead'71
Well-Known Member
Yes it is, and yes they can. They have already budgeted $1.5 B/year CapEx through 2020 for their domestic parks.