Is there anything Universal has over Disney?

[PolynesianPrincess]

Not everyone will ever agree that Disney is better than Universal or vice-sersa. They are 2 COMPLETELY different resorts.. I agree Disney has a more magical feel to it than Universal but I enjoy the theming at IOA just as I enjoy the theming of MK.. I'm more of a thrill ride kind of girl so I love The Hulk, Spiderman, Dragon Challange, etc... But I'd also choose Disney any day of the week over Universal because Disney just appeals to me more. Doesn't mean I don't like Universal, I just enjoy Disney more. Maybe it's because we vacationed there so much when I was young... Maybe if we had done Universal instead my opinion would be different.

I will say however I was very impressed with Harry Potter. The castle, the ride, the whole land.. It was very well done. Probably the best ride I've ever been on IN MY OPINION. Will everyone agree with me? No.. but that's a good thing because if everyone agreed, this thread would be pretty boring! :lol:

 

[Huglife]

Universal and IOA have some awesome attractions but once I've done them once or twice I have no reason to stay in the parks. On a ten day trip I only spend about 1.5 days there and do everything I want. I can visit Disney parks over and over. I must say Bluto's Barges blow Kali River Rapids out of the water however.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

Universal and IOA have some awesome attractions but once I've done them once or twice I have no reason to stay in the parks. On a ten day trip I only spend about 1.5 days there and do everything I want. I can visit Disney parks over and over. I must say Bluto's Barges blow Kali River Rapids out of the water however.

I agree 100% with you. We do both parks in one day with the Express Pass and then we're good to go back to Disney. and YES, Bluto's Barges are GREAT!! :animwink:

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Universal and IOA have some awesome attractions but once I've done them once or twice I have no reason to stay in the parks. On a ten day trip I only spend about 1.5 days there and do everything I want. I can visit Disney parks over and over. I must say Bluto's Barges blow Kali River Rapids out of the water however.

Yeah...I think that was the best raft ride I have ever been on. It was long and everyone truly does get soaked. I wish I had gone on some other time than last month though...made for a very wet day.

 

[SMRT-1]

LOL - What's the difference? Rides, movies, music, books, TV shows? They all have awards given to them. Doesn't make one "better" than another. It might mean one has better special effects, better acting, better screenplay, better lyrics - Whatever. The People's Choice Awards winner for best movie was "Eclipse". Would you consider that the best movie of the year?

Some people swear by Soarin', and think it's the most amazing ride at Disney. I find it boring as heck. The people that love it aren't right, and neither am I. What people think is best doesn't need to have anything to do with technology, speed, heights, G-Forces, etc.

ok - then we can gather that you simply dislike the attraction. that's fine but you are incredibly wrong about it not trumping anything at WDW. it clearly does...those are the facts i am talking about...not whether you yourself like it or not.

 

[captainkidd]

ok - then we can gather that you simply dislike the attraction. that's fine but you are incredibly wrong about it not trumping anything at WDW. it clearly does...those are the facts i am talking about...not whether you yourself like it or not.

Come talk to me when Universal creates an attraction like The American Adventure or Hall of Presidents. We all have our differences I guess about what impressive technology is.

FJ's ride system was very impressive. The ride itself was not. Dark, grainy screens. Fake looking spiders.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Come talk to me when Universal creates an attraction like The American Adventure or Hall of Presidents. We all have our differences I guess about what impressive technology is.

FJ's ride system was very impressive. The ride itself was not. Dark, grainy screens. Fake looking spiders.

Drugs are bad kids.

 

[thewhitequeen]

Fewer menopausal old bats wandering around poorly attired, no fan boys reciting lines, Margaritaville, a studio that makes things, and The Hard Rock Hotel.

You forgot the overweight, grumpy t-shirt wearing, pin lanyard toting, goofy ear hat sporting men.

 

[thewhitequeen]

Harry Potter Land is far superior to anything Disney currently has and I'm a Disney fan through and through. I agree with others about the Forbidden Journey ride - I've only seen a few people say the ride isn't great. Disney needs a competitive land like Harry Potter, but I don't believe Fantasyland is it. There is no other Harry Potter Land, there is however, other Little Mermaid rides in other Disney parks and plenty of places to meet Belle.

 

[captainkidd]

Harry Potter Land is far superior to anything Disney currently has and I'm a Disney fan through and through. I agree with others about the Forbidden Journey ride - I've only seen a few people say the ride isn't great. I think when people get down on the ride they should take a ride through Soarin'. First off, the ride is Soarin over California (how hard would it be to make it Florida really?) It's pure laziness. In addition, the movie needs a complete overhaul. It's horrible.

Universals resorts are also much nicer than any of the Disney deluxes as is the current service level at those resorts.

Disney needs a competitive land like Harry Potter, but I don't believe Fantasyland is it. There is no other Harry Potter Land, there is however, other Little Mermaid rides in other Disney parks and plenty of places to meet Belle.

Fact of the matter is Disney would rather spend money on DVC,attraction gift shoppes and subpar restaurants.

I guess you must be a fan of Harry Potter to think it is better than anything that Disney has to offer. The entire area can be seen in less than an hour. I'm a huge fan of the Rocky films, I guess if Universal dedicated a 20 acre section of the park to it, I'd be head over heels in love with it.

Again, why does Disney need to compete with Harry Potter? Disney's attendance is still higher than Universal's.

As for the resorts, the Universal Resorts are very nice, I'll admit that. I don't think any of them is as nice as the Grand Floridian, but the GF isn't everyone's taste.

I'm a huge fan of Universal Orlando, but I really don't get the big deal with HP. It has 1 new ride, a bunch of shops, and 2 rides that were there before. Sounds to me like it's not much different than what Disney is doing with Fantasyland.

 

[SMRT-1]

Come talk to me when Universal creates an attraction like The American Adventure or Hall of Presidents. We all have our differences I guess about what impressive technology is.

those attractions encompass different technology. they are in their own right technological achievements.

however...as i have been saying all along nothing comes close to what is going on in the Forbidden Journey ride. it is far more innovative. the technology that Disney uses was created over 50 years ago.

 

[thewhitequeen]

I guess you must be a fan of Harry Potter to think it is better than anything that Disney has to offer. The entire area can be seen in less than an hour. I'm a huge fan of the Rocky films, I guess if Universal dedicated a 20 acre section of the park to it, I'd be head over heels in love with it.

Again, why does Disney need to compete with Harry Potter? Disney's attendance is still higher than Universal's.

As for the resorts, the Universal Resorts are very nice, I'll admit that. I don't think any of them is as nice as the Grand Floridian, but the GF isn't everyone's taste.

I'm a huge fan of Universal Orlando, but I really don't get the big deal with HP. It has 1 new ride, a bunch of shops, and 2 rides that were there before. Sounds to me like it's not much different than what Disney is doing with Fantasyland.

It's business. If there wasn't competition what incentive would a company have to be the best? I think Harry Potter land is good for Disney guests because now they need to take notice. Prior, they were the only gig in town. The new Fantasyland really doesn't interest my family because we don't have a princess lover - it does look like it's shaping up to be something though! The cars land in Disneyland however, will be a great place for us to visit.

I don't know how long you've been visiting Disney but I've been going since the 70's and I've seen a significant decline over the years. Don't get me wrong I still love it and unless something drastic happens I'll always love it. I think the nostalgia gets a lot of us - yearning for what it was. A lot of good changes have taken place but I think some bad as well.

I just think some Disney fans close their eyes to other fun places because they are always comparing (I know it's hard not to). Not every place is like Disney World but there are some pretty darn interesting places out there. I don't think you have to just like one or the other, Universal and Disney are both great places to visit.

Not really a Harry Potter fan, I just recognize the tremendous money and effort Universal put into that area of the park. That castle is unbelievable. They also have plans to expand the park so I'm sure it will be more than the 3 rides.

 

[captainkidd]

I don't know how long you've been visiting Disney but I've been going since the 70's and I've seen a significant decline over the years. Don't get me wrong I still love it and unless something drastic happens I'll always love it. I think the nostalgia gets a lot of us - yearning for what it was. A lot of good changes have taken place but I think some bad as well.

I just think some Disney fans close their eyes to other fun places because they are always comparing (I know it's hard not to). Not every place is like Disney World but there are some pretty darn interesting places out there. I don't think you have to just like one or the other, Universal and Disney are both great places to visit.

Not really a Harry Potter fan, I just recognize the tremendous money and effort Universal put into that area of the park. That castle is unbelievable.

I agree on all counts.

 

[captainkidd]

those attractions encompass different technology. they are in their own right technological achievements.

however...as i have been saying all along nothing comes close to what is going on in the Forbidden Journey ride. it is far more innovative. the technology that Disney uses was created over 50 years ago.

Audio-animatronics have come a LONG way in 50 years.

It's different strokes for different folks. We could banter about this until the end of time. There is no denying that Universal is using technology that is superior to that which Disney is using. However, I stand by my opinion that technology does not equal a better ride/attraction experience. Disney knows this. If they start seeing a major decline in attendance, rest assured, they'll come up with something to counter HP. Until that time comes, I don't see them being concerned. I don't necessarily agree or like that philosophy, but I do understand it. I went on HP once, and it was enough for me. I could ride Thunder Mountain a dozen times and not get tired of it. Disney knows this as well.

 

[thewhitequeen]

I'm not sure if it's been said before but I think one of the reasons my family keeps going back is due to nostalgia. I have a lot of great memories in Disney World (as a kid, going during college, with my DH and now with my own children). It's a destination where we all have something to do and it's just plain fun. I certainly don't go there for the thrill rides.

I know non-Disney folks think sitting in a boat watching wax pirates shoot at you is a ridiculous waste of time and non-Disney fans don't *know* who Mr. Tom Morrow is. :lol:

 

[Thrill Seeker]

First part, I agree with. For thrills, Universal wins hands down.

Second part, I don't agree with. I don't think Disney is "trying" to out-thrill Universal. If they really wanted to, obviously, they could. But that's not what Disney is all about.

In the last decade they have been primarily thrill ride based. Most of the big thrill attractions came to WDW from 97 to 2006, around the same timeframe Universal built IOA, Mummy.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

You forgot the overweight, grumpy t-shirt wearing, pin lanyard toting, goofy ear hat sporting men.

I dont wear a hat.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I guess you must be a fan of Harry Potter to think it is better than anything that Disney has to offer.

Would that then qualify you as a Disney zealot?

The brand loyalty is strong in this one.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

I was talking to my cousin the other day. He has only been to Disneyland/Universal Hollywood while I have only been in Florida. We compare notes a lot with each other.

My cousin and I both agree Universal is a great park although he really should check out Universal Orlando. But we both agree that Disney has the better experience and just other things you can't put your finger on. That's the difference in my mind. But are there things Universal has that Disney doesn't? For sure.

Harry Potter - Since it was in 2009 I was last in Universal I didn't see it, but it's hard to argue with the reviews

Spiderman - The overall experience of this ride is spectacular. Could Disney do this? Sure they could but with what movie? Either way, an incredible dark ride

Incredible Hulk - I'm not saying Disney needs an extreme rollercoaster like this one, but this could easily be the most thrilling ride in the state of Florida

Jurassic Park section - I don't know about you, but with the River Adventure, the caves and the flyer ride (not sure why this is only for "kids" to be allowed on) I feel as if they capture the theming of Jurassic Park to a tee. You enter the "gates" of Jurassic Park just like in the movie. They do a wonderful job and for those that think Universal can't do theming then they should check this out.


Now look, nothing beats walking down Main Street and walking under the castle. Nothing will ever beat that, but Universal does have it's charm.

 

[si23]

i prefer ioa when it had lost cotinent loved dueling dragons and merlins castle then they had to ruin it with harry potter