Mini Trip Report And Observations

[tomman710]

I bought a Uni Premier AP this past week, first time I have had a Uni AP in maybe 6 years or so and I have to say ... WOW. I don't know if I don't remember or if they have changed but everything about it shows appreciation for the guest. It's almost half the price of the WDW AP, you can flex pay it, you get free tickets to special events, bottles of water, valet parking, club access, express pass, GOOD discounts at GOOD restaurants, and great discounts at their hotels, and other things I am just learning about.

We stayed at the Portofino Bay for 170/night! I was expecting Disney Deluxe pricing for that kind of a resort! Additionally, the express pass you get for staying on site is an ACTUAL PERK, something WDW has definitely lost sight of ... P.S. the hotel was great.

As you can tell it's been a while since I have gone to Uni like this, I popped in a year ago to ride Potter but that's about it. Needless to say I was impressed with the customer attention and benefits to AP holders and hotel guests. They actually reward you, instead of the mock-appreciation I feel at WDW now.

As for the parks ... I think they are really on the upswing. At IOA I think everything looks great except Toon Lagoon and Marvel Island (but to be fair I have never been crazy about the design of those lands, it looks like they went counter clockwise around the parks and ran out of money when it came to themeing those areas ... PPS I think Toon Lagoon needs to be re-themed, none of those characters are especially relevant or recognizable or even really beloved save for Popeye and Betty Boop) ... Spider-Man looks fantastic and is still a great ride. I cannot wait to see expansion to this park that is filled with mostly great attractions.

At Universal Studios the amount of construction is mind boggling, I think just seeing the construction all around puts out this feeling of great anticipation, it's exciting, something I haven't felt in Disney in a LONG time. I love alot at US but I think they still have a ways to go, the shows are all great and the attractions are mostly hits ... I am not a fan of Shrek, Despicable Me, or MIB as franchises but the MIB ride is entertaining for sure.

Either way my ultimate point is this ... I was a confirmed Disney Brand Loyalist and I went into this three day trip with a bit of negativity and was blown away ... I think Uni is doing EVERYTHING right (or at least most things right) now and I have to go back for work in a couple weeks and I'll be back at Uni.

 

[StageFrenzy]

As far as Toon Lagoon is concerned they are in the process of spiffing up the joint. Hopefully Dudley will go down soon and they will plus that area.

 

[BryceM]

Glad you had fun! I feel the same way about Toon Lagoon. Well, it's more of a "love, hate" relationship. I like some parts, but other parts are weak. I love Marvel Super Hero Island though! As mentioned before, Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls will be going down for some much needed maintenance soon... Whew.

And yes, the Universal APs are such a good deal, especially with us Florida residents. I think the Preferred Pass is absolutely necessary with that free-parking perk!

 

[tomman710]

As far as Toon Lagoon is concerned they are in the process of spiffing up the joint. Hopefully Dudley will go down soon and they will plus that area.

To me it's just a complete land I have zero interest in (no interest in either ride or getting wet for that matter and no interest in the themeing or characters), which rarely happens at parks for me. Thankfully, the rest of IOA mostly makes up for it.

So are they just refurbing it or changing the theme?

 

[tomman710]

Glad you had fun! I feel the same way about Toon Lagoon. Well, it's more of a "love, hate" relationship. I like some parts, but other parts are weak. I love Marvel Super Hero Island though! As mentioned before, Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls will be going down for some much needed maintenance soon... Whew.

And yes, the Universal APs are such a good deal, especially with us Florida residents. I think the Preferred Pass is absolutely necessary with that free-parking perk!

It's a crazy good deal ... and I was consistently surprised by the perks because I am so conditioned to get "nothing" from my WDW AP.

 

[BryceM]

To me it's just a complete land I have zero interest in (no interest in either ride or getting wet for that matter and no interest in the themeing or characters), which rarely happens at parks for me. Thankfully, the rest of IOA mostly makes up for it.

So are they just refurbing it or changing the theme?

I feel the same way about the Comic Strip Lane, which is just shops and restaurants. However, the areas around Popeye and Dudley, I enjoy a lot. Popeye & Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges is (arguably) the best rapids ride in world, and is definitely worth a ride, even if you get soaked. Ripsaw Falls is definitely one of the best log flumes in the world, but you can't compare it's show scenes to Splash Mountain's. The ride opened un-finished and it's truly a shame. Hopefully the refurbishments fix this problem...

And I don't think a change in theme will happen anytime soon.

 

[tomman710]

I feel the same way about the Comic Strip Lane, which is just shops and restaurants. However, the areas around Popeye and Dudley, I enjoy a lot. Popeye & Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges is (arguably) the best rapids ride in world, and is definitely worth a ride, even if you get soaked. Ripsaw Falls is definitely one of the best log flumes in the world, but you can't compare it's show scenes to Splash Mountain's. The ride opened un-finished and it's truly a shame. Hopefully the refurbishments fix this problem...

And I don't think a change in theme will happen anytime soon.

That's high praise ... "best in the world" ... so you're saying pack a bathing suit and stop being a p***y.

 

[BryceM]

That's high praise ... "best in the world" ... so you're saying pack a bathing suit and stop being a p***y.

Heck yes!