LOL Universal compares them self better than disney

[Disney MDACK]

Speaking of Universal...The Holiday Inn down the street with the Nickelodeon theme. Has anyone ever stayed there and if so is it any good?

 

[mickster]

I've only been to Universal Studios in LA and it was the worst theme park I've ever been to. IOA looks really interesting but from what I can tell, I don't think Universal and Disney is much of a comparison.

Don't think of Universal in Florida as being anything like the one in LA. They are quite different. The one in LA, for example, is primarily based around the tram tour. Not the case in Florida. That park is designed and laid out very much like a Disney park, where the shows and attractions are all in separate places. I agree with you that the one in LA is very boring.

 

[mickster]

Now back to your point...I disagree with your assessment that it is only Universal that engages in this rivalry. Yes, you're right that Disney may not mention Universal in their advertising. But the fact that Disney is always trying to respond to Universal's latest ride shows that Disney, also, is trying to "outdo" Universal. IMO, Disney doesn't NEED to come up with a new ride or attraction of their own to counter something new that Universal does because, IMO, there is no need for rivalry to begin with. But the fact that Disney DOES try to "keep up" with Universal's latest moves shows that Disney, rightly or wrongly, sees a rivalry there as well.

Very well said. Arguably, Disney competes much more seriously than Universal or any of it's other "rivals". Instead of just making statements in thier ads, Disney has built entire attractions, and even entire theme parks, in order to "outdo" it's rivals and take business away from them. This is well documented in countless sources. For example:

-Mission Space was built to compete with Kennedy Space Center (which, by the way, was just ranked above Disney as a "wonder of Florida" by the Orlando Sentinel)

-MGM was built in response to Universal's announcement that they would build a theme park in Orlando.

-Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach were built in response to Wet and Wild.

-Pleasure Island was built in repsonse to Church Street Station.

-The Living Seas at Epcot was originally built in response to Sea World.

-Animal Kingdom was built in response to Busch Gardens.

The list goes on, but you get the point. That list alone amounts to 100's of millions of dollars. But yet, Universal is "desperate" for having a page on their website that compares themselves to Disney.

 

[MIDisneyFamily]

Looks like Universal has different prices for thier "express pass" depending on the date. The busier the park and the longer the lines, the more the pass will cost you. Its a very complicated explanation on thier website. It also looks like you get one ride using the pass per pass day. so with the 12-15 rides using the pass, thats a pretty added cost to skip a line to ride it seems. If I read the web site wrong, sorry, but i do like the free fast pass idea a little better. The prices range from about $45 to $19 on there? Did i read that wrong, or it it almost double to ride a dozen rides with no wait?

 

[mickster]

Looks like Universal has different prices for thier "express pass" depending on the date. The busier the park and the longer the lines, the more the pass will cost you. Its a very complicated explanation on thier website. It also looks like you get one ride using the pass per pass day. so with the 12-15 rides using the pass, thats a pretty added cost to skip a line to ride it seems. If I read the web site wrong, sorry, but i do like the free fast pass idea a little better. The prices range from about $45 to $19 on there? Did i read that wrong, or it it almost double to ride a dozen rides with no wait?

Personally, I don't think the express pass that you have to pay for is worth it. Although there are some on this site that have claimed they can see "everything in Universal" in just one day. I imagine that would not be possible without an express pass (despite what you might have read in some posts, there is a LOT to see at Universal!). The version of express pass that is superior to Disney's fastpass is the one you get when you stay at one of Universal's hotels. It all depends on how you like to experience a theme park, but I personally think that's the best system around. Since it's limited just to the people who are staying on property, then it's almost certain that any attraction you go to will be a walk on for you (even when the stand by line is a really long wait). Also, you get to see the park with absolute freedom and spontaneity due to the fact that you don't have to visit a particular attraction at a specific reserved time (as you have to with Disney's fast pass system).

 

[Zummi Gummi]

The list goes on, but you get the point. That list alone amounts to 100's of millions of dollars. But yet, Universal is "desperate" for having a page on their website that compares themselves to Disney.

No, Universal is "desperate" because their comparisons at best don't make any sense (again, comparing a ride to a film), and at worst, are factually innaccurate.

 

[markc]

The old saying goes "you get what you pay for", and nothing can be truer than that when comparing Universal to Disney. Universal does have SOME superior rides to Disney, but then again, so does Cedar Point, Busch Gardens..etc. The main issue with the Universal Parks is that you can do both of them in a day, and most rides do not give you a feeling where you need to ride them again. Universal Studios Florida is a lame theme park....ET is outdated and old, Twister is hardly an exciting experience, and Jaws is nothing more than a lower quality themed "Jungle Cruise" with some fire and a bad animatronic shark. The only thing it has going for it is Men in Black (a better themed Buzz Lightyear ride), and Revenge of the Mummy (think Everest with a Mummy theme). Island of Adventure does have better rides, but again, you can ride them all in 3 hours and be done. There's no immersion feeling/experience that you get at a Disney park. On top of that, the quality of the people that you get going to Universal is much lower than that of a Disney park....the cheaper prices at Universal tend to invite a crowd that typically lacks class as well as all of the locals looking for a babysitter for their kids. City Walk is nothing more than a mall with a few bars, and Downtown Disney far surpasses that with it's Disney-unique stores and wider selection. Pleasure Island, when crowded, offers a better experience than City Walk, however I will admit there are days where City Walk seems like a better option.

The only thing Universal will ever have over Disney are their Halloween Horror Nights.....Universal excels in creating an awesome Halloween experience; Disney's "not so scary" halloween party is pitiful in comparison. (I know the two events are meant for two different audiences, but the quality in what they offer is what I'm comparing).

 

[markc]

Personally, I don't think the express pass that you have to pay for is worth it. Although there are some on this site that have claimed they can see "everything in Universal" in just one day. I imagine that would not be possible without an express pass (despite what you might have read in some posts, there is a LOT to see at Universal!). =.

It is quite possible to see all of Universal in one day WITHOUT the express pass. From Sept-early Dec, and Jan through March, crowds at Universal are moderate...and will allow you to do all the attractions at each park within four hours per park. I've done it many times. I agree though, the pass isn't worth it unless you are purchasing it during the Halloween Horror Nights, in which case, it is more than valuable.

 

[tirian]

It is quite possible to see all of Universal in one day WITHOUT the express pass. From Sept-early Dec, and Jan through March, crowds at Universal are moderate...and will allow you to do all the attractions at each park within four hours per park. I've done it many times. I agree though, the pass isn't worth it unless you are purchasing it during the Halloween Horror Nights, in which case, it is more than valuable.

I have accomplished this, too, except that I skipped the Jimmy Neutron and Fear Factor shows.

But I did everything else.

 

[tirian]

agreed.... CW blows PI out of the water

I concur. Disney doesn't know how to be hip and might as well stop trying to be.

The original PI worked because everything was themed to work together and it was an experience in itself. Then it became a lot of clubs that no one except College Program kids cared about. At least PI is finally starting to show signs of improvement! (Hooray for Raglan Road and The Dino Restaurant!)

 

[disneytopdog]

It is quite possible to see all of Universal in one day WITHOUT the express pass. From Sept-early Dec, and Jan through March, crowds at Universal are moderate...and will allow you to do all the attractions at each park within four hours per park. I've done it many times. I agree though, the pass isn't worth it unless you are purchasing it during the Halloween Horror Nights, in which case, it is more than valuable.

Me and a friend did IOA & US in one day. It was a week day in September. We purchased a buy 2 days get the 3rd day free. We had to stop ourselves after 2pm on the first day or else we would of had nothing to do the other 2 days. Thank God City Walk had a Margaritaville...we are both Parrotheads and sat there and drank half of day 2 away. We saw all the shows and some of them were so lame.

 

[Dragonrider1227]

I accidently clicked on a link to Universal just now and i'm like "AAH! IT BURNS!!" :lol:
"We're better 'cause... uh... WE GOT SPIDER-MAN!"
Seriously, the only thing that's got me interested in Universal is Spider-Man, Dr. Seuss, and the upcoming Harry Potter park. Oh, I suppose the chance of finding Groucho helps too but other than that, Universal's got NOTHIN' on Disney for me
and oes someone want to tell them that Toy Story and Monsters Inc. are NOT fairytales and that Fear Factor is NOT today's hottest entertainment anymore? AND YOU KILLED GHOSTBUSTERS FOR THAT!! >< XD
and they just practiclly admited that they only have one water park while Disney has two XD

 

[DisneyDefenders]

Disney can compete...and it needs to!

The old saying goes "you get what you pay for", and nothing can be truer than that when comparing Universal to Disney. Universal does have SOME superior rides to Disney, but then again, so does Cedar Point, Busch Gardens..etc. The main issue with the Universal Parks is that you can do both of them in a day, and most rides do not give you a feeling where you need to ride them again. Universal Studios Florida is a lame theme park....ET is outdated and old, Twister is hardly an exciting experience, and Jaws is nothing more than a lower quality themed "Jungle Cruise" with some fire and a bad animatronic shark. The only thing it has going for it is Men in Black (a better themed Buzz Lightyear ride), and Revenge of the Mummy (think Everest with a Mummy theme). Island of Adventure does have better rides, but again, you can ride them all in 3 hours and be done. There's no immersion feeling/experience that you get at a Disney park. On top of that, the quality of the people that you get going to Universal is much lower than that of a Disney park....the cheaper prices at Universal tend to invite a crowd that typically lacks class as well as all of the locals looking for a babysitter for their kids. City Walk is nothing more than a mall with a few bars, and Downtown Disney far surpasses that with it's Disney-unique stores and wider selection. Pleasure Island, when crowded, offers a better experience than City Walk, however I will admit there are days where City Walk seems like a better option.

The only thing Universal will ever have over Disney are their Halloween Horror Nights.....Universal excels in creating an awesome Halloween experience; Disney's "not so scary" halloween party is pitiful in comparison. (I know the two events are meant for two different audiences, but the quality in what they offer is what I'm comparing).

I've said for some time now that Disney's Hollywood Studios is the proper venue to create competition against Universal's Horror Nights. With Universal signing the deal with New Line Cinema and getting the licesne to use some of the biggest names in horror...the plans to open the Harry Potter themed land...and other plans like the Simpson's ride...Disney better step up and offer something that will compete with what Universal has to offer...being too proud to acknowledge your competition will bring anyone to their downfall.

 

[dizzney]

We've never been to Universal - never had the desire to go but our friends just returned from a week down there where they planned 5 days in Disney and 2 in Universal. They were SOOOOO disappointed in Universal - said many rides down for renovation, fast pass ridiculous, they ended up not going back a second day, instead buying a one day to Blizzard Beach and had a blast.

Why would Universal have so many rides being renovated in the summer season, at Disney at least they have really limited those down to one a park. Big difference in the way they accomodate guests!

 

[Chezman1399]

You see, I think Universal is boring. Halloween Horror Nights is scary to the point where it only caters to a small crowd. By the time Harry Potter is finished the books and movies will only be a memory. Same thing with the Simpsons most liklely. To me the big difference between Disney and Universal is that many of the rides in Universal never have any shot of being relevant again. Marvel Island is one exception. However, Dr. Seuss land was created around an author who is not writing books anymore, so there is no shot at something new appearing. The Mummy is a series of movies which may or may not see a fourth installment and then will be done. Harry Potter is a great book and movie series, but is over now, and the movies will be done before the land opens and people will be on to something new. Most rides there are so outdated that a good portion of the population shows up, and they're either too young to know the movies or it's something someone barely remembers from 10 years ago.

The rides in Disney follow things that are either classical movies, things that are currently in fashion, have things with them such as Broadway plays that are still avaliable today, or are rides made exclusively for the park. Disney rides feature ongoing characters, legendary figures, and ongoing memories like Mickey Mouse, Donald, Goofy, the Yeti, Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Da, and many more items which are relavent to people whether young or old.

Rides like the Simpsons or Potter will only have meaning for a certain generation of people, once they are done, they're done, there will be nothing more. No promise of more to come. Basically Universal takes certain trends and jumps one them about 5-10 years too late. Last time I was there the only rides that had characters in them which were still relavent were located on Marvel Island and Shrek 3D. Everything else was outdated, never seen, or forgotten. They have about 3 classic characters in the entire park(Popeye, ET, and Dudley Do-Right) to go along with the comic book characters. Those are about the only things in the parks which you can guarantee everyone is going to know. Everything else there, if you did not grow up with the stuff, you'll have no clue or vaguely remember it. You can't beat the annual pass price though if you're gonna be there 2 or 3 times in a year.

 

[Philo]

I don't see how anyone could do everything at Universal in one day and honestly claim they had done it fully and with and open mind. In order to pull that off, you'd have to be doing it "commando style" and not really taking the time to enjoy everything.

I dont know, I managed to do everything at the studios in far less than a day. It was january though and very, very quiet. At no point did we queue for any ride at all. We only needed to wait for shows to start etc. We also did all of IoA in a day but went back for more.

I would always go back to IoA, probably wont be going back to the studios though

 

[dandaman]

they listed the TWISTER..Ride It Out as "thrilling" ????
you stand up and watch it happen.....

that has the be the STUPIDEST thing i have ever been on. In no way, shape, or form do i concider that thrilling.

You don't have to be moving a whole lot to be thrilled. Soarin' has proven that.

My list:

Themeing

1. Disney
2. Universal
3. Busch
4. Cedar Point / Six Flags

Thrills (overall)

1. Disney
2. Universal
3. Cedar Point / Six Flags
4. Busch

Thrills (roller coasters, etc.)

1. Cedar Point
2. Busch
3. Universal
4. Six Flags
5. Disney

I don't go to Disney for hardcore thrills, and likewise, I don't go to Cedar Point for themeing. You have to appreciate every park and ride for what it DOES have.

As for Universal comparing themselves to Disney... while some of the info might be skewed (maybe purposefully), Universal is the most direct contender with the Disney parks. Personally I was amazed at Universal last March; some of you saying Universal sucks should try going there sometime. :shrug:

...Does anyone go to a theme park to enjoy themselves anymore?

 

[devoy1701]

I don't see how anyone could do everything at Universal in one day and honestly claim they had done it fully and with and open mind. In order to pull that off, you'd have to be doing it "commando style" and not really taking the time to enjoy everything.

Universal often runs some killer deals that make it a much better bargain than the price of admission to Disney. But of course whenever they do that, they get accused of being "desperate". So really they just can't win, at least not in the minds of the closed-minded.

I went to universal one day in the beginning of June. For some reason, the parks were empty, the longest wait I had was 20 minutes. We had 2-day, 2-park tickets and were able to do all of the attractions worth doing in BOTH parks in one day...and we didn't rush. I guess it was a rare case...because it was a BEAUTIFUL sunny day, not too hot, not too cold...there were just no people!

as for the second part, they do run incredible deals, in July you could test drive a Volkswagen in Tampa and they would give you 2 free single day admission tickets to Universal. And with the help from Coca-cola, if you bought a one day-2 park ticket and brought a coupon from a 12-pack of Coke, you could have a pass to come back for the rest of the year.



There were some disses on Busch Gardens, it might be because I grew up going to Busch every weekend. And over the summer we would sometimes go 3 times a week, but I happen to enjoy this park moreso than Universal. It's 7 coasters (Sheekra, Montu, Kumba, Gwazi Lion, Gwazi Tiger, Scorpion, Cheetah Chase) are great, so are it's shows, it's 3 classic water rides and carnival type rides. Their animal preserve is amazing too! IMHO, much better than AKs. I love the train ride through it and the skyride that takes you over it. And you can see plenty walking through the Edge of Africa.

And I LOVE LOVE LOVE Howl-O-Scream. I've gone every year since it started and I never miss out on it! The haunted houses are fantastic as are the scare zones. And unlike Halloween Horror Nights at Universal, you actually have time to go through all of the Haunted Houses and Scare Zones because it isn't overly crowded for their halloween events.


anyway...just my 2 cents again.

 

[Timmay]

What do you know...just like clockwork, another thread ripping apart Universal for one of two things - their marketing or their parks. The same complaints and defenses given over and over every few weeks.

For those that say there is no rivalry between WDW and Universal or WDW shouldn't even give Universal a second thought...maybe do some studying and figure out how companies get to the top of the pecking order. It wasn't by ignoring the other guy.:brick:

 

[liquid toez]

Unfair Comparison

With regards to the Dining & Entertainment comparison, did you notice how Universal conveniently left out all the Pleasure Island clubs as well as Raglan Road and the new Cigar Bar; yet thet included their City Walk clubs in the comparison. The comparison is way out of wack.